The Coronavirus pandemic has turned the world on its head. No part of our lives has been left untouched by the global disruption. Children are out of school. Manufacturing firms have fallen silent. People are out of jobs in millions, and more are joining them every day. The best healthcare systems in the world are overwhelmed. Scientists world wide are trying to understand the virus and find a vaccine. The University of Nairobi's scientist and researchers have been working around the clock regarding the covid -19 .The University has also rolled out an assessment on Kenyans' understanding and level of interaction with vaccines. Further, the university is trying to understand the level of knowledge of the Corona Virus in Kenya as part of their research process.
Everyone is worried reason being there is no end in sight to this pandemic. What is left for us is to adapt and learn how to embrace and stay with the virus. We urgently need to reinvent our approaches to life in order to face the new circumstances successfully.
Technology is proving to be effective in aiding the education sector. Cloud storage has made it easier for students to access research materials compared to going through piles of books for their assignments.
Technological innovators have built vast capabilities that are, in my view, assisting in limiting the spread and impact of the crisis. Information from one site can today be gathered, analysed, and shared by scientists, health experts, and policymakers around the globe at the speed of light. But only one half of the world is enjoying the dividend from these innovations.
The Internet is the answer to many coronavirus lockdown problems. Currently , billions are using the Internet to learn more about Covid-19, schools are setting coursework online, and millions around the world are working from home by using zoom , google meets, webminars etc
Unfortunately, millions of children in Kenya and sub-Saharan Africa have no access to the technological advancements that their age mates in developed nations the likes of USA and minority portions of our populations enjoy. Online learning for these children is only a remote possibility. They can only access learning from less interactive channels such as SMS, radio, and in even lesser cases, TV.
Our universities and other higher learning Institutions,should raise their heads high and embrace technology to create solutions for e-Learning and help increase the level of education in the country.
In medicine, many hospitals in and out of capital cities in sub-Saharan Africa are also ill-equipped to handle even common ailments. The ones in deep rural areas or remote regions tend to be less resourced and less equipped. Today, our doctors in Nairobi are holding 4G-enabled video conferences with their counterparts abroad, sharing best practices on how to deal with the Coronavirus and sharing knowledge across the country. Telemedicine needs to become the new norm.
