“You can poison your family and friends, but not the general public!”, a food sanitation instructor exclaimed humorously yet seriously to vendors who would be serving food to the public at the “Taste of Chicago” summer fest.
I took that class back in the late 1980’s, working as a teen for my family’s restaurant. Nigeria in 2021 and Chicago in the late 80’s are totally different times and places, but public health exigencies transcend time and place.
Recently, a Ministry of Health inspector visited BOMCA Academy. While complimenting BOMCA’s academic excellence, she also issued a warning.
“Ms. Ibe expressed dissatisfaction with our crowded classrooms and asked for an immediate solution or else risk being closed by the government”, said BOMCA Principal, Maria Ndulor.
Efforts have been made to create more space to spread out the students. For instance, we moved the boarding students and MOJ Sisters out of the main school building into less accommodating living quarters in the exam hall.
But, this is not enough space for the Ministry of Health requirements. “We currently have about 40 students per classroom which still far exceeds the recommended number of 15 to 20 in a room”, Maria says.
With the exception of social distancing, BOMCA has faithfully abided by every other health-safety mandate to stop C-19 contagion. Students’ temperatures are taken, hand sanitizer is used, and masks are supplied.
Results have been exceptional. BOMCA has not had one confirmed case of C-19 among students ever since schools reopened in October 2020.
In spite of BOMCA’s good health record so far, outdoor classrooms must be set up to create adequate distancing between students. Once established, BOMCA will be in the clear respecting all things C-19.
It has been a difficult year for Nigeria and the world in dealing not only with the pandemic, but also the arguably heavy-handed measures to stop it.
Please help us meet this social distancing requirement and put the C-19 pandemic in our rearview mirror!