Life After Coronavirus -By Muhammad Isa Gaude Nectarine

How ready are you to adjust to life after the dreaded coronavirus? It’s obvious that what we know and what we are within now is quite different. The lives of the populace are taking a new turn, rendering many jobless and enriching very few. In a way, this is very detrimental considering the fact that poverty has already eaten deep into the fabric of society. But where is the empathy that should inhabit every mind? Where is the pity? Where is the love?

If this menace continues, it’s very clear that the much-celebrated lockdown and lockup cannot be sustained. And if it continues, what will happen to the farmers during the rains? And if farmers do not farm what will become of us?

When the pandemic is being controlled in other parts of the world, we record fresh cases every day in Nigeria. When countries are taking appropriate measures, very few government officials are taking advantage of the funds set to curtail the pandemic to their advantage. When will this end?
It’s also very alarming that in Kano, mortality has skyrocketed at an alarming rate and we still have our arms folded, not fast-tracking research in a bid to know why and to take appropriate measures.

What is more devastating is the fact that millions are losing their jobs every day. Households are becoming more vulnerable. I must confess that I almost shed tears when I pass by people sitting around their homes looking gaunt and sad. They must be thinking of today and tomorrow and what may likely happen if things didn’t change. I am also thinking of the same thing.

Businessmen aren’t expected to open their shops except for once a week or in states with partial lockdown only those selling groceries and medicine. Kano is locked. Kaduna is locked. Lagos is also locked.

My big question is this: Those men found to be positive and isolated, is the government catering for their families at home? If not, then I am seeing the reason why some of them are attempting to run out of the isolation centers.

How long will it take to open up? Can people afford to buy food and fulfill their other needs after the lockdown? Aren’t we seeing the possibility of an increase in the rate of crime during and after the lockdown?

Will people still go to football viewing centers in the future confidently? Will the government allow the Okada riders back? Will the almajiris return to their schools? When will this pandemic end?
Surely we are only realizing that we are not ready for something bigger than this. What if something bigger comes just after this? Are we ready?

For those of us that believe in God and the last day, we know that the trials of what will happen then are much bigger than this. Are we ready to change and at least reduce the amount of envy and hatred amongst us? Are those that subscribe to charms and cultism ready to stop? Are the marabouts ready to change for good? Are the kidnappers and Boko Haram ready to turn back to God? Are perverts ready to repent? Are we all ready to stop all ungodly acts and have salvation?
How are we going to live after this pandemic?

Muhammad Isa Gaude Nectarine is a story writer, an essayist, and poet. He is the president of Gombe Jewel Writers’ Association.