COVID-19 is a deadly disease, not a scam by Ehi Braimah

It is surprising that some people still believe COVID-19 disease is a scam in spite of the fact that the virus has been front page news since the outbreak in Wuhan, China late last year. The massive global awareness campaign on coronavirus and the mind numbing death statistics, it appears, are not sufficient to convince these folks who do not believe we are walking a tight rope with coronavirus. The consequential damages of COVID-19 are widespread forcing a global lockdown and compulsory isolation.

Let us be very clear: coronavirus disease is real and it kills. It is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. We have mild cases but the moderate to severe cases are referred to isolation centres. People of all ages can be affected by the new virus (2019-nCoV). Older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, appear to be more vulnerable to becoming ill with the virus. Unfortunately, there are people some of us know who have lost their lives to the deadly disease. Some high profile deaths were also recorded. If these deaths cannot dispel untrue myths about COVID-19 pandemic, then we have a big problem on our hands.

The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 headed by Boss Mustapha, the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), and his colleagues provide regular updates on the deadly disease. There are different websites also providing information on COVID-19. They include World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Cacovid.org, Coronavirus.org.ng, Covid-19facts.com and so many others. Public enlightenment campaigns in local dialects and vernacular have also been used to reach the rural population. However, if we have more testimonials of patients who were infected but eventually recovered, it will help to build credibility for COVID-19 stories and minimise doubts. Such patients should be allowed to tell their own stories of recovery which should be amplified in both traditional and digital media platforms because third party endorsement is a powerful tool in public relations. It is has been reported that some patients run away from isolation centres. Understandably, some of these patients are bread winners for their families but when they run away, the danger is that they will spread the virus. Some people do not even want to disclose their COVID-19 status because of the “stigma” it confers on patients. I have said it before and I will say it again: COVID-19 is not a death sentence.

Even people who should know say they want to see dead bodies as evidence of the disease. Initially, the information provided by Lai Mohammed, Minister of information and Culture, on burial protocol of patients who died from COVID-19 was unhelpful. However, family members can now bury the dead but the bodies must be treated with chemicals to de-contaminate the sealed coffin which must not be opened under any circumstance before interment.

Abba Kyari, the former chief of staff (CoS) to President Muhammadu Buhari, was a victim of COVID-19 disease. We have also read the story of how Dr Olusegun George, owner of Jaiyeola Hospital located at Pedro area of Bariga, Lagos, died on Tuesday May 19 after six weeks of battle with virus. According to media reports, the medical doctor was infected by an unknown patient who came for treatment. Eventually, all members of his family – five of them – tested positive. While his family members recovered and were discharged from the Onikan isolation centre, Dr George couldn’t make it – he died.

Chief (Mrs) Rebecca Folashade Diya, wife of retired lieutenant general Oladipo Diya, a former chief of general staff, also died from complications arising from COVID-19 disease. She died on May 18 as she looked forward to her 66th birthday on May 23. Let us continue to remember these departed Nigerians and others in our prayers and may their souls rest in peace.

When Brazil began recording one death every minute, the Brazilian health authorities stopped providing data on COVID-19 infections and deaths. It was that bad. As at the time of writing, Brazil had a death rate of 5% with 850,796 cases, 42,791 deaths and 437,512 recoveries. It was the same story of deaths and more deaths across the world. In the United States, the death rate is 5.5%. Out of 2,142, 224 infected cases, 117,527 deaths have been recorded with 854,106 recoveries. Let us now beam our searchlight on the United Kingdom where the coronavirus death rate is an alarming – it is 14.2%, the highest in the world. The Brits have recorded 294,375 cases out of which 41,662 patients died. Russia has recorded 6,945 deaths out of 528,964 infected cases.

In the case of Africa, it is perhaps safe to say we have been extremely lucky with lower fatalities. Egypt leads the pack with 1,484 deaths out of 42,980 cases and 11,529 recoveries; South Africa has recorded 65,736 cases with 1,423 deaths and 36,850 recoveries; Algeria has 10,810 cases, 760 deaths and 7,420 recoveries; Kenya has 3,457 cases, 100 deaths and 1,221 recoveries; Ghana has 11,118 cases, 48 deaths and 3,979 recoveries. In the case of Nigeria, we have recorded 15, 682 cases, 407 deaths and 5,101 recoveries with a death rate of 2.6%.

The argument has been made by some people that the type of food we eat and weather conditions in Africa explains why coronavirus infections and deaths are not comparable to other continents of the world. This view has helped to perpetuate the myth that COVID-19 is a “white man’s” disease. To complicate matters, COVID-19 symptoms are similar to malaria and typhoid fever symptoms. In Africa, we have always treated malaria attacks from anopheles mosquitoes and we survive. So, what is the big deal with coronavirus disease? In fact, the thinking by some people is that the ever present hunger virus is deadlier than coronavirus.

According to Dr Barth Ufoegbunam, chief medical director (CMD) of Grace Valley Medical Centre based in Okota, Lagos and anchor of Health Matta on WAP TV, COVID-19 may not be killing more people in Africa as we have seen in other parts of the world due to the following reasons. First, Africa has a youthful population and life expectancy is the least in the African continent when compared to other continents – usually below 60 years. Poor economic circumstances in Africa are the trigger for early deaths. These deaths can be traced to cancer, asthma, diabetes, HIV, cardiovascular illness and so on. The youthful population in Africa is vibrant and active and it is not likely to have these underlying medical conditions that could be found in the elderly.

Second, vitamin D deficiency has been found to be a risk factor for COVID-19. It means a good number of people that were discovered to have severe coronavirus disease had vitamin D deficiency. In Africa, we have plenty of sunshine most of the year and vitamin D is the only vitamin you get from sunlight. Third, under-nourishment and malnourishment are some of the challenges bewildering the African continent and it means a large percentage of the African population is unlikely to be obese. It has been identified that obesity is a risk factor for COVID-19 and other diseases. Obese people are prone to having COVID-19 complications when infected and the risk factor is very low in Africa.

Fourth, the type of food we eat in Africa is largely different from other continents of the world. Africans prefer to cook their meals and eat straight from the fire. No preservatives are added and fresh vegetables, fruits, protein and carbs form part of the daily diet when they can be afforded. Africans don’t really fancy “burgers and salads”; they prefer “Mama Put” joints for their rich cuisines showcasing the rich food types and delicacies in the continent. Finally, there is widespread use of herbal remedies to treat different diseases.

Ebola was a regional disease (epidemic) in Africa and it was easy to detect people with the symptoms. In the case of COVID-19 which is a global disease (pandemic), 80% of the patients do not show any symptoms. Available data in Nigeria, according to Dr Ufoegbunam, indicates that 61% cases are asymptomatic whereas 31% are symptomatic. The normal incubation period of COVID-19 disease is 1 – 14 days with a mean incubation period of 5 – 7 days. However, we have pre-symptomatic cases where the patient will not manifest symptoms for the first three days – the symptoms include dry cough, fever and difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath.

To prevent coronavirus infection, we should not be tired of reminding everyone that the basic protocols should be observed always. For the avoidance of doubt, the safety measures include wearing face masks, avoiding crowded areas, no handshakes and hugs, use of hand sanitizers, maintaining social distancing and washing hands with soap and water regularly. Individual and group advocacy can also help to mitigate the community spread of the virus. I have seen places with the sign, “No Mask, No Entry”, as positive intervention measures. Through word of mouth, we can also fight coronavirus and overcome the dangerous myths surrounding the disease.

Braimah is a public relations and marketing strategist based in Lagos