Dear Governor

I greet you at this extraordinary time and commend your effort so far.

I commend and back up with prayers all those on the frontline, working to ensure the wellness and safety of more people. God bless you richly. 

I will cut to the chase...

One reason death toll is rising is because your actions may be at counter purpose. People entering the state especially via airports and other borders are not screened.

In UAE, despite the fact that we were leaving the country, all passengers were screened. 

Why?

To keep their airline staff safe. If airline staff are infected, they are capable of wrecking havoc in any country they enter. To minimise infection Emirate staff were asked to remain on board.

In Nigeria, no screening was done for those leaving. It was a kilolanmi (what’s my business) mentality. All should be concerned and have global civic responsibility in mind. 

In Nigeria, death toll may rise because screening at airports was compromised via bribery. Also buses are still not observing distancing, markets are open with multitudes being unmindful of sanitation and hygiene... Just to mention a few.

Soon, more borders would close. The responsibility of protecting residents fall on state leaders and all steps must be taken to safeguard people.

In Ghana, those arriving are said to be lodged for two weeks in hotels. Why? To ensure no new entrants increase the infection rate.

In Boston Airport, I did not sight anyone selling at the airport, the day felt like midnight. Everywhere was clean and staff was few. This shows the leaders have taken steps to minimise the spread but sadly there was no screening. This was in March.

In Newark Airport, some stores were open and no sense of the escalating virus. Contrary to all the media noise, there was zero screening.

In New Jersey buses are still running. This is not bad in itself especially since distancing is observed. A number of drivers have been kind, God bless their souls. It is important that such buses be regularly sanitised for the safety of all passengers. 

The virus is said to thrive in cold weather, yet instead of heat, your buses have air conditioning on with vent open for more cold outer air. 

Covid is NOT airborne but due to the cold weather the respiratory droplets are sustainable. I created and shared a message and voice note to educate and enlighten people. 

Those arriving from other states or countries are meant to stay home for two weeks as advised but how could they when many had no food at home. How could they when WiFi is not free. How could they when those who previously had caregivers or family now have to live alone. The elderly whose au pair and support network have been asked to stay away, how do they feed? I saw more elderly people out in Bergen County - driving, walking, on bus, etc.

I bought a sim for 20$ and loaded 25$ credit at EWR but in less than a day phone credit finished and in less than 3, data finished. Why? The vending machine sold a UK line as US line at the EWR and I had to be on roaming. With communication off, I risked my life and that of many others by going out. Why? If I fall sick with no communication, death at home may not be ruled out.

The homeless, the orphans, miscreants, drug addicts, area boys who served as bribe collectors for Police, beggars, the defrauded widows, where are they to go? What shelters have been provided? I would have been one of such people.

The reason death toll escalated in New York has to do with the population, the rate of homelessness and the lack of decorum. Many Americans spit without being mindful of the health hazard. No one spoke about the need for behavioural change. Anyone who is homeless and still mobile is capable of transporting the disease especially where asymptomatic. Police, soldiers and other essential workers are conduits where not regularly tested and supported with protective gears. What happened in New York is possible in Nigeria especially Lagos.

Stores are still open for long hours. Some states have relaxed the policies. Rather than check temps or other visible symptoms, they are only maintaining distancing. No matter how distant an infectious person is, touching things in stores especially steel scales and other metal puts others at risk. Why are they not compelled to use at least the non contact thermometers and hand out hand gloves?

Many have marked up the sale of gloves? There should be identifiable state staff on the streets giving out masks and gloves. Give such our early to avoid evil people riding on such to do harm. If people are infected and are on the streets, they will reinfect others.

I am a Woman of God who received revelation about this long before now. Your judges are wicked and the homeless, widows and orphans have been dealt horrible blows... I posted well over 25,000 posts seeking redress but your leaders turned deaf ears.

Despite the call for stop on all judiciary matters, I received letters stating my home is sold, another stating there would be judgement to fraudulently change the terms of mortgage signed in 2006 (or so) and another stating I should expect shut off on electricity and gas for a bill owed by a former tenant.

