By Lawrence Ekwonu
Says Virus Will Soon Go The Way Of Ebola, Lassa Fever, Polio
Virus a danger when relevant authorities fail to detect, test isolate and treat infected persons.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, Boss Mustapha has said contracting the dreaded Coronavirus does not amount to automatic death sentence.
He however noted that the virus poses danger when the relevant authorities fail to detect, test isolate and treat infected persons.
According to him, Nigerians can avoid contracting it by complying with non-pharmaceutical interventions of wearing a face mask, maintaining social distancing, hand-washing, staying and working from home if practicable.
He made these remarks on Monday, as part of daily briefing of the committee in Abuja.
His comments comes as several state governors and some of their family members have tested positive to the virus, including daily spike of infections from other Nigerians.
” I wish to re-emphasise that COVID-19 is not a death sentence, but it becomes dangerous when we fail to detect, TEST isolate and treat. We can avoid contracting it by complying with non-pharmaceutical interventions of wearing a face mask, maintaining social distancing, hand-washing, staying and working from home if practicable.
“Similarly, we can achieve more if we stop stigmatisation,capacity and opportunities for testing have been expanded, with the opening of 40 laboratories and creation of more testing centres including some certified private sector medical facilities.
” I, therefore encourage all Nigerians to get tested to enable us fight this pandemic. We have done it before and we shall do it again. The handling of the EBOLA virus, Lassa Fever, our becoming a polio-free country and successful exit from other communicable diseases over the years should give us comfort that COVID-19 would also be put behind us,”he stated.
Commenting further on some Governors and other high profile Nigerians who have come down with the virus, he said the pandemic does not discriminate, hence the need for vigilance by all and sundry.
“Of recent, we have witnessed a high rate of positive cases especially among people in authority. This has a direct impact on governance and security of our nation. We urge that vigilance and care should be exhibited by all Nigerians irrespective of status. This virus does not discriminate and the PTF shall keep sustaining its sensitization messaging, “he stated.
The PTF Boss also noted that within this week, precisely Thursday and Friday, the PTF will be carrying out its mid-term review having crossed the three months/ half time threshold of its life span.
He explained that it will involve a comprehensive examination of the steps taken, the challenges and charting the way forward.
Regarding resumption of flight operations, Mustapha warned that all passengers desirous of flying must study and observe the guidelines released by the aviation experts.
His words, “The PTF informed you last week that new protocols will be released regarding how the aviation sector will safely reopen, bearing in mind global standards on safety and security. The Ministry of Aviation has released the protocols and shall begin to run public sensitization on it. We urge all travelers to study the protocols carefully and comply. We shall be putting in place critical measures to mitigate the risk associated with travels”.
Meanwhile President Muhammadu Buhari joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in grief over the passing of former member of the National Working Committee, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir, who served as Vice Chairman, North West.
Abdulkadir was said to have died from coronavirus complications.
President Buhari condoles with family members, friends and political associates of the party stalwart, who served the country as Minister of Sports and Youth Development, and played a prominent role in the creation and sustenance of the party.
He said he believes Alhaji Abdulkadir’s humility, maturity and penchant for facilitating reconciliation among members will be sorely missed at a time the APC is rebuilding and repositioning to deliver on its promises, urging members to always remember and project same legacies of putting the country first.
Buhari equally prayed that the almighty God will receive the soul of the departed, and comfort his family.
