A Look into Self-Isolation in Sudan

The year 2020 witnessed the appearance of the ferocious pandemic known as COVID-19. More than 2.2 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 150,000 have been killed. It is considered to be one of the worst pandemics in the history of mankind, despite the fact that the death toll has not yet reached high numbers as the Spanish flu in 1918, for example, which left an estimated 20 to 50 million dead. However, COVID-19’s ability to spread massively is rather concerning. Since the first discovered case in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, it took approximately three months for the number of infected people to hit the one million mark. Governing bodies rushed to apply rules to fight the pandemic, starting with imposing curfews, lockdowns and flight restrictions. 

In Sudan, according to the latest statistics provided by the Federal Ministry of Health on Saturday, 18 April 2020, there are 66 confirmed cases and 10 deaths. A three-week lockdown has come into effect today to curb the spread of the virus. However, Sudan has been in a state of medical emergency for at least a month, and recently imposed a curfew from 6 pm to 6 am. The decision has been met with welcoming hands at first, but soon, there was a change in attitude among the majority. As social distancing, repeated hand washing and sanitising, and wearing a face-mask have served as “the three musketeers” in the battle against COVID-19, many citizens found it challenging to stay at home, leading to many instances of frustration and eventually, a break from the home quarantine. Some have taken the nationwide curfew lightly and left their homes.

However, some have continued to stay home at all costs. Prior to the three-week lockdown, which comes into effect in Khartoum today, 500 Words Magazine talked to some young men and women in Sudan to know how they’ve been coping with self-isolation.

Basil Jamal Rashid, a 26-year-old doctor from the frontline of defense, is forced to leave his house daily for professional purposes. He encounters difficulties when interacting with patients, as many are not even aware of the ongoing health crisis. The majority of those who know either choose to take it for granted or disregard it as a whole. When asked about his schedule during the day, Dr Rashid said that he likes to spend his time watching TV shows and laughing at internet jokes.

Reem Abdelhaleem, a 26-year-old IT management graduate, likes to spend her days creating new ways to have fun, saying that leaving the house is not a favourable option at the moment. Despite the lack of activities at home, she finds the imposed curfew quite useful as it gives citizens with limited income a chance to carry on with their lives, but at the same time, not a lot of time for public gatherings.

Ula Osman, a 22-year-old digital media producer, sees that the curfew was an opportunity for her to work on her off-duty activities, which include reading books and working out. Staying at home has created a sense of repetition. To Osman, everyday feels the same.

Mohammed Al Mortadha, a 29-year-old who is currently unemployed, thinks that the curfew is needed to help the public follow the social distancing rule. Regardless of how inconvenient it can be to move about nowadays, Al Mortadha it’s necessary to stay at home to fight the spread of COVID-19.

Rayan Khalil, a 28-year-old lecturer in architecture, leaves the house twice a week for professional purposes. Although she finds staying at home a tedious task, Khalil believes it’s a requirement in the fight against COVID-19.

Zainab Ahmed, a 26-year-old engineer, does not leave the house whatsoever. She found peace while staying at home, and wishes the public would follow her lead, even if for a short while.

Now, with the three-week lockdown coming into effect, the situation may seem more complicated, especially for those who live on a day-by-day income. However, the transitional Sovereign Council has given reassurances that the public needs will be put into consideration, but asked people to remain patient and tolerant during this period in order to survive the pandemic and come out the other end with least losses possible.

Tony Malik is a 27-year-old IT graduate of National Ribat University (Class of 2013), residing in Sudan and the UAE. His professional background includes marketing, IT, writing & translation, and business administration. He is a former writer for Sudan365.net and Goethe Institute-Sudan, and a member of German-Sudanese cooperation group.