At Dopemu, Lagos, It’s Lockdown Without Social Distancing

BY HOPE EJAIRU

At Dopemu area of Lagos, its obvious there’s a lockdown with residents obeying the stay-at-home order, but there is really no social distancing as stipulated by government.

And this is almost making nonsense of the entire essence.

The Eagle correspondent who went round the neighbourhood midweek can report that while some residents seem to be committed to the directives to the level of their understanding, others are not giving a hoot.

This is against the background of increasing impact of the virus on a daily basis, and warnings of a possible spiral by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) if the guidelines put in place are not wholly followed.

Our investigations show in spite of what they say, are not practicing social distancing to the latter.

At Dopemu, it’s lockdown without social distancing because the market in Dopemu was crowded with people trying to stock up their homes with food items and other essential commodities, as at the time of our visit. And this is in spite of hike in the prices of items.

The major roads in the area were free which was quite unusual, especially Union Road and Dopemu Under Bridge which are known for heavy gridlocks during the weekdays and this was due to residents staying at home.

Also, the hub in Dopemu popularly called Aluminium Village had been closed for two weeks in pursuit of the government directives.

Some shop owners selling food items in the streets are still going on with their businesses as usual, not forgetting the Pharmaceutical stores and Petroleum stations the latter in line with the Government directives.

At Dopemu, the attitude of many who have decided to stay at home commendable , but the half-hearted adherence to social distancing worrisome.

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Our reporter’s interaction of a girl of 8 in the course of the investigation is indicative of the level of awareness of the need to lockdown and social distance, and obviously an indictment on those who decided to go against the rules at Dopemu. She gave her name as Anorue Mercy.

What is the name of your school?

Tofes Excellence Nursery and Primary School.

How has the lockdown affected you?

By the closure of school.

And how have you been coping staying at home since the closure of school?

I have been studying and mastering English and not playing too much so I won’t forget what I have been taught in school.

What do you think Nigeria should learn from this?

Nigeria should learn from this by building well equipped hospitals and paying our health workers well.

And do you think the government has done enough to keep people at home?

No, I don’t think so because the poor amongst us don’t have money to feed and the palliatives is not getting to all of them.