AfricaPress-Kenya: The African Union Head of Infrastructure Development Raila Odinga (pictured) has likened the Covid-19 pandemic to the third world war but without bombs.In the pandemic, countries like the United States and Italy have recorded the highest infections and deaths.“Even during the Second World War we did not have this extent of causalities that we are witnessing within a short period of time,” Raila said.
Speaking on SABC News on Wednesday, Mr Odinga said African countries have responded well hence the low rate of infections witnessed.“Most Africans have been very proactive for example South Africa,
the first one to go on total lockdown, followed by Rwanda and Uganda,” he said, adding the containment measures helped curb the spread of the virus in the continent.Africa’s coronavirus cases stood at 48,808 with the death toll at 1,902 as of May 6, according to the latest data by the John Hopkins University and Africa Center for Disease Control on Covid-19 in Africa.
However, on the continent’s preparedness, Raila said little information had been shared on the extent of the danger of the virus thus the continent was not well prepared.“How would we have prepared when we didn’t know the magnitude of the pandemic?” he posed.
Despite the fact that Africa has not been spared the devastating effects of the pandemic, Raila said there was a chance for the continent to rise again in the Post-Covid-19 era.With the high number of job losses, slow tourism growth and productivity at zero, the AU Head of Infrastructure Development boss said the economy could revive after the pandemic if the countries coordinated.“
Each crisis offers an opportunity”
Raila applauded the innovations that have come up during the pandemic among the African nations that have for a long time over-relied on the West.Some of these innovations have been witnessed in countries like Kenya where Kenyatta University students designed ventilators that could save many lives of coronavirus victims
Ventilators are the key equipment for coronavirus patients who develop difficulties in breathing. But there are only a handful in Kenya.In Senegal, scientists began validation trials on a Covid-19 diagnostic test that can be done at home and produce results in 10 minutes – all for one dollar.Raila said these coordinated efforts and thinking outside the box in the wake of a pandemic could make the continent self-reliant after the pandemic.
