We must learn to live with COVID-19, says NCDC boss

He made this declaration while addressing the issue of stigmatiation towards those that have been infected with the coronavirus, especially when a staff of Daar Communications, at the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, complained that staff and people related to the Chairman and founder of Daar Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, who tested positive for COVID-19, were being stigmatised.

According to Dr. Ihekweazu, "Concerning stigmatisation for persons who are infected with COVID-19, and maintaining the balance between social distancing and stigmatisation, it is really unfortunate. Imagine what will be happening in the other parts of the country if this is really happening in Abuja - in homes or communities where individuals have been affected.

"We are in the beginning of a journey and the most likely scenario is that until we have a vaccine, we will have to learn to live with COVID-19 in our country. So if we start stigmatising each other, I don't know when it will stop because the same people that are stigmatising one group will end up being infected tomorrow.

"We have to tell ourselves the truth about this and encourage each other that there is no point stigmatising people because all of us are vulnerable to catching the infection.

"We can do our best but we must always remember that it is a virus; we cannot build a wall, so anything can still happen despite our best efforts.ÔÇØ

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