Author Messi Mercy
Hello readers of the headlines, I am Messi Mercy from Nairobi, Kenya, 23, who is studying for a master's degree in environmental science at kenyatta University. I am honored to have the opportunity to share the current state of the epidemic in Kenya with readers in China.
I work at a Giraffe Centre that protects an endangered giraffe, rothschild's giraffe. This ambulance center is a popular punching place for tourists and Internet celebrities around the world, and it is conceivable that working in such a public place, we are at high risk of being infected by this highly contagious virus.
Now that I'm isolated at home, I've summarized seven key insights that I hope will give Chinese readers a closer look at our real plight.
<h3 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" > one// debate over the origin of the coronavirus</h3>
Wuhan, China, reported its first case of virus infection at the end of 2019, and perhaps because of this, many people do refer to it as the "Chinese virus" in the Internet and the real Kenyan social context.
In addition, since the coronavirus was first mentioned in Kenya in January, the sources of the virus have emerged endlessly. Our lecturers also encourage discussion of epidemics in the classroom: there is a spiritual dimension, an environmental perspective, even a nutritional perspective, and a biological perspective.
Some students believe that this virus was developed by China's hostile forces. Using Chinese DNA, they created a virus that would attack Chinese DNA. This view implies that the outbreak of this outbreak is the virus being used as a biological weapon.
Another view is that the novel coronavirus is related to China's diet. This view is that because Chinese have a wide range of food sources, the virus may come from an animal that is eaten, and bats are the most likely vector to transmit the coronavirus.
The debate about the virus has not stopped, but most Africans console themselves that the younger population constitutes stronger immunity to the virus. Especially during the initial spread of the virus pandemic, there do not appear to have been any cases in Africa.
<h3 class= "pgc-h-arrow-right" >// from "nothing" to "fear comes."</h3>
<h3 class="pgc-h-arrow-right"> </h3>
At least in January and early February, tourists still visit giraffe rescue centers as usual. The center offers simple precautions, including: all visitors should wash their hands with soap before feeding the animals; the staff of the center cannot help take pictures with the visitors' equipment, and tourists can only take pictures individually; kissing giraffes is prohibited; disinfectant spraying in important places; and lectures on environmental protection cannot be held in ordinary lecture halls, but in the open air.
In the past, many interacted closely with giraffes. Image source | Swimming pig ecology
At the beginning of March, the situation in Kenya had begun to change and we began to realize the seriousness of the problem and was a little scared. No one is necessarily safe, and everyone has a high risk of being infected and spreading the virus. At first, whenever we saw Chinese guests, we felt scared. But after a while, the epidemic spread to other countries, and we were not only afraid of Chinese, but also everyone who had recently traveled to China.
<h3 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" > three/// After the first infected person appeared, public places began to be unsafe</h3>
On 13 March, Kenya reported its first case, followed by an increase in the number of infections. Eventually, the CEO of the Giraffe Rescue Center held an emergency meeting to inform all employees to go home until the outbreak was well contained. Because for anyone who works in public places, these places are no longer safe.
Just before that, the education minister had announced that all schools should be closed in order to allow students to quarantine and better control the virus. At this time, I packed up my things and went to my mother's house, not knowing the return date. I wish this period of time would pass as soon as possible.
Giraffe ambulance centres, which were uninhabited during the pandemic, were forced to close. Image source | Messi
< h3 class = "pgc-h-arrow-right" > // Overseas Kenyans began to return home</h3>
As of 1 April, there were 81 cases of virus infection, 1 recovery and 1 death. Kilifi (note: a county in Kenya's Coastal Province) is now in the spotlight as most cases originate in the district.
Recently, the state allowed all Kenyans living in other countries to return home on the condition that once they did, they would first be subjected to a 14-day quarantine at their own expense.
These 14 days are to monitor them so that they can confirm if they are infected and prevent them from spreading the virus in case of possible exposure to it. This is a new initiative implemented after recognizing that most of the new cases come from abroad.
On 27 March, Kenya introduced a daily curfew from 19:00 to 05:00.
<h3 class= "pgc-h-arrow-right" > // can not hug, shake hands, and is not allowed to go out after 7 pm</h3>
After staying home quarantined, I learned about many changes, one of which was that we had to maintain social distancing.
It's literally destroying the values of Kenyans, and we're socially conscious people. We think hugs and handshakes are signs of a warm greeting, but now all of these ways are being dispensed with.
