In the Gambian socio-politico arena, all it takes to excel is to be loved. How that love comes about could be complicated terrain to surf around, but it is what it is. Of course in the politics of the road to the STAY-HOUSE being loved by most is paramount for it is what gets you there.
To us, what you stand for does not matter as much as it should. It is no wonder all of a sudden we are all quiet about the rallies that were at the STAY-HOUSE and UDP's in Kwinella. We chose to argue about crowds in the middle of a global pandemic which this country has proven incapable of weather. So far, we are conducting ourselves as though the coronavirus is no more, we may have been registering zero cases, but it takes one person to start an epidemy. While it is logical to relax the lockdowns and strategise ways of oiling the wheels of our fragile economy, it is outrageous to act as though we have defeated the virus. Much developed countries with better-structured health care systems are battling second waves, can our comatose economy handle that?
It is scary to observe that the love for our political parties and the desire to see them win the next elections blinds us to recognise the dangers in hosting such mass gatherings. The pandemic is not over, and as a government in waiting, the UDP should have known better.
It would be too easy to blame Barrow and his incompetent cabinet for failing to behave appropriately by following the COVID19 mitigation protocols and hypocritical of us if we follow the footprints we so condemn.
The UDP and Barrow fracas is an existential threat to this country it has cost Gambians a lot already. The draft constitution's stillbirth is an indictment of such brawl. It is not, however, my intention to elaborate on facts known by all and sundry, it is my desire though to pique on our consciences. The Gambia we so claim to love needs us to be principled and consistent, not to see a wrong only when we are not part of the perpetrating establishment. If we are truthful to mother Gambia, we would recognise the truth in the danger of such mass gatherings no matter the interest or who hosts them.
The Gambia's health care system is so fragile that our sisters and mothers are dying in the labour wards at unparalleled rates. Maternal mortality continues to be an issue in the NEW GAMBIA despite the revamps in the health sector Barrow promised us in February 2017. To be pregnant in the country spells a death sentence in the minds of many now. These are realities the Gambia do not deserve, especially considering the millions of Dalasis that went into frivolous commissions such as the Janneh Commission. In essence, with our fragile health care system, and our moribund economy, it is self-evident that we cannot survive a second wave of infection.
It is therefore incumbent upon all of us to ensure that we do not suffer a second wave by observing all the precautionary measures. That would be better than waiting until a second wave hits us and we start apportioning blames. To the Gambia ever true is a line we have so much repeated, perhaps now is the time we let that sink in.
Editors Note:
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