Living in Nigeria in the time of Covid-19 (Worship Centers and Transportation) By Dr Nonye and Ugomma

Corona virus does not seem to be disappearing anytime soon. Countries are trying to adjust their system to reduce the spread and also promote easing lock down. In other words, 'adjusting life to accommodate covid-19 in the society,' till it is eradicated. 

Nigeria has unique characteristics, therefore the methodology adopted to stop the spread should be tailored to the needs of Nigerians. 

The general message still remains, stay at home; keep 2 meters apart; wash/sanitize your hands and build your immunity.

Worship centers in Nigeria: Nigeria has large population, making it very difficult for people to stay 2 meters apart in worship centers. So what can we do?

1. Stay at home.
2. When the lock down has been eased, continue to stay at home and worship in your house.
3. If you insist that you need to go to your place of worship after lock-down has been eased, stay 2 meters apart. 
4. Church administrators can start now, to consider no contact type of worship. Pews can be marked 2 meters apart to show people the safe distance to sit. Standalone chairs can be placed 2 meters apart. People living together can consider sitting together. People can be encouraged to go with their hymn books and not use the communal hymn books.
5. A sign can be put up, to tell people to follow the rule of staying 2 meters apart. Announcements can be made to highlight the measures that need to be followed. 
6. If you have any sign of corona virus please stay at home. 
7. If the capacity of the building is not enough to contain people staying 2 meters apart, the rest should go home and pray. Remember you are safeguarding yourself and others. 
8. The worship centers could consider increasing the number of services celebrated in a day. They can also continue online streaming of the services, so that viewers can still follow from their homes.

Transportation in Nigeria: Most people use buses, tricycles (keke) and cars. It is difficult to keep 2 meters distance in a bus. So what can we do when the lock down has been eased?

1. Continue to stay at home as much as possible.
2. Consider trekking to your destination especially if it is a short distance. That way you will be getting the exercise that you need. You will be keeping 2 meters apart and also reducing the carbon footprint.
3. Consider cycling, this is another great form of exercise. 
4. Drive if you are legally allowed to drive.
5. Use a keke at least it has great ventilation and has fewer people. It could also mean that the driver gets to carry only one or two passengers in order to implement social distancing.
6. Take a cab
7. As a last resort use a bus. Some states have task force that ensure people are wearing mask. Whether it is worn properly is not really emphasized. 

If it is recommended that the public should wear masks, are there measures to ensure that the public has the appropriate mask and that it is worn properly? For instance people are seen covering their mouth but not the nose. Some put on the mask and remove it when they want to talk. Others leave the mask hanging on their jaws. 

Ultimately, before any lock-down should be eased, there should be sensitization and appropriate public health teaching and other measures to ensure a decrease in spread. 

What do you consider to be a safe way to worship? What is your safe means of transportation?

Share your ideas with us. Leave a comment below. We will be including other facets of life in future posts.