THOSE WHO SHOULD BE EXEMPTED FROM THE EXTENDED LOCKDOWNS IN NIGERIA

THOSE WHO SHOULD BE EXEMPTED FROM THE EXTENDED LOCKDOWNS IN NIGERIA


Suggested by Henry Osa Omoregie

1. FARMERS AND FOOD PROCESSING WORKERS

Physiological needs are the basic levels of human motivations. As such, ALL those involved in food creation activities must be given free movement to their places of work - the farms. Most importantly is the fact that we are already in the planting season in most parts of the world. 

Any attempt to lump farmers into the list of restricted people will spell doom for the existence of humankind in Nigeria and scores of other countries. Most food and cash crops thrive well with early cultivation. Maize, cassava, yam and dozens of other crops are examples.

Allow the farmers and those processing agricultural produce to access their places of work unhindered. However, the farmers must maintain social distancing rules and observe Covid19 prevention procedures before, during and after work.

2. MEDICAL AND ALLIED WORKERS

This includes ALL pharmacies and drug dispensing outlets in neighborhoods

3. SELECTED TRANSPORT SERVICES with strict social distancing rules

This is important to ensure movement of those allowed to move without restriction

4. TAILORS

Since nose-masks are allowed to be produced locally, tailors and selected textiles mongers must be allowed to ply their trades while also maintaining social distancing and Covid19 prevention procedures. We can't produce nose coverings or face masks by words of mouth. Talk does no cook rice.

5. DELIVERY COMPANIES

Since most people are restricted by movement, delivery Vans and smaller vehicles or even by foot must be allowed to move freely as long as they observe Covid19 prevention procedures including social distancing and possession and use of required PPE

6. NEIGHBOURHOOD BARBING SALOONS

Haircut and beauty salons use lots of sanitisers and germ killing derivatives and equipment when plying their trades. They must be allowed to open for business and also maintain Covid19 rules and regulations like others. 

A virologist Prof Nigel McMillan who researches the cause of deadly viruses has revealed that beards and trendy moustaches prevent even the highest quality face masks from working properly, rendering them useless in protecting you against COVID-19.

7. SAFETY  PROFESSIONALS who offer support services with Covid19 mgt crews

8. CONSTRUCTION WORKERS involved with maintenance and construction activities

This period of Lockdowns is very auspicious to fix potholes and failed sections of roads and bridges while movement is minimal. These will reduce the number of those prevented from making a living during Covid19

9. FOOD AND WATER vendors with strict adherence to Covid19 rules and regulations

10. Building construction workers whose jobs are socially spaced apart from co-workers

11. Goods haulage trucks ferrying especially agricultural produce and inputs

If this suggestion is looked into and implemented by both states and federal governments, the negative and undesirable impacts of Covid19 on the economy will be minimised to a significant degree. 

People are gradually dying in their homes and more robberies and burglaries have been reported daily in many neighborhoods.

The palliatives promised have been inadequate and selective in their distributions. People may defy govt and hit the streets in a mad frenzy if nothing is done in this regard.

I suggest further that every ward in the 774 LGAs of Nigeria must have SOUP KITCHENS supervised by their respective councillors, to provide daily brunches to those who cannot afford food due to the Covid19 movement restrictions. 

Banks and other high net-worth individuals donating billions to govt should be involved in supervising these SOUP KITCHENS in their places of business. These donations should be channeled directly to the people in need.

If possible, temporary structures should be set up in a public space closest to bank branches to donate food ingredients and water to needy families. All representatives and senators must liaise with their constituents via media engagements and phone calls to ensure the negative effects Covid19 are contained to the barest minimum as reasonably practicable.

Our security forces must be given daily briefings to reinforce the fact that people are to be treated civilly while enforcing Covid19 rules and regulations. Nobody must be flogged or dehumanised for flouting the rules. The security operatives must adorn the required PPE including handgloves when at work.

A word is enough for the wise.

The time to do these things is NOW.

We shall overcome.

Henry Omoregie
Port Harcourt
Rivers State
Nigeria

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