Take WHO’s projection as timely warning

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PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says the World Health Organisation’s projection that Africa could potentially be the next COVID-19 epicenter should be taken as a timely warning.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that Africa could be the next epicenter of the global virus that has so far infected over 2 million people and killed over 150,000.

The WHO warned that up to 300,000 could die.

“Fellow citizens, I am equally concerned by recent warnings from the World Health Organization (WHO) that Africa could potentially become the next global epicentre of COVID-19,” President Lungu posted on his official Facebook page.

“The above should be taken only as a timely warning of what we risk to bring upon ourselves if we continue to refuse to do the basics such as: wearing masks (home-made or others) when in public; frequent handwashing; keeping a clean environment; no public gatherings; physical distancing, and ensure that we stay at home and in our respective towns, cities and districts,” President Lungu added.

“As the well-known wise saying goes: “forewarned is forearmed”.

“In light of the aforementioned WHO warning and the new scientific evidence of local person-to-person COVID-19 transmissions in Zambia; let us not resign to fate, but bear in our minds that any region or country can potentially become the next epicentre if prescribed measures are not followed.”

I believe that Zambia’s success in its war against COVID-19 will be primarily determined by two factors:

President Lungu said effective implementation of global best practices in public health, which government was undertaking was key in curbing the spread of the Coronavirus.

He also pointed out that  collective responsibility manifested through immediate behavioural change vis-à-vis the COVID-19 measures which he announced during my first and second addresses to the nation on COVID-19 was also key

“With regard to the collective responsibility and behavioural change required of all of us such as the mandatory wearing of masks and avoiding inter-city travel and family visits, among others; it is sad to note that some of our fellow citizens have continued to act contrary to basic yet lifesaving measures,” President Lungu stated.

“To those who are doing this: Stop It Now! You are not only endangering your own lives, but also endangering the lives of your own families and friends, neighbours and all Zambians.”

© Kalemba April 19, 2020

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