Cappuccino: Remember Covid?

In late December 2019 and the early weeks of 2020, your writer picked keen interest in the news and a health crisis that was emerging in China. At that time it had no prominent coverage in the media. But what made this one interesting was that activists and few independent voices inside China — including Dr. Li Wenliang, whom we wrote about — were raising unusual alarms.

It later became a global concern when it first reached parts of Southeast Asia and Europe (mostly Italy and Spain) and then started killing hundreds of thousands.

Not for a moment did The Kigalian doubt the severity of SARS-Cov-2, a coronavirus that causes COVID-19, the respiratory illness responsible for the recent pandemic. We knew it would affect African countries at a time when most commentators on the continent were bashing scientists and leaders who were sending signals. We warned our readers of its airborne potential and possible effects on the human brain.

And, perhaps best, we offered the finest advice on how to avoid acquiring viruses — which is to imagine you do have the virus and change your behaviour so that you're not transmitting it.

It is staying informed and seeking clarity that kept us unalarmed about potential chaos. This helped us achieve our bold mission: to drive people to look ahead.

And then two years of a global pandemic happened. And then we forgot much about it — perhaps to cope, perhaps to live. Fast forward to 2024, thanks partly to daily life and wars in the news, the world seems to have moved on.

You will be surprised, however, that this writer took not a single shot of any of the vaccines that were being administered throughout the pandemic. Not out of scepticism or hesitancy — far from it — but perhaps sheer negligence. (Blame it on the confidence in one’s own health and lifestyle behaviours if you will.) Despite encouraging it, I failed to take any. And every time someone suggests they regret taking the vaccine, I urge them to take back that misguided thought. Because vaccines save lives.

Whether you’ve rolled up your sleeve for the vaccine or not, there are timeless principles that can safeguard your well-being and sanity — principles that are, quite frankly, common knowledge for anyone seeking a healthier life.

One is to cultivate a healthy and balanced diet, incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Consider adding supplements like vitamin D and zinc to support the immune system. Another is to make regular health check-ups a non-negotiable part of your calendar. Staying proactive in managing one’s health can lead to early detection and better outcomes. Not least, staying informed and adhering to the guidance of healthcare professionals is also key. Reliable information from trusted sources is invaluable as we continue to face evolving health challenges.

Good Reads

One in five medicines in Africa is subpar or fake. A global global pandemic treaty is underway.

Some people are happy even as they are dying, writes clinical psychologist Mattias Tranberg.

Facing the limits of existence can add perspective and help a person appreciate life more than ever.

“Coaching” is Silicon Valley’s hack for therapy. There is additional evidence of a beneficial role of more frequent ejaculation throughout adult life.

Spotify’s interface has gradually made it harder to find the music I want to listen to, writes Kyle Chayka.

Knowing what we don't know is increasingly becoming an important skill.

Is a sub-Saharan ‘African Spring’ in the offing? Demonstrations in Kenya have encouraged young people to not give up on their dreams of systemic change, writes Tafi Mhaka.

Youth movements won’t stop rising and uprising.

Democracy is surviving the year of elections. Can traditional institutions contribute to democracy in Africa? Chris Olaoluwa Ògúnmọ́dẹdé asks.

Find out what populism is — and what it’s not. Why is Britain rioting?

T.V. and More

I finally watched Michaela Coel’s “I May Destroy You”, a gripping twelve-episode series about sexual assault. It’s incredibly raw and well-written. No wonder it won multiple awards, including two Emmys.

Ms. Coel’s work reminded me of Nimko Ali’s book.

Yuval’s new book, Nexus, will be published in September. Gaël Faye’s second novel is out: Jacaranda.

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