Shopping malls now also strictly require customers not to be crowded in an area. Even when paying at the cash register, customers have to keep a distance of one meter. Most markets have been closed, except for souks and those with handwashing points at important locations.
Now motorcycles are also equipped with faucets for customers to wash their hands and disinfect them. There are too many changes here, international flights are banned, police and health officials check the temperature of passengers jointly, a curfew is imposed from 7 pm to 5 am, most workers work from home... And many other strict security measures.
Once I wanted to get on the bus, just as I was about to get on the bus, I heard a man shouting at me to wash my hands first. This is a national action, and we are not only responsible for our own safety, but also for the people around us.
Kenya has one of the highest Internet penetration rates among African countries. In 2017, Kenya surpassed Nigeria in Internet penetration, ranking first among African countries, reaching 83%
Luckily, we have cell phones and the internet, and we can still communicate.
The Internet has made us less bored at home. We can learn about the current state of the virus, how it is spreading, what other countries are doing, and some lighthearted moments about the whole quarantine situation from national news on TV and social media.
<h3 class= "pgc-h-arrow-right" > land// agricultural exports, tourism, transportation, have suffered huge losses</h3>
Different industries such as agriculture, tourism, commerce and entertainment have all been affected by the epidemic to varying degrees.
In agriculture, farmers who depend on exports for a living have to throw away their produce because there are no access to the outside world. For example, the flower industry suffered the most. Because flowers are very perishable, flower farmers suffer huge losses as a result.
Image source | China Radio and Television Corporation International Online
Kenya, the world's fourth largest market for cut flowers and flowers, is also one of the country's most foreign-attracted industries. Kenya's horticultural exports have been hit hard by the stagnation of global air logistics, with the country's Flower Association estimating that it loses more than $2.5 million a day in Kenyan shillings. Data shows that more than 2,000 farm workers have been laid off.
Another heavily affected industry is tourism, with attractions like the most attractive giraffe rescue centre and The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust also closed to the virus.
Since most people stay at home, the transportation industry has also been greatly affected. In order to compensate for the loss caused by the decrease in passengers, transportation costs have risen.
A friend told me that the bus from our house to the city center is now only taken by a few people! To make matters worse, the government also stipulates that a 14-seater Nissan can carry up to 8 passengers, while a Nissan car carrying more than 30 passengers cannot carry more than 60%.
A new law requires all bars and nightclubs to close at night. The entertainment industry has also suffered, and most businessmen have also been greatly affected because it is their only source of income. Events like the Leva Marathon and churchill shows also had to be cancelled.
But environmentalists see the pandemic as a way for the world to repair itself. They argue that with the implementation of quarantine measures, factories are closed, vehicles are reduced, and most of the activity that increases greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has decreased, which improves the atmospheric situation.
The world is recovering from the damage caused by our greed and selfishness. This may also be true, because we can now breathe fresher air and the water in the rivers is clearer.
<h3 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" >// Some Christians believe that viruses are God punishing humans</h3>
I must acknowledge that the situation in Kenya is very tense.
At home, I hear more different perspectives about the virus. All public gatherings are currently prohibited, which means we can't go to church and can only worship at home.
According to official statistics, the total population of Kenya is about 51 million (2018), about 45% are Protestant, 33% Catholic and 10% Arelamic
It was an experience I had never had before, because for as long as I can remember, we've been going to church on Sundays.
There is a theory that defines it from a religious point of view. It's a time to go from hustle and bustle to silence in the world, giving people a dedicated time to go to God and ask for forgiveness because we have sinned against Him. This view was raised by a group of Christians who believe that the outbreak of the new crown virus is a form of God's punishment of mankind.
This view has gained such strong support that many Christians return to God and pray again. Many self-proclaimed prophets and apostles cite the Bible in support of segregation, which they see as the last days before the end of the world.
It's a time of darkness, loneliness, and boredom because freedom of movement is limited, and all we can do is hope and believe that tomorrow will be better. What was devastating was the news that every morning I woke up with more people infected. My heart breaks when I see the doctors in Italy losing hope, overwhelmed, and overcrowded hospitals.
We can only trust Almighty God and maintain a positive and optimistic attitude, and there is no other way. The catastrophe has taught people that money sometimes doesn't solve problems, that doctors can only help without the ability to cure diseases, and that viruses know no borders, culture, social status or religion. But I firmly believe that we will definitely overcome it! (End)
Author | Messi Mercy
Translated by | Qu Yi
Indicate the | This article is original content and may not be reproduced without permission.
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