Dr Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey writes: 1918 Influenza vs 2020 Covid-19
As far as pandemics go, the closest to Covid-19 will be the influenza pandemic of 1918, right after the first World War. Wear your masks, keep your distance, wash your hands with soap, and by all means don’t ingest disinfectants.
If nothing at all, be motivated to avoid the unflattering epithets earned by Gold Coasters in 1918 in their attitude to quarantine which in the words of historians, “was tried and as expected, failed.”
And for sure, be entrepreneurial as authorities promote local production of personal protective equipment to fight Covid-19. But here again, distinguish yourself from the Gold Coaster of 1918 who in the words of our beloved late historian Stephen Addae, “played on the ignorance and the fear of the people: a local entrepreneur invented and marketed a curative powder to be administered with liquor.
Herb-pepper was used as a remedy, and native castor oil and a pain killer made from root, camphor and schnapps made their rounds.”
In other words, ensure all PPEs are roundly meeting all standards set by the Ghana FDA and Ghana Standards Authority.
Overall, the 1918 influenza pandemic distinguished itself from Covid-19 in its greater severity and shorter duration. Influenza swept through the Gold Coast, infecting 50% of the population and killing 4% of the population, making sure to rapidly complete its course in any particular locality in three to four short weeks.
Sodzi_tettey@hotmail.com
