CORONAVIRUS – COPING IN THESE TIMES

Guest Post written by Gimbiya Galadima

The news reports about the outbreak of coronavirus have filled our ears. Social media posts further drive home the reality. There is a pandemic now, in addition to our dwindling economy. Isolation is recommended, and it is better to stay home.

How can you make your money and still cope, in these times when hope seems to be lost? I do not have all the answers, but being careful will help. Careful in the sense of staying home, and isolating if you have a fever or cold, or any other symptoms of the Coronavirus.

Be careful by taking on more remote jobs and using this time for the social media promotion of your business brand. Careful by practising routine handwashing with soap and water, and not touching your nose or eyes or ears with your hands. Using nose masks when carrying for the ill, close to someone sick, or at work if you are a health worker. Cooking food, especially meat thoroughly and not travelling to places where you are at risk of being infected with the virus. The most important thing is staying alive so you can write and make some cool cash. Coronavirus isn’t the end of your work as a remote worker.

It is important, as a wielder of the great weapon called the pen, not to spread panic. You should not be caught using scary headlines for clickbait, clout or yellow journalism. You should not be among those caught sharing voice notes and videos on social media that are aimed at spreading hate, racism or ignorance. Cross-check information before you share, because your readers believe what they read. The goal is to get better at your craft, not to be responsible for making people drink gallons of garlic water or fall ill because they had bathed in saltwater. Ask questions, and ensure you get answers from health workers. This is not the time to start spreading news that has the potential of claiming lives. Let our heads be correct biko.

Now that it is advised to stay at home, it is not advised to stay broke. You can use this time to learn something new. It could be that copywriting course you promised yourself you would take years ago or a new recipe. You can also work on an old manuscript. The one you kept in the cupboard is gathering dust. Ogualigho, pick it up and complete it. Then you can watch out for magazines looking for submissions. A simple Google search will reveal the names. Send in your submissions, you might get paid. Even in pounds or dollars, and such payments nourish the bank account. Send in your work to writing contests. Who knows, you might win? That is how to stay safe and remain strong in these times.

Don’t forget to wash your hands and use a hand sanitizer, and say a prayer for your country and her health workers. You are strong; you can cope, Ogualigho.

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Gimbiya Galadima is a fourth-year medical student of the University of Benin. With an acute sense
for literature, she joins the bandwagon of creative writers. She engages in extracurricular activities
including reading, cooking, singing and movie analysis. Galadima is very passionate about African
literature, mental health issues that affect young people and Nigerian jollof rice. She can be reached on
the social media platforms listed below.

Social Media: Instagram, Facebook
Facebook Handle – Gimbiya Galadima
Instagram Handle – @gimbiyagaladima
Twitter Handle – @JUXTATHINKA
LinkedIn Name – Gimbiya Galadima
Blog/Website – https://juxtathinka.blogspot.com.ng