COVID-19: An Eye Opener that May Lead to Stronger Institutions and Better Governance.
Prior to the outbreak of the Ebola Virus disease, Bird Flu, and the discovery of AIDS, some deadly illnesses such as malaria, diarrhoea, jaundice existed. Each of these diseases caused a level of different panic in their own time and up till date, majority of people are still scared of contracting HIV/AIDS. Recently, there is another disease which has assumed the state of a pandemic that everyone is talking about. COVID- 19 is an infectious disease that is caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. Trended nonstop for about two months, and became a reason that brought different minds together, somehow the COVID-19 pandemic opened people’s eyes to numerous realities including these: unity and oneness must be sustained especially during trying times; a sickness can attack anybody, even the rich and mighty; money can buy health only when there are scientific know-how on the disease / illness and known ways to cure it, and the equipment to facilitate the process. Unity and oneness, durable and efficient social amenities can be thoroughly ensured and provided if there are stronger institutions and even more importantly a better governance.
In December 2019 when the corona virus was first discovered in Wuhan, People’s Republic of China, millions of people around the world including other countries on the globe sympathized with China. The brotherhood in sending those warm messages to China was strong. The Support China, and We Will Stand by You Throughout This Fight hashtags were undoubtedly passionate and rarely did we see a need to castigate China for being a breeding ground for such a disease but for the case of a man who later called it “The Chinese Virus”. The support and concern other countries expressed towards China during their crucial time is the kind of attitude that we need in every institution in order to record tremendous growth. An institution with supportive members does not only make it strong, but reliable as well.
Health is wealth as it is popularly believed, and sometimes good health is only possible if you can afford it but the ability for money to buy health is dependent on some factors like I mentioned earlier. In the case of the availability of the scientific know-how concerning the disease and known ways to cure it, coronavirus has proved that anyone can be infected, affected and damaged by the disease. In this case, we see that everybody is equal in the eyes of the disease and the first step to a better governance is when the leaders see their followers as equals and the followers feel the equality in the way that they are being treated. Coronavirus does not respect the huge amount of money some government officials may earn, rather if those monies are spent in a strategic way to provide good healthcare for everyone then we can all boast of wealth.
Few months ago, some people made fun of the fact that no leader in Nigeria is travelling out of the country for medical checkups anymore. The truth of the matter is that if Nigeria as a country had the kind of health care facilities those countries they travel to have, maybe there won’t be such travels in the first place. Travelling in this period is risky and inadvisable, and we have all seen that every medical attention needed by any patient in this time is rendered in their resident countries. High and mighty politicians and everyone in the sphere of leadership should see that there is no escape route. Hospitals, clinics are usually abandoned or left an eyesore while they count countless trips abroad to be cared for in state of the art hospitals where other people’s work and management is evident. This is the time when they should know that these same amenities in their own land need a retouch, an upgrade so that it will climb up on the ladder of functionality. Provision of essential social amenities such as good health care is the responsibility of a good and working governance .
In January 2020, when some other countries started recording cases of the corona virus, their citizens were bewildered. Perhaps, they thought that the virus would never reach them or until then did they really understand the critical condition of the disease
. Plans were then made to make isolation centers available, testing kits were sort for, including other preparations. The sole aim being; even though there was readily no cure for the COVID-19, substantial effort to contain it will limit the spread thereby causing lesser risk of coronavirus free citizens from contracting the virus. Now, if this same attitude is adopted in respect to other major issues concerning the state and nations at wide, we will be able to fight against any problem that might be a threat to human lives or existence, the economy, etc. There are some situations which could not have been, as regards governance, if the appropriate measures were taken to avoid it or curb it at a certain point. Leaders and everyone involved must see this as a lesson to always see signs for what they point to; think ahead of time; and always act fast and right concerning top issues and/ or matters of importance.
We have seen in this particular period how different organizations and institutions come together to contribute towards the fight against COVID-19 . This is done through monetary contributions, donations of clinical materials for patients and health practitioners, release of properties to be used as isolation centres and others. These generous acts aid in making sure that the fight against coronavirus becomes a successful one. Some organizations go as far as sponsoring advertisements on radio, television, and magazines in a bid to sensitize the general public on the meaning, effects of COVID-19, ways of contracting it and how to help one’s self in case there is a suspected case, and above all knowing how to stay safe! The companies or bodies sponsoring these advertisements whether they benefit directly from it or not are rendering a service to humanity and such selflessness among individuals of a corporation is one quality that can boost a stronger institution, everybody puts in their best to achieve a desired goal without placing any selfish interest first.
The contributions from institutions and corporate bodies/ other individuals also proves that the government cannot do everything alone. We cannot deny the fact that even after these institutions donate the cash, the government is responsible for how the money is distributed in respect to the aim of its donation; but if there were no donations prior to this time, there won’t be any distribution. The earlier the government start seeing citizens and the people who they lead as a great part of governance, then would they understand fully how to handle some matters that involve the masses, for as it is popularly acclaimed “Democracy is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people”. Since these institutions and individuals are assisting the government now, the government should endeavour to play their leadership roles absolutely in order to make life easy for the people as they are the ones who make up these bodies. A happy masses and a place where the means of livelihood is easy is a great sign of good governance therein.
If there is one thing COVID-19 has taught us also, it is unity in diversity. We are aware that COVID-19 knows no race, ethnicity or tribe, it hits whoever it reaches. So, it has become the duty of everyone to be his brother’s keeper; and, knowing that “until everyone is safe, no one is safe”, we can only do everything within our disposal to ensure everyone’s safety. This spirit of teamwork is what we need in our day- to- day life; as we all know, “ two good heads are better than one”, so if we inculcate the habit of working together closely and abiding by the team spirit, nothing would be insurmountable and that will be a stepping stone to stronger institutions, there will be no inter- tribal wars and racism too can be reduced to its barest. Let the government see themselves and the voters as equals and let every citizen strive to contribute their quota to the development and safety of a nation. If we adhere to all these, then a ground for good governance is created already. I truly see COVID-19 , an eye opener that may lead to stronger institutions and better governance, do you?