Pascal Oparada
Increasing number of Nigerians are ditching their face masks daily, giving credence to the long-held opinion that coronavirus in the country is a hoax, only hatched by the elite to make money from the government.
The use of face masks became compulsory in the country when the index case of an Italian who came into country infected with the virus was recorded in February this year. The unbelief in what many have called the ‘white man’s’ disease also started taking root that early.
Many believe that Africans are genetically immune to the virus owing to the weather and thus threw caution to the wind.
To date, the country has recorded over 60,000 infections and over one thousand deaths. Over 60,000 people have recovered from the virus, according data from the country’s Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The number of recoveries and low number of fatalities have given many the confidence that the virus is ‘selective’ and thus makes them care free.
The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 believes that there is a looming second wave, especially after the #EndSARS protests that rocked the country in October, much like the George Floyd protests that spiked infections in the US.
Nigeria’s new COVID-19 infections have increased in the last two weeks, a review of official data shows, suggesting a possible resurgence in cases after many weeks of low numbers.
Last week, November 1-7, the country recorded 937 new cases, a two per cent increase from the previous week’s record of 923 cases which was a 32 per cent increase from the preceding week.
Nigeria recorded its highest daily figure of confirmed infections in three months with the 300 reported cases on Sunday, November 9, raising the total tally to over 64, 000.
Experts are worried that the new attitude of Nigerians to the virus would put the vulnerable members of the public in jeopardy.
“The aged population are the most vulnerable to catching the virus. They should not allow those with a slim chance of contracting it to put them at risk,” Devo Okorie said during a radio programme monitored in Lagos.
Nearly three in every 10 Nigerians in a poll conducted in late April maintained that they have some form of immunity to the coronavirus.
The survey conducted by NOIPolls, a country-specific polling service, showed that poor knowledge and perception of the virus is capable of sabotaging gains made in keeping the contagion at bay. Fact-checkers and health officials are working rigorously to provide accurate information and save lives.
In response to questions, the NCDC director, Mr Ihekweazu, said the health agency also carried out its own survey.
“In the survey we carried out, most people believe that although COVID-19 poses a significant national challenge, their perception of their own risk of catching it is much lower,” the official said.
“We must remain cognizant of the fact that we are dealing with a pandemic caused by a new virus. We still do not have all the answers we need including information on long-term effects of the disease.
“We appeal to Nigerians to adhere to all public health and safety measures. COVID-19 is real. The statistics we receive daily on the number of deaths are people with families, friends and loved ones,” he said.
When this reporter approached a commuter in Ogba area of Lagos to ask him if he believes the virus exists in the country, the man who gave his name as Johnson said that he is torn between the facts and the myths.
“I don’t have a particular stance on the existence of the virus in the country. I believe that if the virus exists and is as potent as they claim, Africa would have been a cemetery as predicted by some people,” He said.
Johnson, who was seen with his face mask on his jaw, believes that the virus has a different strain in Africa.
A bystander, Tosin Oladele does not believe coronavirus is real. She was not wearing a face mask and had little regard for social distancing. She was seen hugging an acquaintance, which aroused the reporter’s curiosity.
She told the reporter that God watches over Nigeria and not the government, else things would have gone out of hand.
As to why she is not wearing a face mask, Oladele said she does not believe in the existence of the virus in the country.
“My brother, the whole thing is a hoax, a gimmick which the government uses to fleece Nigerians. Why would I wear a face mask? Have you seen or know somebody that knows somebody that died of the virus?” She asked.
“When I visited Onitsha, Anambra State, not single person was wearing a face mask,” journalist, Ishaya Ibrahim.
Ibrahim said there was zero observance of social distancing. He doubts the claim of a second wave.
To many, the recent looting of warehouses across the country where palliatives were kept is a pointer that even the government does not believe coronavirus is real. The materials were meant to be distributed during the lockdown in May this year.
