The Aged Association of Saint Augustine in Tanzania,

COVID-19 pandemic and the Elderly

The Elderly in Tanzania according to the National Elderly Policy include both a man and woman who has 60 years of age and above. This person is most likely has retired in active employment service in the public or private sectors. The Elderly may still be engaged in employment terms but mostly on part-time basis, on consultation or on self-employment. In accordance with the last National Census of the year 2012, about 2,507,568 people (5.6 percent of the entire National Population of 45,000,000) were in the category of 60 years of age and above. Women were 1,307,358 and men were 1,200,210. It is estimated that by the year 2050, there will be 8.3 million elders (about 10% of all the national population). At the moment, the number of the Elderly people in Tanzania is even bigger according to section 2.2.4 of the Constitution of the Retired and Aged Association of Saint Augustine in Tanzania which provides that on old person is one who has 50 years and above. This calls for joint efforts by the Nation and the Church in general to have strategies to engender the growing large group of Elders in Wisdom and Love.

The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions in Tanzania

As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, Tanzania experienced its first victim in March 2020 in Arusha city; the news spread across the country and in major urban areas where in-ward migration with the outside world is high, the news was received largely received with fear and panic. At first ‘Corona’ was seen as a disease for well-off people who travelled and brought the disease to the city. However, as the number of local infections increased, the urban centers were hit hard with the reality of the pandemic.

The need to put food on the table for the majority of urban dwellers largely influenced protection and prevention choices both at household, community and government levels. Even against the threat of infections and possible deaths the question of lock-down (even partial) was out of question and this became government policy and at levels aggressive measures to raise public awareness on handwashing, social distancing and the wearing of protective masks was done to ensure that the rate of infection was slowed.

Even though COVID-19 results in significant social changes, it has not changed the way the older adults’ perception of spending the rest of their lives at their homes or in an aged care home. Some developed a fear of death when they were made aware of COVID-19 and had very little faith that they could overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. The overarching message however, was that older adults believe that ‘this too shall pass’ and regain their freedom that was lost during this era of the pandemic.

What is observed in Tanzania is that, although there is no accumulated data on the number of elders who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and fell sick or died, many congregations and parishes have attended the Elderly persons who have been sick at their households, at Aged hones or grace over the increased frequency of burial ceremonies. Unpublished church reports show that the majority of those who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and sometimes dying are mostly from the age of 50 and above. Few of the leaders of the Association have felt ill while some have died. This occurrence is observed all over the country.

In ensuring that the Elderly (and especially those who are suffering from other diseases) are protected from contacting the COVID-19 virus, they are being urged to stay at home to avoid vising sites with congestion of people. When the Elderly get out of their homes, they are however, advised to wear face masks, wash their hands with water and soap or use hand sanitizers. It has also been noted that the

youth are not very much contacting the virus, thus, children are asked not to frequently visit their parents that may transfer the virus to them. In fact, grand children are also kept away from the Elderly people.

In overall, it is perceived that the COVID-19 pandemic has curtailed social interactions by reducing face to face meetings and caused illness and death to some of the members of the Retired and Aged Association of Saint Augustine in Tanzania. Although, there are no restrictions to attend church services in Tanzania, some Elderly people fear such gatherings including mass attendance. In addition, the number of meetings by the Association at different levels have been reduced somehow in order to limit infection of the COVID-19 virus.

It may be concluded here that whilst the Elderly should not be separated from the community and denied health, economic, and welfare facilities; the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the activities of the Elderly and the Association across levels, requiring God prayers and blessings, protection and calling the Almighty God to end the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fr. Gregory Mashtaki,

Spiritual Adviser Anglophone Africa