The corona virus pandemic has brought about unprecedented challenges globally. Before the pandemic, the idea of a virus wreaking havoc across the world in the modern society was a preserve of the movies and conspiracy theorists. However, the happenings in the last couple of months show that reality is in fact stranger than fiction. Looking at the responses to the pandemic across the world, it appears that there is no uniform response to the pandemic that fits every country. Each country has been affected differently based on their socioeconomic contexts. It is clear that there is no blue print on how to combat the virus. Countries like Kenya have unique demographic and socio-economic dynamics that require a localized approach. The so called international standards which are basically western standards may not be feasible for the Kenyan context. A better approach will be to embrace localism.
Localism is the idea that local problems should be thought of and solved locally. This means that we take a decentralized approach in dealing with the pandemic. In other words we need to think local. Institutions and local communities in the country should be allowed to reflect and think of how to deal with the corona virus pandemic. A top down approach, where the central government gives several directives on how people should behave is not only impractical but also ineffective. The central government should limit itself to giving advisories and minimal guidelines and support communities and institutions think on how they can reinvent themselves in the face of this unprecedented challenge.
In the absence of data at the onset of the pandemic, it was understandable to operate out of fear and copying what others were doing. However, it is now more than 100 days since the confirmation of the first case, the government has sufficient data to develop a perspective of the nuances of the virus in Kenya. This should inform a localized response. We should not be constantly looking to the west to see how they are doing and copying them but rather use our own data in understanding the trends in Kenya.
A localized approach will allow for creativity, iteration and failure at a smaller scale. This requires that public health officials and other professionals work with communities to come up with solutions that are feasible within the local context. The challenges of small business traders, educational institutions and churches are not the same. A centralized uniform approach is therefore not only likely to fail but also have iatrogenic effects. Blanket interventions may end up causing more harm to the people they are supposed to benefit. The government may have good intentions but people will judge the effectiveness of the interventions and not the intentions. Poorly thought out directives by the government are not only ineffective but also leave room for conspiracy theories and misinformation about the pandemic.
Many Kenyans have expressed sentiments to the effect that they would rather die of the virus than from hunger. This does not mean that they are ignorant of the danger posed by the virus, but reflects the fact that they are aware of the impending doom posed by lack of a livelihood. That is their reality and it should not be dismissed as ignorance but rather lead to a discussion with the people on what can be done to ensure they do not die of hunger or the virus. Top down interventions are based on the wrong assumption that the common mwananchi does not know what is good for them. On the contrary, human beings are highly motivated to survive. When provided with the right information and the agency to determine their own fate, they are likely come up with creative and practical ideas that will ensure they survive.
When solutions are imposed on people, they are likely to rebel and come up with ingenious ways of beating the system and flouting the government directives. The central government should therefore not ask people to follow directives but ask them to come up with measures that will ensure they cater for not only their physical health but also their economic and social wellbeing. A localised response to the complex situation such as the current pandemic whereby communities are encouraged to organize themselves and come up with measures is more likely to succeed than a top-down approach.
Public health officials should spend more time among communities discussing and figuring out with the people what can be done to mitigate the effects of the virus. Daily press briefings and castigations will not change the people’s behavior. The solutions to the corona virus pandemic are not going to come from the west, neither from committees of bureaucrats but from the local communities and institutions involved in coming up with measures that suit their specific needs. This is a time to think locally!
Fabio