As the world struggles to find a permanent cure for the global coronavirus pandemic, a team of panelists has stated that the best panacea to fighting the virus should be top notch hygiene as well as strict adherence to the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.
This was the chorus by the panelists at the 3rd Lagos state University virtual training for staff and students with the theme:”COVID-19: Safe work practices after the lockdown.”
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The well attended session was moderated by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (administration), Prof. Oyedamola Oke.
First to speak was Dr. Y.A. Kuyinu, associate professor, Department of Community Health and Primary Health, Lagos state University College of Medicine, who stated that at this stage of community transmission, staff and students must be wary of their activities, whenever the institution resumes academic activities.
She listed shuttle buses, markets, work stations, toilets, tables, door handles, computers, laptops, keyboards, surfaces and more as sources of transmission and infection.
The university don warned staff and students to be watchful and play their parts in curtaining the spread of the virus.
Prof. Kuyinu advised staff, students and other members of the university community to wear face masks and maintain top-notch hygiene practices in battling the pandemic.
Dr. Onajole of the Department of Community Health and Primary Health, Lagos state University College of Medicine, asserted that to fight the pandemic headlong, the promotion of a healthy work place, administratively and otherwise is key.
He advised that the work place would not be the same before the outbreak of COVID19, stating that staff must adjust to the new reality of working from home, holding virtual meetings, trainings and more.
He warned students to be prepared for the disruption to academics, as online or virtual lectures would be the new order.
Equally, he urged members of the university community, staff, students, visitors and others to ensure the wearing of masks, proper hand washing with soap, closing the tap with the elbow to avoid contracting the virus, the use of alcohol based hand sanitizers, social and physical distancing as demanded by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The Provost, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Prof. Bidemi Lafiaji- Okuneye, averred that students are adolescents and would always behave like one.
“But, this period is not for hugs, kisses and handshakes when they resume,” she said, pointed out that students must let go of all forms of socialisation at this period.
She agreed that the lockdown has deprived students of seeing their friends and classmates for a long time, but warned that the pandemic can be spread through all forms of socialisation.
Equally, she admonished the students to put on hold all kinds of social trips, including social events at this critical time.
The provost charged the university’s management to activate its counselling unit to offer their services online by interfacing with students that need help.
Lafiaju-Oguneye admonished students to avoid negative lifestyles, asking them to shun alcohol, use of hard substances and unhealthy practices which can expose them to COVID19.
According to her, students should keep themselves busy by engaging in entrepreneurship training, reading, watching movies and doing positive things that would boost their morale.
The Director, Health Services, Lagos state University, Dr. Nasir Ariyibi in his lecture, assured the staff and students of the institution that the centre is ready for the post lockdown era, when the university resumes.
He mentioned that the university’s health centre was fully prepared as far back as when the first index case was recorded in the country.
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