Current Event- Lilli Wiegand

 The Corona Virus has been something that has struck almost every country throughout the whole world, with each handling it in their own unique way. There have been countries like the US who have shut down and limited parts of the country for months now. Italy, who completely shut down their whole country for a couple of weeks, and the complete opposite in Sweden where maks are rarely worn and there was never a country wide lockdown. However, Africa's second-most populous nation Ethiopia is taking an extra step to ensure the safety of their citizens. 

Ethiopia declared a state of emergency back in April, lifting it in September after they hit their peak in August. However, the attorney general's office said there are concerns that their citizens are "becoming lax after a state of emergency was lifted" In order to keep the country safe, Ethiopia can now jail people for up to two years if they deliberately violate the restrictions that the country has put in place. Shaking hands, not wearing a mask, seating more than three people at a table, and not staying six feet apart can all lead to jail time. The public is acting as if COVID is no longer there, which is why this law was put into place to stop the potential increase in cases. 

Compared to North America and Europe, Africa has not seen the huge wave of cases and deaths that many of other countries have. But in order to continue in the right direction, Ethiopian leaders among with many others are encouraging strict guidelines and laws to help avoid another major risk to public health.