All across the world, countries have been approaching the pandemic with lockdowns, movement restrictions such as curfews and swift punishment for those who break the rules.
In Tanzania we have been pretty much allowed to go about our business as usual. People have taken it upon themselves to stay away from bars and restaurants but they were free to continue to open and serve customers.
Buses have still run and shops have been open. We of course have loved the freedom when the rest of the world is locked up. But there is a different story to that which is being put out by the government.
They are facing international criticism because they do not release figures for infections and deaths and refuse to admit that it is/was a problem here. This is great for the economy but at the price of people’s health.
In fact when you’re here COVID19 doesn’t seem to be a huge problem at all. Yes of course people have had it and the numbers have been under-reported or not reported at all but we would have heard if there had been tens of thousands of people dying.
Yes people were being buried at night under the cover of darkness so as not to worry people and ambulances have been restricted so that the population do not see them rushing around the place thereby making people nervous.
We know there are more cases than we are being told but nobody seems to think that the problem is out of control as the American Embassy reported (before they fled the country!).
The BBC has been following the story of Tanzania and it’s reluctance to share information and even admit there is a problem. We seem to be a laughing stock over here. We are held up as an example of the worst type of pandemic management.