PLEASE DROP THE STRAW

PLEASE DROP THE STRAW

I recall during the era of the Ebola invasion in Nigeria after Mr. Patrick Sawyer decided to embark on his inglorious journey to Nigeria. When the news of the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria spread across the nation, many people changed their habits. There was this national health consciousness that made almost everybody to change their behavior. Many people started wearing long sleeved shirts and were very conscious about who they touched and who touched them. 

Surprisingly, even banks improvised a good hand washing practice by placing taps and soaps in front of the banks so that customers can wash their hands before entering into the banking halls.

Also, many other corporate organizations like  hospitals, schools, business corporations, club houses and even some private houses placed taps in front of their houses and at strategic locations so that people can sanitize their hands before entering. Oh! Even the prices of hand sanitizers sky rocketed, all in a bid to ensure adequate protection from the disease.

Now, on this fateful day, several years ago, I went to have some snacks in a hospital canteen. I asked for a bottle of coke to send down the meat pie I wanted to have with my bosom friend. The coke arrived and as is the custom of most Nigerians we requested for straws to have the coke with. The straws arrived and we took one each and started having our snacks while discussing and laughing happily.

That was when it happened.

This patient came to the shop with all the cannulas and bandages in place and requested for a bottle of coke, after she was served, she requested for a straw and the shop keeper gave her the pack of straws. I noticed to my chagrin how she fondled with many of the straws before picking one and leaving the shop.

Subsequently a patient relative entered the same shop, bought a canned juice, requested for straws and also fondled with many of the straws before picking up one and leaving the shop.

I was scared.

I stared at her. That scenario was an eye opener because I had seen her caring for her relative who was the patient, she had cleaned up the biological wastes because the patient could not do so independently, she had spent a pretty long time in the ward with the patient and had not even had the time to take care of her personal hygiene… and she had touched the straws from which other unsuspecting persons would still come and pick up from and use.

I wondered how many of such scenario had played out before I picked up the straw that was inside my mouth as I was seeing the scene unfold.

I had learnt a life lesson.

We do not know how much we are exposed to diseases on daily basis while going about our normal duties.  Ever wondered why people go to the hospital healthy and return with a disease? Let me not even delve into nosocomial diseases now.

When next you go to have a snack with a soda and you ask for a straw to go with it, remember this message and think of how many persons may have touched that straw you want to take. Then recall that some of them may have used the toilet without washing their hands (as is the case with many persons due mostly to the absence of these facilities in toilets).

Using a straw is a means by which diseases may be transmitted among unsuspecting populations.

Remember that during the Ebola crisis, many Nigerians were able to change their behavior and that went in a long way to curb the spread of the disease. I believe we can fight this. We can prevent those little diseases that we unnecessarily get exposed to.

So what can we do?

Well, for starters, it is important to note that when straws are to be dispensed to the public, each single straw should be wrapped so that another hand should not touch it (this is the standard practice that can be observed in eateries that keep to acceptable guidelines for food vending). Where that is difficult to come by because of economic reasons, each person can buy his or her packet of straw and carry it in their bags (If they must make use of straws each time they take soda). Where that is not possible, disposable cups can suffice.

I want to make a passionate appeal to you, please endeavor to remember to buy a packet of straw and remember you have read this when next you want to take one straw from a packet in a public place.

Thank you immensely.