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The coronavirus, which has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation, not only poses a great danger to millions of people across the globe but will dramatically alter routines as countries struggle to turn the tide on the threat. 

A pandemic is a disease that is spreading in multiple countries at the same time.

It is the kind of threat that will put to test our relationships as the global family as well as interactions in ordinary spaces at family level, travel, work, markets, schools, churches and entertainment spots. 

The result is likely to trigger suspicions that could hurt relations if not handled with due sensitivity. The virus has already claimed more than 5,200 lives with another 142,538 patients affected globally. 

Italy and Spain, which have suffered the brunt of the virus, have declared a total lockdown as US President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency and blocked all flights from Europe. 

At home, President Uhuru Kenyatta has set up an emergency team to deal the pandemic as Kenya on Friday reported its first Covid-19 virus case. Twenty two individuals who interacted with the patient have been isolated. 

It has been pointed out that Kenya’s health facilities are ill-equipped were the pandemic to hit our soil on big scale. Such an eventuality would be devastating. 

That is why every measure should be deployed to prevent the arrival and spread of the virus through increased surveillance, screening and swift response by authorities.

This calls for a great sense of both individual and State responsibility. We cannot afford to let our guard down.

That is why we must rally behind the government and adhere to expert measures and advisory to fight the pandemic.

Kenyans are advised to avoid mass gatherings, shaking hands, body touch, and non-essential travel. Traders have also been asked not to hike the prices of basic commodities. 

You are advised to wash your hands with soap and running water, cover mouth and nose while sneezing, use face masks if infected, keep a safe distance from a person who is coughing and stay at home if you have travelled to affected countries. 

More critically, caution should be taken to ensure alarmist information on social media is not used to ostracise individuals in a manner that could distort the war or cause fear.