5 Things Ebola Is Teaching Many Nigerians

Wad up West Africa?

I say that in sober reflection of what the region is and has been going through for some time now. It’s saddening that a named deadly virus, Ebola has crept into the hearts of a happy and peaceful people. Without permission, it took some part of the region such as:  Guinea, Sierra Leona and Liberia by storm and now it has decide that Nigeria will be the next.

Now, it has raised international concern as not only has it affected the blacks but a few whites. The disease is so contagious that it can spread through close body contact with an infected person. This is why we are advised to always keep our hands and surroundings clean.

From the foregoing, the insistence on the maintenance of a spanking clean environment and the incessant washing of hands is rather not a habit of a typical Nigerian. You may beg to differ, but that’s what I know for a fact. Nonetheless, the fear of death which have caused many to believe a remedial joke that salt and water can cure this epidemic is schooling a lot of Nigerians. The habits our parents couldn’t inculcate in us has gained a prevailing mass adoption in recent time by these same people with the resultant effect of the disease. 

Here are the 5 things Ebola has taught a lot of Nigerians.

1.       The disease has instilled a certain level of Tidiness in the lives of many Nigerians. I’m pretty sure a lot of us have transformed to neat freaks and that includes me. I wash my hands about 10 times or more a day, take my bath more often than I normally will. It came to my knowledge that the producers of sanitizers have hiked their price two times the actual price . Apparently, that is the product in high demand now as I speak. You can’t really blame them. They’ve had their fair share of unfavorable market days too.

2.       More so, the continuous spread of Ebola virus is teaching a lot of people the course called Civility 101. Before now, when you go to the bus station in Nigeria, the display of chaos and bad mannerism from a steaming population of people who are impatient to get to their destination is about the first thing that hits you.  The competition to get into the scarcely available danfo or bus causes people to flood into any vehicle that stops for passengers to board. This uncivilized behavior has to a degree been on the low for a while. What best explains this is that Ebola is in town, consequently, everyone is trying to play safe.

Will this still be happening?

3.       Another thing that a lot of us Nigerians are learning is to Communicate. Have you wondered why even a lay man who can barely read the newspaper knows the exact figure of infected/quarantined persons? It is all because his ears are on ground. He has heard people talk about how demonic this disease is that he follows up on every news. The Lagos State Government is doing well to inform people about any recent undertaking. This is so because every life is affected. If a neighbor has been tested for Ebola symptoms, tendencies are that the whole of that neighborhood will be summoned to undergo quarantining.

4.       Here is another thing that Ebola has taught and is teaching Nigerians; new modes of dressing.  The weather in recent time has been somewhat windy and cool all thanks to the rainy season. Although it has resulted in many dressing full, however, the lot of “young, fashionable ladies and men” are yet to comply with the demands of the season. The fairly cold weather which was incapable of enforcing it stance of full clothing on them is now being aided by the most feared sickness. These young chaps are subtlety grinding to the demands that comes with staying safe from this disease. I personally have sorted out my long sleeves and long skirts, having a permanent scarf in my bag that follows me everywhere I go. (Slightly recommending that) wink.

5.       Lastly but not the least, the interminable nature of this ailment has caused Nigerians to learn new styles of Greeting/ Exchanging compliments. As we are aware, one of the ways through which Ebola can spread is by handshake. Therefore, in recent time, handshake as a means of greeting has been greatly condemned in many places especially churches. People are steadily starting to get the message when a handshake is not reciprocated in accord. It doesn’t mean that fellow hates you, he/she is simply saying, “Hey, I got to protect myself”. Sorry, if anyone has done it to you.

 As much as I have tried to avoid concocting any written piece about this plague, I also don’t intend to make a joke out of a critical and life threatening subject like this. However, please let us play safe. Ensure to observe all the recommended routines. And by the special grace of God Ebola will be history, of course with our lives spared. Amen.

Have a fabulous weekend.