Audio By Carbonatix
Thursday 11 March marks one year since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared coronavirus a global pandemic.
Journalists in African countries have been sharing their experiences of covering the disease.
"I would say Covid-19 has taken over my reporting," says Ange Iliza, who writes for The East African newspaper and is based in Rwanda's capital, Kigali.
"It's had a huge impact on me - from the way I work to the way I cover stories, to the way I live," she tells BBC OS on World Service radio.
"I choose to [work from home] because I fear that if I go out I might catch the virus. And although I'm young and I might not get seriously sick, I live with my family."
Iliza says Rwanda has done a "pretty good job" at containing the virus, adding that "there's hope at least now that we've seen people getting vaccinated" and "the government is in negotiations to acquire more".
Tebogo Monama, a senior journalist for News24 in South Africa, says she initially thought the virus would be under control in a few months.
"When I first heard news of a new virus emerging from China I was not worried. I first started worrying when reports emerged from Italy showing high rates of death, overcrowded hospitals and the very sombre funerals. It was heart breaking."
She feels her government responded well, placing South Africa under "a very hard" lockdown.
"At the time, only healthcare workers and other essential workers could go to work. Everyone else was stuck in their houses. You were not allowed to go for a walk, you were not allowed to go to the beach, you were not allowed to buy alcohol or cigarettes. The only things that you could find were essential foods.
"Even though I had a choice, I opted to work from home. Because I live alone I had to adjust to always being by myself. I didn't interact with anyone other than people at supermarkets for about seven months.
"At the same time I was also worrying about my sister who works at a public hospital as a radiographer.
"Public hospitals did not have enough PPE, so I was worried what would happen if she ever contracted the disease. But luckily her and all of my other family members never contracted Covid-19."
Latest Stories
-
Insist on VAT receipt to ensure full benefit of reduced taxes – GRA appeal to shoppers
7 minutes -
JoyNews launches ‘Roads of Peril’ on January 8 to expose dangers lurking on Ghana’s roads
10 minutes -
Bawumia outperformed Kufuor in first election, can lead NPP to victory – Oppong Nkrumah
16 minutes -
Cedi appreciation began under NPP, not NDC – Kojo Oppong Nkrumah
28 minutes -
Photos: Asantehene pays historic visit to the Ghana Police Service Headquarters
42 minutes -
Restrain supporters from attacking journalists ahead of flagbearership contest – GJA warns NPP
52 minutes -
President Mahama to cut sword for commencement of Accra-Kumasi Expressway construction
1 hour -
Ghana ranks 6th best English-speaking country in Africa, 36th globally – EF Index
2 hours -
National Gun Amnesty urges voluntary surrender of firearms to strengthen national peace
2 hours -
Cedi appreciation didn’t start under the NDC; it started in 2024 under the NPP — Kojo Oppong Nkrumah
2 hours -
Mahama commends Lands Minister as anti-galamsey efforts show signs of success
2 hours -
The Quiet Subversion of Esther Adeola Seriki’s “Everyday Grace”
2 hours -
Zelensky replaces Ukraine’s powerful security service chief
2 hours -
Man Utd hold talks with trio over caretaker role
2 hours -
High Commissioner Harruna Attah advances AfCFTA agenda through November in Namibia Business Forum
2 hours
