3 April 2020
Friday · Day 8 of lockdown
On day eight of lockdown, the South African government announced the relaxation of some measures. These included the reopening of spaza shops (and other informal food traders) and allowing the relatives of deceased persons to travel interprovincially. The BBC lauded South Africa for its swift and efficient response to the virus, but also questioned some of its methods, saying “South Africa seems to have acted faster, more efficiently, and more ruthlessly than many other countries around the world”. The US had the highest number of infections in the world, but Italy had the globe’s highest death toll. In China, restrictions tightened amidst fears of a second wave of infections.
There have been some days where I have deemed it appropriate to say nothing much really happened. But today, when I say nothing happened, I mean absolutely zero happened. This lockdown period has really shown me what it means to have nothing to do. […] I have tried to be ‘productive’ and learn about music theory, study a bit of philosophy etc., but I find it difficult to find inspiration in anything when I am consistently looking at the same walls, eating the same food and seeing the same two friends (the fact that I am lucky to have friends to see is even more disturbing).
I am second guessing my decision to stay in Stellenbosch and in South Africa in general. I am Zimbabwean, and although I know that at home I would already have been butting heads with my parents, life might be a tad more interesting at least.
It may seem that I am writing with an undertone of sadness, but that isn’t what I feel at all. The word should be indifference. I am simply indifferent about everything right now. This must be what happens when you don’t have any choices in life. Not sad, angry, frustrated or happy, just indifferent. It is a very weird sensation to notice.
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Today seemed to fly by. I attempted to clean my room but didn’t get very far, but I guess it is better than nothing. I also spent some time doing some academic work and planned a new project for myself. I feel like I’m slowly starting to get used to this and everyday seems a bit more normal than the last. I feel like I have completely distanced myself from what is going on right now. I am living in my little bubble and don’t hate it. Sometimes I watch the news, but I find being unaware of the stats and what is happening is better for my mental wellbeing than being completely consumed by the news, which is how it was for a while.
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I’ve noticed that more and more people in our neighbourhood are starting to come out of their houses, not in a way that is breaking the law, but rather by utilising their gardens and driveways more. We live in a crescent, and because of this it feels a lot more interactive. Everyone can see what is happening on the opposite side of the crescent. I like this because it reminds me that people do still exist. It is very nice to hear kids playing and laughing. I enjoy silence but can only handle it for so long. This time must be so tough for people living alone.
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Cabin fever is a real thing. Lockdown is starting to get to me psychologically and emotional. Being so far from my friends and having to adjust to home life again is taking its toll, but at the end of the day I do realise that lockdown is necessary and only for my benefit.
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We are living through an incredibly difficult time. Our lives have been placed on hold and we have no idea what the future will look like.
Even with no guarantee of the future, I am still grateful for our president, Cyril Ramaphosa. Unlike many presidents across the world (e.g. Donald Trump), our president has come forth as a formidable leader, exhibiting the characteristics of compassion and composure. He has been efficiently imposing restrictions that are aimed at ensuring the safety of all South Africans.
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I am starting to suffer from cabin fever. I decided to take my chances and to walk 10km along the [Cape] Peninsula. It was an incredibly good idea because it was an amazing release and it put me in better headspace to be active and specially to see the sea. Despite many police vehicles patrolling, not a single one stopped me or even looked twice – a few even waved hello to me! This makes me question how seriously the authorities are taking the lockdown in certain areas and how flexible the rules actually are…
Previously, I voiced my concerns over the safety of refugees living in St. George’s Square in Cape Town. They have since been evicted from the Methodist Church they were staying in, and they travelled by bus to Belville. Here, marquees have been set up for them to live in and be provided with basic resources and amenities. The action was taken on the basis of health and safety concerns.
The government confirmed again that you may not buy cigarettes. They did say it’s just “for now” though. The number of cases in SA has now broken the 1 500 mark and the number deaths have jumped to seven. However, experts (both local and international) are praising South Africa for its swift and extreme approach, keeping the number of deaths and the rate of infection low.
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For the first time since its inception, I participated today in clapping and whistling for those going out to work. I had initially decided not to do so as I didn’t want to mindlessly follow a herd mentality, but today I whistled as hard as I could at 8:00 am. If felt therapeutic.
I wonder if the apocalypse were to begin tomorrow, and the lockdown were therefore to go on indefinitely, would these cheers become the new form of church? Or take over another form of social integration? It produces a simple pleasure knowing that you are not alone; there are other families too outside the four wooden fences encompassing your home.
I think I have mentioned it a few times before in this diary, but I am really missing the outside world. My house has never felt so much like a claustrophobic environment. I miss the feeling of getting lost in places and finding new spaces. I think most of all I miss unfamiliar faces.
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My friends and I discussed the Covid-19 virus over the phone. There were many ideas floating around about how the lockdown will affect the economy and if it will completely stop the spread of the virus. Current times are very uncertain, and it is very difficult to predict what next week will look like, much less next month. I strongly believe that the lockdown is a necessary measure in slowing the spread of the virus and helping the long run economy. I also believe that an extension of the lockdown will slowly begin to destroy the economy. Yes, we must stop the spread of the virus because, if half of South Africa get infected, our economy will collapse. A strong counter argument is that, if we extend the lockdown too long, then the majority of local businesses will go bankrupt. The government needs to analyse these arguments and decide on a middle ground. The economy will collapse if either of the extremes are adopted. The government is faced with a difficult decision. Do they risk the health of the nation by lifting the lockdown restrictions? Alternatively, do they risk the future of every non-essential business in the country?
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The health minister has made plans to make 60 mobile testing units available across South Africa in order to help ramp up daily testing. Without efficient testing the government will never grasp the full image of the virus and will struggle to implement effective strategies to help combat its spread. The number of cases continues to rise. The deputy minister of health also mentioned that the government is struggling to get access to the necessary medical supplies needed for the health workers on the frontline. […] 17 people have been arrested in Johannesburg for not complying with the lockdown regulations.
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Today I woke up at 7:00 am. I had laundry to wash and a room to clean. I began my day by making a hot lemon solution and after that I did my laundry for two hours. I prepared myself a breakfast of jungle oats and fresh milk, and then started making my meal for the day. I was planning to prepare rice, beetroot, chakalaka and beef stew. I started with the rice and then went to Checkers to buy canned chakalaka. When I got home, I changed my mind and made fried fish instead of making stew to save time. I prepared the hake and when I was done, I invited my friend […] for lunch. He brought some Fanta Orange to drink with the meal.