This archive report was first published on 16 May 2020.
On May 16, 2020, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Moi University School of Medicine, Lukoye Atwoli, cautioned against hasty calls for a return to normalcy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the world more connected than ever, information about the pandemic spreads rapidly, making it challenging to determine the risks associated with certain actions.
Atwoli noted that the pandemic has come at a time when little is known about the lethality of the virus and the kind of immunity people develop after infection.
He emphasized that premature findings are being presented as authoritative results, and idle musings are being placed on the same evidential pedestal as actual research conducted under rigorous conditions.
Atwoli stressed that it is premature, from a health and safety perspective, for a country like Kenya to start contemplating a 'return to normal' life with the attendant increase in personal contact and risk of infection.
He pointed out that Kenya does not have a clear epidemiological picture of the pandemic, making it difficult for the health sector to prepare and plan for any eventuality.
Atwoli also highlighted the challenges faced by the health sector, including low numbers of health workers, limited supplies, and infrastructure in national and county facilities.
He emphasized that any measure taken must recognize the risk of the health system getting overrun in the event of a surge in numbers of people with severe illness.
Atwoli noted that some countries have scientifically eased restrictions by doing widespread testing and finding that community spread has been largely controlled.
However, he emphasized that Kenya is not yet in a position to ease restrictions, as it lacks the capacity to handle any surge in numbers should it occur after easing restrictions.
Ultimately, Atwoli emphasized that the decision to restrict movement or to ease restrictions is a heavily political one, and the government will have to take responsibility for it and any subsequent consequences.
