ENUGU –– The Enugu State Government and stakeholders in the education sector had on the 4th day of this year resolved that schools in the state resume on Monday 18th of January, 2021.
This decision was welcomed by parents and their wards with mixed feelings; although tired of their wards staying at home indefinitely due to uncertainties trailing the covid 19 spread, the news that the covid 19-second wave is deadlier than the first wave became a huge concern.
Fresh deaths and rise in the number of confirmed infected persons put parents in dilemma as their wards are expected back to school in a matter of days.
The Nigeria Center of Disease and Control, NCDC, update as of 5.32 am on Saturday, 16th January 2021 reveals that Nigeria records a total of 107,345 confirmed cases while confirmed cases in Enugu State rose to 1583.
Out of the 1479 new confirmed cases in the nation reported from 25 states, 19 were from Enugu state.
These records are results got from testing only 1,147,523 persons as against over 200 million individuals in the nation.
This consistent rise in number of infected persons and government’s decision for schools to resume on Monday 18th January 2021 led The West African Pilot News into the streets of the Enugu state capital, Enugu, to feel the pulse of parents whose wards are expected back in schools, boarding, and non-boarding schools.
Mrs. Ibelegbu a civil servant in an interview expressed serious concerns to letting her children off to school.
“Knowledge of this deadly virus keeps me on edge as we have to comply with government’s decision for schools to reopen. I agree that schools can’t remain indefinitely closed and personally, I will not like to keep my children at home so that they do not lag behind their mates,”
“but the number of infected persons is alarming and so, I decided to take responsibility in keeping them safe by educating them on the transmission mode of the virus and need to adhere strictly to the precautionary measures outlined by the Nigeria Center for Disease and Control,” she said.
Mr. Odenigbo aka Dr. Goodnoize a popular disc jockey also revealed to WAP news that he had to buy packs of face masks, bottles of hand sanitizers but above all constantly praying unto God to keep his children safe.
“This second wave is no joke and there is need for us to collectively do the right thing and stop its spread,” Odenigbo advices.
Most enlightened parents interviewed acknowledge the place of education and self-discipline in containing the spread of the virus but responses of unenlightened parents is worrisome.
Mr. Okereke, a bricklayer was of the opinion that coronavirus is disease for the rich and is not for his children.
“It is not my portion. None of my children will contact it because they do not go to same school as the rich,” Okereke said.
With such mindset, definitely he would pass such unfounded ideology to the child who would lower her guards believing that her circle of friends cannot contact nor transmit the virus.
WAP news advice students “as you get back to school, remember to maintain physical distance between you and your friends and classmates; avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, use hands sanitizer when water and soap is not available; use your face mask and avoid handshakes and hugs.
Also, as much as possible, do not stay in close proximity with persons who have symptoms like fever, dry cough, tiredness, aches and pains, sore throat, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, headache, loss of taste or smell, a rash on skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes.
Encourage such to visit the hospital for proper treatment so as to minimize fatalities and transmissions.
An interview with a consultant at ESUT Teaching hospital, Parklane, Dr. Ajuba, revealed that the covid 19 testing is free at Parklane and patients who have less severe symptoms are allowed to isolate at home and the drugs given to them free of charge.
Ajuba then called on residents in the state to take advantage of the free testing as early detection of the virus helps chances of recovery and reduction of community transmission.
Remember, the virus is mainly transmitted through droplets from an infected person’s cough, sneeze, or exhales; these droplets are too heavy to hang in the air but quickly falls on floors or surfaces. Touching such surfaces and then one’s eyes, nose and mouth or breathing in the virus at close proximity of infected person are some ways of transmission.
- EFCC Restores 14 Assets to Enugu State Government - April 25, 2024
- Abusing The Nation’s Legal Tender Now Comes With Severe Consequences - April 24, 2024
- Enugu Lawmakers Amending Criminal Code Lawto Criminalize Ransom Payment - April 24, 2024
