Consider another lockdown

The National Editorial

WITH the Coronavirus (Covid-19) storming our already failing health system, it is time the Government impose some draconian tactic to stop it.
It was forecasted last year that when Covid-19 hits Papua New Guinea hard, the depleted health system would crash and that is about to happen.
Over and over, it was reported: PNG does not have the capacity to deal with this virus if there is an outbreak and to help our health system, it is better to take protective measures – washing hands frequently, maintain social distancing, avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth and practice respiratory hygiene.
The country’s largest hospital – Port Moresby General Hospital is reaching a crisis point, with services teetering on collapse unless more support is given.
The hospital boss says they urgently need additional resources to combat the current surge and is calling on the public follow the Niupla Pasin to help break the transmission of the virus.
Most countries, during the virus peak, put their citizens on various forms of lockdown, though that is not a technical term used by public health officials.
It refers to anything from mandatory quarantine to non-mandatory recommendations to stay at home, closures of certain types of businesses or bans on events and gatherings.
Countries around the world are implementing measures to slow the spread of Covid-19, from national quarantines to school closures.
What lessons did PNG learn from two lockdowns last year?
What was done correctly that saw PNG make it through what

 

 

 

 

many said was the second wave?
China has reinstated a strict lockdown near Beijing, affecting around 400,000 people, after a small surge in cases.
After the pandemic emerged in China at the end of 2019, the country has managed to get new infections to a consistently low level.
For them, small surges were taken very seriously by the country’s health authorities.
States in Australia started lockdowns with tough approaches to social distancing measures and they achieved what they planned for.
And here in PNG, we still have ignorant people not complying with the various orders and putting everyone at risk with their no-care behaviour.
PNG has the New Normal (Niupela Pasin), which is supposed to be the new way of living that makes basic hygiene and safe distancing a part of our new culture – as individuals families and communities.
It means adopting behaviours and actions that are consistently practiced to reduce risk of Covid-19 and other infectious disease.
It involves a society where people take responsibility for their own health and their families.
In Port Moresby last year, when confirmed cases increased, residents were urged to be cautious of their movement.
Limit your movement and comply with heath measures by washing or sanitising your hands.
You can limit the spread when you:

  • WEAR face masks at all times in public places;
  • WASH your hands with soap and water (practice personal hygiene);
  • MAINTAIN social distancing (stay at least 1-2 meters way from others);
  • SNEEZE into your elbow; and,
  • DO not touch your face, eyes and nose.

Isolate yourself by staying at home, if you have nothing to do in other places.
Maintain physical distancing and stay at home if there is no need for you to move around.
Economic concerns aside, the Government should take the bull by the horn and impose a lockdown to tackle the spread. The virus moves when people move. Let us stop the spread of the virus through breaking the cycle by human intervention.