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Life on the Ebola frontline: 'The virus took a knife to our Easter celebrations' 'The Ebola virus took a knife to our Easter celebrations'
(12 days later)
It is a few days after Easter and I can’t believe that so far this year I have not been able to go to the beach or even hang out with my friends. Our lives have been turned upside down by Ebola. We no longer do what normal human beings do.It is a few days after Easter and I can’t believe that so far this year I have not been able to go to the beach or even hang out with my friends. Our lives have been turned upside down by Ebola. We no longer do what normal human beings do.
In Sierra Leone, people mostly spend Easter going to church on Sunday; then, on Monday, there’s a new mood as almost everyone goes to the beach. There is lots of food, drinks and partying till morning. That did not happen this year.In Sierra Leone, people mostly spend Easter going to church on Sunday; then, on Monday, there’s a new mood as almost everyone goes to the beach. There is lots of food, drinks and partying till morning. That did not happen this year.
Many of us still can’t believe how this virus entered our land and took a knife to everything that holds us together. Our lives are on hold and our livelihoods destroyed. Jobs remain difficult to find, as most organisations are still closed and we’ve had to adjust to the available work being related to Ebola. The virus has stopped us doing the traditional things passed down the generations; it has taken away those dear to us and left us traumatised.Many of us still can’t believe how this virus entered our land and took a knife to everything that holds us together. Our lives are on hold and our livelihoods destroyed. Jobs remain difficult to find, as most organisations are still closed and we’ve had to adjust to the available work being related to Ebola. The virus has stopped us doing the traditional things passed down the generations; it has taken away those dear to us and left us traumatised.
I was hoping we would celebrate Easter as usual, to make up for the way we could not properly mark Christmas. But as the emergency law is in place, I told my children to be happy even if there was no Easter celebration. I couldn’t buy many things as I did the last time.I was hoping we would celebrate Easter as usual, to make up for the way we could not properly mark Christmas. But as the emergency law is in place, I told my children to be happy even if there was no Easter celebration. I couldn’t buy many things as I did the last time.
When Ebola came, Mr Kamara had to switch profession from teacher to grave digger. Kamara’s youngest child wanted to celebrate his fourth Easter by visiting the beach and going out on a boat. But his dream was destroyed by the outbreak.When Ebola came, Mr Kamara had to switch profession from teacher to grave digger. Kamara’s youngest child wanted to celebrate his fourth Easter by visiting the beach and going out on a boat. But his dream was destroyed by the outbreak.
Easter was also ruined for George, an Ebola survivor who has recovered well to a point that, when he passes by, people say: ‘You would never know this boy had the virus’. He told me how he had struggled to integrate back into normal life. He got the virus from a neighbour when he went to fetch water.Easter was also ruined for George, an Ebola survivor who has recovered well to a point that, when he passes by, people say: ‘You would never know this boy had the virus’. He told me how he had struggled to integrate back into normal life. He got the virus from a neighbour when he went to fetch water.
He still sees in his mind those who were with him at the hospital, especially his brother. George infected him and he did not make it. For now, he spends his time telling people about his survival. One thing keeping him going is the thought that his survival at least gives people hope and faith.He still sees in his mind those who were with him at the hospital, especially his brother. George infected him and he did not make it. For now, he spends his time telling people about his survival. One thing keeping him going is the thought that his survival at least gives people hope and faith.
Going 42 days without any infectious cases in Bo and Pujehun districts has not led to much change yet, because other areas are still having new cases. Even if we go 1,000 days without any new confirmed cases here, we are still very much exposed to the virus, as all it takes is just one person to bring it here and that would take us right back to the beginning.Going 42 days without any infectious cases in Bo and Pujehun districts has not led to much change yet, because other areas are still having new cases. Even if we go 1,000 days without any new confirmed cases here, we are still very much exposed to the virus, as all it takes is just one person to bring it here and that would take us right back to the beginning.
People are desperate for our beloved country to be free of Ebola. We are tired of being stigmatised locally and internationally, but people are still not doing what they are supposed to do, although I can’t bring myself to judge them.People are desperate for our beloved country to be free of Ebola. We are tired of being stigmatised locally and internationally, but people are still not doing what they are supposed to do, although I can’t bring myself to judge them.
I recently met a woman who kept her sick son at home, afraid of taking him to the hospital. She felt her son could only be cured by a traditional healer. Frustrating though this is, I could never understand what she is going through – even though I know she is putting everyone close to her at risk.I recently met a woman who kept her sick son at home, afraid of taking him to the hospital. She felt her son could only be cured by a traditional healer. Frustrating though this is, I could never understand what she is going through – even though I know she is putting everyone close to her at risk.
According to Mr Ansumana, a religious leader and vice principal of one of the famous schools in the country, we have to continue to do what the health workers have been telling us: stay at home and pray to see the end of this outbreak.According to Mr Ansumana, a religious leader and vice principal of one of the famous schools in the country, we have to continue to do what the health workers have been telling us: stay at home and pray to see the end of this outbreak.
We are just waiting for that day when we have zero cases. If we can survive 11 years of civil war, I believe we can get through this Ebola crisis and resume our normal lives.We are just waiting for that day when we have zero cases. If we can survive 11 years of civil war, I believe we can get through this Ebola crisis and resume our normal lives.
We’re almost at the tail end, but we did not expect the kind of fluctuations of infectious cases we are now having. It is just frustrating to see the rise and fall of this virus. We as a country are not taking anything for granted.We’re almost at the tail end, but we did not expect the kind of fluctuations of infectious cases we are now having. It is just frustrating to see the rise and fall of this virus. We as a country are not taking anything for granted.
And the world should not forget that this virus is still here, and no one on Earth is safe; with Ebola, there are no boundaries. But if we stand as one in trying to prevent disasters like this, we will not lose so many beautiful lives again.And the world should not forget that this virus is still here, and no one on Earth is safe; with Ebola, there are no boundaries. But if we stand as one in trying to prevent disasters like this, we will not lose so many beautiful lives again.