 |
| Photo by Gustavo Fring on Pexels.com |
Since the onset of the covid 19 pandemic, the craze for a solution has begun. The virus did spread through regardless of age, social class, status, wealth or nationality. Furthermore, it had all the systems of the world on edge. As a result of that, the global intelligentsia had to push beyond their limits to find a lasting solution to the pandemic. Then, like a miracle, the vaccines came. However, after an initial period of collective jubilation, people became skeptical about the vaccine. This is due to a myriad of reasons that that include political influences, religious belief and social orientation. Is the vaccine the answer or are there hidden political cum economical (or maybe religious) agenda?
This article explores the virus, the response to the vaccine and the divergent views about it in the University of Ibadan. It is also a call to collective reason and a pointer to the possible solution for the global community.
THE ADVENT OF COVID-19
For close to two years now, the whole world has been ravaged by the novel corona virus. Nigeria and by extension, the university of Ibadan was not left out. Of course, what do you expect of a virus strong enough to overwhelm even the health systems of high-income countries? There were no gongs to announce its arrival; it came as a subtle assassin and murdered global structures even before it was noticed.
In the University of Ibadan, it successfully worsened the already strained academic calendar. It also brought the economic activities in the University to a halt. In a conversation with Jide, a student entrepreneur in the University, he said “I never saw this coming, a period where I would no longer be able to sell my shoes because I cannot go out. Not just that, I was basically jobless since school wasn’t in session”
If the effects could be that grave for Jide, anyone could imagine the effects on the market women and the shop owners in the Faculty, Halls of residence and the school at large. All these point to a single fact, the agitation for solution was indeed expedient.
PREVENTION MECHANISMS
This situation elicited immediate social and medical responses. The world immediately proffered means of keeping the virus at bay for the time being. Since their introduction, these social and medical responses have a long way to curtailing the spread of the virus. Initially it started with safe hand washing, social distancing, wearing of nose masks and hand sanitizing. It then graduated into prolonged lock downs. Of course they were not hundred percent effective.
The lockdown was helpful, but it limited economic activities. In a typical resource constrained society it creates hunger virus; it prevented most people from economic activities and led to increase in poverty and unemployment. Thus, there was need for swift resumption of activities. Otherwise “money go finish for land”.
Upon resumption of activities, the University community like other formal entities also embraced these mechanisms. If you look around in the Faculty, you would find them everywhere. Wash hand basins, hand sanitizers and masks. You would all agree that it is another step in the right direction.
A LASTING SOLUTION VACCINE?
In response to the ongoing pandemic, the vaccination began in Nigeria on the fifth of March 2021. Till the time of writing this article, only 1.23% of the Nigerian population has received at least a dose. Just a few weeks into the second semester, the vaccine was introduced in the university community. After analyzing the response rate of the student populace and the country at large, I observed three categories of people.
The interested ones
These, I would describe as being optimistic and enthusiastic about taking the vaccine. Their enthusiasm stems from being well informed and having encountered one or two that have been vaccinated. Finally, these ones are cautious about getting infected
The passive ones
These groups of people vary in their opinions. Generally, they all could care less about vaccine but vary in their reasons. While some are afraid of injection, some even question if there was ever covid 19. In some instances they feel immune to any form of infection. Some take it that we have strong bodies well in Nigeria.
Totally uninterested (totally radical)
These happen to constitute most of the population I sampled. They refuse to take the vaccine as a result of the pre-conceptions they have concerning the vaccine. There are some theories that the vaccines are causing infertility. Some claim that the vaccine can make magnetic bodies. Others attributed their radicalism to the fact that the vaccines are microchips.
WAY FORWARD
Correct dissemination of true information would really go a long way. If the people are well-informed and theories are debunked, it would improve the response rate towards the vaccine. The academia could also rise to the challenge and help in correcting conspiracies theories and debunking fallacies.
The government could facilitate research and awareness campaigns. Student NGOs could take up the challenge to rural communities. The University community is supposed to illuminate the darkness of ignorance in the country. Let’s all rise to the challenge.
0 Comments