Follow Covid-19 safety measures

WHETHER we like it or not, wearing of face masks should become a daily routine and be made mandatory in our effort to minimise the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19).
So we might as well get used to them.
Since the Covid-19 outbreak over a year ago, countries worked hard to put a stop to the spread of the virus.
Many succeeded through breaking the cycle by human intervention.
Papua New Guinea’s record to date stands at: 1,111 Covid-19 cases from 17 provinces: NCD (422), Western (303), West New Britain (194), West Sepik (39), Madang (35), New Ireland (23), Eastern Highlands (13), Western Highlands (13), Central (12), Morobe (9), East Sepik (5), Enga (3), Milne Bay (2), and one case each from Southern Highlands, Hela and Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
All of those were through community transmission.
PNG has recorded 10 deaths from the Covid-19.
Community transmission is when there is no clear source of origin of the infection in a new community.
It happens when you can no longer identify who became infected after being exposed to someone who interacted with people from the originally-infected communities.
Common knowledge is that the Covid-19 will not move unless people move it.
When we stop moving, the virus stops moving.
The fight to contain the Covid-19 pandemic is global.
All nations are working together on this.
The Government has imposed restrictions relating to the Covid-19, but unfortunately, not all are being followed.
The Covid-19 pandemic is a stressful time for everyone.
The virus respects no national boarders, no social bounds, no political systems and no cultural values.
Our trading partners are hard hit and the effect is already felt in the country.
While PNG may have recorded only 10 deaths, it is important that we as a society do not ignore the virus.
It is best to be vigilant and cautious.
People have been told to present themselves for testing if they have developed any Covid-19 symptoms, even if mild.
It is only through laboratory tests that authorities can confirm the presence of the virus and those infected can get the proper medical care.
Knowing ones Covid-19 status can prevent the spread.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic has provoked social stigma and discriminatory behaviours, especially targeted at health workers and emergency responders, persons known to have been sick with the virus (even if they have recovered), people who had to undergo quarantine and anyone perceived to have been in contact with the virus such as travellers.
Many people are scared of going for test because it has not been explained well to them.
Stigma can undermine social solidity and prompt possible social isolation of groups, which might contribute to a situation where the virus is more, not less, likely to spread.
This can result in more health problems and difficulties controlling further outbreaks.
Stigma can drive people to hide the illness to avoid discrimination, prevent people from seeking health care immediately and discourage them from adopting healthy behaviours
It is for everyone’s benefit that all measures put in place – from social distancing to getting into crowded areas and the simplest reminder of personal hygiene – are adhered to.
An outbreak of the coronavirus in the country will be catastrophic, if there is defiance in adhering and policing the Covid-19 protocols currently in place.