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{
    "id": 994137,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/994137/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 231,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Prof.) Ongeri",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 124,
        "legal_name": "Samson Kegeo Ongeri",
        "slug": "samson-ongeri"
    },
    "content": "As we see it today, what has this COVID-19 done? It has displaced people from their jobs. There are no economic activities going on. People have been disoriented and separated from their normal daily pursuits. Even those who were involved in Jua Kali sector and the microenterprises, their incomes are very meagre at this stage. The ability to earn for the families has been completely disoriented. We now need to put that social problem into order. We need to work our populations to make sure that their daily earnings are useful and successful. Madam Temporary Speaker, the second thing that we have learnt is that we need a concerted action by both the national Government and county governments. They should be in state of preparedness to deal with a pandemic. This Report has given us an insight into what should be done every time, stage and moment to deal with a pandemic in a much more decisive manner. Thirdly, this disease has taught us one other thing. It is important to look at our own institutions internally and energize them in the way of research and development. In that manner, they can produce the necessary materials that are essential and important in dealing with a pandemic. For instance, the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has come out right on spot. It is one of our premier institutions. I am happy that it has given some kind of leadership within the African Continent in terms of research and development of the vaccine. Already, we know that there is a likelihood that once the protocol aspects are dealt with through the Scientific Ethics Review Unit (SERU) of KEMRI and National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI)--- Once a green light is given, we will be part of the participants in the vaccine trial which has been developed. We will be able to see whether can develop a vaccine to deal with this pandemic. Madam Temporary Speaker, sometimes we become very skeptical about some vaccines that are being developed. I do not think we should be skeptical once our scientists are fully seized of the problem and what I call the pathogenesis or the way the disease is developing. We now know that this is in the class of a virus. As a scientist, I know that it is just a mere protein coated by a film of fatty acids that behaves abnormally when it gets into the cells on the body, particularly when you inhale the droplets. They cause a lot of damage and difficulties in the lining of the lungs. That is why the first sign that they get is coughing episodes. Madam Temporary Speaker, there have been other areas that the scientists have suggested. Maybe this is affecting the clotting mechanism of the blood. What you are beginning to see is the deposits of small little thrombi when the blood clots. It breaks down into small pieces. It is what we call thrombi, when they are many, or thrombus, which is one. These pieces then go and clog the blood vessels in the lungs. They can cause what is called distress respiratory syndrome. You get distress in breathing and are not able to oxygenate your lungs appropriately and correctly. That is why you cannot survive unless you are put on a ventilator. Madam Temporary Speaker, the ventilator is a very useful item. We now see that even the most advanced countries like the USA, China, Italy, France and Britain were The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}