We had almost forgotten it. However, Covid-19 is back in Senegal. And this time, it was the pilgrims returning to the country who brought the virus back. On June 30, the Ministry of Health and Social Action indicated in a press release that out of the 590 pilgrims returning from the Holy Places, 147 tested positive for Covid-19.
A week earlier, the same department published a press release calling on families in which pilgrims tested positive for this virus to “renunciation of communion called ganalé in order to avoid gatherings and the spread of the virus.»
However, in Senegal, where the population has had a hard time with Covid-19 and the restrictions imposed by the authorities, reactions differ. While some take the authorities’ recommendations seriously, for others, Covid-19 is no more serious than the flu.
This is the case of Papa Abdoulaye Dieye and Amath Ndiaye, two Senegalese citizens who are complete opposites. The first, a doctor of pharmacy, takes the health authorities’ warning seriously. These same officials have warned about the detection of the virus among those who have fulfilled one of the five pillars of Islam. Amath, for his part, does not believe a word of it. According to him, this disease called coronavirus is just a nasty flu that has been around for many years.
Read also: Senegal strengthens health control against Covid after deaths in Mecca
Pape Abdoulaye and Amath also do not have the same understanding of the health measures to be observed. The pharmacist recommends social distancing and hygiene measures as recommended by the Department of Health. Amath believes that cleanliness should be a habit, with or without Covid.
In this context of the return of Senegalese pilgrims from Mecca, the ceremonies organized for the reception are strongly discouraged. Another bone of contention between Pape Abdoulaye and Amath.
Despite the few cases recorded with the return of pilgrims, the Senegalese in general do not seem to be overly concerned and are calmly going about their business and… organizing their ceremonies.
Par Moustapha Cissé (Dakar, correspondence)
07/01/2024 at 11:41 a.m.
