Life In The Up Country Amidst Corona Virus Fears

“I’m treated with a lot of suspicion. A cough and everyone stares at my direction. I can’t sneeze as usual”

By Njai ka Wambui

NJAI – KENYA: When New Year kicked in there was hope that all will be well. Hopes were high. Few months later what was unexpected happened. Corona Virus disease or COVID 19. Come 2020 and we have COVID 19 a disease that has shaken the mighty and powerful nations and rendering them helpless. This case was first reported from Wuhan China.  Growing up I was told that China was a sleeping economic giant and pun me not they cough and the whole world gets a cold that’s how serious they are.

As a journalist I would have been glad to inform the masses about this global pandemic for this is what we do best of course, risking our lives to keep you informed. However this one time I’m worried. With the fear of a lockdown in Nairobi Kenya, credits to you all bloggers for giving us these leaks I indeed flee for my life to the up.

Could I sustain myself even for a week if the worst happened? Living hand to mouth while, you’ll think simply because you see us appearing in your grapevine dailies and all over the screens that we have money? But we were told to use our savings and stay at home? Which savings are you taking about again? While I got rent to pay, taking care of my aging parents and paying school fees for my siblings and kids?

Back to the story, here in the up country everyone is a doctor or a clinician.  Well they have good insights although misguided. First I was not offered the normal greetings and I was offered a wave and told to be contempt with that at least they know we are not supposed to greet each other in the presence of COVID 19.

I was offered a bowlful of traditional food and to spice it up was served with a traditional brew ‘muratina’ glass. This is for scaring away the virus. It can’t thrive in a full stomach.

With me I had carried my sanitizer but I couldn’t use it. My folks won’t let me. Their argument being it could be the one laced with the virus since it’s imported. One told me in Kiswahili “Hizi vitu ndio zinawaletea ugonjwa na saratani, hivi wewe wajua imetoka wapi?”Literally meaning; this are the things that are exposing you to cancer and diseases. Do you know who manufactured it? To them they would rather die than use it.

I asked a neighbor what he would do if he realized he had the virus. “I’d hang myself, I can’t wait for suffering,” he said explaining the sheer lack of information, on people living away from the city. They don’t know one can recover from the virus even without medication. On washing their hands, that’s above the bar, they are doing it promptly and well. One commenting that, her hands skin color is lighter due to frequent washing.

One area that it’s not so clear to them is social distancing. How do I tell them that they are supposed to keep one metre apart from each other? I’ll be asked,” ananuka kwani?” meaning Is the that person having a stench? Again how do you distance in a tiny kitchen around the fire place or while watching in the evening at the living room?

Well they are not travelling at least for now or did I tell you they rarely travel?  They are busy attending to their farms and animals?

All that remains now are the nostalgic memories of the times I’d meet with colleagues and exchange pleasantries during press release. Somehow this was like a break from the pressure we get at the newsrooms. This doesn’t happen anymore and even if it happens all that are required are the bytes which are sent directly to the newsroom by organization.

Another thing remains I’m treated with a lot of suspicion. A cough and everyone stares at my direction. I can’t sneeze as usual. The first days were hectic but all I can say is that they are in the process of getting it right. Constant flow of information from the government has really helped a great a deal.

All in all they are learning and they are on a good course. To my fellow fourth estate people who are covering this historical pandemic stay safe lest you became subject of circumstances. We need you!

The world will soon smile again.