Zambia: Editorial Comment - COVID-19 -Epidemiological Thought on Why Politics and Religion are Compromising the Fight
Epidemiological Though on Covid-19, Politics and Religion in Zambia
Abstract
One of the good tenets of epidemiology is the fact that it offers skeptical disposition. Institutionalized skepticism is important in science and policymaking. In the case of Zambia, skepticism questions why the proponents of COVID-19 guidelines and prescriptions have become the ardent violators of the guidelines they espouse. Such practices among political leaders is paralyzing, especially in contexts of information and messages from WHO at this critical juncture that call for pragmatism-especially with the peak of a pandemic curve and surging infection rate, considering that we do not have additional alternative interventions apart from adhering to non-pharmaceutical interventions such as social distancing, staying at home, wearing masks and hand hygiene. Deliberate and unnecessary political and religious gatherings inaction carries the risk of dire consequences, some of which have already led to suspected COVID-19 deaths of members of parliament and hospitalization of a sizeable number of political leaders. Despite all these the proceedings of parliament remained active as though COVID-19 is history. Such reckless political gatherings question the governance ethos of public health epidemiology instituted by the same people violating them. Religious leaders are not immune to this vice- a number of COVID-19-related deaths have passed through churches with body viewings being conducted. It should be mentioned that such behaviors have led to preventing action against COVID-19 outrunning evidence, or at least helping evidence to catch up. A myopic continued action of ignoring COVID-19 guidelines by politicians and religious leaders is a disservice to epidemiology.
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