These were reasons to step out to; at least post hand written letters in response. Why was that possible? Mail service is still on. It is not bad in itself but if they are still carriers of bad news then many at home will panic and act to respond.

Some tenants refused to pay March rent because of mortgage relief granted meaning landlord living on rents would need to find another source of income... Mine did the same, she works with UN, she probably works from home, receives income and should place a value on life but is riding on covid to perpetrate abuse. This relief should never have been immediately extended to tenants because unlike in Nigeria, previous months income is used to pay next months rent. So while you granted relief, you also stopped income for many landlords.

Governor Phil Murphy,

Your state may become the worst hit if you do not take certain steps. They are:

1. Call people to a time of prayer. Reach out to religious leaders to call their members to a time of worship of the Most High God. America was founded on God hence, “In God We Trust”. Let a time of prayer be declared in the land especially for those still carrying out essential services and for safety of the people. 2 Chronicles 7:14
2. Focus on #STOPTHESPREAD and issue strict policies with regards to movement, stores, use of mask, use of gloves... If possible, publicly distribute masks, gloves and sanitisers free to the homeless especially. This would stop the spread and mitigate the marked up rate in stores.
3. Ensure open stores screen buyers, ensure social distance and give instructions for open places to be heated up since covid19 cannot thrive in heat. It is why the rate of spread is minimal in hot climates. Include grocery delivery by stores to those without record of drivers licence or cars and the elderly.
4. Provide shelters for anyone found on the street. Use public halls as temporary lodge or ensure they have food, tent or blanket, sanitisers etc. and instruct they cannot migrate. So they do not risk the lives of others. Curfew is not enough. Also give out emergency numbers.
5. Support phone call by asking all network not to block lines of those who are on limited calling plan. If possible offer free WiFi/mobile data.
6. Heal the curse on the land via justice. Open an agency that would stop all cases that require review including IMO Bola Omoteso. Your judges have been corrupt and callous. The cry of those who were hurt have reached out to God. 
7. Take drastic steps to caution the media NOT to hype covid19. Others steps include regular screening policy for everyone especially those on the street. This is to ensure asymptomatic people do not continue to spread the virus.
8. Recall nurses, doctors and health workers laid off for flimsy reasons e.g. race, etc. Let them be screened medically and socially and recalled to take care of those with mild symptoms. Employ teachers to work from home as caregivers so they can call those living alone.
9. Take steps to ensure the homeless, widows and elderly receive supplies and common medication for cold, allergies and flu, which remains a killer disease even at this time. Supplies should not reinforce poverty but should show LOVE and RESPECT.
10. Pay stimulus. Rather than ask people to sign or pay to those who taxed, pay to everyone with no record of income, everyone with no record of employment beginning with those already on disability. With money, a number of people can order things from the comfort of their homes.

Reach out to those who are closer to those in need... Forthright religious organisation, charities, schools etc. Also call for people to be kind. I know a couple who have been delivering supplies to family, friends and church folks just to help them stay at home. They are both retired... Beyond legality, there is humanity. 

Presently in Nigeria, hoodlums and hijackers have taken over. Why? The message of stay at home was interpreted as “by the government and for the government” so many are asking for motivation to stay at home. If this escalates, military force would be required to prevent anarchy. Supplies given are grossly inadequate and poverty induced, rather than packaged with love and respect. How does anyone give majorly carbohydrates! Are we to solve covid and inherit kwashiorkor?! 

This is not the time to play superman or be distracted by the trolls of blame-game. This is the time to serve honestly. Without the people, there is no government. Let your heart of kindness speak loud and clear.

To encourage people to take ownership of the advocacy, it must be presented to them as “for you”. Stay alive for your loved ones... Stay alive for a better tomorrow. Reinforce the message of #stayhome #stayalive #staydignified which in my root language means #gbele #gbaye #gbayi.

May God grant you the wisdom to lead aright towards saving our land from the plague of covid in Jesus name.

Dr. Omolola Omoteso