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A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

17/04/2020 00:25:00 By Khulile Thwala

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THE Government of Eswatini was faced with quite a conundrum this week of whether to dissolve or extend the nation’s partial lockdown. Amid all speculation and pressure, it was inevitable that whatever decision was taken would be a loss either way. Our government was undeniably stuck between a rock and a hard place.

With countries all over the world extending their lockdowns as though they were an English Premier League contract, government was further pushed towards an extension in order to not appear incompetent to its counterparts, regardless of the imminent backlash. The lockdown predicament was going to be a loss either way, whether dissolved or extended. Without a lockdown, the country is faced with uncertainties due to lack of tangible research and data collection on the current pattern of the virus, which results in the population being subjected to fear of the unknown.

No lockdown leads to lack of adherence to the stipulated regulations and therefore, a great surge in the spread of the virus, more especially because the virus is now being spread in-house. To put it plainly, life without a lockdown in a country that, last time I checked, had two ventilators, would result in unabated deaths and mass graves in every region. The population would inevitably beg government for a lockdown.

Continuation

Unfortunately, the continuation of a lockdown will also render us a huge loss, not only will the economy drown in a pool of shallow water, but the majority of the population would suffer immensely as savings run dry and the urge to revolt befalls them. With no money coming in and little to nothing saved, we are bound to encounter resistance from the population at large, more especially as no funds have been allocated to cater to businesses affected by the lockdown or provision for those whose finances solely depend on civil movement. Government was definitely in a pickle, with no win in either choice, they had to resolve to the lesser evil and think about what they consider the greater good.

However, is there any greater good when either way will result in the suffering of the general population? There is absolutely none, and that is why our government was faced with undoubtedly one of the biggest decisions it has ever encountered. And unfortunately for government, the backlash was going to be of mass proportion either way.

Ending a lockdown, a partial one at that, without having an inkling of what COVID-19 has in store for emaSwati, how far and fast it has spread and the ability of the country’s health sector to handle the dire effects of such a miscalculation, would definitely result in one of the most detrimental misfortunes this country has ever seen. However, extending a lockdown would also lead to public outcry and a great resistance that would render government’s efforts futile.
The issue with this rock and hard place is that no one really knows the effects of either. Our lack of preparation over the years is starting to rear its ugly head and the fruits of our labour or lack thereof, are now detrimental to us.

The decision to extend would’ve been easier had we accumulated funds and grants that would have catered for such emergency situations. It’s a pity that this virus found us in the pits of hell in terms of our economy and finances, alas everything would’ve been different had we been better prepared. Government owes the population due diligence and it is faced with the biggest setback known to man. In this instance, it is easy to be critical of government because we are not in the forefront, with some accusing it of replicating what our neighbouring countries are doing, yet not looking at how there is absolutely no function in dissolving the lockdown if other countries are locked down. It would still make no difference to our already deflating economy.
Being in power is definitely easier said than done and it is a terrible ordeal to be facing a new enemy in a country that was already riddled with uncertainty. God be with us.