The
EVD battle brought so many stories along with it.There were unfounded
myths, stories and cures. Some of the stories are falsehood while some
rumoured cures are phantom.Imagine someone prescribing hot salt water
bath and consumption.Hear my ignorant neighbour speaking with me while I
was washing my car early in the morning around 6 am.She was almost on
top her voice, ''Uncle, please I received a call from Lagos Island now
that we all should take our bath with hot salt water including the
children.They should drink small amount too because of Abola that is
everywhere.'' I don't know whether to burst into laughter or take her
advice.I querried silently "Abola?". Before I could blink there was
"Abola"and hot salt water message on my street.Later in the day in the
office my amusement changed to fear when people started talking about
this "cure" and bitter kola.If I don't eat bitter kola and bathe with
Abola salt,is my family and I safe? All of a sudden the price of bitter
kola had tripled.Sellers ran out of stock. I began to think that in the
next few days our roads will be awashed with peddlers hawking salt of
different kinds during traffic jams.You could here, "Oga see this my
salt is original,it cures Ebola quick quick.If you buy this my salt,your
body will getter fresher.Buy 1 bag and get two free!"
The
fear was palpable as handshakes immediately became a taboo.Hand
sanitizers became gold and fake products adorn stores.Bank staff began
to wear gloves as if they were about to perform a surgery. Nigerian were
more afraid of Ebola more than anything.We all want to live long in
this country where nothing works! Banks and more companies now use hand
held thermometers on people before the are allowed in. Is someone down
with Ebola able to walk down to cash money? It is a fact that infection
can only be transmitted from a victim who is critically ill.If someone's
temperature rises beyond normal, does it mean it is Ebola?
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