There’s a TINGLING IN MY THROAT: IS that you CORONA?

Abstract

It's the tenth day of the lockdown over the coronavirus pandemic. It‟s been a dreadful ten
days, and I‟ve just exhausted my stock of groceries. The government told us to prepare for
a fourteen-day lockdown in the first instance. I prepared. I purchased enough food stuff and
toiletries to last fourteen days. There are at least four more days to endure the "stay at
home‟ order. If we are lucky. The Lagos state government is threatening to extend the lockdown
“if Lagosians don‟t behave themselves.” I‟m an obedient Lagosian. I obey the rules. I endure the
anxiety and paralysing fear of getting infected. There are rumours that the virus could be
airborne. So I shut my windows and cascade in sweat, even when there‟s no electricity to power
the fan or air conditioner that have become basic necessities. These measures, as tough as they
are fail to take away the fear in me. Each time I feel a tingling in my throat, I ask: Corona, is that
you? I jump around panicking, and pace about my room until I collapse into bed in exhaustion. I
have been sufficiently educated to know that the virus comes stealthily with tingling. Then, it
makes your throat itch, and consolidates its invasion by making you sneeze and cough before it
takes total possession of your lungs. I self-regulate, stifling any sneezes and coughs attempt to
betray my discipline. Traitors. Although I‟m far away from the instruments for testing, each time
I feel a tingling in my throat, I tell myself repeatedly that Corona will not invade my lungs.