In this COVID-1 era, where every aspect of life is being affected, Nigerians are yet to totally adjust to the new normal.
This is because of the popular belief among most Nigerians that the coronavirus pandemic is not as widespread as it is reported by the federal government.
The federal government declared a lockdown in March, issuing a directive that most Nigerians especially where the spread is much, stay at home, practice social distancing, observe regular washing of hands or using sanitizers and face mask to cover the nose and mouth.
In Lagos and Ogun state, not many people observed the directive as reported as many residents still move around without facemasks.
Around Ikotun, ikorodu, Surulere and Lekki axis of Lagos, and Joga area in Ogun state residents did not fully obey safety guidelines to contain the Pandemic.
It seemed Nigerians have a penchant to flout law and order as many that were caught outside doing exercises, playing football and tried to move around believing they could get away with it.
Later In May, when the lockdown was relaxed by the state governor, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu, and people could bury their loved ones, it was observed that not many obeyed the protocols to social distance.
A visit to the Atan/ Lekki cemetery, Lagos probed that not many who came to witness the burial of their loved ones and associates observed the minimum requirement of the number of people allowed to gather.
Adhering to the guidelines was not fully complied to as many out of empathy allowed more than the required to gather.
Even in little gathering of parties and naming ceremonies, wearing of face masks was not totally adhered to.
A family in Ikotun who had the naming ceremony of their son in August 2020, Mr & Mrs Rilwan, allowed many who came to the ceremony not to wear their face masks. The husband who was visibly elated, said he could not force his guests as they know what is right and wrong at these times. He also noted that it is God that gives and takes life.
Many were of the belief that the pandemic which affected a lot of people in Lagos and killed aged people, were being exaggerated ad they had not see one person affected according to some.
In as much as people were wary about flouting the guidelines issued by the officials of National Centre of Disease Control NCDC, the need to fully obey the guidelines by Lagos residents received mixed feelings.
Interrogating some who flouted the laws and did not put a face masks, different excuses were given.
Some said government ought to provide the face masks to the people as they were hungry and received no support during the lockdown, so why should they be force to use their money to buy facemasks
Some said, the protective face masks is not something they were used to and could not wear it all the time.
Religious dependency also played a role in the level of obedience to guidelines. Some Nigerians were of the believe that Covid-19 was not as deadly and the NCDC claimed to.
Many from the Christian faith and other religious organisation believed the Covid-19 Pandemic had a cure as God in its infinite mercy will not allow them to be a victim. This alone strengthened many in faith not to obey guidelines in part.
Also the level of poverty level in the land increased their pessimism towards the prevalence of Covid-19 and many Lagos residents were more concerned about their daily living and social life rather than obeying guidelines which truly they didn’t totally believe it existed.
COVID-19 reality check with the support of the Wole Soyinka centre for investigative journalism.
