I read it on social media feeds that there was a virus outbreak in Wuhan, China. I was not particularly disturbed about it and I thought, ‘Oh, I hope it stops.’ It felt very strange that it was a discussion among my peers because I erroneously believed it was

something that had nothing to do with Ibadan, Nigeria or even Africa. Two weeks after, the Corona Virus, which causes COVID-19 became a global threat. The stories were that it had gotten to Lagos, a two-hour ride to Ibadan. The fear became so palpable that I felt that the next doorknob had the virus, and the next cough around me was a signal to run home and take a bath.
According to an article on theverge.com by Nicole Wetsman dated March 26th, 2020, The Corona virus which causes a pneumonia like illness first appeared in Wuhan, China at the beginning of December, 2019. As at 29th March, 2020 according to the CSSE(Center for Systems Science and Engineering) at John Hopkins University, there are a total of 713,171 confirmed cases all around the world spread out in all the continents of the world. All these cases happened in a matter of a month and
reinforces the fact that we truly live in a global village. Technology has broken barriers of distance to the extent that a contagious disease transmitted by direct contact could spread so far and so fast. Offices, schools, banks, and whole cities have been shut down in order to contain the spread of the virus. Given the premium on sanitary equipment and masked faces everywhere, what do we have to learn from this microbe? I will walk us through three that I have discovered.
In the first place, it teaches us that in discovery and innovation as the human race, we still have a long way to go. In 2015, after the Ebola virus outbreak, Bill Gates(billionaire owner of Microsoft) gave a TED talk and predicted that what will cause many deaths in the near future will most likely be a virus rather than a war. He stated that very little investment had been made in a system to control an epidemic. Considering the giant strides made in health science and technology, this seemed far-fetched. This clearly points to the fact that the quest to understand our environment and utilize it never stops. In developing countries like Nigeria, it is important to realize that despite the innovation gaps that exist, we must rise to the occasion and explore our possibilities. It is salient for all to wake up to the certitude that the onus does not lie on the government but on each and every one of us. It wasn’t necessarily governments affected by the pandemic but the citizens. Everyone is responsible for global advancement and the journey has just begun.
Secondly, the outbreak teaches us the art of silence. You are probably wondering what manner of philosophy I would want to bring out of this, but it is quite simple. For many people who have very busy lives or cope with demanding activities, this time
makes us stop and review what we are making out of life. The hustle and bustle require many to try and make ends meet until it is time to retire. As much as this ‘free’ time will push many to binge watch all the series and movies they have, the inevitable
silence and boredom will bring us to asking ourselves the vital questions: ‘Why have I been so busy with all this?’ ‘What do I have to offer those around me?’ This outbreak could teach us to restructure meaning and the things we hold dear. In my own case, I now understand that I only claim to be too busy to do things that matter because they haven’t mattered as much. This unexpected break gives us an opportunity to improve ourselves and do things with a fresh perspective. This is probably the time to read that book, talk to that contact, or take that course.
Thirdly, this outbreak teaches us the importance of collaboration and unity. the catalyst for the spread of the corona virus is our interconnection on a global scale. It is leveraging on these connections that has facilitated the dissemination of data and
information have been significant in containing the virus. Medical personnel all over the world have been able to work together to adequately cater for infected people. This reality is essential to global development and it is heartwarming to know that
Chinese Medical Doctors and supplies were sent to Italy to help with their COVID-19 cases. This collaboration is essential for us nationally and on minute levels in the classrooms and in the work place. We don’t work together just because there is something we have to fight against. We work together because that is how we thrive as a species.
The Corona virus outbreak will soon be in the history books and when we recount, it will have taught us that there’s more to explore as a human race; that we all must find meaning; and that working together is the culture of our global village. There is much more to learn and become and we will start where we are. This is a war we will conquer, but at the same time, take the necessary measures, wash your hands and remain at home.
Stay safe.