[Edited] I was quit angry while writing this post.
The president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria just announced some hours ago that Lagos (where I live) and Abuja will be on lockdown for 14days! My question is:
HOW IN THE HELL DO YOU LOCKDOWN A STATE OF OVER 19MILLION PEOPLE WHO ARE MOSTLY LOW-MIDDLE INCOME EARNERS IN LESS THAN 24 WITH NO SUPPORT?! HOW IN GODS NAME DO YOU EXPECT THEM TO SURVIVE?!!
I've been practicing social distancing ever since the news of the first case in Nigeria hit the media, Lagos to be precise. Probably if the government had taken preemptive measures we would not have a freaking pandemic on our hands that we barely have the capacity to control and people aren't just going to die from the virus but also from hunger, fear and uncertainty because the government is freaking stupid!
I have had issue breathing for the past 10 days--it is barely noticeable. However, since the Center for Disease Control is not testing people how don't have flight history in the past 2-3 weeks and have not been in contact with anyone from overseas, due to lack of testing kits, I have to sit at home and maintain my distance from people.
I am lucky to be in a friend's places where I have the whole apartment to myself. The thought of being at home in my small space with my family scares that shit out of me because I don't know if I am infected. I'm just hopeful and scared. I'm neither coughing or sneezing. I do not have a fever, I have just been having a little difficulty breathing. So I assume it's nothing. And even if it's anything I hope it clears off in the coming weeks. I have been observing myself for the past 10 days and it hasn't gotten any worse and the breathing issue is sporadic so I hope it's nothing. I do not want people around me to panic. I am in my space alone most time. None of the people I have come in contact with in the last 3weeks are using symptoms, so I am hoping it's nothing. I have two more weeks to confirm.
I'm mostly indoors so practicing social distancing isn't much of a problem to me. In fact, I do enjoy the time alone in my own space. My only issue has been not being able to see my family because I am afraid of sharing the same space with them for now.
Another issue would be the fact that the government is putting Lagos on lockdown tomorrow. I'm currently serving my country and yet to receive my allowance (which is barely up to $100) for the month and they are making such an announcement. If not for the fact that I earn from posting here regularly I would probably be in a very bad position right now. I tried obtaining a loan from neoxian like I used to but that won't be possible so I am left with no other option but to wait. Maybe a miracle will happen tomorrow and they pay me so I can get some supplies for the next two weeks.
If after Wednesday which makes it the 14days from being in isolation and I don't feel any better I will contact the Center for Disease Control. I hope it doesn't get to that point.
I won't lie I feel a bit defeated right now. Things haven't been so great since I got robbed in December and all I have been doing so far is play catch up with my bills which keeps piling. If I had known a pandemic was coming I would have better prepared for it. But this is beyond my control and it is pointless worrying about it.
If the coronavirus has done anything it has exposed the political elites and our weak health care sector. There are currently only 6 labs in the 36 states that make up Nigeria that can test for the virus. We have less than 500 ventilators for a country of over 200million people. The odds are greatly against us and I do not wise to imagine what the outcome will be. It's terrifying. Monies that should have been invested in health care have been looted and shared amongst the elites now they are stuck here with the rest of us. They can't afford to travel overseas. Even the aid Jack Ma sent to Nigeria was moved to Abuja when Lagos has the most number of reported cases. People will die for nothing. Over 40%-60% live under extreme poverty. Many people cannot afford to stock up for the month. When you think about what's happening in Italy currently it only sends chills down my spine because we don't even have their capacity. All we can do is hope and pray things don't get worse because if it does it will lead to unprecedented chaos.
I am really sad and angry right now. I just need to get that off my chest. Whatever happens, is fine. I am doing the best I can, I wonder why isn't never good enough.
P.s I'm not calling for any assistance or anything. I don't want my words to be misconstrued. Surviving a pandemic might just be another thing to add to the list of shitty things I have to go through. But I survive anyways, like a stubborn cockroach.
[Edit]
Just saw an update by the Lagos State Governor that the lockdown won't affect retailers and food vendors. This is good news. Hopefully I get paid this week so I can buy supplies for my people.
