21 March 2020

Saturday · six days before lockdown

South Africa had 240 confirmed cases of Covid-19 – the second highest number of confirmed cases for an African country. The government began publishing the specific details of each case according to province. Gauteng province, for instance, had 16 cases, and one of the cases was “a 67-year-old male who had travelled to France and Ethiopia”. South African Airways announced that it would suspend all regional flights. In the United Kingdom (UK), Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for pubs, gyms, theatres, cinemas and restaurants to close immediately and indefinitely. The total coronavirus death toll for the UK increased by 53.

This term was clearly very stressful – the evidence is the spasm in my jaw from clenching my teeth. I went to the doctor to get anti-inflammatory medicine. However, these meds (sometimes) have severe cardiovascular side-effects and I started experiencing some of these symptoms including, wait for it, extreme difficulty to breathe. Needless to say, given that this is one of the symptoms for corona, I sort of freaked out because what if I contracted this virus [at] the airport and now placed my father at risk? Luckily, I figured out that it was the medicine and after a while it wore off. I’m usually a very calm-minded and rational person, but I have to admit, I did panic. The level of awareness that I am practicing at the moment is exhausting – not just regarding hygiene. I am checking my emails regularly for updates on SunLearn activities, academic deadlines, etc. I am also watching the news and cross-checking everything I hear to guard against fake news, which could be detrimental during this time. We hear so many statistics everyday that it’s hard to think in terms of actual people dying. I think there is a huge danger of people becoming desensitised to the effects of the virus.

* * *

Today has probably been the most challenging day yet. I feel like my mind hasn’t taken a break. There are just so many unknown factors right now and I don’t know how to fully prepare myself. I like to plan and to know how things are going to be. It is driving me crazy with everything being so fluid at the moment. I understand it must be difficult for the university to give us clear answers as to what is going to happen exactly in the coming weeks, but it is so difficult to know what head space to be in and how to prepare. […] I just feel like I need a break from it all to focus on other things and pretend that life is normal, even just for a minute.

* * *

I realised today that people only care about things that affect them directly. A family friend turned 50 today and I declined to go to the party, but my family still want to proceed with my grandmother’s 70th birthday party. This does not seem fair to me.[…] I’ve come to the conclusion that it is our civil duty to educate those around us on how we’re supposed to act and act in union with the rest of the world, even if said people are your own family.

* * *

Today I went hiking up Lion’s Head with two friends. Later, my family from Switzerland called me and informed me that their government implemented a state of emergency. From now on no stores will [be] open, apart from pharmacies and grocery stores. Hospital visits are only allowed for emergencies. Everyone is to stay at home and gatherings of more than 6 persons are forbidden. I suspect that South Africa will enforce similar arrangements if the situation gets worse. For now, I am glad that some gyms and stores haven’t closed yet. It still feels like a holiday at the moment.

* * *

There is so much going on around the world, as well as in my own life, that I don’t even know where to start, but I’ll begin with my arrival at home because that was quite a new experience. Normally, when I get home, I am greeted with leaps and licks from my little yorkshire terrier, and then three warm hugs from my brother, mother and father. This time the terrier was the only one who felt comfortable touching me – [this] human had just been through two airports. My family were happy to see me, but my mother gave me strict instructions to shower and change before we engaged in any physical contact (as is to be expected from a professional nurse turned nursing services area manager).

* * *

My mother is convinced that there will be a lockdown on Gauteng (despite the presidential spokesperson denying such plans) and is trying to force me to come home. Honestly, I think I’ll go crazy being with all my family everyday for the foreseeable future. If there is a lockdown in Gauteng specifically, I won’t be able to sell my clothes from home and madness will be inevitable. On the other hand, Stellenbosch has become a ghost town and I don’t know how much longer I’ll be okay here. Tomorrow, I’ll make a pros and cons list to decide. […] Everytime Stellenbosch gets quiet (supplementary [exams] time, etc.) people become unruly. Lately, my girlfriends and I are being harassed more than usual by random men.

* * *

This evening my sisters, my mom and I realised we haven’t watched our soapies in a while, so we binge watched Suidooster and basically spent the evening shouting at the TV screen, as most coloured families do. It felt good to just be home spending time with my family. I know that at some point during this pandemic these feelings are going to change, so I’m embracing them while they’re here. I don’t know how I’m going to survive being back home with both my parents and siblings at the same time. […] The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the country increased from 116 to 150 today. Apparently South Africa has the fastest growing rate of this virus compared to other countries. At this point it looks like we might have a complete lockdown.

* * *

I often go for coffee with my old high school English teacher when I am in Johannesburg and he suggested we continue our tradition despite the virus-related chaos that has gripped the city. I was reluctant at first as he is over 60 and is therefore classified as being part of the ‘high risk’ group, but he insisted. At the café the waiter offered us some hand sanitiser before taking our order. When I ordered a rock shandy, the waiter refused saying they are not allowed to serve alcoholic drinks anymore. I thought that was a bit funny – are they afraid of people becoming overly affectionate after having one too many? I know that I have not been taking the virus seriously enough up until now. From tomorrow onwards I will not be leaving my house unless it is absolutely necessary.

* * *

Today I had a really interesting conversation with my godfather, not only about Covid-19 and what’s to come for South Africa, but also about the state of South African universities – with special reference to NSFAS and its shortcomings.

On Covid-19

He believes as the virus becomes more widespread, it will shed light on government corruption and on persistent inequalities in the country. We laughed over a meme that’s been making the rounds that pokes fun at African leaders during this time. The meme said something along the lines of: “African leaders can no longer run away to rich countries to seek treatment if they are sick. Now we (as African citizens) are equal to them.” This made me pause and wonder, how are African leaders feeling right now? Does it make them feel better that the global North is in the same predicament as them, and that the situation there is far worse (for now)?

I thought, maybe for a lot of African governments and leaders, it must feel as though there’s an invisible countdown clock on their shoulder. They know what’s about to come, but to a large extent, they are unequipped to handle it. Not just because there is a lack of resources, but because within a lot of African governments there is a lack of competency. My dad said the Chinese are definitely being the ones to bring about a cure, I mentioned the possibility of Africans bringing a cure – I was met with silence and eye rolls …

On SA Universities and NSFAS

My godfather believes it is a failing system. I get him, I really do, but having friends who are recipients of NSFAS, I understand the necessity for a system like it. We spoke about how students exploit the system (by using funds for other ‘less academic’ activities), but we also spoke about possible alternatives to the system. Instead of paying students directly, why doesn’t it work in such a way that the Allan Gray Fellowship works (fees being paid directly to the varsity)? […] I had to note, though, that I speak from a privileged perspective. I am lucky enough to have received a fellowship that provides a lot of financial support. I often feel guilty when I take part in conversations like this. I think to myself: do I have the right to voice alternatives when I do not live that experience?

* * *

The news this week has been all about how people, from all walks of life, are reacting to the pandemic. In today’s edition of The Daily Maverick, there was criticism of those in high income positions who are either selfishly panic buying or not taking the pandemic seriously at all, instead continuing to socialise with their friends. A lot of recognition has gone out to the ‘helpers’ in this situation – doctors, nurses and the like. They are the superheroes in this story.