Social distancing in Africa — a privilege many cannot afford

Social distancing in Africa — a privilege many cannot afford

The idea that the African continent, prime with many Low and Middle income Countries, will simply observe a continent wide lockdown coupled with the task of social distancing, seems quite difficult to comprehend logistically. A large proportion of this continent cannot afford to spend more than a few hours away from manual work that primarily consists of hard, contact labour. Although COVID is a very difficult issue at hand, it is not the only issue that such people face, indeed their plates are full with day to day survival. The addition of a looming pandemic currently seems quite distant but arriving nonetheless; ruthless, presenting a dilemma that the continent should consider now rather than later.

Social distancing is a privilege many from this continent cannot afford.

A credible solution for such countries and its population must be tabled. I understand that the governments should take a role in aligning their citizens to the same order as those advised by the World Health Organisation, but how will they persuade manual labourers to oblige? More solutions to keep the income of such citizens still viable, must be tabled. This would further increase the likelihood that the new, universal concept of social distancing and ‘lockdown’ will be obliged.