The US Advice Nigeria to Protect their Elderly from Covid-19 

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States advised Nigerians to pay special attention to the elderly and those with chronic illnesses as the third wave of COVID-19 spreads.

CDC supports the Nigerian government in its efforts to engage religious leaders to encourage their members to get vaccinated and implement safe practices.

With Messages of Hope, a U.S. CDC-backed initiative, clerics are leveraging their influence to promote hand hygiene, mask use, physical distancing, cancellation of large gatherings, and vaccine acceptance.

Dr. Mary Adetinuke Boyd, director of the U.S. CDC in Nigeria, spoke at a workshop about the COVID-19 messages and presented information and communication materials.

Her recommendation was to mobilize their colleagues and members to take protective measures to protect themselves, families, and congregations, citing scripture to support recommendations.

Boyd urged them to celebrate those who recovered from Coronavirus and discourage stigmatizing those who improve.

He emphasized the need to mobilize faith community members to accept COVID-19 vaccines when they become available.

“I urge you to protect vulnerable members of your communities, such as the elderly and the sick,” Boyd added.

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Through the Messages of Hope Project, Muslim and Christian religious leaders and groups reach out to their communities and beyond.

The CDC is helping Nigeria engage with clerics in the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, Kaduna, Rivers, Gombe and Enugu through the Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria (CCFN) and the Nigeria Interfaith Action Association (NIFAA).