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No Sierra Leone Xmas parties amid Ebola scare
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SIERRA Leoneans observed a somber Christmas in their homes yesterday, after the government banned traditionally boisterous holiday celebrations to prevent the spread of deadly Ebola in the worst-hit country.
Small groups of Christians in formal attire were permitted to attend church services, but the family gatherings, beach parties, concerts and dancing that usually accompany the holiday were banned to help slow the deadly virus.
Police patrolled the capital Freetown’s twisting streets and manned temperature check points to watch for symptoms of the hemorrhagic fever. On the radio, musicians who would normally be performing at live concerts played Ebola awareness jingles.
“We want to avoid contact because of this deadly disease. It’s necessary but I am not really happy. Normally we have a lot of fun with family and friends, but we just have to stay home,” said Kadija Kargbo, a cleaner.
She planned to stay indoors and watch films with her children instead of celebrating at a Freetown beach this year.
At a Red Cross center in the eastern city of Kenema, a small group of patients gathered around a cassette player listening to Christmas carols, said Jestina Boyle, a psychosocial assistant with the Red Cross.
“Some are sitting and listening and those who are too weak can hear it from their beds,” said Boyle by telephone before doing her morning round to visit the sick.
“I will sing gospel for them. I will give them encouraging words and tell them not to lose hope.”
With more than 9,000 cases, Sierra Leone now accounts for nearly half of the known cases of Ebola in this year’s West African outbreak, the worst ever. Neighboring Liberia and Guinea have also been badly hit.
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