Covid-19: Is the virus afraid of beer parlours in Cameroon?

An MNews237 Reflection.

blurred image of consumers respecting no barrier measure in a beer parlour

This reflection has been motivated by the fact that despite the new wave of infections of the Covid-19 pandemic, government has been hesitant to revisit point 6 of it's first ever decree of  Tuesday March 17th of 2020, spelling out measures taken to curb the spread of the virus in drinking spots.

A decision that called on bar owners and restaurant operators to not allow more than 50 persons in their business places at once and close their doors, 6:00pm daily.

Though point 6 of the 13 measures taken by the state to prevent the spread of the Corona virus suffered a backlash from the public, many were hoping that at a time when the virus has killed and hospitalized more in these early days of 2021 alone compared to 2020, the government will revisit, even if not same but a similar decision on off and on license.

measures taken by gov't in March 2020 with point 6 closing bars at 6:00 pm that were later relaxed

Yes, in many drinking spots in Bamenda, MNews237 observed that one may find inscriptions like 'Stop Covid-19'. You may also spot a bucket with either no water or H20 that has stayed for over a month in it which shows consciousness on the part of bar owners, but rarely will you hear a bartender or owner tells you "customer please observe social distancing as you sit" or " please don't shake hands as you interact" or better still "please put on your face masks".

Well, it's obvious that one need not have a face mask on at a time he or she is gulping a bottle of beer, whiskey or any other type of alcohol or soft drink and that is understandable and pardonable,  though in one instance in Bamenda, we spotted police entering a bar and people were struggling to put on their face masks. Hahahaha...

It's also evident that during such moments there's serious 'catching

up' amongst friends and colleagues who after a hectic day may decide to hang out for a 'One for the road' before rushing home to their respective families.

Sometimes because of the high music emanating from the sound systems of some of these places, effective communication can only be achieved when people really get closer to each other.

Covid-19 statistics as at March 16th 2021.

Permit us to however ask this question as we reflect further - must it be government to tell us how to live a responsible life especially in times like this?

Come to think of it, the government via it's authorities has taken almost every administrative decision to not only sensitize but hold defaulters of precautionary measures to account, yet nothing has been said about drinking spots during this second wave of infections.

Infact there were no public manifestation on youth day, women's day, 20th may in 2020 etc.

Even the traditional end of year wishes to the head of state and other public authorities were cancelled.

Places of worship have been cautioned and the list continues..

I will think no further.

All I know is latest statistics from the north West regional delegation of public health from the  period 7-13th of March 2021 marking the 10th epidemiological week, indicates that 602 persons tested positive with a positivity rate of 8.2%.

While 354 of the above number recovered, 14 persons were wiped away from planet earth by the virus in a space of one week.

Since the health crisis a total of 3,337 people have been infected with 1,600 recoveries made of that number, with 124 deaths recorded in the North West region as at March 16th 2021 .

recommendations to fight the pandemic from the NW public health sector