As COVID-19 continues to rock the world, with over 2 million confirmed cases reported in the whole world, with about 160,820 deaths during the period of 4 months, it is however still believed that some Nigerians and Africans don’t take the ravaging virus serious.
However, in an article released on Sunday by the Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AFAW) through the founder of the Nigerian Humanist Movement, Leo Igwe, advised Nigerians to take the ravaging virus serious and avoid falling victims to scams that claimed that the usage of snake oil and concoctions kills the virus.
The right activist explained that since Nigerians believe whatever they hear, there is a need for awareness programmes that will enable citizens to make decisions that will keep them safe, healthy and alive, not leaving out sound education.
He added that misinformation had led people to be patronizing sellers of snake oil and concoctions in a bid to prevent themselves from the virus.
“AFAW understands the dangers of make-believe and superstitions. It is aware of the huge human costs in situations where people make decisions based on hearsay and claims without evidence,” he said.
According to him, “Many people have not bought into the fact that coronavirus is a real pandemic that could kill them. Instead, some people think that COVID-19 is part of the Chinese and Western conspiracy to dominate the world.
“Others believe they have a cure or would not be infected because they are Africans – living in warmer parts of the world. Some are confident that they could tackle the virus using some local concoctions. There have been so much misleading claims and suppositions flying around.
“Many people are desperate and tend to be gullible. Snake oil sellers are taking advantage of the situation. AFAW encourages people to consult medical experts not charlatans and ensure that their decisions are based on scientific evidence and sound medical advice”.
“In response to the deluge of misinformation, AFAW urges people to follow the facts not the fiction, the science not the superstition regarding COVID-19. People should scrutinize and critically evaluate all treatment claims,” Leo Igwe added.
