Zimbabwe: Religious leaders urged to encourage the masses to take COVID-19 vaccine

Meanwhile, the world continues to count losses from the unexpected twanging strings of the Coronavirus. Exactly one year, we are sitting at a critical point of getting rid of the virus with multiple preventive measures in hand.

Topping the list of these critical measures is the rollout of the COVID-19 Vaccination regimes across the length and breadth of the world.

Since the landing of the vaccine in Zimbabwe, some glimmer of hope has emerged. Hopes to get back to normal life which has been destabilised for a long time.

However, there is too much talk of this and that conspiracy on the streets. This has left the greater need for influential religious leaders and groups that give voice to the people and further command followership to intensify the COVID-19 vaccination awareness.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.

Most people who fall sick with COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special treatment.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or exhales. These droplets are too heavy to hang in the air, and quickly fall on floors or surfaces.

You can be infected by breathing in the virus if you are within close proximity of someone who has COVID-19, or by touching a contaminated surface and then your eyes, nose or mouth.

It is therefore imperative for our religious leaders in Zimbabwe to lead this charge of public alertness.

As at 10 April 2021, Zimbabwe had 37,273 confirmed cases, including 34 862 recoveries and 1,538 deaths. To date, a total of 193, 936 people have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

For emerging markets and developing countries, many of which face daunting vulnerabilities, it has become critical to strengthen public health systems to address the challenges and implement reforms that will support the strong containment of the spread of the disease.

In this direction, I believe religious leaders command confidence and respect among the people hence they can largely influence the masses to go take the vaccine jabs.

A gentle reminder also that we continue to observe all safety and preventive protocols in order to stay safe by observing simple precautions, such as physical distancing, wearing a mask, keeping rooms well ventilated, avoiding crowds, cleaning your hands, and coughing into a bent elbow or tissue.

NOTE: This article was filed with the financial support of the European Union (EU).

Its contents are solely the responsibility of Abel Mavura and do not reflect the views of the EU.