Same Mirrors, Different Views

Elizabeth Bukusi*

“Are you really working?” My house staff (house helper) asked me. I had been at home on self quarantine for 2 weeks. She had only seen me twice between January and March 2020 - each time by making an appointment and coming on a day when I would be in the office and on a Sunday, early morning before I went to church.  Now she saw me every single day from a distance, since I was keeping to quarantine regulations avoiding all physical or close contact.  I assured her I was working, only that I did not go to the office because I had traveled to countries where people test positive for the virus.

“But how would those of us who live in Kibera (an informal settlement in Nairobi, said to be home to 250,000 people  in a 2.5 square km area) self-quarantine?  If one of us gets infected – would it not mean we all die?“ I explained the facts. 

Our realities were so different. I could work from home. I had my computer and phone and internet connection and could talk to and work with just about anyone in the world whom I had previously talked with or worked with. The only difference was the physical connection. But we were hosting meetings. We were discussing issues. We were talking of new studies  (including COVID-19 related ones).

For her, work has a physical aspect, she walks to work daily (30 to 40 minutes as using a motorbike costs money she would rather save or do something else with). Her work cannot be done remotely, she cannot work from home. More than ever she feels the need for job security – not wanting to lose her job at a time when finding similar work would be very difficult. Should I keep paying her but ask her to stay at home? Is that the ethical standpoint? Am I putting her at risk as she comes and goes?

The  COVID-19 concerns have the glaring face of inequity and privilege staring at me. I have space. I can choose which room to seclude myself in. I can order goods and services online. I have some money in an account to pay with. My COVID-19 is not hers. We stare at the looking glass and see very different images.

* Elizabeth Bukusi, MBE alumnus (2013), Chief Research Officer, Co-Director Research Care Training Program, Center for Microbiology Research, KEMRI, Nairobi, Kenya