Thread by @Chxta

I find this instruction as reported by @GuardianNigeria very heartwarming. bit.ly/2VCUo3k

It is a good move and shows that we have competent, thinking people, handling the health side of #coronavirusnigeria, not kneejerk reactions like the #Algeria.

The Algerians in deporting the sick Italian have not only shown an inhumane side, they risk a diplomatic incident.

I'm quietly confident that #Nigeria can handle this.

At the risk of American style chest-thumping, #Nigerian handled the 2013-2016 Ebola outbreak effectively and was able to limit the number of infections to 20 people, with 8 deaths.

The skills in terms of contact tracing, quarantining and treatment are still here.

My worry is the economy.

The international air transport system is the perfect delivery mechanism for a global pandemic, and coronavirus is proving this.

What is worse is that the primary demographic that will spread this tend to be the most productive people, meaning that markets et al are likely to panic, as we are already seeing.

In #Nigeria's case, as of this morning, the benchmark Brent Crude remains below $50 per barrel, which is way below Nigeria's budget estimation, it indicates a looming problem, especially as our biggest buyers slow down industrial production, and thus their demand for oil.

That double whammy of reduced oil prices and depressed demand will definitely affect the economy here especially when you consider that #Nigeria's recovery from the recession has been driven by the oil sector.