South Africa, Nigeria, mulling fresh COVID-19 responses

South Africa, Nigeria, mulling fresh COVID-19 responses

By John Eche

South Africa and Nigeria are presently mulling fresh responses on how to address the risk of a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Difference can report.

Last week, the authorities in Nigeria deplored the uncooperative responses from Nigerians on sticking to the COVID-19 protocols with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in particular lamenting that it was not getting enough cooperation from notably religious leaders.

But The Difference Newspaper’s field reports disclose that it is clear that it is not only worship centres where COVID-19 protocols are being breached. From Asaba to Lagos, Ibadan to Ore, many people routinely neglect the protocols that include the use of face masks, hand washing and social distancing.

The situation is presently also not being helped by a rising spate of high-profile infection cases that are being reported from all across the country. They include the Kaduna State Governor Nasir El Rufai, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and family members of the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

There is also the disturbing instance of close to two dozen senior military officers that have been reportedly infected, including one that has already been confirmed dead.

In South Africa, the government has continued to also plead with citizens and other residents to take all mandated protection measures to avert a spike in infection rates in a country where some 800, 000 persons have already been infected.

Nigeria’s Health Minister, Osagie Ehanire