Ebola: We Cannot Be Too Careful.

By the time my mother called me last morning, I was already hysterical. The hysteria was not inspired by fear or distress, but i was finding it difficult to
suppress the bouts of amusement that greeted the ingenious salt and hot water message that came in torrent.

You could decern the fear and trepidation of Nigerians in the message, and in the speed with which it encircled and permeated the nation. The
telecommunication companies must have exceeded their monthly target in one night
where Ebola concerns peaked.

I began to really questioned if Nigerians truly believe the religious teachings of eternal bliss in the life beyond- the street lined with gold, and of the seven virgins.

Why should we as Nigerians continue to put up with this system that gloriously treats us as sub-humans, when we could
bid farewell to this nation and head for celestial bliss and unending enjoyment?

Trust me, as at the time i was having my bath, the thought of the ingenious concoction that was supposedly an efficacious containment for Ebola has left my sub-conscious. I had a regular bath; without any elixir that is suppose to ease whatever fears, however minimal, the spread of Ebola must have precipitated.

I cannot be careful enough. From the little I have researched about the virus, bathing with salted hot water, to me, is just a ruse
devised by some smart merchant to make salt pricey. Afterall, i know of a war that was fought because of salt.

However, there was some emotional benefit to the ruse; Nigerians were calm after having their salt and hot water bath.
indeed, it was an elixir; it drained fear, panic and distress; and the whole nation went about their business as usual; not minding the government who failed to
maximize the head start we had before Patrick Ebola Sawyer reached our shores from Liberia.

When we studied vectors such as insects, rodents and the likes in basic biology, we were not told that these animals knew they were providing logistics for
something so lethal that it extinguishes life of the highest form.

But Patrick Ebola Sawyer was a vector of a different order: a vector with knowledge,
conscience and reason. Yet, he resolved purposefully to extend suffering and death to the heartbeat of Africa. Adolf Hitler has a new competitor in P. E Sawyer.

Ebola is potent and lethal, scientists say it can survive outside a host for up to four days. So if an infected person leaves any
body fluid on door knobs, currency notes, car doors, spoons, etc. it could survive on such items for up to four days. Therefore, any person that uses those infected items within the external lifespan of Ebola, has potentially contracted the virus.

It is a grim situation, so i understand the fears of Nigerians and their honest effort to live Ebola-free; but i fear for Nigeria
because of her population and the way she networks the world with it.

A major outbreak in Lagos alone will be near apocalyptic. The way our system function is just the perfect storm Ebola will ride to decimate our nation. Nigeria's
economy is cash based; our transportation system is a natural stimulant for the emission of body fluid; decrepit health infrastructure; and medical personnel that put self and their appendage before the interest of Nigerians. We cannot be careful enough.

I remember Anthrax, and how the
outbreak was muted as a detonated biological weapon; because it originated from the west and killed white people.

Ebola is more lethal, and has killed more; but the conspiracy theorists have changed profession; it is now a public health issue, whose origin has been traced to an African delicacy: bushmeat. But the skeptic in me believes Patrick E. Sawyer had malicious intent before he boarded the plane to Nigeria. He could be the biological
weapon that was detonated.

We cannot be too careful, neither should we resign our existence to the fate of certain death from Ebola. As i was pondering on this issue, i received wisdom: maybe it was our prayer as a nation that made Patrick E. Sawyer took ill
as soon as he reached the shores of Nigeria. What would have happened if he had found his way to Calabar were he would have shook hands with several persons? It would have been the final straw that break the back of the proverbial carmel.

We cannot be too careful, but we should observe cautions as hope brightens for a vaccine that could be an anti-ebola.

Irrespective of our present estate, and our world-acclaimed governments that excel in absurdities, it is our hope for a better tomorrow, that makes us the most unique and distinguished beings on earth.

1.9 billion naira cannot conquer ebola overnight; one well educated Nigerian that has experienced the full gamut of
responsible leadership, will give us all wonderful nights without an Ebola scare.

@ibakowilliam

Fellow nigerians d time 2 act is now......lets be vigilant

The same point I've been making. With this virus, you can never be too careful no matter who you are.