Covid-19 education impact on Lesotho
@17gracemalealea (252)
Maseru, Lesotho
May 7, 2020 12:53am CST
This morning radio news reported that herd boys refused to use sanitizer at one small shop. They said Covid-19 cannot infect them.
Lesotho revenue comes from wool and mohair which is the main source of income for rural community. The herd boys live in remote areas with large herds. of sheep, goats and cattle. They hardly think of washing their bodies and hardly hear any news, let alone television. This mean Covid-19 is therefore a myth for them. Lesotho Government must find means to reach this community. The challenge is that most of them are not literate therefore the ideal education approach is to have face to face meeting with visible teaching aids for them to know and understand the reality of the pandemic.
Herd boys look after the valuable commodity and their need for education is a serious threat if not attended urgently. This situation is likely to apply in other African countries.
How can WHO approach rural communities towards education on Covid-19?
5 people like this
5 responses
@amitkokiladitya (171998)
• Agra, India
7 May 20
They should but actually it isn't possible for them to handle everything at such a short notice
1 person likes this
@17gracemalealea (252)
• Maseru, Lesotho
7 May 20
It is true. This could be part of the future public health education plan. Meantime chiefs could help as suggested.
1 person likes this
@17gracemalealea (252)
• Maseru, Lesotho
7 May 20
@amitkokiladitya
You are right. There is a lot of urgent issues to address especially loss of jobs and prevention strategies.
1 person likes this
@amitkokiladitya (171998)
• Agra, India
7 May 20
@17gracemalealea Maybe .but I feel at present they have a lot many things to take care of at present
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
7 May 20
The herd boys are probably not be privy to the pandemic, by reason of their lack of education or lack of care about what's going on in the wide, wide world. Since Lesotho is landlocked, it could be possible that the novel coronavirus has not reached the site. I do hope the tiny shop is not connected much into the outside world.
Albeit I agree that these herd boys need education and sanitation. I mean hygienic practices.
1 person likes this
@17gracemalealea (252)
• Maseru, Lesotho
7 May 20
I agree on your observations about geographical position. Lesotho as a whole has no reported case therefore some people living at urban areas including border towns cannot comprehend Covid-19 deadliness. Some even believe the myths about local herbs being effective prevention.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
7 May 20
@17gracemalealea I am glad. I hope it stays that way so that the herd boys will not be impeded from doing their work.
Yes, since there is no vaccine yet, the herbal medicine is advisable to prevent one's self from catching the infection. The focus now is to improve one's physical health condition by nourishing one's self with organic anti-toxin food stuff. Myanmar, if I recall correctly, says saluyot is effective for CoViD-19 prevention and cure.
One of our saluyot plant in a container. Shows here are the unopen flowers and young fruits.
1 person likes this
@17gracemalealea (252)
• Maseru, Lesotho
7 May 20
@eileenleyva
I would like to learn more about preventative herbs though I wonder if that kind of talk is allowed in this forum.
Thank you my sister!
1 person likes this
@17gracemalealea (252)
• Maseru, Lesotho
8 May 20
It is truly amazing how sometimes literate people make choices that endanger others like choosing to eat wild animals! I hope one day the truth will revealed on the source of covid-19.
1 person likes this
@17gracemalealea (252)
• Maseru, Lesotho
8 May 20
@DianneN
It is likely to be sooner. Other countries are backing up America ...they want to know how covid-19 got out of China so easily to kill so many people.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (92825)
• Bangalore, India
7 May 20
We can not blame them for their ignorance. They are not well connected to current happenings in world and are not well educated. WHO and concerned organizations have to make all effort to reach them.
We have such ignorant population among modern city dwellers too who think that Covid 19 will not effect them for certain reasons that have no logic. They do not follow guidelines and precautions and put many to risk.
1 person likes this
@17gracemalealea (252)
• Maseru, Lesotho
7 May 20
That is truth however unpleasant. Positive impact would surely require joint effort with government to undertake such education campaigns.
@17gracemalealea (252)
• Maseru, Lesotho
7 May 20
Great observation!
God advised us to seek Him and involve Him in our plans. Unfortunately we seek Him only when we face situations like Covid-19.
