The newspapers are full of news of a new COVID-19 spike in Mombasa and Nairobi. Even in the yacht club in Dar es Salaam they are talking about the increase in deaths in the neighbouring country.
In Uganda too, the situation is not looking too good. But of course, in Tanzania we are COVID-free. There are no cases here but our neighbours have a lot.
How can this be? Many intelligent people think that we are indeed COVID-free, some explaining to me that Tanzanians are stronger than other people, that somehow they are special.
Some really ignorant people still think it’s all a big lie. Even today I was asked “Do you know anyone who has died of COVID?” – as proof that it’s not a big deal.
I agree that most of Africa has dodged a bullet for one reason or another but it has more to do with density of population, average age and lifestyles. There is nothing different between Tanzanians and Kenyas or Ugandans – their genes are not special or immune systems stronger.
When I suggest to others that it would be nice to know the scale of the problem here and whether cases are on the rise, falling or stable, I am in the minority. Others including most of the ex-pats says they are happy not knowing how serious a problem it is.
Sticking your head in the sand is not an sensible reaction to the arrival of a deadly virus. I agree that we should not frighten people and over-estimate the threat but we should be treated like intelligent people and given accurate information so that we can decide for ourselves what action to take.
But still we are in the dark. Hooray we are a COVID-free country – let’s celebrate!