My eye lids fluttered lazily as I rolled to the right side of my bed, trying to avoid the rays of light streaming in from the curtains… I did not have any blinds behind them and they are so transparent that the first light of day floods my room before the cocks’ even crow… I thought sleepily it must be about 5am now… and I drifted again for a little while or so I thought. Suddenly I came to consciousness and forced my eyes open, this time wide awake. Picked up my phone and checked the time as I had no wall clock adorning my empty walls.
WHAT! It was 8:15am, work starts 8:00am, I panicked and flew off my bed, dressed my bed so hastily that half the bed cover was dangling on one side of the bed. I didn’t even have time to fluff my pillows…. Yeah as if that counts for anything. Well it does to me, I have a thing for well, perfectly laid beds... But I couldn’t dwell on that right now... I also had a bigger thing for turning up early. I am a due process person you see…. Before I drift….. I flew into the bathroom… the water was freezing cold but I had to pretend it was a nice warm bath, in 5mins I was getting dressed and throwing everything I needed into my laptop bag… finally I was ready but it was past 9:00am….. I felt deflated… because as fast as I tried I was still as late as can be.
I decided there was no point doing a military parade all the way to the office as my name will still be below the late arrivals line… I took a while to enjoy the scenery as I strolled to the bus stop. The air was crisp and a bit chilly, I could hear birds chirping on the tree tops far above me. People walked hastily past, rushing to God knows where. Cabbies honked at passers by hoping for a willing passenger.. I stood in the bus stop waiting for a N50 along keke. Several drops honked and called out to me but I feigned deaf. I had just N100 to get to work anyway. I eventually got my specification and we cruised along the road.
The driver turned the radio on and I paid a little attention to the news… politics, elections, nysc, several issues were talked about... Some I did not quite listen to….. Then I heard IT… and goose bumps spread all over my skin... I was alert now…. I wanted to hear what they had to say… and they said it again... EBOLA, the radio broadcaster said the dreaded virus has been confirmed to have infected the doctor who treated the first Liberian patient to breach our shores… indeed it was sad, very sad… I was still dwelling on that when the driver said ‘abeg na lie!’.. These things are just another strategy to make money… he went on and on with his theory... I tried to dismiss his ranting but some small part of me said, it could be true but I shook my head and thought again… this is as real as it gets… it is happening…it is easy to discard a thought when no one around you is affected… just like the CHIBOK girl… we all updated DP’s #bring back our girls#.. Now it’s a distant memory.. But for the parents, still as fresh as the first day… when they call out their children’s name and hear only the echo of their voices in an empty house.
When I arrived at the office, my colleague, a youth corper too had a gloomy look on her face. I had to ask what the matter was… and she said the doctor that got the EBOLA virus is someone she has met before, a young female doctor, recently married. That’s when I decided to write this… it is out there… do not wait until its your brother or sister, or cousin infected. Protect yourself, learn personal hygiene… protect others… cover your mouth when you cough… do not spit while walking on the streets… us a sanitizer... Cultivate a hand washing habit.
DO NOT BE A VICTIM OR A DANGER TO OTHERS……….
Just my thoughts……..
By Alero Sandra
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