The business of reporting in a period of uncertainty can be traumatic for several reasons. While there are several things to consider, one thing stands out: Being a frontline media worker, one has every reason to be careful beyond measures. Apart from avoiding a number of places, and even people; everyone out there depends on you as a source of information. While serving as a source, yours sincerely can never be an island. It is an interesting scenario to source for news through other credible sources also. The fun is in knowing how others make the use of the opportunities. This exercise, without doubt makes our going in and out the more captivating as it can be challenging by each passing day. The challenge is always to ensure that all those on the home front are kept assured and to do that, all you needed is some reminder that everyone out there depends on what is to be published the next day. As one drives out of the area, there are inquisitive and peering eyes as if to ask: Is he not aware that movement is restricted by government? Where could he be driving to? At some point, I got irritated explaining to a few who may have thought I had no business going out; and may not have had any idea that I have been a news vendor for the most part of my working career. Satisfied on each turn, I am quick to imagine what could be on their mind as one gets back to the community of residence; where every evening, there are more people out rehashing what their experiences. It should be understood; yours sincerely does not possess any extra-ordinary powers, therefore as a mortal, I naturally should have a trace of fear running in my veins. Under the current situation, I am reminded that the first law is still: Be responsible to yourself by protecting oneself, even if everyone is irresponsible. As a result, each day I remind myself by taking all necessary precaution, knowing that no one else can for me; even as it is important to be aware that any form of carelessness could cause harm to others. But I have been assured repeatedly, that in time like this, all we can is to look up to God as recorded in Numbers 21:4-9 For a Reporter, where would one go that there won’t be need to be worried? Right from the home front, the children: Nenmanbul, Konyiminen, Retyilnan, Shellong and Anabel were used to the instruction: Do not let anyone enter the house without using the hand sanitizer. With every knock on the door, any one of them would be ready with soap and or the sanitizer. They believe the story they are told as well as the protocols of staying safe from it. I have tried to count the number of check points to be stopped before getting to the office. It got frustrating at some point, but, to be candid; the politeness of some of the officials could be intoxicating and reassuring that there is civility yet remaining in some operatives of the agencies, particularly vigilantes and neighbourhood watch teams. With a valid official THE NIGERIA STANDARD pass displayed on the car screen, it served useful purposes, no doubt by making the security operatives open the road to pass to get to the office. Just as I settled to work on April 20, 2020, the unexpected happened. Through a phone call, I was informed Nenkitpalng J Gobum needed attention. Actually she has had a health challenge, for which only God would have sorted it out. By the time I got home she was already in a neighbour’s waiting to be transported to the morgue. Everyone in the house expectedly was wearing a mournful mood. She was a sweet girl, who loved people and singing. This song: ‘Jesus loves me; this I know for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong’ was an elixir to her happiness. The journey to Plateau Specialist Hospital was tasking, nonetheless, it was worth taking her to the hospital. Note that we had been under complete lockdown as a result of Covid-19. The number of cars which accompanied us with her remains to the hospital suggested she was loved. Whatever was in the minds of the security operatives as we drove to the hospital melted their disposition for all questions as to what we were doing on the streets. By our sheer numbers in the cars, it was apparent they needed no soothsayer to tell that them we were bereaved and heading to the hospital. We made it to the hospital and had her deposited. However, the experience of being attended to starting at the Emergency did not scare, but startled the remaining strength we had reserved for mourning. No sooner had we made our presence at one of the Nurses’ Station than this lady startled us: ‘Social distance, move, move away from here’, she bellowed while mentioning the distance we had to maintain. Anyone who didn’t know what was happening would imagine we had been suspected otherwise. Not done, after my younger brother had sharply reacted, she retorted in Hausa: Ai ba ni na kashe ta ba, meaning, ‘I wasn’t the one who killed her’, she said it without minding if we had just lost a daughter. That was when the lion in Officer (for that is what I call my younger brother was let loosed from the cage of patience). Frankly I did not hear that (I had stepped out of the office having been pissed off by the action), but going by his reactions, it was apparent she had said it. She made no fuse about it. He was uncontrollable even as the others working in the same office realized where their colleague got it wrong. We left but were determined to discover her identity. We did finally. We got to know that she is a doctor and allegedly married to a pastor. That ate my heart. That immediately weakened my spirit, as she became a point for concern; as everyone who is told the story wondered why such people work to save lives. Truly speaking, the ‘air she wore’ was as if she is a doctor ‘listening to two voices at the same time’, each telling her she was right and we were intruders. What we also later discovered about her indicate a woman who could hurt a fly. One thing was certain: We may not know what amount of frustration workers take to their work places. Perhaps, she was in a mood? That week we worked extra hard to bury her. The resources came from various quarters, God working through men to bless us. As a result of the pandemic, we ensured all protocols were observed. The lockdown couldn’t allow us stay in the village. That Saturday evening of April 25, 2020, we returned to Jos despite the view that we made the stay in the village last three days. No one needed to educate us that the next day was Sunday, when the next phase of lockdown would begin. The choice was in the interest of all. The sight that annoys concerned people in the state is the number of cars that are seen on the highways each day. While there are genuine workers on essential work, there are a number who didn’t have any business being out. That number was increased by the activities of some security personnel who allegedly compromised their positions for the love of lucre and granting access to those who sought for it. Each day comes with different stories of how people, vehicles and goods were allowed free entry into and out of the state. Local government chairmen whose areas had such challenges would tell how they had to fight motorists and several others who may be returning home or ferrying goods into and out of the state to stem the tide. For this, the state was hit. It turned things around, as it opened the floodgate of other cases. The statistics is becoming worrisome, to the point those who became conscious did so knowing the stakes were daily turning high. Too bad, the index case manifested through sheer negligence on one of our entry points. But her case became twisted as no sooner had she been tested than every social media platform was awash with the test result. That infuriated the government and everyone who knows how the protocols work. The development led to the suspension of the director, Public Health; a man who works like a mule and stickler to details. Life could be cruel. All day he cannot be missed at his table without a genuine cause. The lockdown can be frustrating; yet waiting to listen to details of what is happening can be the more nerve wrecking. The expectations that come at the end of each lockdown through the speech of the state governor can be high. No wonder, on each of the free days the traffic holdup that Jos streets are left to grapple with cannot be more annoying than when you visit the banks. If standing in the queue would enable one meet up with the transactions schedule, pray tell me what customers would do if there was only a bank? The battle is yet from being won. Those who know are conscious that we have a long road ahead of us. If we must win the battle, all must take responsibility.