As the world watches the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases surpassing the eye-popping 2 million by now, fear and uncertainty weigh on people’s mind. With many countries adopting various policies including the total lockdown to contain the spread of this highly contagious virus, social distancing and minimizing physical interaction by ordinary people has become a daily routine in many parts of the globe.
Nigeria is also going all out in its determined fight against the COVID-19 by extending its lockdown policy in major cities recently. As President Muhammadu Buhari said in his recent address, the lockdown decision will no doubt disrupt people’s livelihoods and bring undue hardships to the Nigerian public. However, as the even highly advanced countries have already been implementing the policy of shutting down pretty much everything, Nigeria does not seem to have a better choice. In a crisis like this, Nigerian government even with its limited resources has to take action and people need to make some sacrifices to stop this deadly virus.
While nobody knows for sure when this pandemic will reach the peak and ultimately end, some countries in Europe and the United States are slowly and cautiously beginning to talk about re-starting their business with intense debate and controversy internally and externally. Though it is hard to imagine at this point in time what the post.COVID-19 era will be like, countries need to keep combating the virus resolutely and move towards the future.
As a number of countries find it difficult to take a step Into the future overwhelmed by the shadow of the world-wide trend of closing down, South Korea has been silently and steadily leading the way towards the future of COVID-19-free era. It is just heartwarming and encouraging to watch the Asian country systematically coping with the crisis.
Despite some concerns and controversy over people’s right to vote and people’s right to health, South Korea this week has successfully conducted the general election in a calm, cool and collected manner. The way they carried out one of the biggest public gathering under the COVID-19 atmosphere is simply amazing and highly applaudable.
South Korea is already well known for its smart and creative ways of battling against COVID-19 with the state-of-the-art technology and exemplary performance both by the government and the general public. Unlike many other countries, the country’s airports are still open accepting foreign travelers. Thanks to the proactive. systematic, and organized approach to contain the virus, the number ot COVID-19 confirmed cases in South Korea has recently been declining drastically from several hundreds before to about a score in recent days. It has one of the lowest death rates and highest recovery rates in the world regarding COVID-19 cases. South Korean medical equipment is accurate and reliable and is selling like hot cakes with many world leaders calling South Korean president.
As many wonder what is behind this exceptionally encouraging story of South Korea, the world can get the hint by taking a look at South Korean citizens. In Korea, it’s all about We, not Me. They are highly educated, respectful, and disciplined. They follow the rules and guidelines for a cause greater than oneself. In South Korea, no one is panic buying. There is no long line in front of supermarkets and no one is hoarding anything. They are living like normal human beings even in this kind of crisis. They wear masks in order to protect others as well as themselves.
South Korean example gives us hope in this dark times. It is a powerful democracy supported by people’s desire and system. The fight is not yet over in South Korea. Cases might surge again as in many other countries. But the collapse of system and people’s attitude are unlikely in South Korea. The country is calmly and unwaveringly leading the way. Other countries should better watch and learn from South Korea’s experience.
In these difficult times, we desperately need a caring heart and a mature sense of citizenship. While most countries struggle in this fight against invisible spread of virus, the world and people should not succumb to the invisible threat of individualism and self-interest. With its vast potential and peopleys single-minded will, Nigeria, too, should and will endure this hardship and will move towards the future of COVID-19-free world.
John writes from Kaduna
