That NACOVERC statement and what we must do
The body charged with the responsibility of managing Covid-19 in the country NACOVERC this week issued a statement that highlighted the need for greater care even though the curfew has been temporarily lifted. We totally agree with NACOVERC in reminding people not to drop their guard even though the threat of high infection has greatly reduced. Well we have seen how pleased people are following the lifting of the curfew for a month. We are equally appreciative of the security forces that are still showing up especially on busy roads checking people in vehicles to make sure masking was done. The churches we have visited have been complying somehow and there is every reason to believe that the lifting of the curfew might be extended. The areas of concern though are pubs and other social gatherings that are becoming a bit difficult in complying with social distancing, not to talk of masking. One cannot expect masking where people go to eat and drink but some level of social distancing should be observed. We only hope people running especially eateries would try as best as they could to make their customers keep safe metres apart. Our desire is to see this whole pandemic thing put behind us for good. We hear of vaccines in the making and we do anticipate a rush for immunization against the virus.
Pool Party is now the rage but….
We are seeing a new form of entertainment by young people these days, and that is, going to swimming pools to chill. This is fast becoming another form of business by people who want to make fast money. People are now all over the city and outlying areas constructing swimming pools and are having people to pay for their use. It seems to becoming a brisk business. These pools are often choked with people from all backgrounds and the scenes are usually very chaotic. Just how sanitized those pools are, we may not know. We are a bit reserved about these pools due to a number of reasons.
How often is the water drained and replaced? What purification mechanisms are applied to the water? Isn’t there a possibility of someone becoming infected by jumping into pools of this nature? Young people have generally taken to this form of entertainment and some partake in anti- social behaviours right there in those pools. Ministry of Health officials must start visiting those places to see what their hygiene protocols are. Hepatitis is out there as well as other infectious diseases. God help us.
Transportation is hell in town
People in the Western Area are going through hell as they go about their commuting. The city of Freetown has become so congested and the means of transportation so limited. Drivers are having a field day overcharging passengers, whilst Police look the other way. The problem gets bigger and bigger every day. The people are suffering a lot and are yearning for the day Principal’s administration would bring in buses to lessen the stress of commuters. There is an elaborate transportation scheme on the way, according to what we have been told. We also know that a construction company called Pavi Fort is to build the bus terminals for the bus project. But when will this project kick-off? We are seeing no signs of that yet, and people are really becoming frustrated. Intention must go together with action these days or has Principal’s administration forgotten too soon how the Red Sun mocked the Green Palm Tree years ago with the words: Action Pass Intention? People appreciate the more, things they see and which impact their lives positively. To see people jumping through the window of a bus in the city as they scramble for a seat is so uncivil. But who can blame the people for that? What would have become of commuters had commercial bikes or tricycles or Kekes not been around? Our Transport Ministry officials should address this issue very seriously.
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