Over the last few months, life has drastically changed around the world. Over a third of the global population are under lockdown, some being more restrictive than others. Over 1.9 million COVID-19 cases and 119, 686 deaths have been recorded globally.

Today marks one month since the first case of COVID-19 was identified in Rwanda. Below are 10 lessons that we have learnt during this period.

1. Power of misinformation

During the last few weeks, rumors and unverified information have been spreading parallel to the virus. This was because people are stuck at home and only relying on the same sources of information, the majority of which are online content. As a result, fake news took advantage of that and spread fast.

Different efforts to curb misinformation were put forward. Rwanda announced the usage of drones to raise awareness about the coronavirus in local communities, WHO introduced different user-friendly platforms to obtain information from, WhatsApp limited a number of times a message can be forwarded, to mention but a few.

Read also: Are you looking for reliable COVID-19 information and updates?

Read also: WhatsApp sets new limits on message forwarding to tackle covid-19 misinformation

2. Digital divide

People who had access to the internet were introduced to privileges such as working from home, accessing information easily and learning. However, those who could not access the internet were put at risk of missing out on important occasions.

This leaves us as a country with an idea of how such a crisis can severely affect those who are less privileged and what can be done to address that.

3. Internet as a basic need

The last few weeks has proved that the internet can be considered a basic need. There has been debate on whether the right to Internet access, also known as the right to broadband, should be considered a human right.

People unable to get online, lack meaningful ways to influence the global players shaping their everyday lives. Additionally, during times like these, it is especially important to be able to contact family, friends, work from home if necessary, learn, stay updated and informed. The Internet is the only way to do so.

4. Potential of e-commerce

A few days after Rwanda recorded its first COVID-19 case, some online shops and delivery services had already recorded over 20 percent increase in profit.

Since people were obliged to stay indoors, they opt for online shopping more than usual. This period has shown the potential of this industry; how people can shop from groceries to clothes and pharmaceutical services online.

5. Pollution down by 20 per cent

Regardless of its economic and mental health impacts, the lockdown might be improving the air quality.  According to Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), pollution has gone down 20 percent due to less motor vehicles and unnecessary movements.

This proves that even after the lockdown, initiatives such as Car Free day are essential to the environment and can actually be fruitful.

6. Efficient decision making

The decision to lock down the country has definitely played a role in containing coronavirus and trace contacts. Only 128 cases have been confirmed and thousands of samples have been tested.

In countries where lockdown was not of immediate effect, the virus spread to thousands of people in a relatively short period of time.

7. Remote learning

The last few weeks have been an eye-opener that e-learning is doable and can be an option. Concerned parties have put forward efforts to support continued learning including waiving internet fees to access e-learning platforms, broadcasting classes, among others. 

8. Working from home is an option

During this time many people learned that their jobs were possible to do from home.  Most jobs have a certain amount of work that can be done remotely. Without the virus in place, there should still be some system in place that will promote work-life balance.

9. Sacrificing freedom for greater good

There’s no doubt that it has been difficult staying home. Some might even feel that it’s a breach of their individual right, being made to stay home.

However, when it comes to the greater good, one should always be willing to sacrifice a little bit of that freedom. A balance between individual rights and public safety is an ever changing thing.

10. Health practitioners should be commended

An intense amount of work carried out by medical doctors, nurses, researchers stood out during this period.

President Kagame emphasized how grateful Rwandans are for the COVID-19 taskforce who work tirelessly to help patients. He thanked them on Sunday April 12th while paying a visit.