The world has become so small and that which affects one nation impact is felt in another country.
Covid-19 is a worldwide health concern and it's spreading from China where it started to other parts of the world. It is definitely having an impact in one way or the other.
We can take a lesson about what is happening in China, the rest of Asia, Europe and North America. The coronavirus is having a major impact, which will be felt in Kenya and the rest of Africa.
Tourism, farm produce such as flowers and tea exports to various parts of the world will be affected. This will have a direct impact on Kenya's economy.
Right now what is going to happen to flower exports to the Netherlands will be affected. The general concern for everyone is that if we have widespread outbreak, it will strain our entire hospital capacity.
We will have a significant number of patients who will require oxygen. So there is general concern about the medical capacity. While I’m not in the insurance field it is not clear yet if they will cover the disease. But I think they should.
Kenyan people should stick to the precautionary measures that have been given by the relevant authorities to constantly protect themselves from exposure.
We should always wash our hands with soap and water or an alcohol sanitizer before and after contact with people who might be affected.
As far as public health is a concern, we should avoid careless coughing. If possible, we should avoid coughing and when need be, we should cover our mouths. Also avoid being coughed at by others.
How to avoid getting the virus has become a difficult issue throughout the world and has been handled differently.
China has done extreme measures to put the virus under control. The government has limited travel within and outside the country.
So it is going to depend on the individual country to handle the disease. Nobody has a clear strategy that is going to work effectively for them.
In Africa, the authorities should sustain surveillance at entry points so that suspected cases are dealt with as quickly as possible.
The professor and infectious disease specialist at the Aga Khan University spoke to the Star.
