PHOTO: Monrovia City Mayor, Koijee et al not wearing mask at a mass gathering in Congo Town last week
By Edwin M. Fayia, III, edwinfayia@yahoo.com
Shockingly and in disbelief, many Liberians have abandoned and ignoring the use nosemasks and Corona Virus Disease (COVID19) health protocols announced by the World Health Organization (WHO) for global inhabitants.
What is more shocking and astonishing is the abrupt removal of the hundreds of hand washing buckets and other critically needed sanitary instruments at the doors of the vast majority of business entities at the various markets, public gathering places and cluttered communities in Monrovia and its environs.
Police Officer directing traffic in Vai Town with no mask
In a weekend tour of some densely populated communities in the greater Paynesville and Gardnerville communities in Montserrado County, it was observed that mini drums and buckets placed at those entry points were conspicuously absent and people asked to keep watch could be not traced.
Specifically, at the Red-Light Market in the business district of Paynesville, one in every one hundred petty traders in a business gathering is spotted with a nosemask but the rest have abandoned or are ignoring the use of this vital COVID19 sanitary instrument prescribed by health authorities and partners in the country.
Besides, at the Rally Time and Waterside markets in central Monrovia, hundreds of businessmen and women were seen practically with no nosemask. And Social Distancing is the exception and not the norm in the full glare of law enforcement officers deployed at the two business hubs, most of whom are themselves flouting this health protocol.
Ironically, some of the senior security personnel are on many seen practically ignoring the use of the nose masks and also making frantic efforts to enforce the use of the masks by ordinary Liberians at the various market places. It is even seen at the major authorized checkpoints in and out of Monrovia and its surroundings.
At major bus and truck parking and loading stations in Paynesville, Waterside, Duala and MacDonald as well as major streets, passengers, commuters and business people alike are seen not using the nosemasks nor washing hands at COVID19 buckets placed, if they are still there.
Moreover, at some of the leading mosques, churches and other entertainment centers, nosemasks are seen as a taboo to many residents of the Liberian capital and other parts.
It already seems as though Liberia has become COVID-19 free
Interestingly, even after the now relaxed lockdown period, social activities such jogging, dancing and parties were being held at various venues in Monrovia and its environs, representing a violation of all the health protocols.
Very reliable and credible sources have hinted this news organ that some churches have begun to organize all night prayer and crusade services in Monrovia and its outskirts, in total violations of the lock down restrictions. They do this in the name of conducting such religious rites for God intervention in the COVID19 global medical pandemic in the country.
Last weekend the Liberian leader, George Manneh Weah announced the third extension of the lock down of the country for another fourteen days (14) and time for Liberians to leave the streets and businesses to close have also been extended to 6:00am to 9:00pm each day of the week.
Pres Weah at ELWA Junction last April
Even back in April, the President himself was seen appearing in public at the ELWA junction with his mouth and nose exposed, wearing the mask below his chin.
However, the weekend statement by the Liberian leader was again received with some sighs of relief, delight and enviable reception by the greater business community in Liberia especially the major importers of critically needed commodities which prices are been hiked by unscrupulous businessmen and women owing to acute shortages in many parts of the country.
Despite stern warnings and fines imposed sometimes ago by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, prices of commodities such as rice of all kinds, flour, red and imported oil and some locally produce commodities continue to skyrocket every day on the various Liberian market places in Montserrado County and other parts of the country.
Liberia’s Coronavirus infection rate keeps rising
As at June 9, 2020, Liberia has recorded 397 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, with a total of 31 death. And in recent days, there has been a spike in new infections, with 11 new confirmed cases being reported in just 24 hours–June 8-9, 2020.