This archive report was first published on 14 May 2020.
As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, Kenyans have been told to prepare for a long-term coexistence with the virus. According to Health Chief Administrative Secretary Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, the government is aware that the virus is not disappearing anytime soon.
Speaking during the daily COVID-19 briefing on Thursday, May 14, 2020, Dr. Mwangangi said the Ministry of Health is charting a way forward to enable the country to live with the virus. She emphasized the need to maintain current containment measures and explore ways to live with the virus.
“Indeed, this virus may be with us for a long time to come, and therefore it requires us to maintain our current containment measures and ensure that we can actually chart a way forward as to how we are able to actually live with corona,” Dr. Mwangangi said.
The Ministry of Health is evaluating different interventions to pave the way for the reopening of businesses while containing the virus. Dr. Mwangangi assured the country that it will defeat the virus, just as it has succeeded in mitigating and living with HIV.
She called on the public to adhere to the measures put in place to combat the virus, including social distancing, handwashing, and masking. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also warned that the coronavirus may never go away.
