Andrew
Veronica Gwaze
THERE is now general fatigue in observing Covid-19 protocols throughout the country.
In fact, most coronavirus etiquettes have since been thrown into the bin and one can be pardoned for assuming that we are now past the pandemic.
In Zimbabwe, at least 1,7 million people have so far been arrested for defaulting Covid-19 regulations.
“We are worried, the numbers of people who are being arrested for defaulting Covid-19 protocols are increasing daily. People are deliberately ignoring these regulations, however, we will continue to enforce the law,” warned police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
Most supermarkets in high-density suburbs are no longer sanitising customers and face masks are no longer being prioritised.
Numbers in imbibing joints have shot up and there is little or no social distancing being observed in most public places.
Traditional handshakes have also resumed.
Ordinarily, this laxity coupled with the challenges created by the winter season should have seen the number of new cases and fatalities shooting through the roof but that has not been the case.
Covid-19 cases have been on a downward trajectory which has resulted in the lifting of curfew and the return of live shows.
In the past two weeks, the highest number of new cases recorded was 36, on July 14, and there were no deaths on the particular day.
This is in sharp contrast to what obtained in the first two years of the pandemic in the same month, whereby thousands of new cases and several deaths were recorded.
Actually, on July 13, 2021 there were at least 2 845 new cases and 38 deaths recorded, which became a new record for a single day.
Caution
However, Government has warned against letting the guard down.
“We cannot afford to be complacent because we have not yet won the battle. The public should continue to adhere to the stipulated guidelines masking up, observing social distance and regular sanitising,” said Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr John Mangwiro.
Medical experts argue local fatalities significantly declined due to a combination of the lockdown and successful rollout of the Covid-19 vaccination programme.
Over 6,3 million people have since received their first dose of the jab.
Dr Mangwiro added that Government is in the process of strengthening Covid-19 protective mechanisms through intensifying the vaccination drive.
Children who are aged 12 and above are now allowed to be vaccinated.
“We want to have even the younger age groups vaccinated and those adults who got their first doses to get the second and booster shots.
“Vaccines are currently available therefore we need to continue emphasising on the importance of getting vaccinated. We also have common flu and monkeypox to watch out for hence we have to stay alert,” added the Deputy Minister.
He further urged the police to remain vigilant and arrest all Covid-19 regulation defaulters.
A walk around most suburbs and central business districts reveal that life has reverted back to the pre-Covid settings.
People are no longer wearing face masks in public and the few that do so, do not cover their nose and mouth.
Likewise, handshakes and hugs have become the order of the day.
Choice
“I think the situation is now under control. We are now at a point where face masks should be used as a personal choice. If you notice, other countries that had more cases and fatalities than us have since repealed all Covid-19-related restrictions. We need to be careful but equally move with time,” argued one health practitioner who declined to be named.
Last month, South Africa repealed the country’s remaining coronavirus-related restrictions that include wearing of masks, curbs on gathering sizes and border checks for Covid-19.
This was after the government observed a decline in hospitalisations and reported cases.
South Africa has recorded the most coronavirus cases and deaths on the African continent, with over 3,9 million confirmed infections and more than 101 000 deaths.
Around half of the South African adults have received at least one vaccine dose, with 46 percent fully vaccinated.
In February, the British government also announced the end to all Covid-19 restrictions, including mandatory self-isolation for people with the virus and free testing.
However, Hong Kong was in the process of building more isolation units while other European nations were retaining social distancing and vaccine rules.
Local experts note that countries were at different stages of coping with Covid-19 and advised the use of date-driven strategies.
Harare City fire brigade and ambulance technician, Shepherd Tsiga reckons the country is not yet safe from the pandemic.
Tsiga who is also the Warriors Covid-19 compliance officer handled the first coronavirus local case and has been working on the frontline ever since.
“Covid-19 is still around and complacency may be a recipe for disaster. The public should continue to observe all set protocols. There is also need for more people to get vaccinated.
“Vaccination has proved to be the best way to go. It suppresses the effects of the virus. Overpopulation in poorly ventilated spaces, not sanitising and masking up may result in a serious disaster or experiences that we do not wish to revisit.”
Some members of the public interviewed by The Sunday Mail Society said it was time for Government to make some of the Covid-19 regulations “optional”.
“Several people are no longer wearing face masks, sanitising or social distancing. Frankly speaking, this has been the case for some time now. If we still had a high risk of Covid cases, we would have lost a lot of lives by now.
“Imagine how Alick Macheso’s album launch was packed? Over 10 000 people attended the event but that did not trigger a rise in new cases,” argued Tendai Mandizera.
His colleague weighed in.
“Wearing of face masks should be an individual’s choice not a mandate,” said a man only identified as Clever.
School children have been among the most affected by the pandemic.
At some point learners were forced to go on prolonged holidays.
While some pupils kept up with their studies through online classes and home schooling, those of disadvantaged backgrounds suffered as they lagged behind.
Educationist Dr Cephas Nziramasanga notes that there is need for schools to be cautious as they cover up for the lost time.
He added that there was need for caution if the nation is not to slide back into a “crisis”.
“It is a fact that the past two years have not been normal and the effects will be felt for years. While schools would want to rush to cover up, they need to be careful how they do it lest they overload learners or create a disaster with far reaching consequences. Schools should be tactical,” he warned.
Boutique owner Kimberly Masungo feels business owners should continue to emphasise on Covid-19 protocols for the cycle of infections to be broken.
She recalls how she and other business owners hit hard times during the peak of the pandemic. “I am alert and still adhering to Covid protocols. I will do everything in my power to ensure that I am not a driver of the virus. I do not want us to experience what we went through during the lockdown again,” she said.
“Together with my employees we are fully vaccinated but life is not yet back to normal. We are not yet out of the woods and remember there is monkey pox as well to watch out for, so we only allow masked up customers in our shop, we also sanitise them and observe social distancing.”
Simon Mutambi and Cobra Kings band manager Darlington Kachere urged revellers to practice social distancing at live gigs.
“It is important for us as artists to be the voice of reason for our fans. We should continue to remind them that they need to stay safe. We cannot afford more cases, deaths and lockdowns. It will destroy us,” he said.
Rotary Club of Hunyani executive director Dennis Mudede reckons faith-based organisations should play a key part in assisting those who were affected by Covid-19 to heal.
The club has in the recent past been offering psychological therapy sessions for the various groups through physical and virtual sessions.
“Religion should be at the forefront to assist these people deal with bereavement, they need to get closure,” he said.
“We are the closest friends and we should be sensitive in our conversations, provide counselling within communities, the sermons we preach should also help deal with stigma and self-blame.”
The first local Covid-19 case was recorded on March 20, 2020 in Victoria Falls before the nation was placed on the first national lockdown on March 30.
Businesses had to shut down while most social activities either changed in nature as they had to be carried out under the strict guidelines or had to be placed on halt.
In the first six months, the situation was relatively calm with 591 cases and seven deaths recorded across the country.
However, the public became complacent and figures spiked to 13 867 confirmed cases and 363 deaths by December 31, 2020.
The following year, a highly contagious second wave hit the country and at least
1 112 new infections were reported on January 14, 2021.
The following month, a vaccination programme was rolled out.
But the winter season in the past years brought with it some serious challenges as figures spiked to new highs. However, that has not been the case this year.
Over 5 500 lives have been lost to Covid-19 to date.
Online Reporter