More than lockdown

A vegetable trader at Shikoswe market wearing a mask.

DOREEN NAWA

Kafue

TENSION and fear is what characterized Kafue district on April 11, 2020.

This was after word went round that the district had been mapped out as a hotspot.

On Saturday, April 11, 2020, Minister of Health Dr Chitalu Chilufya announced that Kafue has been mapped out following a COVID-19 related death that happened on April 8, 2020 in Kafue.

In no time, Government on Wednesday April 15, 2020 declared a 24 hours lockdown on the small town.

The lockdown added more fear.

The lockdown was to roll out drastic measures aimed at curtailing any possible new infections amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19, the highly infectious disease caused by the virus, has so far killed almost 8,000 people globally, while others have recovered. In Zambia, the virus has claimed two lives.

Before the lockdown, despite all the warnings, Kafue residents were seen all over going about their business as usual.

Now more than ever, they felt the urge to adhere to hygiene standards like wearing masks and washing hands with soap.

“I have never been this terrified in my life and I am not alone. People here are scared,” said Karen Luneta, as she hurried entered her house up the hill in Kafue's Kalundu view Township.

"We have tried our best to put up hand washing facilities at our Shikoswe market where I trade from.  But again, the challenge is that some people will only wash their hands while at the market not because they do not want, but because they cannot afford soap and clean water," she added with a laugh.

She says some people in her area have stubbornly tried to defy the appeals to avoid crowded spaces amid a general atmosphere of hesitation in the streets and other public gatherings.

Two weeks ago in his address to the nation, President Lungu called ‘for a change of behavior amongst all Zambians.’

Gatherings of more than 50 people were prohibited while the population was advised to minimise contact with others and do the "elbow greeting" rather than shaking hands.

By the end of his address, nothing much seemed to have changed.

While others heed to his address and jumped into action, other people did not.

A number of people in Kafue were not convinced that the country's fighting chance against the new coronavirus is social distancing and precautious behavior like hand washing with soap, no hugs, no gatherings and many other preventive measures given as guidelines by the line Ministries.

One of the main worries is what will happen once the virus reaches the crowded inner cities and townships.

"I must alert all Kafue residents that the internal transmission risk is now settling in our small town. Please stay home and stay safe. Adhere to the hygiene practices lined up," Kafue Member of Parliament Miriam Chonya said in an interview.

"Once this infection starts spreading in taxis and buses, and these high density areas like Soloboni, it will create a new dynamic, so such a thing like the mandatory screening is good for us," Ms Chonya said.

She added that, “COVID-19 infects people of all ages, but evidence to date suggests that older adults and those with underlying medical conditions are at higher risk of becoming severely ill. So let’s be serious about the measures lined up to protect ourselves.”

Spread of rumours on who can get corona virus on public transport and on the streets were more common.

Others believed that corona virus only affects white people.

But after the confirmed death and the lockdown, in the streets of Kafue, the mood has shifted from cracking "corona" jokes to general tension and confusion.

In Kalundu view, a high density Township on the east of Kafue, people were seen closed up in their homes, makeshift shops abandoned as they wait to be screened.

Shops and other places frequented by the public intensified hygienic controls. Some started wearing homemade face masks.

“We need Government to assist us. Having Kafue mapped as a hotspot has affected our lives, we order tomatoes and vegetables from Mungu and other Shimabala areas, and because we cannot sell as before, we end up losing out,” Precious Himaimbo, a marketer now trading at Khosa stadium said.

At the entrance of a local supermarket, two ladies sprayed a paste in everyone's hands in an attempt to limit germs and requested everyone to wash their hands.

"It's serious," the security guard at the Khosa stadium said, laughing timidly.

Having believed a rumour that COVID-19 comes from eating meat, some people think they have to change their diets.

On his way out of a local corner shop, a man proudly held up his plastic bag and announced that he is now buying fish.

“Ni Yalelo (Fish) manje, Nyama [meat] ipasa corona (gives you corona)," the security guard who did not want to be named said as he walked away.

Khosa Stadium is now the new trading area for Tuesday and Friday market.

Kafue District Commissioner Joseph Kamana said information is an important factor to contain the virus and that people should be responsible enough to take up preventive measures.

“The measures put in place to combat the virus are not complicated, we don't have any other preventive measures apart from these basics like no hugs, social distancing, washing hands with soap," he said.

He added, “These are just the basics” referring to the shaking hands, giving hugs or going to gatherings is not acceptable any more.

Mr Kamana’s message is centered on his repeatedly appeal for adherence, “If we carry on as if there is no Corona virus in our area, then we are risking our lives and that of our neighbours and children.”

But even when information is accessible, there is denial. It seems it’s a culture of keeping the hygiene standards that is lacking.