Kenyan Diaspora Speak About Coronavirus Response Worldwide

Coronavirus disease causes respiratory illness and symptoms include pneumonia and bronchitis. It can be caught from viral particles and be detected through cough, difficulties to breath and fever. These symptoms can appear as far as 14 days after exposure. It was first confirmed in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late December 2019 and WHO declared it a global health emergency on 30th of January 2020 and on 12th March 2020 it was declared a pandemic. Cases have since been confirmed in scores of countries across the globe.

There are currently more than 721,000 cases worldwide and nearly 34,000 deaths with over 149,000 recoveries. With countries around the world mobilizing to try and halt the coronavirus outbreak , I talked to a few Kenyans residing out of the country to get a perspective of what the situation is like and what the governments of those countries are doing to cope. The interviews were conducted on March 22, 2020.

Nigeria - Isabella Injerese 

To date Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, has recorded 224 positive cases of COVID -19, 5 deaths and 27 recoveries. The government ordered a 2 week lockdown in the largest city Lagos and capital Abuja to stop the spread of coronavirus. It has pledged to give the most vulnerable in their society a 2 month welfare payment and rolled out a programme to supply 2 weeks basic foodstuffs to an initial 200,000 households in the city.

A week ago, health officials in Nigeria reported cases of chloroquine poisoning after 3 people overdosed on the drug, in the wake of President Trump's endorsement as a cure to coronavirus. Nigerian tycoons Aliko Dangote, Atiku Abubakar, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Mike Adenuga have given cash donations to the government in aid of its efforts towards combating the pandemic. The government has since announced that all National Youth Service Corps orientation camps and four stadia in the country would be used as isolation centres.

Isabella Njerese Amollo who is living in Nigeria says "In Nigeria we have 29 confirmed cases. Most of the cases are people who travelled from the UK and US. The government is advising travellers to self isolate when they arrive in the country. They've been a bit slow in putting up a more robust response. I don't think there's a good system in place to handle Covid-19 cases.

The airport and railway transport will be shutdown from tomorrow. Schools were closed last Friday. Supermarkets are full with people shopping like crazy. All said and done Nigeria handled Ebola cases well and I hope they will do the same. At the moment there's not much activity in Abuja. People have kept away."

Rwanda - Mwaka Utanje  

Rwanda is currently grappling with 102 cases of COVID-19 positive cases, so far there have been no recovered patients and no deaths reported. It has one of the highest number of confirmed cases in East Africa and has imposed a lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus with an exception of key workers such as medics, journalists or those working in supermarkets.

The shutdown of economic activities in the country has severely affected majority of people who are low-income earners. However the government has pledged to support those struggling amidst the strict measures. Food is being distributed to the most vulnerable, although some families say they are yet to receive their ration. The country set up portable hand washing facilities at the Kigali Bus Park to curb the spread of COVID-19 long before they recorded their first case.

Mwaka Utanje a Kenyan residing in Kigali has this to say, "Here unnecessary movements outside are prohibited except for essential services. Places of worship, schools and universities are closed. The use of technology is encouraged to continue with learning instructions. Employees are also to continue using technology to work at except those who provide essential services.

Shops and markets have been closed except for those selling food, medicines, hygiene and cleaning products and other essential products. There are hand washing facilities at all major offices and places. We also must have sanitizers. All bars are closed, restaurants and cafes are only allowed to provide take away services."

Italy - Jackie Munyasia

Italy has the highest corona virus death toll at 15,362 with 124,632 coronavirus positive cases reported and 20,996 so far. This is being attributed to Italy's large elderly population which is more susceptible to the virus, and the method of testing that's not giving the full picture about infections.

Jackie Munyasia residing in Italy says the situation is really critical. "The best solution so far has been the lock down. All places are closed apart from the supermarkets and pharmacies. No one is allowed to go anywhere unless it's necessary and off course you need to have permission if not you get fined or jail term. The virus spreads very quickly and just one person can spread to 14 people.

