Hannene Bessaklia. Argelia

10/06/2020

Hanene Bessaklia (Argelia) is a hydraulic engineer and has a Master’s in Water Science and Management. She belongs to a network of ex-interns from the programme ‘Learn Africa’, through which she conducted an investigation at the Institute of Ambiental Hydraulics of the University of Cantabria.

Fear that the pandemic has brought on the infringement of some fundamental rights

I understood that this virus was exceptional

In a calm day like any other, in the first week of January 2020, I was watching news on YouTube from my phone, before going to sleep. There was a video that caught my attention: a disease had appeared in Wuhan, China, it spread quickly, by people touching each other, coughing and sneezing. Its symptoms would become visible 14 days later. The infected person could, during these days, infect it to people from their surroundings. I immediately felt that the situation was serious and would be one that would develop quickly throughout the world. I discussed it with my family and my husband told me not to worry, as it was far. Two weeks later, the World Health Organization declared this disease as a serious epidemic and emphasized the need for preventive measures.

The detection of the first case of coronavirus in Argelia

In Argelia, the first case of Coronavirus was detected on the 25^th of February and, later on, in the beginning of March, authorities detected an outbreak in the Blida province (wilaya), what is now considered to be the epicentre of Covid-19 in Argelia. Algerian authorities quickly adopted measures to efficiently fight this pandemic–which, with all of its strength, has hit humanity–with the goal of preventing any further spread.

Some of Argelia’s preventive measures are the following:

• On the 12^th of March, Algerian authorities ordered closing all schools, universities and professional training centres. Students followed online classes from their homes. In Blida, the confinement was absolute.
• The suspension of Friday prayers, collectives and the closure of mosques.
• The closure of all borders with neighbouring countries, and the authorisation of movement only in exceptional cases.
• The immediate suspension of all flights from, and to, Argelia, except of cargo planes. The immediate suspension of all maritime navigation, except of cargo ships transporting goods and merchandise.
• Special paid holidays for the personnel of public administrations and institutions
• Suspension of all transport of passengers, with the exception of paid transport of employees by their respective employers
• Aid concessions to citizens affected by labour disruption due to Coronavirus.

Despite these measures, the number of positive cases keeps increasing. There is a part of the population that does not fully comprehend the gravity of the situation, nor the risks that the virus can present to themselves and others, their own parents and children. This forces the government to take further measures such as the obligation to wear a mask. If they do not comply, they face the risk of paying a fine.

Distribution by sex of confirmed cases

According to Wikipedia (https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pand%C3%A9mie_de_Covid-19_en_Alg%C3%A9rie), from the 15^th May onwards, out of 302 registered cases, 157 were men (51.9%) and 145 were women (48.1%).

Shape: Graph that shows distribution by sex of confirmed cases from the 15^th May 2020.

How is the pandemic affecting our country and our communities?

The difficulty to fight COVID-19 is a long-term crisis with no obvious end in sight. No one can predict if it will end in a week, a month or three. No one can predict the real impact on our economies and communities, especially because this crisis holds an international dimension, and the responses of countries greatly differ.

It is probable that after this pandemic, some fundamental human rights will be affected, such as the right to travel and free circulation, to work, to education and healthcare. For all, this means going into the unknown.

Gradual de-escalation in Argelia

The government has decided to completely lift confinement in 4 provinces (wilayas), in effect the 30^th May 2020, and could extend this to other provinces, if they comply with the preventive measures. The de-escalation measures were fuelled by statistics showing stabilized numbers in confirmed cases.

They have opted for a partial confinement from 17h-7h in 16 provinces for an additional period of 15 days, and of 19h-7h in the remaining provinces for the same additional period, beginning 30^th may.

My opinion on covid-19

I am still very worried about my small family (my husband and young baby), my siblings, and my parents who live 1000 km away from me, especially my mother with chronic diseases.

Despite all this, I have always stayed optimistic and strong about overcoming this challenging period and will continue to take care of my family to fight against this pandemic.

Translated by Annamaria Robles