Renowned media personality, author, and human rights advocate Janet Mbugua has made a heartfelt plea to Kenyans to take extra precautions as an aggressive flu-like illness spreads rapidly. The 41-year-old mother of two recently revealed that she and her entire family were hospitalized after contracting the severe flu, forcing her to cancel a major career opportunity in the United States.
Sharing her ordeal from the hospital, Janet expressed deep disappointment at missing out on professional commitments due to the sudden illness. “You map out your life, your travels, your work… and then boom a ninja, COVID-like sickness strikes. Suddenly, your entire family is down, and you’re left sending a million apologies, feeling hurt, confused, and yes, even ashamed not just for yourself but for those who were counting on you,” she emotionally shared.
She highlighted the significant impact of the illness on her plans and those who had worked alongside her, emphasizing the frustration of lost opportunities. Despite this setback, Janet chose to celebrate key milestones, including her feature in LinkedIn’s ‘20 Women Changing the World’ list and the one-month anniversary of her show Fixing The Nation on NTV Kenya and Nation FM.
Janet also used her platform to urge the public to adopt safety measures such as masking up in crowded places, warning that many people were severely ill. “This virus is no joke. So many people are seriously unwell right now,” she cautioned.
Her message resonates at a time when many Kenyans have reported experiencing persistent colds, flu, and other respiratory issues. With memories of the COVID-19 pandemic still fresh, questions arise about whether the country would be willing to embrace health protocols again, including mask-wearing.
As the debate on public health preparedness continues, Janet’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of viral infections and the importance of taking preventive measures. Have you or someone you know been affected by this flu-like illness? Would you be willing to return to the era of masks for the sake of public health?