The lock down prevents the virus from spreading further. It's a tough situation here we're all indoors because we have seen the impact of this virus." Her advice is "Avoid crowded places, use masks and sanitizers. I pray that God will help find a cure because I just can't imagine what will happen back home should the situation happening here in Italy, and mind you we're in Europe, happen there."

Spain - Angie Leitch

Spain has reported the second most cases at 130,759, with 12,418 deaths and 38,080 recoveries related to coronavirus. Spain's latest national figures show that the virus' upwards curve appears to be flattening out, Foreign Minister Arancha González says.

Officials are hoping that the peak of the virus outbreak there is approaching, after which new cases and deaths are expected to decrease. A near total lockdown to contain the virus has been in place since 14 March, with residents only allowed to leave their homes for work, essential food and medicine purchases, or to care for relatives.

Angie Leitch who's been living in Spain with her family says "Madrid is the epicenter of Covid-19 in Spain. My advice for those who can is to please stay indoors as much as possible. Just two weeks ago, we were out and about living our daily lives, meeting friends for tea and shopping. Today there are more than 28,000 people infected officially although unofficial figures mention up to 80,000. Not everyone is being tested. More than 1,790 are dead as of today.

The two weeks lock down has been extended by another 15 days just now. The lockdown is mandatory, the military and police are outside. Those who are mildly ill are asked to stay at home and those seriously ill go to hospital. No burials, if your kin is admitted and they die, you won't see them again. More test kits have been bought so actual figures are to increase as more testing is done. It is like being in a nightmare. I do not wish to alarm anyone but apart from the necessary and basic measures like hand washing, it's best to stay at home."

France - Lillian Siwolo

France has 89,953 COVID-19 positive cases, 7,560 deaths and 15,438 recoveries.The first case to arrive in Europe was a Frenchman returning from China. The French president ordered a lockdown after declaring that the country was at war "a public health war, certainly but we are at war, against an invisible and elusive enemy,”.

The lockdown outlawed all journeys outside the home unless justified for essential professional or health reasons. He pledged to help the economy from bankruptcy while promising to suspend businesses, gas, electricity and heating bills and rents throughout the crisis.

“The French government carried massive covid-19 awareness campaigns slowly preparing the public and businesses for an eventual lockdown. Most businesses joined in the better safe than sorry strategy and introduced telework where possible before a lockdown was declared by the State. Schools prepared children psychologically as well for the possible lockdown and the fact that school would continue by distance learning without interruption.

The French education departments have been very efficient in delivering distance learning during a time of crisis: teachers have stayed motivated; parents receive school work on a daily basis by email and home-school their children with follow up by teachers via email. A TV channel also was dedicated to diffusing lessons throughout the day and parents have been introduced to different learning platforms some including with videos for practical lessons."

Lillian adds that "Washing hands, use of sanitizer, social distancing have been largely publicized as ultimate prevention care. Immediately the lockdown was declared hefty fines were imposed for non-compliance, with a grace period of 24-hours within which fining became in force. The public is allowed an exit per day, with a completed and signed self-declaration form stating the purpose of movement from point A to B. Movement is for essential services only, such as medical needs and essential needs i.e., grocery and sports within a 1-Km radius, or limited to those professionals that must deliver essential services for example cashiers, nurses and doctors of course.

Group gatherings are banned and this is very difficult for those who are affected by the virus such as those who have lost loved ones and would not therefore attend the funeral. Doctors, nurses and medical providers are working amazingly hard round the clock to save lives and consortiums of companies have come together to support the medical service to produce, in emergency, medical equipment most in demand and out of stock such as oxygen masks. Musicians, artists, police officers and the public have all come out to morally support the medical team in various artistry ways.

The government is very busy working towards saving lives and restoring normalcy but we are still along way. It is a crisis!" She concludes by saying, "Generally, it is the responsibility of the public to respond to the crisis, to adhere to rules, we are all so responsible of this crisis, do not wait for someone else to impose rules on you. Take individual actions within your context and protect others and please check on your neighbour.”

