The world might have heard of the saying goes by Cancer had picked a wrong diva but not Corona has picked a wrong country as many Tanzanians claim; why! Because regardless the geographical location or population the country is, it has somehow either experienced this unforgettable pandemic disease or its effects. Many families have lost their loved ones, Nations have lost the heroes and great leaders, mean while uncountable number of marriages have unexpectedly failed because it was about time the couples had to face each other’s hidden true colors throughout the Quarantine period. Interestingly.
Remarkably in Tanzania; the number of pregnancies in schools went tremendously higher than usual especially in Southern Tanzania and brought exceptional cases ever to happen in a country. This was one of those hectic moments in a lifetime when few parents had to witness the daughters became pregnant from their blood brothers just because of spending months together in the houses. What a horrible trauma for both parents and children!
Generally; the entire world had felt this global mental crisis of which no media outlet could be at rest except updating and enthusiastically reporting thousands of incidents while educating citizens on the precautions. This magazine however, respects all the incredible coverage done throughout but will not unnecessary repeat their works rather we will focus on the lessons learnt from corona.
Learn to save money
In other words; it is about the time people learn to have plans A and B in their lives in case things fall apart unforeseen. A bitter truth about many people in Africa including Tanzania is; we do not have a habit of saving…whichever it is; money, food or even time. The money management has been a long time nightmare for us that’s why people would risk their lives regardless of how bad the circumstance may show up, just to get a family food for tomorrow. Sadly eight out of ten people could still go to their daily activities during Quarantine; worried more about their families dying of hunger other than the dangerous Covid-19 itself. Recalling form the situation, many Tanzanians could not afford a kilogram of sugar due to its highest price ever to happen in the country. Governments, Organizations and each individual is responsible and must consider ‘saving habit’ on a daily basis.
Appreciating the doctors everyday
There is no the paramount moment in 21st century where the world has appreciated the doctors more as the moment of Covid-19 although our appreciation should not wait for the pandemic to pop-up, because at some point everyone gets sick. The doctors have always been sacrificing their all just to make sure they save lives. The unknown figure of doctors have lost their lives to Corona in the process of saving others’ which surprisingly did not stop the rest of them to continue support their patients. In the developing countries like Tanzania where there has been shortage of equipment’s such as OPP, the doctors had a chance to quit and choose to protect themselves at home, oppositely they did what was possible in their hands to attend on their duties despite the dangerous environment. The yearly health budgets must make doctors’ safety a number one priority in all matters regarding health because it cannot be improved without their consent.
Working from home
It is about time for families to start investing more on the quality time at home. A Zimbabwean man known as Mr. Arnold who is now residing in Tanzania told this magazine the reasons why such cases like marriage failure and students’ pregnancies happened; it is because there is no groundwork set for both parents and children to make a useful time while at home.
‘Where I come from we believe that if a man is at home before 8:00pm he is useless. We would rather make it to bars or do anything to kill time just to avoid being at home before the chosen time. Now imagine the Quarantine commands us to spend unlimited hours with the wives who are by nature are so talkative and men don’t like that and yet they have nothing to keep them busy…only divorce should be a savage to such families. This goes to children as well, we parents must start teaching our kids to be busy at home but this doesn’t mean we should ignore spending the quality time with family together’ He said.
On a nutshell; despite of all that took place the Tanzanians have remained calm and maintain their positive attitudes towards life in general. With on-going the 2020 election campaign at the moment, majority of citizens have experienced the businesses failures because of the almost no money circulations but are still working hard and keep their hopes higher for a better tomorrow.
by Khadija Amri
The Tanzanian Times 