Physical distancing has been declared the only way to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic until scientists find a cure for the virus. With the virus crumbling economies and making powerful countries helpless, it really is a trying time for all.

The Nigerian government and health officials have admonished everyone to stay at home to curb the spread of the virus. The president and state governors imposed a lockdown in many states to arrest the situation but that does not seem to have worked. From the first case in Nigeria on 27 February, 2020, the cases have increased drastically to over 8,000. However, many people are finding it difficult to stay indoors especially people who live on their daily hustle. It was discovered that many Nigerians who live on their daily hustle have no savings, hence staying home during the lockdown was not feasible for them.

The Founder and Executive Director of Project Alert on Violence against Women (PAVW), Josephine Effah-Chukwuma, has also advised her family and friends to stay home with the rise in Covid-19 cases in the country. She admonished them to stay indoors until the virus is controlled and cases start dropping. She stated on her Facebook page, ‘This post is to inform my family and friends that my home will remain closed until the [Covid-19] pandemic is controlled in our community and the numbers start dropping. For as long as numbers continue to rise in Lagos in particular and Nigeria in general, and we do not have a clear picture of the direction we are heading, isolation measures are still enforced in my house and family. I love you but I love myself and my family most‘.

With companies laying off staff and low patronage of businesses, there has been a call on the government to protect lives and provide citizens, especially the vulnerable ones, with funds and necessary commodities they need to help fight against this global pandemic.