How Magufuli maintained Covid-19 skepticism to the end

When he made his last public appearance on February 28 at a mass in Dar es Salaam, President John Magufuli appeared subdued by the reality of the danger of Covid-19. He even said he could even die of it, but still didn’t accept one thing — wearing of masks.

In his 14-minute address to the Catholic congregation, Magufuli suggested that his close aides had contracted the virus as well as his children but they all survived without any mask nor medication.

If any of the ill people around him ever took any medical intervention, they were locally made concoctions, he said.

But he acknowledged how lethal the virus was, mentioning repeatedly that anybody, including himself, could die anytime from it or from any other cause.

"Let’s not fear. One day we will all die. Even me I will die. According to the plan of God; I may die from coronavirus or from anything, and that is why you see I have not put on a mask. Not that I fear dying."

Tanzanian Vice President Samia Suluhu announced Wednesday night that the 61-year-old President had succumbed to a heart condition he had battled for 10 years.

He is survived by his wife Janeth Magufuli and two children.

Through out the virus outbreak, Magufuli had sustained a Covid-19 skeptic stance, rallying against vaccinations and wearing of masks.

At some point, he appeared to mock some unnamed countries that implemented  restrictions to curb the virus spread.

During the aforementioned mass, he said his government did not  fully encourage the use of face masks but reiterated that he had not necessarily banned them.

“I thank the choir members and singers who when they sang here, they did not bother to wear face masks because they know their God is stronger than masks. I have not said those who put on masks are bad. Even you father, you came without a mask and you put it on when needful and now you have removed it. This brings a lot of faith,” he said.

“I have not said you don’t put on masks and don’t misquote me,”he said, suggesting that if masks must be used, then they should be locally made and not imported.

He cited his authority as enabling him to know a lot going on and that his resistance to masks sourced from foreign places was in the best interest of Tanzanians. 

"If you want to wear a mask, use those made by the Ministry of Health. MSD are making the masks. If you can’t afford those, then tailor make your own. Use even scarfs and fold them five times.”

“….there are some masks which are not good. I want to tell you this is the truth. Some masks will be brought to you will have problems. I am your leader, I know a lot. I have to tell you the truth."

At some point, he framed his anti-mask stance as born of economic wars being waged by unnamed people against Tanzanians, and that such people would be happy to supply masks laced with coronavirus to kill as many as 60 million citizens. He did not give any proof.

"I’m telling you, my brothers, I am one of your own. I understand. This is war," Magufuli said.

"They can bring you masks with C rona; you put it on so you get corona and infect other Tanzanians," he added.

He said Tanzanians must "exercise wisdom on the masks we put on", citing government officials such as the Prime minister and the Vice President, who appeared in public without wearing masks.

"Not that they don’t fear death; we all fear death."

According to him, only three things would save the Tanzanian nation from the scourge of the virus — putting God first, taking precautions given by their doctors and taking locally made drugs.

"I even have some aides who have been sick. My children have been sick. My young ones have been sick and have recovered. Put God first, take precautions but you should also not despise steaming,"he said.

"There is a drug called Mupigi [that] people have been treated with. Even hospitals have used it. There is Covido and other drugs that Tanzanians are using. I’m pleading with you, my Christian and Tanzanian brothers, lets reject the fear of corona. We will overcome," the President said.

He didn't overcome. 

Edited by EKibii