Are we not moving too fast?

A greeably, the last 13 months or so have been tough for players in the entertainment industry. All thanks to Covid-19.

I doubt there is any from the industry who has a kind word for the pandemic and the damage it has brought on the one-time thriving industry. Since it reared its ugly head on humanity, the pandemic has caused untold suffering on humankind.

The tale has just been that of survival. It is unfortunate that the pandemic has brought people five years back on their dreams and aspirations. All immediate plans that people had have forcefully been shelved as the threat of the pandemic continue to wound people in unsolicited fear.

On the onset of the disease, Malawi found itself at a crossroads when different messages were being flown from one direction to the next. Some of the narratives were hell-bent on undermining the potential danger of the disease.

But after the events that followed the second wave of the pandemic early this year, it was clear everyone was concerned of the danger that the pandemic posed. Covid-19 brought a sad chilling effect that some of us were yet to experience in our lifetime.

The turn-out of events was in part blamed on how some sectors of the society handled themselves when the numbers of the disease were not at their worst. Among the sectors blamed was the creative and entertainment industry.

They said their lukewarm reaction to the disease was one of the major catalysts for the massive spread of the disease. Not far from the truth. At a time when caution was being preached as being one of the key elements to help avert the spread of the virus, the industry choose to look the opposite direction and set out on live performances.

What followed was a story that needs no repetition. This is not to say the whole damage that was done was the responsibility of the entertainment players, no! There are plenty others who equally deserve to get a bigger share of the blame. Need I mention politicians? I won’t.

Fast-forward to today, the country has found itself almost in a similar situation like that of last year. After registering its worst figures ever since the inception of the pandemic, things have appeared to change for the better in the last few weeks.

There is none who has not derived hope and relief from the status quo. The prayer on many people’s minds has been on when the curve will flatten. It seems we are slowly getting there now. We are thankful.

The restrictions on Covid-19 make one feel like a prisoner. And every day a prisoner prays for the immediate arrival of the day he will walk to freedom. Many of us have been holding that kind prayer to our hearts for long too.

There is none exercising such a prayer their minds more than players from the entertainment sector. For all they have gone through during the last months, all you can wish is for the day the sun will rise to signal a new dawn for them. Praying for a day when their professional activities will not be hindered by this pandemic.

This week we have seen a number of players coming out of their shell to say they can’t hold it any longer and that they are resuming live public performances. No matter the reasons for their decisions, but one thing which is clear is that if the move should backfire, it will be the whole nation facing the blunt.

So, the question remains if it is not too early to take such a step. If it should turn out well no-one will stand anywhere and shout on top of a mountain cliff. But in the event that it doesn’t work, serious questions will be asked. I will therefore ask if we are not moving too fast or not?