Taxi, motorised rickshaw and bus drivers fear carrying contaminated passengers. Few people shake hands. Everyone is wary. Even the bus queues have become slightly more orderly.
“If somebody should have sweat on his or her body and I get in contact with the person, I’m aware of the fact that I might get the virus,” said bus passenger Kolawole Olalekan.
“So, everybody now… we all get into the bus gently. No rushing like the normal Lagos hustle and all.”
At MIC Royal, a firm of undertakers potentially on the front line given that the bodies of Ebola victims can still pass on the virus after death, bosses decided to turn down business.
“Our company has not buried any Ebola victim since the outbreak and we will not handle such a job if given,” said senior manager Tunji Adesalu.
“As undertakers, we appeal to the bereaved to encourage the cremation of their dead in order to reduce the risks of contracting the Ebola virus.”
– Public awareness –
Combating ignorance is part of the battle. Bogus claims of remedies such as salt-water cures and even divine intervention have been rife in religiously conservative Nigeria.
The Lagos state government’s awareness campaign extends to radio and television advertisements, notices in newspapers and flyers as well as drive-by public health announcements to get the message across.
“The state governor met with religious and community leaders to stress the need for sick people to go to the hospital for treatment rather than seek divine healing,” said Tubosun Ogunbanwo, spokesman for the local health commissioner.
“There is no cure for Ebola but it can be prevented and controlled through public awareness campaigns and good hygiene.”
Sarah Adigun’s experience suggests Lagosians are listening: sales of hand sanitiser and soap have gone through the roof.
“I now sell a bottle of 50 ml Dettol for 1,050 naira (5 euros, $6.5) against 900 naira before the outbreak,” the cosmetics trader said.
“I’m almost running out of stocks as our suppliers are not meeting our demand.”
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