By Ezekiel Nabieu
The fight against the riddance of Ebola can only be described as overwhelming. Make no mistake, it cannot be won on sentimental, regional or tribal basis as it seems. It has the potential to unseat any government. It can be God-sent to remove some deification of our leaders and bad governance at many levels. The flood tide is over for now and we are now in an awkward and ebbing time.
There are a couple of factors which if not addressed frontally will prove to be the undoing of the APC government. One such factor is the ambivalence of the government over the convergence of people. I learnt from the media that a Bishop recently asked his congregation of about 1,000 to shake hands, adding that nothing would happen as long as they pray.
Still on the question of overcrowding let me illustrate public transportation especially the long buses that shuttle within the Western Rural Areas in which innumerable numbers cramp in and stand. One profusely perspiring passenger, or one with a blistered hand, could infect a whole lot.
How about congregations in Churches and Mosques? Is it a question of the exception proving the rule? I attended a divine service this month with a congregation of more than 2,000 where everyone entered without any washing of hands. And yet video centres or cinema halls of fewer than 100 are banned. It stands to reason that if the government dares to ban religious services it will be doomed for sure.
Like I hinted earlier recruitment to the band of contract tracers seems to be faulty. This is partly responsible for the bungledom in which the exercise finds itself. This explains why response to emergency calls on 117 is so lackadaisical for instance. There is a plenitude of quacks and cranks in their ranks.
The Sierra Leone Police have found themselves in a sort of quandary in this Ebola situation. They have lately taken to wearing gloves while on traffic duties. This is ostensibly because of the contagion of touching others with naked hands. The syllogism is this: Touching is one of the ways of contracting the disease. They should not touch drivers. Therefore the wearing of the gloves is to receive bribes from drivers. Simple. The taking of bribes is hereby substantiated inadvertently by this most corrupt sector of the public, according to the ACC's public perception survey.
SENSITISATION OR POCKETIZATION
I was sorely scandalised, as every patriot should be, at the amounts released to various districts on the recommendation of District Medical Officers. One does not need to be a genius to see through the ruse in such a dolorous situation. How on earth can Kailahun District, the genesis of the scourge and still the epicentre, receive less than Koinadugu that has had no cases of Ebola? This is according to an official list published last week with signatures of people who received the largesse. Could that be due to orders from above which are quintessentially political? Let us remember that we were told the time for politics was over.
It is now incumbent on all of us to suspend our culture while Ebola lasts in this country. We can effectively interact and show signs of love without body contact. Ebola will pass and we shall resume our usual cultural practices.
Last but not least let us not forget to offer our individual and congregational prayers. The immediate future bodes gloom but more things are wrought by prayer than this world dream of.
(C) Politico 21/08/14
