From the announcement broadcast by the Government Spokesperson, the SOE has been extended for another 21 days with some modifications. Schools remain closed, places of worship will open with strict measures to be adhered to, and the curfew remains enforced.
Unfortunately, when such announcements are made, the plight of hundreds of businesses and Gambians is not taken into consideration. Since the first SOE was enforced, many businesses have gone dormant or ineffective. Many families have seen either a reduced amount of food on the table or none at all.
With the worsening of the utilities (electricity and water), many other businesses that depend on these have either closed or ineffective thus causing more pain on families. The curfew, good as it is, still affects many other businesses and individuals whose businesses are better off at night.
The Government has remained silent on the plight of its citizens. Even if a State of Emergency is announced, it should the right of individuals to know what other measures are in place to support the most affected by the pandemic.
It is the right of every Gambian to be protected by its Government. In a very unfortunate and critical situation like the one we are facing, the strength of the Executive is tested and the resolve of the President is measured, especially when the elections are just around the corner.
Many people who have taken their tests for weeks now continue to wait for their results and the strategies on curbing the pandemic is not shared with the public. The silence is deafening, and the President would need not forget to be physically appearing on the media talking to the people. Or else, people would have the right to interpret anything in their own ways.
<Lim saf kiko maca moo ko ham> Wollof proverb meaning Who knows more than the one who experiences it.
