The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi-Post Correspondent
IN the duel that the game of football is, the overall objective is for a team to fare better than their opponent by outscoring them to win the match.
In our present situation, we are up against Covid-19 as an adversary. This rivalry, which has persisted for more than a year now, has claimed the scalp of some of our own with heart-rending devastation.
From coronavirus’ crunching tackles, we have been left with scars and are still nursing some of its afflictions.
We cannot continue biting the dust at the hands of this rival. This demands from us playing tactics that effectively counter and blunt its attacking threat.
Game plan
Reducing the infection rate and ensuring positive cases continue declining by flattening the curve is our primary goal. Returning to normalcy without the inhibitions of the pandemic are the points we stand to earn from our contest with coronavirus. Achieving the targeted herd immunity among our population would be the ultimate prize – the trophy.
Like a football team that plays as a collective and functional unit, everyone in the country has a role to do. We all have to play ball in order to achieve the vaccination goal. Like in the game of football, we ought to have a working mechanism to prevent our defence system from being breached. Conceding goals against this opponent will culminate in our defeat.
One good way of defending is safety first, always.
Through the national lockdown, which is still in effect, we erected a protective shield for our rearguard. We have observed the recommended health guidelines like wearing face masks properly covering our mouths and noses; washing our hands thoroughly with soap under running water; practising physical distancing; avoiding crowded places; limiting unnecessary travelling as well as covering our coughs and sneezes.
We kept our eyes on the ball by collecting, analysing, and interpreting data before disseminating the statistical facts and figures as information. Through this, we sought to craft and activate prevention, care and treatment strategies as well as raise awareness among the public. Winning a football match is about creating scoring chances and taking them. And in the sagacious sentiments of team captain, President Mnangagwa: “We cannot lose this momentum.”
Superb form
Government has stepped up efforts in a bid to ensure that we win the battle. Rolling out the vaccination programme, which is going on smoothly, is meant to increase our chances of prevailing over coronavirus.
With Government continuing to commit resources and a budget to secure the jabs, we are faring comparatively better than most African countries.
Increasing the number of vaccination centres across the country is meant to ensure that everyone gets access to the inoculation. The decentralisation has seen an increase in the uptake of the jabs.
After initial hesitancy and apparent apathy among the public, the vaccination drive has since gained huge traction. Its general acceptance is growing and more people are queuing up for the injection.
Through the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe, the use of Sinopharm and Sinovac shots from China, Russia’s Sputnik V and Covaxin from India has been authorised.
The vaccines have been scientifically tested and proven. Medical experts have allayed any fears of the inoculations’ side effects.
President Mnangagwa has led from the front and taken the Sinopharm vaccine. Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is also the Minister of Health and Child Welfare, has also been vaccinated.
Just as football teams do not force themselves on supporters, vaccination against Covid-19 is voluntary. And this team has made it easy to create and command a following because being part of it comes with no charge or price – it is absolutely free.
Going offside
In spite of all the endeavours, however, there are some among us who still doubt that our team will deliver.
Should those naysayers still be harbouring cynicism even as organisations such as the Africa Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have taken a leading role in encouraging people to get vaccinated? Why take this noble enterprise with a pinch of salt?
Like supporters who continue backing their team against a marauding opponent — in this case Covid-19 — we have to rally behind the vaccination initiative. From the vaccines, our victory against coronavirus will come.
This is the team that everyone should be on. It deserves moral support. This is our best shot against the pandemic and if we can take it clean while clear on goal we can score and ultimately win this match.
This calls for team effort, with everyone pulling in the same direction. Government has done a lot in procuring the jabs, our healthcare givers and other frontline workers have given it their all and we simply have to join the fray in our droves.
Manicaland is set for a timely boon following a recent announcement by the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
“All residents of border towns are going to be prioritised for vaccination. Successful border posts vaccination campaigns will see the Ministry of Health and Child Care vaccinating a target of 197 828 people,” said the ministry.
