27 March 2020

Friday · Day 1 of lockdown

On the first day of its lockdown, South Africa also recorded its first coronavirus death and its number of confirmed coronavirus cases surpassed 1 000. Meanwhile, in the US, coronavirus cases surpassed 100 000 and President Trump announced the country would acquire 100 000 ventilators in the next 100 days. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tested positive for the virus and began self-isolating at Downing Street. Cases continued to surge globally. More cities opened improvised morgues around the world. In Italy, a 102-year-old woman recovered from the coronavirus after spending 20 days in hospital.

We celebrated my gran’s 84th birthday today with cake and a little champagne. It felt a bit strange celebrating something on the first official day of the lockdown, but I believe that it made the day just a little more bearable.

I have quite a bad headache now and it is probably as a result of the sugar, but also because of all the anxiety that we are constantly exposed to at the moment. I cannot help but (irrationally!) think that I am ill as a result of the virus. Every little discomfort leads me to check the typical symptoms of Covid-19 sufferers.

Many people seemed to have ignored the lockdown and continued to go to shops (of course many people only received their payment today) – I wonder if it is going to continue like this if the army is going to be deployed to force people to cooperate. Ignoring the lockdown is seen as breaking the law and people can get arrested; I just cannot see what they will do with the people that have been arrested.

Earlier today it was also announced that the Prime Minister of the UK, Boris Johnson, as well as the UK health secretary, have tested positive for the virus. It is scary to think how many people they have been in contact with, all of whom are now possibly infected as well.

* * *

It is day one of lockdown and the streets are empty around my home. This made me proud as it means many have adhered to the warnings and decided to quarantine as instructed. I have received much conflicting or confusing information from the university during this period, but I believe that we will be having an extended holiday until online lessons commence on 20 of April. I’m thrilled! This gives me much time to mentally prepare myself for studying while at home. I have a feeling a lot is about to change for me. The country is changing, the world is changing, the economy is destined to change for the worse and my life is changing. I have decided that the best way forward is to ensure I keep myself informed on what is happening around the world and in my country.

* * *

I cannot take 20 more days of this. I need to get out for the sake of my own mental health, I feel trapped and caged. I do not know my own personality well but believe that I am generally a reserved person; my emotions tend to be masked around others. Only in brief moments of self-isolation do my emotions come to light and I address them. These moments of solitude provide me with personal insight and help me to de-stress and de-depress. I find I am the most revitalised after a long car ride to or from Stellenbosch. These car rides, or other moments alone, are when I can truly be vulnerable without having to put up a front or wear a mask. I find that now, even around my family, I still resort to the same defensive techniques. I fear that with this lockdown, I have no safe place to express my emotions.

* * *

In our house, today was all about Trump. My parents are quite tuned in to news about Trump and his shenanigans given that my sister studies in America. To quote The New Yorker, “The President‘s mendacious nightly press briefings on coronavirus will go down in history for their monumental flimflammery.”

Once again, I am reminded of the effect that sound leadership can have on a country during trying times: In contrast to President Ramaphosa, whose leadership and character are undeniable, the ‘Leader of the Free World’ makes spur-of-the-moment proclamations and creates doubt amongst his people.

* * *

Day one of lockdown. Our nation’s first confirmed Covid-19 death was recorded today. Rest in Peace.

Oddly enough, today just feels like a normal day at home. Perhaps it could be a particularly lazy Sunday or a public holiday. The streets are empty and the city is quiet, except for the police and army in and around the CBD [Cape Town Central Business District].

According to reports, in Langa and Nyanga, lockdown hasn’t been taken so seriously – videos have emerged of people loitering in the streets, attending social gatherings, going to the stores, and not really obeying the lockdown rules in any capacity. Also, in Yeoville, the police had to open fire on residents socialising and also questioned a News24 media agent.

* * *

Today is the first official day of lockdown and it feels like the beginning of a strange new era. Something that’s been bothering me is that the government has been granted access to data tracking in order to monitor the spread of the virus. This seems like a misuse of power and it also creates a very slippery slope. First of all, the data tracking could perhaps track one or two criminals, but what about the rest of the nation who are abiding by the lockdown? Furthermore, if government has been granted such broad power, these powers could easily be exploited and misused when the pandemic blows over. A lot of people have been arguing that there is often a trade-off between rights/privacy and protection, and while I do agree that it is true in some cases, the problem then becomes what if you lose both?

* * *

Today I genuinely had a great day. Who knew that there was so much to do in one’s own house?

I started the morning off with a lovely session of yoga with my mom. I personally have never been someone that is the biggest fan of yoga, but throughout this period of being trapped inside the space of four walls, I have really come to understand how some people can view yoga as an escape. It really allows you to open your mind and free your thoughts, while making you stronger and feel better.

My recent yoga has made me realise [that] I can be close minded about things and has taught me to open myself and try new things.

I read for a while, made myself a healthy breakfast and plucked up the courage to sit behind my desk and actually do some work. In a time like this where your days are empty and the clock seems to slow down, it is easy for me to get into my mind that there will always be time to do my work and catch up what I have missed. However, almost two weeks have gone by since university ended and I still haven’t managed to sit and work. So, I made today my day.

I learnt that being productive makes you feel better; efficiency is a good thing to practice.

After lunch it was time to set up my different stations, I gathered all the art supplies from around the house and all the gym equipment and accessories that I could find, and I put myself to work. I set up a station for my mom and I to do our art in the studio and organised a little home gym for the family.

And then I drew, and drew, and drew. And then suddenly it was dinner.

Art is my passion. If I had it my way I would be studying it, yet still before today, I could not remember the last time I had allowed myself to get lost in it to the point where I allow the hours to pass me by with little or no realisation. It was amazing, and I felt more like myself today.

* * *

I had a very different picture of how the next week or two was going to go and didn’t think a lockdown was on the cards. I do think that it is necessary and our country is taking the necessary precautions in the right time, it just feels so surreal though … like a dream, or more like a nightmare.

* * *

Today was the first official day of the lockdown in South Africa, and the measures taken have not exactly gone as planned. Many citizens carried on with their lives as if there was no order to stay home. Many people were arrested today in the Western Cape and Gauteng, including cyclists, runners, surfers and just normal pedestrians who were not out to buy food or medicine.

Alexandra seemed to be the biggest issue of the day; most people living in this informal settlement were found walking outside interacting with others like normal. In the news a resident was interviewed and said there was no point for them to isolate since they were already six to ten people living in a one-bedroom shack. The SADF were present and attempted to contain the situation but struggled as residents resisted which resulted in a few arrests by the military.

* * *

I don’t know how to describe today because it was kind of weird. The usual Friday energy that makes you excited that the weekend is here wasn’t there because I guess in a weird sort of way for the next few days every day is a weekend.

South Africa has had their first deaths as a result of Covid-19. My friend told me that she thinks the gravity of the virus will be felt in SA [South Africa] once there are deaths. Sad, but I understand what she means. For me, Covid-19 is a sort of mysterious virus. We know people are dying but they are also recovering. You can self-isolate it away, but it can also leave you in critical condition.

In related news, my mother thinks the shutdown is going to last until June … I really don’t want to think about that possibility.