Zimbabwe public doctors strike over lack of virus protection

Zimbabwe's public hospital doctors went on strike on Wednesday over a lack of protective gear as the coronavirus begins to spread in a country whose health system has almost collapsed.

It's the latest blow to a system where some patients' families are asked to provide such basics as gloves and even clean water.

The Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association president, Tawanda Zvakada, said the hundreds of doctors are at "high risk" and will return to work when the government provides suitable protection: "Right now we are exposed and no one seems to care."
Civil servant Abraham Ofei disagreed: "If they do not do it early, by the time they decide it will be too late."
"Countrymen and women, I have gone 'round the city and I have seen for myself that many among us are not taking this COVID-19 seriously," Zambian President Edgar Lungu said in Lusaka. "I have seen multitudes patronizing bars or freely hugging and shaking hands at funerals, contrary to health advice."