This archive report was first published on 3 August 2020.
August 3, 2020, marked a turning point in the global fight against the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019, or Covid-19. The virus, which had initially been seen as a distant threat, had by then spread to every corner of the world, infecting millions and claiming thousands of lives.
Yet, despite the overwhelming evidence, many in Kenya continued to deny or downplay the severity of the pandemic. They argued that the virus was not as deadly as other diseases, such as malaria, road accidents, and cancer, and that the government, media, and healthcare agencies were exaggerating the threat.
However, these arguments were based on a flawed understanding of the virus and its impact. The statistics they cited failed to take into account the exponential growth of Covid-19 cases, while the death toll from other diseases remained stable. Moreover, the other killers they compared the virus to were not infectious or spread as easily as the common cold.
As the pandemic continued to spread, it became clear that the virus was not just a distant threat, but a reality that was affecting people in Kenya and around the world. The virus had already claimed thousands of lives in Africa, including many in Kenya, and was continuing to spread rapidly.
It is time for those who continue to deny or downplay the severity of the pandemic to confront the reality of the situation. The virus is real, and it is spreading rapidly. The only way to defeat it is to acknowledge the facts and take action to prevent its spread.
