Lest we forget, let Wanja Kabengi speak for and on behalf of those who cannot speak.
Copy and Paste Extract From Wanja Kabengi’s Facebook Page
I remember it like it was yesterday.
People, panic-stricken, rushing to buy and hoard tissue paper, hand sanitizers and soap like they were starting a cleaning company.
Long queues in supermarkets, trolleys full to the brim with cleansing products and food like they were preparing for a long apocalypse ahead.
Cashiers were burnt out, fatigued and exhausted.
Those who missed tissue had an issue. "You don't need all that toilet paper!"
"You must be privileged with your nerve to purchase the whole supermarket; what about poor folk who don't have money stashed somewhere ready for an emergency pandemic?"
"Capitalism is bringing out the selfishness in all of you!"Masks sold out everywhere and became unavailable, became a thing as rare as common sense, leaving many despaired and exposed to the virus.
People had to be innovative and create their own masks which they wore on their faces every waking moment.
Tension was high.
Destruction was nigh.
The world was coming to an end.Now, it all seems like a distant memory slowly fading away into oblivion like smoke.
No one cares about tissue anymore. They pass them by the isle after hardly a glance in their direction.
Hands that were washed a thousand times a day are now cleaned once or twice.
Face masks that were once worn 24/7 like a protective charm are now only worn when convenient; around the neck like a fashionable choker, on the chin like a goatee, dangling from one ear like an earring, but not over the mouth and nose as before.
Everyone kept away from everyone. They called it "social distancing".
Lockdowns and curfews by governments were passed to force people indoors.
They stayed at home in what was a memorable quarantine period that saw the emergence of new creative entertainment across every platform on the internet.
Now, people are mingling closely like slices of fruit in a pudding bowl, the distance that was once between them closing in faster than the virus spread.
Slowly, bit by bit, without realizing it, things are slipping "back to normal".
Those still apprehensive are shocked and appalled by the quick forgetfulness and recklessness of others.
"Wear a damn mask!"
"What are all these parties I'm seeing? Are people not social distancing anymore?"
"Was the pandemic declared over and I missed the memo?"Now, the disease that once rocked the planet and murdered millions is just another news item watched on TV, heard on radio and read in the papers.
It's not that serious anymore.
It doesn't send waves of fear in our hearts like it did before.
It's now just a tale whose aftermath lives on.For instance, the deceased were subjected to hasty, undignified burials that left their grieving families more traumatized and dishonored.
Those hailed proudly and loudly as "essential workers" were handsomely rewarded with claps and standing ovations for their commitment.
Jobs, businesses, livelihoods were lost abruptly sending many families into hardship and shortage.
Funds and other resources to fight the disease were eaten like pilau at a Swahili wedding, gluttonously squandered amongst "guests of honor" sitting at the high table who left the least fortunate to survive on the soiled crumbs that fell on the ground like street dogs.
Their stomachs have cavernous holes and no matter how much they eat they never get full.
They have the greed of demons.