THE NEW NORMAL

The Coronavirus disease has seen many countries close their borders and many activities Econo-social activities such as businesses, education and religious activities come to a standstill. In Kenya, the disease has affected lives and livelihoods for close to three months. Its effects are far-reaching and have affected almost all areas of life; most especially the economic and social spheres of life. 

Like other world leaders, the Ministry of Health led by the Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry, Mutahi Kagwe and His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta, announced stern measures in order to protect its citizens. These measures ranged from implementing counties and area lockdown, closing the international borders, the imposition of a night curfew, restricting social gathering of persons exceeding fifteen in number among others. Further, the Ministry of Health promoted a vigorous ‘stay at home’ campaign policy encouraging employers to allow its staff to work from home. 

The restrictions have had a tremendous effect on the economic health of the country and the livelihoods of many Kenyans. Many businesses have been forced to remain shut thereby sending employees home with unpaid leave whereas the businesses that remained open struggled to make ends meet.   

The global community has come to the realization that Covid-19 is here to stay in the long term and that creating a new normal would be the most rational way to deal with the virus. Noting that the current measures are economically unsustainable, world leaders have been tasked to come up with sustainable measures that ensure the safety of its people and the continuity of business.  This has proven to be a tough balance to achieve as countries such as China, Germany and South Korea that have allowed the reopening of businesses such as retail stores, bars, restaurants and nightclubs have seen a second wave of the global pandemic.

 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) advises that as we consider the transition and reopening of our economies, we must consider that there are no quick wins and that complexity and uncertainty lie ahead. This means that we should be ready to take rapid measures, introduce and remove measures, gradually ease restrictions while constantly monitoring the effectiveness of measures and public response. 

Kenyans especially those in the informal settlement do not have the luxury of staying at home as they survive on their daily earnings. Even those in the formal settlements have had to use their savings to get through the three months in the wake of pay cuts and suspension of many contracts. Consequently, Kenyans have gradually resumed their businesses and are increasingly finding alternative ways of earning a living. This gradual move back to normal has been directly proportional to the increase of confirmed cases. In recent week, we recorded the highest number of confirmed cases. There is, therefore, an urgent need for the Ministry of Health to issue sustainable measures that promote work and protect the health of Kenyans.  

No doubt many Kenyans are at the forefront of the battle; our behaviour will certainly determine the Virus’ behaviour. We should not trivialize the importance of personal initiatives and responsibility. Most imperative is that every Kenyan follows simple measures such as cleaning our hands and maintaining social distancing. There is a call for patience and perseverance as scientists tirelessly work towards coming up with a vaccine. If each citizen acts responsibly, we will flatten the curve and defeat the virus. 

The new normal is here with us, lets us all adjust, observe the measures put in place, be patient and persevere.