Kaduna and the second lockdown

There is an indication that Kaduna state will witness another lockdown unless the spike in Covid-19 is reduced drastically. Governor Nasiru El-Rufai, who has been in self-isolation, is mulling imposing additional lockdown due to the spike in the disease.

In a circular released from the state ministry of education, all public and private schools are directed to close on Wednesday 16, December. From the medical points of view, Covid-19 is real and government should do whatever it takes to keep the deadly disease at bay.

While it is cheering news that, the corona vaccine has been discovered and put to trial in US and UK, it is not yet Uhuru for African countries including Nigeria which are yet to get the vaccine. This means, government should enforce necessary measures to secure lives before we receive our own vaccine.

However, considering that Kaduna state and its people are yet to fully recover from the economic and social devastation they suffered as a result of seven months lockdown period, imposing another lockdown is tantamount of increasing hardship in the state.

The people of Kaduna state have suffered or incurred huge economic losses. I do not buy the idea of second lockdown. Instead, the state government should ensure people are made to adhere strictly to medical advice such as social distancing, wearing of face masks and maintaining absolute hygiene.

The idea of second lockdown comes at a time people of Igabi, Birnin-Gwari and Giwa local government areas are experiencing banditry attacks. Any attempt to impose second lockdown will worsen the standard of living and exacerbate tension in the state. I therefore call on the Kaduna state government to reconsider the decision to impose second lockdown. Let people maintain social safety.

Lawal Adamu Usman,

Kaduna.

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