Follow Covid protocols to avert another lockdown

The sudden spike in Covid-19 infections within two weeks is alarming. The percentage of confirmed cases from tested samples has dramatically risen from 1.6 per cent on December 1 to 11.5 per cent.

This is more than double the five per cent the World Health Organisation (WHO) considers the threshold beyond which tighter restriction measures should be imposed.

It explains why Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has warned the government could resort to a lockdown if the flare up of infections is not contained.

This is tragic. The economy has only begun recovery from the battering occasioned by the tough measures imposed at the onset of the pandemic in March last year. Businesses shut down, massive job losses jolted various sectors and households were pushed deeper into poverty. At the time, the drastic action was justified as the country was grappling with a deadly new virus that was wreaking havoc globally. It was necessary to save the nation from the disaster.

But since then, valuable lessons have been learnt. Wearing a mask, keeping social distance and regular hand washing have been proven as effective in countering infections. More importantly, a vaccine is now available to tackle the virus.

However, we seem to have dropped the guard. People are walking in the streets without wearing masks. Crowding in public places is now routine. All caution has been thrown out of the window. To some, Covid-19 is now history. Sadly, the reckless behaviour couldn’t have come at a worse time. The world faces a deadlier strain, Omicron.

Kenyans can avoid this fate and also avert the need to impose crippling lockdowns and the attendant suffering. They should demonstrate more personal responsibility, comply with the health protocols and embrace vaccines. Authorities should ramp up vaccinations. Kenya is still lagging behind in inoculations.

As of December 13, only 8.2 million vaccines had been administered. The drive to inoculate 10 million adults by June is still out of reach.

The government’s target to vaccinate 27 million people is a mirage going by the current pace. Rogue elements abetting illegal dealings that are frustrating the campaign through sale of vaccines should be punished. Loopholes allowing wastage of drugs should be sealed.