By HENRY OWINO ( Senior Correspondent)
As innovations to curb the Coronavirus Pandemic come in, people must not lose sight to the simple interventions already at hand. The new advances are additional measures aimed at retarding the strain of the deadly disease.
Coronavirus have scuttled plans and activities of governments, religions, private sectors, communities, families, individuals among other clusters globally.
The only win-win situation to this highly contagious virus is by entirely implementing all advisories given by Governments and Health experts. The interventions might appear as punishment to citizens but are for the good of nation.
Remember no pain, no gain, so it is necessary to suffer now by observing all the health measures in order to eliminate Coronavirus. According to survivors, especially patients who went through Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the disease is very painful and traumatizing apart from leaving one extremely emaciated.
Precaution is better than cure
This is why in medical profession it was long realized that prevention is better than a cure. The latter is too costly compared to the former hence the saying.
“Let us all adhere to interventions being advised by government, and this is the way we are all going to defeat this disease,”Mutahi Kagwe, CS for Health urges.
All measures instituted by governments are meant to slow down the spread of Coronavirus which is now with us. The virus is among people and it is no longer being imported hence spreading communally.
For the sake of the present and the future generations, governments as a society are responsible to its people by doing everything possible to prevent harm. This is for the benefits of its citizens and the environment at whatever cost.
For instance, it is better to help people quit smoking than to treat lung cancer and it’s better to provide vaccines rather than get diseases like malaria, measles and influenza.
In Kenya, the year 2004, the then Minister for Transport, the late John Michuki, introduced safety belts for all public service vehicles (PSVS). The purpose of seat belts is to save life or reduces possible injury in case of accident. The PSVs crew went on strike for close to two weeks while commuters stood with Mr Michuki by trekking to and fro work place or hitch-hiking private vehicles.
The motorists had to comply with the measures so that not to lose business and at the end of hullabaloo, both parties came out triumphant.
Again motorbike operators whether taxi or private riders are required to wear crash helmets and reflecting jackets to prevent injury. Fishermen and other water vessel users are must now to put on life jackets to save their lives in case of capsize.
People wear sun hats and use sunblock to prevent injury and diseases caused by direct exposure to sun-heat. Exercise and good nutrition will also reduce susceptibility to lifestyle illness and it also makes you feel well and beautiful.
Cures can be difficult and expensive. Even worse than that, they can be ineffective or just too late. In some cases there simply is no cure.
It is always much better to prevent damage than to fix it after the damage has been done. In too many cases the damage is irreparable.
Preventive interventions might look difficult and cause some discomfort but at the end of it all success is always assured. So,let’s adhere to government’s containment guidelines of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Safety measures
Stay at home and only go outside for food, health reasons or work but only if you cannot work from home.
If you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times.
Avoid shaking hands, hugs, kiss, sharing attires among other direct connections.
Use disposable tissue while sneezing, or cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve (flex elbow ), not your hands. Remember to wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.
Sanitize your hands as often as possible and if you cannot, always wash them with running water and soap as soon as you get home.
Do not meet other people, even friends, colleagues, or family (social distancing).
Wear face mask in public places to protect self and others.
Avoid eating wildlife products such as bush-meat as well.
You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms.
These are very simple interventions of stopping Coronavirus infections in the first place before one contract the disease. Otherwise the second step of quarantine as a suspect, may lead to third step of contraction and final step of hospitalization. Here is treatment to recover or succumb depending on one’s immune systems.
Emergencies contacts
In Kenya, the Ministry of Health has given out a toll free phone number 719 or text x719#, 0800 721 316 when one present symptoms of Coronavirus.
You can also call the following County Hotline numbers:
Nairobi – 0800721316 (toll-free) / 0732353535
Turkana – 0758722023
Garissa -0111207207 / 0110040836 / 011040708
If you are a refugee (asylum) in Kenya’s camps and need to contact UNHCR, please call the Helpline by phone: 0800 720063 (toll-free) or email: helpline.kenya@unhcr.org.
Remember the following alternative hotlines are also available in specific situations:
- National GBV (Gender-Based Violence) hotline: 1195
- Kenya police emergency hotline: 999/112
- MSF sexual violence hotline (Doctors without borders): 0711400506
- LVCT Health (Liverpool Voluntary Counselling and Treatment for HIV): 0800720121
Please, acquaint yourself with relevant contacts of your Country, County, Region or area for emergencies and basic information. It is a solution to some of your problems.
Symptoms
According to World Health Organization (WHO), the most common symptoms of Covid-19 are fever, tiredness, dry cough, sneezing, chest pain and headache. In severe cases, one would experience difficulty in breathing.
Some patients may also have a runny nose, sore throat, nasal congestion and aches and pains or diarrhoea. Some people report losing their sense of taste and/or smell. About 80% of people who get Covid-19 experience a mild case, about as serious as a regular cold and recover without needing any special treatment.
More rarely, the disease can be serious and even fatal. Older people, and people with other medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), may be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill.
About one in six people, the WHO says, become seriously ill. The elderly and people with underlying medical problems such as high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, or chronic respiratory conditions, are at a greater risk of serious illness from Covid-19.
