Liberian president George Weah has released a song to create awareness for the global pandemic coronavirus. The six-minute song called Let’s Stand Together and Fight Coronavirus explains how the virus is spread. It also sensitizes Liberians on some preventive measures.
Already Liberia has recorded three cases of the novel virus. “From Europe to America, from America to Africa, take precautions, and be safe,” the former football icon sings.
This isn’t the fight time Weah has been innovative when it comes to addressing national or global pandemics.
According to his spokesperson, Solo Kelgbeh, Weah produced songs during the Ebola crisis that led to the death of close to 5,000 Liberians. He also stated that the president started working on the song before the coronavirus reached Liberia.
The song serves a practical purpose, Kelgbeh said. “Liberia is a country where a majority of the people don’t have access to the internet and Facebook, but everyone listens to radio,” he said.
“This song will be played on various radio stations in the country… to have the message spread sufficiently,” he added. Liberia, a country of approximately 4.8 million people, have ban travels from countries that are worst hit by the virus.
Despite having just three recorded cases, there are fears of the country’s capacity to handle an outbreak.
Meanwhile, Ugandan musician turned politician, Bobi Wine is also using music to help curb the spread of coronavirus.
Wine, a controversial figure teamed up with fellow artist, Nubain Li to release a song laced with east Africa’s signature rumba melodies about the importance of personal hygiene, The Guardian reported.
“The bad news is that everyone is a potential victim,” Wine noted in the song. “But the good news is that everyone is a potential solution.”
The pair are encouraging people to regularly wash their hands, keep distance and look out for symptoms such as fever and cough. So far, Uganda has a total of 14 cases after it confirmed five more cases on Wednesday.
People are currently being advised to protect against the spread of the virus by washing their hands, covering their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing.
