COVID-19 Surge and Lockdown?
Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo and surrounding region are under lockdown as the country struggles to get a new surge in COVID-19 cases under control, a month after the country loosened its movement restrictions.
Madagascar’s infections stand (July 13) at 4867, with 2378 recoveries, 2454 active cases and 35 fatalities according to multiple sources including the John Hopkins Medical Center. Two of the country’s lawmakers including a deputy (from the Senate and low chambers) have died recently. In addition, 11 members of parliament and 14 senators have active COVID-19 cases and are being treated.
Madagascar has one of the highest COVID-19 cases in southern Africa and the most infected Island in the African region. Meanwhile, the country’s president Andry Rajoelina has denied social media reports suggesting he may also be infected with the virus. Mr. Rajoelina says he and his family continue stay well and that is due in part to drinking the country’s popularized supposed herbal remedy, Covid-Organics.
What Happened to Covid-Organics?
A few months ago, this herbal “remedy” was promoted by president Rajoelina as the cure for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The president, supported by several Africans, chastized the World Health Organization (WHO) as an European puppet and accused the world body of deliberately dismissing the country’s innovative therapy because it came from “Africa”. Many African citizens and some leaders joined in and naively condemned the WHO.
In May, several fake stories also popped up on social media particularly among African people and in at least two Tanzania Newspapers falsely claiming that the WHO has attempted to bribe the Madagascan president to silence him. These stories also denied by the Madagascan president could not sway the minds of fake news consumers to feed their insatiable thirst to perpetuate racism, hate and ignorance.
Some Africans, including Ghanaians, criticized their leaders because they would not order Covid-Organics to “cure” their infected persons. Some of us who are skeptics, deliberate and critical in our thinking questioned the so called therapy’s lack of evidence, transparency and data on the efficacy and safety. But we were trolled and criticized heavily as sellouts.
The WHO in the meantime continued to deny any discrimination and suppression. The Organization continued to reiterate its support for innovative breakthroughs, its protocols and the lack of evidence to support Madagascar’s claims.
Why is Madagascar having a Surge?
Now my question why has Madagascar having a surge despite possessing a cure? Did they run out of Covid-Organics? If so, how is that possible when they appeared to be producing enough to export to other countries who would receive them? Or it was a lie in the first place?
What Happened?
What really happened that Covid-Organics? Why did the therapy fail to cure some very important personalities in the country? Why are the president Rajoelina not giving everyone Covid-Organics? Why do Madagascans need a lockdown? Why is Madagascar among the worst infected African countries? Or could their numbers even be higher than they were reporting?
I just want to understand. I just want the truth? Does it really work or it doesn’t? Do we have available data now its efficacy and safety? I would have been thrilled if in fact Madagascar had the breakthrough that everyone was hoping for. But does that mean I should lower my standard of scrutiny? Must always use racial lenses to examine things particularly something that could make a difference between life and death?
Always think through everything you hear and see because not everything you hear and see is true. Develop an analytical mind, probe and pause. See things beyond your biases so you can appreciate fact. Don’t follow blindly. Make up your own minds using your own intellect and conscience. Don’t let others fool you
Saty COVID free and healthy.
Singed
Akosua G
Ontario, Canada
July 13, 2020.