Germany - Zipporah Njeri

Germany has 96,108 confirmed cases, 1,446 deaths and 26,400 recoveries. The coronavirus pandemic was first confirmed to have been transmitted to Germany on 27th January 2020, when the first case was contained near Munich, Bavaria.

The majority of the other COVID-19 cases in January and early February originated from the headquarters of a car parts manufacturer there. Later, new clusters were introduced by travelers from Italy, China and Iran, from where passenger flights were stopped on 18 March. German chancellor Angela Merkel herself, after contact with a doctor infected with coronavirus in March, was forced into quarantine. She however tested negative afterwards.

"As at April 6th, Germany's cases have surpassed 100,000. There have been at least 1500 deaths. Still Germany is not ready to relax its strict measures. There is a partial lockdown. People are allowed to go for walks and for shopping. However, you are not allowed to gather or be more than 3 people in public unless its family.

Police have been fining people here in the state of North Rhine Westphalia more than 200 euros each if they flout this rule. And yes no bribing, you have to pay the fine. When in public you cannot even meet any person who is not part of your family or group you are living with. At the moment my trips are to the supermarkets. The rule is you have to keep a 1.5m distance from the next person. Only Super markets and chemists remain open."

United States of America - Wangari Manders

The U.S. has some 311,637 confirmed cases to date, at least 8,454 people have died and a total of 14,828 recoveries since the coronavirus was first detected there on January 20th 2020. It has since spread to across all 50 states. The US is currently the epicenter of COVID-19 after reported cases surpassed those officially reported by China.

President Donald Trumps administrations initial response to the coronavirus outbreak reveals a story of missed opportunities, mismanagement and a president who resisted the advice of experts urging a more aggressive response. This lack of has seen a shortfall of basic medical supplies, such as masks, hospital beds, ventilators and equipment necessary to handle an expected surge of patients requiring hospitalization. Matters are not helped by the fact that in May 2018, Trump eliminated the National Security Council’s global health security unit and demoted its pandemic experts that would have dealt with the pandemic.

Wangari says that "We have really good local governments in some states, but for some not so much. Due to initial government response, lack of awareness and youth that feel invincible, lockdown isn't being taken seriously. We have really good local governments in some states like New York and Maryland that have taken a positive response towards the public health crisis created by the coronavirus pandemic."

Australia 

The first case to be recorded in Australia was on 25th January 2020 in Victoria, when a man returning from Wuhan, China, was tested positive for COVID-19. Since then the total number of new cases has grown exponentially to 5,687 cases today, with 34 reported deaths and 2,315 recoveries.

Benedetta Kisavi Ajayi

"There's lockdown here and closure of businesses. Wearing of face masks here is optional. There's no eviction for tenants who cant pay. There's been a mortgage suspension for house and small business as well as financial relief for small business. People whose jobs have to shut down are getting government support for six months. Pensioners, those who don't have jobs and students are also getting support. Testing is being done outside every public hospital."

Yves Nyasio

Yves Nyasio another Kenyan living in Australia says "All borders are closed except for trucks bringing in supplies and they are being rigorously checked. With the last flight ferrying Australians who were on cruise ships arriving later tonight. Those travelers will have to self isolate. The government has kept primary schools open and put measures in place to keep in line with social distancing. All non essential services have been shut down (gyms, pubs, clubs and restaurants).

Work from home is in full effect for most companies while the police force has been increased to enforce social distancing rules. Beaches are still open with the threat of being shut down if people do not adhere to social distancing requirements. Food establishments can only deliver but they must not offer dine in services. Liquor stores remain open with the looming threat of shut down if people start panic buying like they did with toilet paper.

The government has increased benefit payments for anyone who is unemployed as a result of current events or has previously been receiving unemployment benefits. Federal Reserve dropped the interest rate to 0.25% and there are several other stimulus packages in the pipeline. Cashiers in most grocery stores will be serving customers from behind plexiglass. Social distancing in stores also required. Some stores are only allowing so many people in at a time."