Coronavirus: diaspora Cameroonians worried about rapid spread back home

The geometric increase of the number of persons infected by coronavirus from 5 on Monday March 16th to 10 on Tuesday March 17th 2020 is a point of concern for Cameroonains living abroad and have witnessed the ravaging effects of the virus.

Beside calling on Cameroonians to adopt personal and environmental hygiene, the government of president Paul Biya is yet to take drastic preventive measure to curb the virus that has so far infected less than a dozen people according official figures from the ministry of public health.

Here is a Smiler Sama, a Cameroonian based in The People’s Republic of China where coronavirus started. In a thought provoking and pathetic letter to Mimi Mefo Info, he laments that Cameroon government has not taken serious measures aimed at curbing the virus.

“In 24 hours, the number of new cases of COVID 19 has doubled in Cameroon bringing the number to 10. We are so concerned about this growing numbers given that neither do Cameroon has sophisticated health facilities nor a good health system to quarantine a large number of people. Residing in China where coronavirus started, I know exactly what it takes China to accommodate the virus.There is no better way to cure the virus than to prevent the spread.
It’s almost unbelievable that no case of coronavirus has been reported in Douala whereas more passenger planes land there than in Yaounde.We are therefore worry that there may be more unidentified cases in Cameroon and could be spreading faster.

We therefore insist that the government should take more stringent measures such as suspending flights from Europe countries and other countries highly hit by the virus. We also recommend social distancing among Cameroonians as the virus may have been making its way through our communities already. Remember that not everyone coming from high risk countries seem to be observing the quarantine policy so far. Do not be deceived by the myth that blacks are immune to the virus.”

Mimi Mefo Info.