RE: MASK-UP (A Rejoinder)

Written by Seun Adefope 

https://psalm007blog.wordpress.com/

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge… This is a scriptural verse credited to Prophet Hosea. I agree with Michel de Montaigne who said that there is no desire more natural than the desire for knowledge. This knowledge is what St. Augustine described as ‘awareness’ which makes it relevant to say that knowledge and human power are synonymous, according to Francis Bacon. All of these make it valid to say that a good decision is based on knowledge and not numbers with reference to Plato. Bertrand Russell said, ‘Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind.’ While Georg Wilhelm stated that we do not need to be shoe-makers to know if our shoes fit, and just as little have we any need to be professionals to acquire knowledge of matters of universal interest. All of these quotes are meant to acknowledge your effort in bringing to our consciousness what is peculiar not only to humanity but to our universalness. David Hume said that a man acquainted with history may, in some respect, be said to have lived from the beginning of the world, and to have been making continual additions to his stock of knowledge in every century…this therefore, prompt me to say that it is evident in your post that your opinion is characterised by knowledge unlike so many fellow country men whose opinion and manner of attending to present situation is characterised by ignorance. Once again, I appreciate your patriotic heart to share your thought.

FOLLOWING THE COMMENT FROM EL-RUFAI

If the Great Way perishes there will be morality and duty. When cleverness and knowledge arise great lies will flourish. When relatives fall out with one another there will be filial duty and love. When states are in confusion there will be faithful servants. This is a quote from Lao Tzu; and can be made relevant to those leaders in states and presidency who are playing politics with the COVID 19 decimation. I do not follow the news, as regards the presidency’s or each state’s responses to the fight against the virus, very well… but I was made aware that Governor El Rufai had just recently recovered from the grip of the deadly virus…for which I believe that he wouldn’t want to joke with the matter. Blaise Pascal said that two things control men’s nature, instinct and experience. If truly the Governor was once indeed tested positive to the virus which it was reportedly claimed that he was free from, I am sure that his experience of such narrow escape will not let him handle the matter like child’s play. If all Governors of the Nigeria’s states would make collective effort to combat the COVID, it will be certain that sooner than we can think we shall have a success story.

OF DECIMATION TO HUMANITY

I do acknowledge the knowledge you have shared with us. I also would have this to say that the word ‘decimation’ was a form of Roman millitary discipline. Note! I do not write scientific essays or theses. My scope or view is somewhat religious which will prompt me to say that pandemic, from what it seems to have been, especially observing it through the mirror of history, is a way by which God disciplines mankind for being disobedient to the laws of nature. We can not create a mess and begin to blame God whenever we are faced with the consequences of our atheistic or agnostic attitude. It has been said afore times, that Government don’t learn from history, anyway. I wrote in a post on my blog that man is prodding very fast towards advancement; and the science of man is impatiently spurring heedlessly. It doesn’t mean that I am comfortable with the effects of this pandemic. I work in a sector that has been the major hit by the COVID 19 threat.

ON CONTAINMENT AND STRATEGIES

It appears that most language users, media experts and medical practitioners are ok with the word ‘containment’ in the fight against the COVID 19. In order to make the fight meaningful, it is necessary for us to adopt a better word which is ‘curtailment’. Though containment and curtailment may seem similar, by applying some certain philosophy to the etymology of the word ‘containment’, we would realise that the word is deficient in the fight against the SARS-CoV-2. We don’t want to cotain the virus. Virus is not meant to be cotained in human society nor in computer programming. If we use the word containment, we would need to think of the host. Viruses are only contained in the jungles where animals can play host to viruses to replicate. None of us would want to play host to the virus. We want to end its decimation of humanity. We want to kill the virus. So, curtailment of the virus is stronger than the word ‘containment’. Words have great psychological impart on man’s position to get something done. This is because battles begin from the mind. Therefore, the psyche of the man must be called to work together with whatever strategies; and with the right choice of word. I join the billions of people all over the world to acknowledge the W.H.O for the strategies she has set down to overcome the virus. It is expedient for me to say that those strategies might work very effectively in developed countries of the world but to think it will really be in the developing and underdeveloped countries, I say NAY! The international bodies should please come to the aid of the poor masses through advising these developing and underdeveloped countries to ensure palliatives for every citizen to stay at home. The Nigeria’s government argued that palliatives are only given to the poor of the poor, the most vulnerable. How did they determine the most vulnerable? It is only when we work that the differences are set. As long as there is no work, everybody becomes vulnerable except may be for the civil servant who despite the lockdown are still receiving salary. If the government fails to see or come to understand this, it will be difficult for them to get the people to stay at home. This on the other hand would worsen the case. Enforcing the people to stay at home without attending to their welfare will lead to many social vices. Nigeria as a nation is not only fighting COVID 19. Nigeria is fighting both pandemic and civil unrest.

OF WHAT TO DO!

Lao Tzu said that the wicked leader is he who the people despise. The good leader is he who the people revere. The great leader is he who the people say, ‘We did it ourselves.’ The battle against the coronavirus must be a collective effort of both the government and the masses. What masses? Is it the masses that are already dying of hunger virus. The ease in the lockdown is not enough because some sectors are totally lockdown and are at receiving end of the hit. The best way to get the masses engaged in the fight is to see to the people’s welfare. Government shouldn’t play politics in a time like this. Government agents should not be selfish in a time like this. If the situation gets to the peak, it will not only be one type of people dying. It will certainly be everybody dying. Love conquers all things. If we can all embrace the spirit of love whereby we care for every needy, it will become easy to unite in the purpose of ending the decimation of this pestilence on humanity. It is, however, only the government that can inspire this national unity if everyone in power will learn something from history and act on principles deducted from it as opined by Goerg Wilhelm.

CONCLUSION

I have read through your post. I indeed again appreciate your thought to enlighten us over the seriousness of the matter before us. It is agreeably, of course, that the best way to save oneself, save one’s family and the world is to be compliant to the government’s directive, which states that we should mask-up. It is true that we are demanding for freedom in this lockdown…but the freedom we are demanding for is not the freedom to go out, unchecked, to business as usual as if we are ignorant of the pandemic or pestilence. If the Government should sincerely see to everybody’s welfare. We will do something good with the welfarism; which are benefits to the elderly, the very young, those who have nothing in their account…may be with soft loans, in this lockdown; and the symptoms will be mild. Jean Paul said that freedom is what you do with what’s been done to you. Government should see this freedom in welfarism as necessity… Karl Marx said, ‘Necessity is blind until it becomes conscious. Freedom is the consciousness of necessity.’ When these are done, both the Government and the masses shall be free.

Comments are welcome.