The Deputy Registrar Gregory University Uturu, Sleek Ogbonnaya Ogwo has narrated how he and his wife survived the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Mr. Ogwo, a media practitioner had tested positive for the virus along with his wife following which they embarked on isolation for treatment.
While advocating sanctions for those who undermine protocols put in place by health authorities to curtail the spread of the disease, he said that those who doubt the existence of COVID-19 are speaking from the perspective of ignorance.
Speaking with ABN TV in Abia, the COVID-19 survivor said those who have not experienced it should not pray for it.
“The fact that you haven’t seen heaven doesn’t mean it does not exist. If you haven’t experienced it, there are many tangible reasons for you to believe it is there.
“From the point of someone who has experienced it, COVID-19 is real and apart from being real, it is very dangerous. It’s a virus one can not see with physical eyes. People tend to misunderstand the symptoms with very popular ailment that we have here, that is malaria” he said, pointing out that malaria and COVID-19 are not the same.
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Mr. Ogwo who is the Head Media & Public Relations, Gregory University Uturu further revealed that before he went into Isolation in Amachara Umuahia, his body resisted all malaria treatment.
He further attributed the low-level knowledge about the disease especially in Abia to the modalities being deployed to disseminate the information.
While stating that Nigerians tend to be skeptical accepting information from government sources advocated for inclusion of private media practitioners in the process of educating the people about COVID-19.
“People are already biased with messaging coming from government’s source and I’m thinking that that calls for a rejigging of the system.
“I have said for instance that it is possible for government to go be behind the scene and allow private organizations that have the buy-in of the people champion this course. Government can release funds to media houses that are not linked to government. When messages come from such media houses, the people believe it” he emphasized.
He adviced the government to reach out to trade unions through their leaders by training them on what the pandemic is all about for effective results.
Mr. Ogwo also called for denial of certain privileges to people who do not abide by protocols to mitigate the spread of the disease.
“If for instance, you want to buy an item and the person selling is not properly guarded, deny him or her the privilege of selling to you” he insisted.
He called for immediate resumption of academic activities in strict adherence to necessary protocols.
