By Frank Sainworla, Jr. fsainworla@yahoo.com
Within 48 hours after wild speculation on Social Media that he was tested positive for Coronavirus and subsequent denial by the Executive Mansion, President George Manneh Weah on Thursday, April 30, 2020 appeared in public, failing to cover his nose and mouth, prompting outrage by some citizens on Social Media.
The Liberian leader did wear a nosemask but it didn’t cover his nose and mouth, as he spoke with the state security officers in relatively close proximity. This is evidenced by photos from the occasion, something that has begun to spark serious public criticisms.
In an apparent attempt to tell the Liberian public that he’s up and well, the Liberian leader showed up after in public after some weeks at the joint security check point at the ELWA junction in the Monrovia suburb of Paynesville and handed white envelopes to joint security officers there. The content of the envelopes was not disclosed, but they are believed to contain cash and the President has done the gesture to boost the morale of the security officers, who he described as frontliners in the fight against the killer virus, which has so far claimed 16 lives (as at April 30, 2020).
Stats from the National Public Health Institute (NPHIL) also puts the number of confirmed cases at 141, i.e. those COVID-19 positive, three of whom are top officials of President Weah’s government—including his Justice and Information Ministers.
Weah has been in close contact with these individuals a short time before they were tested positive. And thus COVID-19 health protocol suggests that such a person must be among their contacts and followed by the Coronavirus health team.
In line with the COVID-19 regime, such a contact must in self-isolation or quarantined and tested, this the Executive Mansion confirmed has not been done so far. Following the media speculation that the President has been tested positive, Press Secretary Solo Kelgbeh said there was no iota of truth in it, but the President has not been tested…will take the virus test but when he did not say.
This coupled with the Commander-In-Chief visit to the ELWA security check point on Thursday are fueling calls by citizens the Liberian leader to lead by example by urgently submit himself to be tested for the Coronavirus. Via Facebook and other social media networks as well as local radio stations, many Liberians keep citing the case of US President Donald Trump who something ago had to submit himself to Coronavirus test after interactions with a White House official, who had been tested positive for the killer virus.
Less than a week ago, President Weah on April 24, 2020 extended the COVID-19 lockdown under the State of Emergency by another 14 days, but with another regulation ordering everyone to wear facemask in public and even while riding a vehicle to cover their nose and mouth, as the virus is spread by droplets from the mouth and nose. This is in addition to the other important protocol of washing hands with soap and clean water.
The Executive Mansion in a statement said “to contain the spread of the Coronavirus disease, the Liberian Leader is renewing the order by additional two weeks with some enhancements, including the COMPULSORY wearing of facemasks by everyone in public. The government has determined this is necessary in order to sustain the fight against the disease in the country.
If you think the president’ going around is a show of health, and good PR for him, HELL NO! The best show of health is to be quarantined – since that’s the best medical and public safety advice under the circumstances of being exposed and at risk.
Leaders set examples. Leaders show responsibility. Responsibility, when extracted from leadership, is just being a boss.
Beyond being exposed to Coronavirus, the president just risked people’s lives by this pretense. He isn’t even wearing the nose mask rightly. This sends a very wrong message about the much heralded compulsory wearing of face- and nose masks in public.”
One analyst says President Weah’s action not to cover his nose and mouth at the ELWA junction security checkpoint on Thursday puts him under further pressure to fast track his COVID-19 test.
Samuka Konneh, a prominent Liberian media development posted on Facebook April 30, 2020:
“Here is our president NOT wearing his masks. YES, not wearing the masks properly is NOT wearing it at all.
What Pres. Weah did today was NOTHING short of saying “it’s okay. Even if you exposed by coming in contact with Coronavirus patients, it’s just fine to flout public safety guidelines of reporting for a quarantine. It’s okay. Just refuse to report yourself, go about your business including improperly wearing your face or nose-masks in the public. To hell with public health protocol. It’s okay. The ruled were made by people. It’s okay to flout them.”
President Weah’s April 24, 2020 statement announcing the strict enforcement of facemask also warned that violators of the restrictive measures could be arrested.
“However, on the advice of health authorities and in light of the unresolved crisis, the government is extending the stay-at-home order to ALL 15 counties in the country.
“Also, healthcare workers and other service providers are mandated to also wear hygienic gloves in addition to the facemasks when interacting with the public. Any non-compliance to these measures, as have been observed in the past, could lead to arrest by the security forces. The government will work to ensure facemasks are made available for public use.”
“The threat from COVID-19 is existential; everyone is therefore urged to do their part in every way possible to defeat this unseen enemy. One responsible way to do that is staying at home and following the regulations of the government.”
Following the social media report alleging that President Weah was positive of VOVID-19, Liberia’s Chief Prosecutor, Solicitor General Cllr. Syranius Cephas vowed to shutdown media houses spreading “fake news” and abusing press freedom and free speech.
This prompted this Facebook comment by veteran Journalist, Maureen Sieh in response to Samuka Konneh’s post.
Maureen Sieh Ok. The SG coming for you.”
Some see Wednesday’s the threat by Solicitor General Cephus as an attempt to intimidate and muzzle the press, while others think that by his public appearance without covering his mouth and nose “has undermined the health protocol”.
Here are some samples of Liberian’s reaction on Facebook, April 30, 2020.
Meahkeeh Sendolo But is this a leader or a ruler? I think nothing he can do more than this because he doesn’t know what entails leadership.
Amb Moses R. Quollin When the media picks this one up, the government would use Mr. Sayma Syrenius Cephus and others to intimidate us with unnecessary threats.
Buutuo MA Daylue Gbaye Samuka V. Konneh for me, what I noticed is that the PRESIDENT body has dropped significantly. And I want to believe that either he has been sick or he’s worried about the CONVID-19 OUTBREAKS in the nation. But that body I saw today ISN’T the WEAH I saw few weeks ago.
Jonathan Banks The President has undermined the health protocol.