Let's talk Protection!

Posted by Oyinlola Sobowale on Tuesday, August 19, 2014 in Healthy Living, Musings | 4 comments

I saw a picture of three Palestinian boys a couple of weeks ago and the eldest could only have been about 10years old yet they laid motionless in their innocence; their entire future taken away from them in an instant by forces suspected to be the Israelis. 
The numerous lives taken by the Islamist boko-haram group in Nigeria. Reports of ghastly motor accidents. People slumping. A housewife in the process of setting up her petty shop being forcefully knocked into 'the other life' by a reckless drunk driver. Several tales!

As much as we will like to follow the natural progression of birth to old age before death, there seems to be no logic behind who the cold hands of death grasps and as if we don’t have enough to worry about...in came Ebola! Yes, Ebola! I have tried to steer clear of this matter but going through the papers in the past few days, (which my job as a Media Services Manager requires of me), all the newspapers' captions have Ebola either as prefixes or suffixes; the 2nd most talked about after the 2015 Presidential election! *This isn't just an opinion, the facts are there to see*

A NEW TRUTH - There is panic everywhere but can we focus on living instead? An eye-witness report comes to mind of a 'Bunmi' who broke a beer bottle against a male friend's head because the young man grabbed her from behind because the lady in question has been on the conscious path of avoiding every form of bodily contact, even with family members. Sounds hilarious, doesn't it - the bottle breaking that is.

Don't panic. Focus on living! Living in this context also goes beyond staying alive; it is focusing on doing the things that refreshes & makes you happy. It could be taking that long due vacation (Nigerians are not known for taking vacations though- something else to mull over on another day). Go to that place you’ve always dreamt of or finally asking out that girl that gives you the tingle when she passes by. Although studies have shown spending money on experiences makes you feel more alive than on material things, I say you do whatever works for you as long as it takes your mind off the 'panic'.

On a final note it is important that you stay alive first before you have any shot at all at living...so back to the 'Ebola ish',I am not a Medical expert but this Ebola syndrome makes HIV aids look like child’s play. It is important therefore that we observe all barrier rules that have been put forward by those in charge. 
So how should you protect yourself?
Stay away from all bodily fluids of those that you suspect could be infected (regardless of who they might be) and report such cases as soon as possible (there is nothing to be ashamed of).
Wash your hands repeatedly...soap will do the trick.
Keep a sanitizer handy.
You can go as far as sanitizing a handkerchief by dipping in bleach, diluted of course. keep the handkerchief in a Ziploc so the wetness can be retained then use at intervals to wipe your hands. 

While I strongly believe in prayers, this salt and bitter-kola issue has shown the extent to which folks can go in trivializing issues regardless of their grave consequence. It is then advisable that prayers go along with adopting the barrier-rules and contacting the necessary authorities for any suspected case.

Until my next ranting, stay alive and keep living.