Covid-19 second wave: Govt must increase awareness campaigns, introduce smart solutions

When Zimbabwe registered its first Covid-19 death in March and subsequently went into total lockdown – there was widespread shock, panic and fear which saw people practicing extreme caution.
Many hid in their homes, going out only when completely necessary, while all prevention measures were practiced.
Hands were regularly washed and sanitised, temperature regularly checked, masks worn all the time while social distancing came without effort.
Visitors were treated with suspicion especially those coming from South Africa or the United Kingdom. This writer witnessed neighbours refusing entry into their home, their own child’s friend who had just arrived from South Africa.
They asked her to isolate and test for Covid-19 first.
Visits to parents’ homes or rural areas where there was danger of passing on the disease to the elderly were suspended.
People stayed in their homes, held on to their dear lives, and sought to protect others as well.
It is that abundance of caution that saved Zimbabwe from experiencing the worst of Covid-19.
The general populace has, however, relaxed.
One would have thought recently recorded deaths would get people thinking, but no, people continue to pretend, more than ever, that Covid-19 does not exist. No masks, no social distancing, no regular hand sanitisation.
It appears no one is concerned anymore about the numbers, which people checked regularly in the first days. If they were, they would have realised that the pandemic has returned with a vengeance, up to 70 new cases are being recorded in a single day.
Last night, South African health minister Zweli Mkhize announced a second wave of Covid-19 infections with 6 079 Covid-19 cases recorded in 24 hours bringing the total number of cases in the country is 828 592.
The South African government is currently in discourse over preventive measure to safeguard lives and reduce infections. They are likely to tighten lockdown restrictions.
If anything, this should be a wake-up call for Zimbabweans, as there are millions of fellow countrymen and women currently residing in SA, tens of thousands of whom are preparing to come back home for the Christmas holidays, having failed to visit all year due to travel restrictions.
Let us bear in mind that during the first wave, returnees from South Africa contributed to the large numbers of recorded infections.
Yes, we cannot turn them away, we love them, we miss them, but let us exercise extreme caution as before. The masks we have long neglected and other precautions must bounce back.
It is necessary not just to keep all of us in good health but save the lives of those at greater risk among us.
Let us adhere to the rules so that we may lessen infections and keep our loved ones safe.
We are not advocating for a strict lockdown, no. Just an increase in awareness campaigns so that people can realise that the deadly virus is still among us and poses a danger to their loved ones. Nhau/Indaba