Medical workers in protective suits transfer the body of an Ebola victim in Mongbwalu, Ituri province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on May 24 /STR/XINHUAAs if our problems in Kenya were not enough, in comes the much-dreaded Ebola disease. And, oh my, who saw this coming?
Patient zero was just confirmed this week, after a Kenyan citizen who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo died in Nairobi from Ebola.
This death occurred just as the festive season is almost approaching, and many families and businesses are gearing up for the long holidays.
One Ebola case in Kenya might translate into many Ebola cases, in the worst-case scenario, and one Ebola case might also translate into the downfall of many recreation and other businesses, plus suppliers in the chain, leaving only essential businesses running.
Many Kenyans in urban and rural areas have invested in recreational businesses; they mostly survive on people’s free time, evenings, weekends and holidays; they also survive on corporate end-of-year parties, weddings and birthdays among other celebrations.
Typically, Kenyans hold these events towards the end of the year, many having already booked spaces in restaurants, recreational gardens and hotels. Travel to safari lodges and beach hotels is also very common during the upcoming festive season. This travel and commerce might take a big hit if the Ebola situation is not handled with extreme care.
The last thing Kenyans and anyone residing in Kenya needs is another COVID-like situation. Our country is not at the point where the government can cushion all of us financially and health-wise. In Kenya, we live in a sort of Darwinian mode; survival of the fittest it is, and that’s why, in the recreation industry and any other industry, so to speak, most strive to be the fittest this upcoming festive season.
So what would be the best-case scenario? Lots of reassurance from the government and a lot of public health messaging is essential first. The contact tracing ¾ already underway for patient zero’s fellow passengers on the flight from the DRC, and their families, needs to be done rapidly. Citizens need to be reassured and given health briefings through regular press briefings, among other communications.
But here is something to be considered. The government also needs to strike a delicate balance between caution and panic. Kenyans need to take Ebola seriously as fear and misinformation can be just as damaging to businesses and livelihoods as the disease itself.
If people begin cancelling weddings, corporate parties, hotel bookings and travel plans purely because of rumours circulating on social media, the economic consequences could be felt long before there is any possible outbreak.
Businesses in the hospitality and recreation sector should also prepare themselves. Hotels, restaurants, event venues, tour operators and entertainment establishments need to have clear COVID-like health and safety protocols.
Their staff must be trained and given reliable information on what to do if a suspected case is identified. Reassurance, to both local and foreign guests, is mostly what customers need at this time, and reassurance might allow these businesses to survive this season if anything Ebola-related gets out of hand.
We as citizens must avoid panic and refrain from spreading hearsay or misinformation. The last thing we need to be comfortable with is complacency. Let us follow the official health advice and seek medical attention if symptoms or exposure raise concerns.
It is not up to us to do the work of doctors, public health officials and the government. We, as well as recreational and other facilities, only need to follow health protocols and be vigilant of any suspected Ebola cases near us, and report them accordingly.
For many small businesses, November, December and early January are usually the months of celebration and a determinant of whether these businesses will enter the new year with hope or financial uncertainty.
The government must move quickly to cushion Kenya’s tourism industry, as foreign health advisories could trigger widespread travel cancellations and deal a major blow to an already vulnerable sector.
Hopefully, this upcoming festive season need not become a casualty of Ebola. With early detection, transparent communication, strong public health measures and public cooperation, Kenya can protect both lives and livelihoods.
What we cannot afford is to wait until the situation becomes another crisis, taking the lives of multiple people, before taking it seriously.
