Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the last senate, has said that the clamour for schools to resume for children to begin learning in the midst of the growing coronavirus pandemic was too early and dangerous.
He made particular reference to primary and secondary schools, noting that no parent will psychologically be at peace to let their children out at this critical time. He added that “we can make out for loss of time but not of life.”
He made the assertion in a tweet he released on his twitter handle on Monday. His fear is not unconnected with the increasing cases of the virus in the country. Since its first outbreak in the country on February 27 with the Italian index case, the virus has multiplied itself in the country.
Emerald News reports that the disease has crisscrossed the entire length and breadth of the country, hitting both the high and low in the country. Since the outbreak of the disease, a total of 7839 persons have been infected with 226 deaths and 2263 discharged.
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Rather than the disease reducing with the passage of time, it has continued to grow on a daily basis. And the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Nigerian government have warned against large gathering as it is believed that the disease gets fast transmission in large gathering of people.
With this understanding, Senator Shehu Sani is of the belief that when children gather in schools, it will speed up the spread of the lethal virus.
Replies to his tweet have confirmed the fear expressed by the former Senator. Some of the replies say the plan to resume schools amidst the virus spread depicts the understanding people have about the pandemic. This is so because some people do not believe the pandemic is real.
Cinno Brown, in his reply, said: “That’s the result you get when you have a vulnerable government in power. The challenges in the economy have got them overwhelmed. Let us go back with our lawful activities and let God handle the rest.”
Another with the name MBSimple said: “But sir an infection with 90% chance of survival is not as deadly as living for long without education, and also sir people are dying because of diabetes, hypertension, heart and kidney dx and the like, Covid-19 is not as deadly as we think sir
“Tertiary Institutions can be opened. SS3 and JS 3 students can resume in order to prepare for their exams.”
Another with the name Major general bazo said: “I don’t think is too early. This is a virus that will take before it will be dealt with. Perhaps we really need to learn how to live with it under some guild and precautions by the expert.”
Abdulfatah Kamaludeen Ahmad said: “Advanced countries are reopening schools why can’t we do so. 3 months without school is bad for these children. Besides, no country has recorded any child mortality since the beginning of the virus. Death is inevitable, but we have to continue with our lives.”
Another who goes by the name The Philanthropist said: “I seriously doubt primary and secondary schools are more vulnerable to COVID-19 than tertiary institutions. If federal government would decide on opening schools l think tertiary institutions should remain closed. Only in tertiary institutions somebody will travel from Borno to Lagos and the disease is spread.”
Ejeh David Emmanuel added: “Sir you are right but please you have to care about the well-being of the private school teachers. We have not been paid nor given any palliative since the beginning of the lockdown. God knows, I’m very hungry now.”
Abeg make dat man go pak himself one side!