Malawi takes paradigm shift in Covid-19 fight: President Laz says age of lies and misinformation is over
President Lazarus Chakwera has taken a paradigm shift in national health governance in relation to novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic aimed at helping populations reduce their individual risk factors and augment their natural immunity.
Speaking at a live televised news conference on Saturday from his private- residence on Area 6 in Lilongwe, Chakwera said government is implementing measures to prevent further spread of the virus particularly during the inauguration ceremony for his presidency slated for Monday.
Chakwera, who was flanked by vice-president Saulos Chilima, said the impact of virus pandemic in the country)has gotten worse in the past three weeks.7
He said the presidency has been been assessing several critical areas that require immediate and strategic government intervention.
“At the top of the list is the Covid-19 pandemic. Following consultations with the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 that was formed by my predecessor, I come before you to give you a sobering report. This report can be summed up in five words: Malawi, we have a situation,” said Chakwera.
He said more than 75 percent of the coronavirus-related deaths have occured in the past three weeks.
President Chakwera further said the rate of local transmission has also risen in the past three weeks.
“First,it is a fact that even though over 1,400 people have tested positive for Covid- 19 in the last three months, almost half of them have gotten it in the last three weeks,” said Chakwera.
“Secondly, it is a fact that even though most infections in the first three months were spread by persons who caught the virus abroad, most of the infections in the last three weeks have been spread by persons who caught the virus in the local community where they work or live.
“Thirdly, it is a fact that even though 16 people have died from Covid-19 in the last three months, 75% of them have died in the last three weeks,” he added.
Chakwera continued: “Fourthly, it is a fact that even though the number of people found with Covid-19 is just over 1,400, those with the virus may be twenty times that number, spreading it unknowingly because they have not been tested and do not show symptoms.”
President Chakwera said the quartet of facts is telling one simple message that the coronavirus is spreading all over Malawi.
“It is spreading near each of us; it is spreading faster than before; and it is spreading with the power to kill.
“This truth may be unpleasant, but it is also undeniable, and my administration is committed to telling you the truth. Telling the truth about this virus is not only the right thing to do, but also a matter of life and death. The age of lies and misinformation is over,” he said
The Malawi leader said government is implementing measures to prevent further spread of the virus particularly during the inauguration ceremony slated for Monday at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Among them, Chakwera said no-one will be allowed in the stadium without wearing a mask.
He said, to those who do not have their own, government has put aside measures including distribution of 100 000 masks to patrons at the event as well as ensuring that their hands are sanitised.
Chakwera said Covid-19 is here, but stressed that “the pandemic must not stop us from living, rather, it should prompt us to change our way of life.”
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First things first. The most difficult choice is probably one where there only two devils to choose from. What about choosing to die either by a drowning or by wild fire? Many will say by drowning coz it’s probably less painful. But flush floods claim more devastation than wild fires generally. Such was our predicament recently to choose between dying at the hands of corruption, greed, tribalism and lawlessness or at the hands of coronavirus. Two evils and I don’t blame Malawians for choosing first to get rid of the devil that they had known and had the tools to eradicate than a pandemic that was totally new to them. Now that one the two of our common enemies has been defeated, it’s wise to shift our attention to the pandemic. With God on our side and a government that seems to be for the people and not stealing from and fighting against it’s own people, we stand a good chance of even greater triumph over this invisible enemy. God bless Malawi and all its citizens.
DPP cadets please understand that it was the way your DPP leaders handled this coronavirus from April 2 2020, Most Malawians believed it was a joke,so they did not believe it.How could a country failed to close borders as early as March, because our neighbouring countries had some cases of coronavirus.Peter Munthalika had enough time to close borders and put in place the quarantine facilities to the borders,not amongst the local communities that was poor decisions,it just showed how shallow he was, Lockdown without giving food to the poor another mistake.More people would have been dead by now.Munthalika had enough time to control the situation,he could provided enough food to the poor Malawians and enforce the lockdown instead he wanted malawians to go on lockdown without food.By sending buses to repatriate Malawians from South Africa without proper quarantine facilities was another mistake by DPP administration.This happen because DPP leaders didn’t want to presidential election to take place.They were afraid of losing which happened.For them to escape from election,the only way was to use covid-19.When covid-19 arrived in Malawi it found a country without president only a caretaker government, atleast now we a president.Solutions if it is possible all malawians should find flu immune booster medicine to boost your immune system.Another way using musks as the government advices you.Remember this virus spreads keeping talking what was said by Tonse alliance will not stop the spread of the virus,but your actions will.
Tonse Alliance took you lightly because you mishandled the whole COVID-19 thing. First you wanted lock down without mitigating measures! No. No. No. Then you were busy importing new cases from Tanzania and South Africa. When the South African cases arrived in the country instead of putting them under quarantine you deliberately left them loose into the communities. How can someone take you seriously with this level of maladministration?
I think someone has been vindicated, it’s good that international flights are suspended ,we will all die here . Health workers are overwhelmed coz of your denial about Covid 19 during campaigns period, now the country is leaping the fruits of HRDC ant lockdown injunction.
If lockdown is to be imposed ,will the citizens listen to you? Many countries have suspended gathering,but you are busy doing it. Is there any sense of maturity here? Healthcare system is already overwhelmed don’t suffocate it further with this gathering pls pls pls.
