Gambian migrants in Europe break the silence on COVID-19

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By SULAYMAN WAAN

Gambians based in various countries in Europe have broken the silence on Coronavirus amid myths, speculations and denials.

They said that they are staying safe as none of them is infected with the Coronavirus pandemic at the moment despite its wide spread in Europe.

Many European countries had declared state of emergency and lockdown amid the Coronavirus that started from China and goes around the globe.

Several Gambian families are concerned about the wellbeing of their loved ones in Europe, especially the economic migrants.

The Monitor conducted an interview with several Gambians in Europe via WhatsApp.

Buba Sowe, Gambian based in Villanova D’asti region of Italy said despite the wide spread of the COVID-19 in Italy he and Gambian residing within the same vicinity are in are healthy and staying safe.

“I was communicating with many Gambian youth in Italy and Spain but they all told me that, they are fine at the moment,” he said.

He added that he is yet to get news of any Gambian infected with this deadly disease in Italy.

When asked about the situation of Gambian migrants at refugee camps, he told this medium that he is not at the camp but communicating with many Gambians at various camps who said and are all fit and safe.

“We are only affected by the lockdown because we are all indoors throughout. We only go out to buy foods at the supermarket,” he disclosed.

Sheriff Waan, Gambian in Lyon, France said: “I am not with any Gambian at the moment but in touch with some of them recently. All the Gambians I communicated with said they are fine.

Adama Jobe, Gambian residing in Citta Prato town in the Toscana Region, Italy told this reporter that the global pandemic has affected Italians severely.

Concerning the rumor of Gambians infected in Italy, he said all the Gambians he communicates with are in good conditions of health and never told him anything about any of them or Gambian acquaintances who is infected with the disease.

“I did not come across or know about any Gambian infected with COVID-19 in Italy at the moment. The only challenges we facing here is that we have to spend much time on queues to buy foods from supermarkets,” he stated.

Musa Baldeh, Gambian student at Linkoping University in Sweden said many Gambian students pursuing master’s degree in Sweden had a WhatsApp group where they chat and update one another on issues of their of concern but none of them are reported to be COVID-19 positive.

Baldeh said he cannot dilate on the current situation of all Gambians in the northern Europe because he is at the university campus, but added: “I’m only in contact with two Gambians in Linkoping City but they have no complaints associated with the virus.

Momodou Jallow, also Gambian in Italy said his fellow countrymen in Korosna camp are all well.

Jallow noted that all the Gambian he is in torch with told him that they are all safe and healthy so far.

For Pateh Jobe, Gambia resided in Vellencia in France said he is also in touch with some Gambians in some European country but none of them ever inform him about any Gambian proved to be COVID-19 positive.