Every student of Christian religion can relate to this catch phrase in the Bible ‘Stay with us’ (Luke 24:29); Two disciples implored Christ, the Messiah to stay with them to keep on with the sound doctrine and teachings they were enjoying from Christ.
The novel Coronavirus, code named Covid-19 began in Wuhan, China in December 2019. As of writing this article, the deadly pandemic has infected 5,119,004 persons and killed 330,399 in 185 countries globally. Ghana isn’t of an exception. Ghana’s case count as of now stands at 6,269 infected people, 31 deaths and 1,898 recoveries.
As the old adage goes, ‘there are opportunities that lie hidden in any crises’-Anonymous.
It is obvious that beneath the devastating effect of this virus, Corona has done us more of good done harm. Corona is a ‘radical leader’ transforming our society, communities and shaping attitudes.
PUBLIC HEALTH– With the advent of corona, today our health awareness and consciousness is at its peak. Every citizen, I must say, by and large are taking good care of their physiological anatomy. You see citizens of all ages, exercising from dusk to dawn, practicing good eating habits, drinking of home-made concoctions (ginger and hibiscus flower etc.). Facts reveal that out-patient cases and admissions has reduced rapidly in both public and private facilities.
TRANSPORT SYSTEM– Thanks to covid-19, commuting has been so fun and relaxing. Pre-covid-19, commuters were ‘packed’ like canned fish (sardine) to their various destinations. No more push or pull, breathing and spitting on co-passengers, not to talk of ‘scentino’ from the armpits of bus conductors.
CORONA TERMINOLOGIES– Corona did not emerge or migrate alone. It came with its own descendants of new terminologies. Today our market women, grannies etc. are all learning new jargons associated with corona. Interesting terms like corona, coronavirus, covid-19, isolation, hand sanitizer, lockdown, quarantine (with its pronunciation challenges), social distancing and veronica bucket. Though these words come with its own mouth-full pronunciation challenges, society and humanity have to contend with the usage of these terms as part of daily vocabularies when discussion this pandemic.
BEHAVIOURIAL CHANGE– Whether we like it or yes, handwashing is gradually creeping into the fabric of our life and society. This, the experts say has the potency of relieving us from corona, cholera and other contaminated diseases. It is my prayer that corona stays with us for a while to progress this behavior of sanitation and cleanliness. Our airwaves is partially sanitize. Much talks have been devoted to corona, devoid of the usual cacophony political talks, chats and casting of insinuating on political opponents. The routine attendance of travelers every weekend for funerals by my aunty is on hold now. Her chair is now feeling the pressure from her heaped–parked buttocks. She is saving enough for her wards education. No funeral clothes and accessories. Corona stay with us.
By Lydia Larbi
The writer is a student of Ghana Institute of Journalism