Let’s continue Covid-19 fight

WHETHER we like it or not, face masks are now an essential part of the fight against the coronavirus, so we might as well get used to them.
Since the coronavirus outbreak in December last year, countries have 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: 517 Covid-19 cases from 13 provinces: NCD (302); Western (189); Central (7); Morobe (5); East Sepik (3); East New Britain (2); West New Britain (2); Milne Bay (2); and one case each from Southern Highlands, Eastern Highlands, West Sepik, New Ireland and Autonomous Region of Bougainville; all through community transmission.
PNG also has recorded seven deaths from 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 coronavirus 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 Covid-19, unfortunately not all are being followed. The Covid-19 pandemic is a stressful time for everyone.
Covid-19 respects no national borders, 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 seven deaths, it is important that we as a society do not ignore Covid-19.
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 also 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 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 safe social distancing to getting into crowded areas and the simplest reminder of personal hygiene, are adhered to. As much as we all want restrictions relating to Covid-19 lifted or relaxed, an outbreak of the coronavirus in the country would be catastrophic.