We are all vulnerable to the coronavirus
The pain that results from the death of a loved one felt by bereaved families during the pandemic has brought untold misery to many households around the country.
While families grieve their loved ones, their loss is often compounded by the heartache and pain of not being able to view the corpse of their dead family member, let alone bury the person in dignity, according to family traditions and rituals. Rules and restrictions imposed by authorities forbid bereaved families from viewing the corpse and to hold a traditional wake as it demands that the dead should be cremated and not buried.
Almost 300 days since the outbreak of this pandemic, scores of families who have lost their loved ones have told of horrendous tales of how they were forced by law to comply with the regulations which they claim are against their traditions and beliefs, especially cremation. Others also describe how they have been traumatised by the pain of burying the wrong person and the further grief of having to exhume the corpse after the burial, often at a great financial loss to the bereaved family.
Most families have begun to realise just how vulnerable we all are to this pandemic.
And since funerals have been identified as the spreaders of the pandemic, most communities have since abandoned rendering the usual common goodwill gesture of assisting bereaved families at funerals for fear of being infected.
Family and child welfare experts have also warned that the pandemic has had a negative impact on the lives of young children. Parents have been urged to explain to their children the dangers of exposing themselves to the pandemic.
These are some of the tips parents and guardians need to share with their young children about the virus:
• Wear a mask at all times when in public and also among strangers and visitors at home.
• Sanitise and wash hands at all times.
• Keep surfaces in the family home clean at all times.
• Observe social distancing both at home and when in public places, such as shopping centres.
• Refrain from hugging and kissing friends, family members and strangers.
• Avoid playing in the streets.
• Stay at home and avoid crowds.
• Buy food and beverages from reliable outlets.
• Avoid shaking hands.
• Don’t get involved in drugs and drink lots of water to keep the body hydrated at all times.
