As an African, I hold my breath and cross my fingers and hope, the impact of Ebola on the continent and people had given some useful experience . I think it has.

I was in Abuja a few weeks before the pandemic. I went to a barber shop for a hair cut. I was shocked when the young man asked if I wanted him to use my own clippers. I stood up and left.

I went to another one, a few feet away, and the first he asked me was, Sir, did you bring your own clippers?

I took a deep breath and asked if that is the standard practice for people to bring in their own clippers to the barber shops. He said, eh, some people do not want to use calipers already used on others, just in case. He left it at. I told him, I didnt come with my clippers. He steriliised his, with a flame from a cigarette lighter, and I had my haircut, for N300, (85p).

At the airport, on the last waiting lounge to board the aircraft, the tannoy came on: Anyone who has traveled to or from China, in the last 2 weeks, should present themselves to the information desk. No one stood up.

The latest figure from Nigeria stands at 5. No deaths

In instances like these, let's not basket Africa into one little group.

I keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best.

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It appears that tropical places are not as vulnerable. It is observed that places with malaria are so far not getting the virus.

Their only hope is social distancing.