We want leadership not reading statistics, what is your govt going to do to protect its citizens. What are you doing to bring back the lost urgency and precautions in people’s mind like pre election campaign.
In fact most publications dont want to blame him and his alliance partners for the stupid remarks they used to make during APM reign . You made people believe that there was no corona and it is stupidity of the highest order to now accept that the virus is here. I remember the PS for health once said that if we continue with such careless approach, the pandemic will become uncontrollable. This so called reverend is so much obssessed with power drive that he would do anything in order to get into power including sacrificing lives of people.
A single lie discovered is enough to create doubt over every truth expressed. Now that you are on the helm, let’s see what you can do to deal with an issue you and your followers dispelled that it doesn’t exist. Tough luck!
Tonse Judiciary alliance have put lives of Malawians at risk. These people prioritised election over Covid19. Now they have to dig us out of the hole. Very poor leadership
Empty briefing on covid 19. 6 July independence celebrations should be cancelled all together. Why do you want to keep exposing Malawians to Covid 19? Just for you to be given that stupid sword? Do you think you cannot rule the country without the sword? Which constitution are you following? Remember what tonse alliance was saying about covid 19 during the campaign, God is wonderful he has put you in charge to face reality of life and your consequences go and ask HRDC to get an injunction to stop the spread
You told the Malawi people that there was no Covid in the Country. You conducted political meetings freely and proclaimed that Covid 19 was Fake News by DPP. . Chilima even encouraged his Party followers to hug each other. Now that u have realized that Covid really exists. I think u need to man up and apologize for misleading the Nation. Bring Joyce Banda here. She as well needs to address the Nation on the same.
So let’s see how you will lockdown this country. The chickens have come home to roost
There’s no covid. We heard jb say it and you were there too.
What shift is this? Reading the article,it seems the president’s interest is the ceremony on monday.the virus is spreading like fire and he is putting measures for the monday event instead of telling what he is going to do to minimise the spread nationwide. It was looking a joke when he was outside government.now he has discovered that it is real .
This Government will not help us.
Itsanana is being hypocritical. He was on the Tonse Alliance when Zeze told the nation to say hug freely and you will not contract Covid-19 and he was ndwiiiiiii as if he is having a haircut in on a barbershop. When Abiti Kazhigeti told the nation live that there is no kolona vailasi, Itsanana did not correct this nonsense as he rode on it. Throughout his campaign trail, there was no social distancing, no prevention measures. Tonse Alliance led in politicizing Covid-19. The nation is now reaping the fruits of Covid-19 resulting from the arrogance, impunity and total disregard of the DPP government prevention measures. These idiots should simply shut up.
i was listening to the dude and he sounded apologetic but didnt want to take the blame for the stupid comments about convid that they used to make during the campaign . i didnt expect a whole president to be saying about wearing masks when the disease is already one year. their stupid remarks and praising of HRDC for obtaining an injuction is now haunting them. They thought Peter was useless by taking proactive measure while they are taking reactive measure. I now understand why Atupele said that you dont go into government as an apprentice. Paja tinkakuuzani kuti munali ku ma stand ndiye mumawona ngati kuyendetsa boma nkopweka. Now up to now cabinet is not yet out all because there are too many people to please and if he names one some will cry foul.
Even in those countries where a lock down has been in place they are still talking about face masks. Remember what APM did was to not consult early and spell out how the administration will cushion the vulnerable from the effects of lock down. He and Kaphale felt that they were clever and never came to court to explain. Dr Chakwera was among the few who was seen in most public putting on mask and he never said to the contrary. In he interview with international media outlet he was asked about Chilima’s comment, he stated that he talked to Chilima and he will never say that again and indeed Chilima never made any such comments. Chilima was also in the fore front advising administration, guess what he got was disparaging remarks through information minister then.
Yes my f
Every first term president goes into office as an apprentice. Atupele is stupid for saying that, and you are stupid for believing him. If you can’t have an apprentice, then you want experienced people, which means your own Peter Mutharika would not qualify to stand in 2014.
Bravo my president.
Kulibe COVID-19 paja Tonse declared publicly it was DPP noise to shun FPE!!! We campaigned vigorously as if indeed it was a lie!! What measures have we heard from the press today to signify new thinking??? NOTHING!!!!
Osatinamiza ZeZe ananena kale kuti kulibe
It was abiti Cashgate who said it!
Welcome to politics of opposition! We were there for 26 years and we came out victorious! See you in government in 26 years time! Komano osamangotsutsa zili zonse….zikutailani nthawi! For today…you are excused because we know you are still in denial and probably you are trying to deflect attention from the crimes that you committed during the Mulhako era! Be afraid and be very afraid because SKC is coming for you….what’s you gonna do.. bad boys?? Nyekhwe…akwiye akwiye . Mpaka 2025 wo!!
Saulosi last I checked was never an IG,director of prosecution or director of ACB or President.
The one on the seat is the one who will feel the heat. It’s just the goals that have shifted but everything remains the same: more demos, criticism and more pressure to cause panic etc .
Zanu zimenezo ife we will follow the measures akatiuza.DPP tinathana nayo kolona tithananso nayo,wamkaka basi