A minute of Terror

It was in broad day light, yet everyone was running as fast as one’s legs could afford. 
An ugly creature, larger than life itself, trailed behind them. Its huge arms grabbed and squeezed humans one by one mercilessly. Children on their tiny legs ran speeding. Those whose mouths have tasted salt for so long got their limbs cracked, their bodies tossed and ripped apart. It was blood all over. With the immortal beast approaching, I could still feel my legs heavy, stuck in the mud of my yard. Yelling and screaming for help, I kicked the side bed light. Its cranking sound as it fell on the ground woke me from the terrible nightmare. Sweating in my pyjamas I recalled a conversation I had the previous day with my neighbour on a deadly pandemic COVID-19 which she referred to as a giant on the universe.

It’s exactly four days since the cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in my mother land, the Land of the Brave Namibia. A state of emergency was declared by the responsible authority which resulted into a lock down. In an attempt to curb the virus, close social interaction is discouraged and gatherings are cut off. My community is so quiet and life seems to be fictional.

I am used to a live community, children singing and giggling as they play outside their yards, elders telling stories and laughing out loud as they take a walk in groups within the hood , boys playing soccer and girls chatting as they escort each other from the land of never ending stories. All this, just in a blink of an eye seems to have gone. The virus has buried the best ways of our lives. Like still waters, the silence is too silent. It is a difficult life; a life of isolation evokes fear.

Though I am not from the Health Department, as an Educator I still think it is wiser to send out a message to my fellow countrymen to remain calm and fight this predicament together. I encourage all of the fellow citizens of the universe to follow the news, especially from the World Health Organisation and to obey directives from the Health Personnel. We must also use this period to our advantage. For instance to teach our children life time activities such as cooking and cultivating. Most of all we must try to avoid posting unconfirmed news which may cause pandemonium within the human race across the globe.


The presence of COVID-19 in my mother land has sent a few into panic mode, some into questions without answers and others feel it is a punishment from Mother Nature, but for a meantime what we should know is that:

COVID-19/Corona virus Disease 2019

is a respiratory disease spreading throughout the world and has no vaccine currently.

Some of the Symptoms are- 

fever,cough, sore throat, fatigue and shortness of breath which may appear 2-14 days after exposure. Symptoms can range from mild illness to pneumonia. Some people may recover quickly while others may get sick very quickly.

COVID-19 Can be prevented by

• not touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

• washing your hands frequently  and thoroughly with soap and water for more than 30 seconds.
• cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces which are often used.
• avoiding contact with people who are ill.

• covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and never  re-use the tissue

•  Using alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• isolating yourself from others when infected or suspects so (self quarantine)

COVID-19 spreads through:

•  close contact with droplets from an infected persons cough or sneeze

• Touching objects or surfaces such as tables, cellphone,doorknobs from an infected person and then touching your mouth or face.

We therefore have to:

• remain positive and accept the situation while fighting for our health.  

• avoid stressful situation and understand that change can be part of our daily lives. 

• Keep ourselves busy, reading and doing what we enjoy most

In my case, I enjoy gardening, so as soon as Corona vanishes, you may join me 

I also love nature, it gives me peace. So whatever you love doing, that is what you gotta do now.

What a silent life, but yeah it's a temporary phenomena

NOTE: Corona Virus is a new virus thus there is no immunity to this disease in our communities. This means if we do not prevent it on time, it may spread fast. So, let us fight this new challenge together. It is only you and me who can bring change.            

The information used here is relevant, it is based on facts presented by health advocates during briefings on preventing Corona virus.