COVER SPECIAL
COVER SPECIAL
Dr. Olamipo Bamigboje
I
advised along with sanitation of high
Being a physician in a developed
touch traffic areas e.g. door knobs is
country has availed to me the
recommended).
opportunity of experiencing health
t was an awkward few minutes, I had
realized quickly I was wrong when I
been waiting for my middle aged
noticed the praise leader hurriedly go
It is hard to differentiate COVID-19
a developing country. It seemed as
client to take her leave after we had
sanitize her hands.
infection from other respiratory
though death had been cheated in
virus infections (as they present with
many instances I had come across as I
addressed all that was on her long list.
care at its peak having come from
She was a prim and proper lady, this
All kinds of news (both false and
similar symptoms of fever, cough,
usually compared if such instances had
time wearing a face mask for the visit.
true) about COVID-19 have been
fatigue and breathing difficulties)
played out in developing countries-
This is now the new look for most of
circulated. Generally though, this is
without testing (which may be limited
the fellow will most likely not live to
my patients.
a respiratory virus, spread through
in some countries). Also, a lot has
tell the story. However, as the statistics
person to person contact (hence social
been circulated about prevention but
relayed the numbers of death from
She had finished leading us, the few
distancing advised) and contact with
what about treatment, even in taking
COVID-19, I had to take a critical look
of us that came to church to organize
virus contaminated surfaces (hence
a stance like the 3 Hebrew children
at the numbers and realized for a fact
the streaming for the online service,
hand washing & hand sanitizing
(Daniel 3: 17-18), that our God that we
that the current mortality rate declared
into the presence of God through an
serve is able to deliver us, but should
by the World Health Organization
awesome session of praise & worship.
He decide otherwise, what are the
as at March 3, 2020 is 3.4% meaning
Now, it was time for another to lead
necessary next steps? It all boils down
96.6% of people infected get well.
us in prayers before the message was
to supportive treatment whether it be
(https://www.worldometers.info/
preached. As she approached the front
a mild or severe illness. Mild illnesses
coronavirus/). This mortality rate
of the church, the praise leader offered
can be safely managed in the comfort
could be reassuring but on another
her the microphone, she declined. I
of your home with liberal fluids to
hand should not take away our reliance
had thought it was because we were
keep hydrated, antipyretics for fever
in our Great God.
only a few people scattered around
along with adequate rest & healthy
the auditorium in a bid to maintain
eating to help your body recuperate
Being a christian doctor could be
the social distancing protocols, but I
and build up its immunity. Severe
peculiar at times especially when it
illness characterized by high grade
seems you need to draw a line between
fever and or difficulty in breathing
the two. As Christians what should
can be managed in the hospital with
be our stance in this time as we look
supportive treatments to help breathe
into the bible, our ever sure guide.
and keep hydrated. (UpToDate, 2020)
Ecclesiastes 1;19-11 tells us there is
“Let it be a time to spread the message of peace and not of panic. A time for a personal retreat and deeper fellowship with God.” 30 gemwoman.net
gemwoman.net 31
