I was unknowingly exposed to a student who tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The student was in my office on the 24th of June to ask about my test he and his colleagues will be writing later that day. The university had allowed only the final year students and postgraduate students to resume for contact lecture/research/practical after putting mechanism to prevent and manage the disease in place.
Also, students and staff were required to show at the security a ‘healthcheck clearance granted’ on their phone before they could be allowed access. Before you can get the clearance to show that you are at low risk of having covid-19, you must have responded to many questions with your phone.
After three days my test was written, this student contacted me that he was sure he had the virus; he described some symptoms like loss of taste. After it was confirmed, our department was shut for two days to allow for cleaning of offices and the venue of the test. Also individuals like me that had contact with the student were told to self-isolate for 14 days since the day of contact.
Thankfully, none of us including all the other 27 students that wrote the test was infected with covid-19. Following the coronavirus prevention guidelines must have been responsible for this. When the student showed up in my office, both of us were wearing our facemask and we were more than one metre apart. Hand sanitizers were available at strategic places in the department. Physical distancing was maintained when students were writing the test and they all used their facemask. I also ensured I didn’t mark the test papers until after 72 hours the test was written.
What I want everyone reading my experience to take from it, is that this virus can be contained, without resulting to full lockdown, if we all follow the recommended guidelines and take necessary precautions. We should be aware, but we shouldn’t panic or be afraid. Also, we shouldn’t forget that safety is not the absence of danger but the presence of God. So, let also stay prayerful!
