Page 16 - Ramco JO SACCOStar _Vol 50.indd

FOCUS ON COVID-19

LESSONS learnt DURING
a HEALTH CRISIS

By Linda Karimi

Almost from the onset of 2020, conversations globally have revolved around COVID-19.
While we would have hoped for more positive outcomes, sadly in many countries, people
have lost their lives and millions more are unwell as a result of the disease.

The fact that the illness is 2. We are highly adaptable: After This is 1.2 million terabytes, where
contagious has further spending a considerable amount of one terabyte in 1,000 gigabytes.
complicated matters with time indoors, I needed to re-stock This amount of information is too
most employees in white-collar jobs and buy additional supplies, so I much for my finite mind to fully
encouraged to work from home, while took a walk to my local supermarket. comprehend, let alone if you would
others have taken unplanned leave. I must say that as I walked by and add information obtained from
passed various businesses, I was other search engines and social
Businesses have been forced to pleasantly surprised. From the local media channels. That said, it would
close depending on various curfews butcher, to the cybercafé, the local not be wise for you to consume
imposed by the Governments, in order ‘mama mbogas’, the local dairy, every social media message. Many
to curb the spread of the virus. But the posho mill, hardware shops, videos going around on WhatsApp
as with every situation life presents even the local charcoal seller was can impart fear rather than faith
us with, there is always something to not left behind! All had a version and it would be better to avoid it
learn. Here are some of my thoughts of a sanitization method. Some all together. I had made it a resolve
and learning points so far: had hand sanitizers, but most had to watch one ‘daily brief’ from the
a ‘mtungi’ or bucket affixed with a Government on the current health
1. Silence is golden: Granted, for tap and some liquid soap. Before crisis. This information would be
those of us used to the hustle, you buy anything, the message was delivered to me either through
bustle and not to mention traffic ‘sanitize.’ The sheer adaptability by television or the internet. On one
in the big cities, silence can be a using simple solutions to combat occasion, the Minister of Health
bit uncomfortable. After all, noise a global health threat was quite announced to the public that cases
and busyness has been the norm. encouraging. Just outside my of infection had risen to 110, with 3
I have learnt that in silence, I can local supermarket, the proprietor deaths. Even at this point, I felt my
introspect more on my life by taking went the extra mile and stuck a spirit sinking as the numbers rose.
stock of what I have achieved. I can handwritten paper to the ‘mtungi’ A jog around the neighbourhood
take time to develop a hobby, read written ‘Let’s wash hands here.’ And followed by prayer helped to
a book, go for a walk, try a new of course, as a law-abiding citizen, I restore my spirits. Beware of what
recipe, take online classes; and the gladly washed my hands. you watch and stay safe.
list continues. True, time indoors
is relished by most introverts. 3. Social media messages can be This is what I have learnt so far. What
However, with this new normal, toxic: We are in the information has the current health crisis taught
extroverts can adapt and find new age and statistics from the BBC you?
ways of doing things and with estimate that Google, Facebook,
‘Zoom’ and other online software, Amazon and Microsoft alone store
meetings are possible and one can 1,200 petabytes between them.
still interact with people virtually.

14 | SACCO Star Magazine