The Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, yesterday, said as far as Covid-19 was concerned, “We’re acting on facts, not fear. When you act on fear, then, you’re in a dangerous place”.

He said this against the backdrop of evident fears on the faces of people especially, how a majority of the people was believed to have been acting out of panic and fear.

Although his words sounded true to many situations, the truth is that when you actually deal with the facts as presently being reeled off on account of Coronavirus, fear isn’t just existential but inevitable.

CNN reported yesterday that one Iranian dies every ten minutes. That’s a fact but scary. Italy recently reportedly buried 168 people in one day and currently on lockdown as the worst hit, even more than China. That’s a fact, but scary.

Covid-19 is in all the states of the US with a lot of places shut down. That’s a fact, but scary. Tom Hanks and wife had tested positive for Covid-19. That’s a fact but scary.

Eedris Elba is on the list. Fact but scary. The wife of Canada’s PM was said to be positive too. That’s a fact but scary. UK’s health minister was also said to have it. That’s a fact but scary.

Nigeria has moved from one case of the unknown Italian to over nine cases with government on the trail of over 1,000 people. That’s a fact but scary.

Fact also is that as at today, there’s no universally approved vaccine or antidote for the virus except that we’re all observing personal hygiene and taking responsibility where and when necessary.

There are also projections that this might go on for as long as 18 months. Those are disturbing facts and as such, fears come natural with them.

I dare say it is okay to be afraid and in fact, within the right of everyone to so be. This is not the time for motivational speaking, but actions with results are all that’s required of every leadership, with support and cooperation from all of us.

Thus, while our leaders continue to work on the facts for desired results, the fears being expressed currently by the led are genuine and not out of place. After all, the facts occasioned the fears.