The Chief Press Secretary to the governor of Oyo State,Mr.Taiwo Adisa stated that actions to be taken against the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, should be driven by logic and Science.
The Governor’s Media aide who stated this in a chat with GOALPOACHER NEWS said that his boss has been methodical in responding to the pandemic.
When asked if Oyo would go the way of Lagos and Ogun that had been on total lockdown for weeks, the press secretary said:
“The idea of lockdown is not homegrown by Nigeria.
“Looking at our clime, it can only amount to a stop gap because we don’t have the resources and statistics to lock our people in for days. “And who are you really locking in? The high risk, medium and low risk persons in the same overcrowded rooms?
“That is why Governor Seyi Makinde proposed the logical way out. He would ensure effective lockdown from 7pm to 6am, lock the non essential markets, schools, night clubs, drinking joints and religious centres; provide windows for people to buy food from markets and reduce hunger and mystery.
“As at the time the lockdown was effected by the Federal Government, Lagos had 87 positive cases, Ogun had three (3) and FCT 30 or so.
“Now within four weeks of lockdown, Lagos has over 500 and FCT is knocking closely why Ogun is close to 30.
“So where is the essence of lockdown which cripples socio-economic and political life?
“The thing to do is test as much as possible and then ensure compliance to medical protocol. By that you will be in a position to define the behaviour of the virus in your location and that’s what Seyi Makinde has been saying.
“That’s why he launched out to test at least 10,000 persons in Oyo State within a short time. And that’s why testing is ongoing in Adamasingba right now.
“Rather than hide behind the curtains and pretend that the virus will go away, why are we not fashioning the solutions that wouid be more enduring?
“Conduct tests as widely as possible, ensure availability of hand washing spots in Markets, Schools, government offices, Banks, Churches, Mosques etc, and follow other protocols as designed by Medical experts.
“That’s way we can live with and eventually conquer the virus when a vaccine does come.”
Meanwhile, as at 11:30PM, 24th April, 2020, there were 1095 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in the country. 114 new cases were confirmed, Lagos recorded 80, followed by Gombe with 21, Federal Capital Territory with 5, Edo and Zamfara recorded 2, Ogun, Oyo, Kaduna, and Sokoto recorded 1 each.