This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
July 10, 2020
COVID-19: A New Normal in Africa ¶
As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, African governments have imposed various restrictions to prevent its spread. However, with the gradual easing of these measures, the question remains: which changes will remain and which will be reversed when the pandemic is brought under control?
The COVID-19 disease will eventually go away, likely through a vaccine or herd immunity. However, the efforts to control it will leave a lasting impact on our social order, family life, work, economy, travel, and education.
Despite low case numbers in sub-Saharan Africa, global public health experts and donor agencies attribute this to inadequate testing and reporting. In response, many African governments have increased their testing capacity, contact tracing, and quarantining. However, the lack of resources, equipment, and personnel remains a significant challenge.
Another layer of complexity in East African countries is the disconnect between the value of testing and popular perceptions. Many people believe a negative test result means they are immune to the disease, which is not the case. This misunderstanding has not been clearly communicated to the public, watering down the real value of testing.
In some African countries, certificates of negativity have been issued to individuals, which has led to the spread of the virus. This practice has been observed in South Sudan and Kenya, where individuals have traveled while awaiting test results, potentially infecting others.
President Uhuru Kenyatta's address to the nation on July 6, 2020, outlined Kenya's strategy for returning to a degree of normalcy. The speech was well-received across East Africa, with many countries looking to Kenya's experiences as a model for their own reopening.
However, the pandemic has also created opportunities for politicians to weaponize the measures against their opponents or in favor of allies. This will not be the first time we see the functions and benefits of crises used to favor a few.
