Coronavirus Emergency: What you need to survive in Ghana

PREPARING TO SURVIVE EMERGENCY CONTAINMENT MEASURES AGAINST THE CORONAVIRUS JUST IN CASE (LOCK-DOWN OF CITIZENS AND NEIGBORHOODS) Public Health Emergency Preparedness Series At the time of compiling this list, there has been no case of COVID-19 in Ghana. I compiled this list in anticipation of the possible outbreak of the coronavirus in Ghana. I want to re-assure Ghanaians that in case we are in a lock down situation as part of containment measures against the coronavirus, we should not panic. We can weather the storm of the Coronavirus. But in order to be able to prevail and overcome the challenge that the Coronavirus cases may present, we MUST get a few things in order. I have provided the basic needs approach for individuals and for central and municipal government to adopt if needed, as they prepare for this real possibility. This tool alone would not save the lives of those may be diagnosed as being exposed to the virus, but may help to improve the living conditions of those not yet exposed, but may be in lock-down in their own homes, apartments, tenements or multi-dwelling buildings. Preparation for a possible lock-down of those living in Individual Homes, Apartments and Tenements or multiple dwelling units in Accra City and other regional capitals. I will start with these: Water Storage Capacity and Uses In most homes in Ghana, we are lucky to have closed water storage systems or tanks. This allows many of the homes to have a considerable volume of water that could last for several weeks or more. Since we don’t know when a lock down situation would occur, preparedness and maintaining top-most personal hygiene are some of the most effective ways to survive public health threats such as this. To Drink: About 3.7 Liters of water for men per day And 2.7 liters for women Of course one may need more depending on the type of work, exercise, health condition such as pregnancy and so on. But any amount in between these figures appears to be about right. Water for other chores such as bathing, flashing toilets, etc. Peace Time Water Usage: In the developing nations like Ghana, the average person uses a minimum of 20 liters of water a day in peace time. This is equivalent to about one full bucket and a half. The average bucket size on the local market, has the capacity for 17 Liters of water. So about one and half buckets of water use per day by those who do not have improved toilet or Water Closets in their houses or offices. Water Closet Use When you add WC water use, then the average urban city dweller in Accra or Kumasi uses about 50 liters or 13.2 gallons of water a day. Water Storage Capacity of about 2,000 liters So if you have a tank of 2000 liters (528.3 gallons) divided by 13 gallons a day per one person, that whole content would last you 40.6 days. If you are a family of 4, then it would last you for only 10 days. Food Items The list is long depending on your individual and family preferences. They may include some but not all of the following: Starches:

1. Gari

2. Corn Dough

3. Cassava Dough

4. Dry vegetables such as okra, pepper and others

5. Dry Rice

6. Pre-cooked plantain or yam but frozen

7. Pasta

8. Konkonti Powder

9. Fufu Powder

10. Oatmeal

11. Tom Brown

12. Corn flour

13. Bread Flour to make your own bread

14. Tomato paste

15. Spices

Frozen Foods: Vegetables and Proteins

1. Assortment of Frozen Vegetables

2. Fish (Salt water or Fresh water)

3. Seafood

4. Meat

5. Pork

6. Sausages

7. Eggs

8. Smoked fish

9. Smoked Meat

10. Chicken, Guinea Fowl, Turkey, Ducks

Accessories and Condiments

1. Tuna

2. Sardines

3. Corned Beef

4. Cooking Oil

5. Tomato Paste

6. Groundnut Paste

7. Mayonnaise

8. Cubes (Maggie, Onga, kraft)

9. Groundnuts and other nuts

10. Onion, Okra, Garden Eggs

11. Salt

12. Pepper

13. Milk

14. Sugar

15. Baby foods

Other Essential Items

1. Charcoal

2. Coal pot

3. Extra filled Gas Cylinder

4. Boxes of matches

5. Candles

6. Radio

7. Torchlights

8. Batteries for Radios

9. For those with Gen-Sets (Additional Petrol or Diesel)

10. Cash money (always comes in handy in a period of scarcity)

Medicines and Medical Supplies for First Aid

1. At least two months’ supply of prescription drugs for those with chronic conditions

2. Two months’ supply of over-the-counter drugs and pain killers, topical ointments

3. Bandage

4. Cleaning Alcohol

5. Gloves

6. Breathing face masks

7. Spare Tooth paste and brushes

8. Soap

9. Washing Detergents

10. Body lotion

11. Nail Clippers

12. A good pair of Scissors

13. Gauze

14. Cotton

15. Menstrual Pads

16. Panty Liners

17. Diapers for babies

18. Diapers for ill Adults and Geriatrics

19. Toilet Paper

20. Tissue Paper

Mental and Spiritual Health

1. Have novels and books you want to read handy

2. Have the Bible or Koran handy depending on your faith

3. Game Boards in which the entire family can participate to play

4. Card games

5. Music

6. Getting to know your spouse or family better through better communication

7. Avoid topics in conversations that could create tension in the immediate family

8. Clean your house as a way of exercise body, mind and soul

9. To avoid cabin sickness, spend time outdoors of your home if you have the space

10. If you live in a single-room and you are single, entertain yourself with reading and doing chores, exercise and rest.

Government and Municipal Administration Preparedness should ensure the delivery of the following:

1. Potable water

2. Electricity

3. Quarantine Wards

4. Test Kits

5. Isolation Wards

6. Food Delivery to at Risk Families and institutions such as mental home, youth reform houses, prisons

7. Cash distribution to needy families for medicine and food purchases

8. Home medical care and visit for the chronically sick or aged

9. Maintain Municipal Security, peace and order

10. Visibility Police

11. Supply chain of fresh produce and other food items is running smoothly

12. Field Hospitals are created where there are many cases to be transported

13. Effective field and in-hospital Triage

14. Storage of the dead

15. Produce Inventory for the Dead

16. Picking up the Dead

17. Burying the Dead

18. Anticipate Business shot downs and economic losses

19. Prepare to jump-start the economy with soft loans at marginal interest rates

Thank you for reading this material and helping yourself stay healthy and safe. [caption id="attachment_13861" align="alignleft" width="150"] Author[/caption] By: Dr. Ishmael Norman, Ph. D., JD. Institute for Security, Disaster and Emergency Studies, ISDES http://www.isdesghana.org,  [email protected], Cell Phone/Whatsapp #: 0243-201410 This advisory piece was prepared for presentation at TV3 Panel Discussion at 8:20am on Saturday, the 29^th February, 2020 TV3 Studios, Kanda, Accra. Produced 2/28/2020]]>