22 April 2020

Wednesday · Day 27 of lockdown

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a R500 billion support package to help the economy as the country battled the coronavirus. He also announced that social security grants would be increased by at least R250 per month. Spain extended their state of emergency for the third time until 3 May 2020. In South Korea, it was found that some recovered Covid-19 patients re-tested positive, but researchers argued that it was most likely that re-infected individuals would not be contagious. The Costa Deliziosa finally docked in the port of Genoa, Italy. The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention warned that winter in the US could see a second wave of coronavirus infections.

When I went on my phone this morning, I saw that my dad had sent a message to our family group. It was a petition to the government to unlock section 31 of the Bill of Rights and recognise religious institutions as an essential service. I didn’t end up signing the petition because I didn’t agree with everything that it said. I agreed with one of the points, which was that permission should be granted for such institutions to commence or continue providing food and shelter and running feeding schemes. However, I don’t think it is wise to allow such institutions to allow individuals to gather again. There is so much risk that comes along with allowing any major gatherings, regardless of the precautions that are put in place.

There is so much uncertainty that accompanies the circumstances under which we’re living, and it makes sense that amongst great worries, many people want to revert to something familiar in order to experience comfort. However, so many things are changing and we shouldn’t be trying to get back to normal, but rather move forward and embrace a new normal.

* * *

While scrolling through Facebook and seeing all the posts about hunger and after reading the news and checking the updated figures for Covid-19, my stepdad came across one of his old university friends’ Facebook page where she had posted about an organisation that she has been running, known as ‘The Clothing Bank’.

[…] He felt inspired after reading about ‘The Clothing Bank’ and how they supported our poorer communities, and since Freedom Day was on the horizon, he decided that he was going to do a big swim in our swimming pool at home to help raise funds for the organisation. The organisation’s target is to raise R1 million to feed 4 000 families (based on the calculation that R250 feeds a family of four for a week). That is 21 meals and R250 is equivalent to about ten Cappuccino’s and six Beers. We consume that amount of beers and cappuccinos within a few days without even thinking twice, but now instead of spending your R250 on those ‘luxuries’, it can be spent on saving a family from starvation.

After contacting his university friend, it was decided that a fund will be set up on Sunday in my stepdad’s name for people to donate to and spread awareness about ‘The Clothing Bank’.

* * *

3 635 cases today. 65 deaths. Today was my girlfriend and my anniversary. We had a face time call with champagne, but this didn’t come close to the amazing experience we could have enjoyed. It made me feel sorry for the many people who are stranded without their loved ones or families.

* * *

The Police Minister, Bheki Cele, reported a decrease in the crime rate. Our country is notorious for its unusually high rate of crime, and it is refreshing to find that the lockdown has contributed to the decline in criminal activities, such as murder, rape, assault, robbery and domestic violence. Yet, although there has been a reported decline in the crime rates, many NGO’s [Non-Governmental Organisations] say it may be because citizens are unable to report such crimes due to the lockdown. So, we cannot be too sure if the crimes have stopped or if the reporting of the crimes has just become too difficult.

* * *

“Fear is contagious.” These are words to live by during this pandemic. Many of us are afraid of what the future holds. It is important to remember that the fear and stress you experience will affect the people around you. We silently project our feelings onto others. I am trying hard to keep my body language positive and I can see that my parents are trying to do the same. We are all stressed, but if we start to panic and start shouting at each other or losing hope, then we are truely lost. President Ramaphosa is also putting on a brave face; more importantly, he is addressing the difficult issues with confidence and certainty. This puts my mind at ease and I believe that many South Africans trust Cyril. I sometimes wonder how different the situation in the US would have been if Barack Obama was still in office. He was clearly a much more caring and compassionate individual. Ramaphosa also possesses these characteristics. In a time of trouble and hardship, you need someone who not only cares about the big corporations who run the country, but also the little man. The pensioner selling cupcakes from home or the little girl who started her own lemonade stand.

* * *

A Mitchells Plain family – consisting of a father and his two daughters, aged nine and thirteen – have been using 3D printers to create protective visors that work as facemasks. The visors prevent the cross-contamination of oral particles and prevent the spread of the virus. […] Incredibly, the family are donating these masks to the community for free! The father says that he understands the economic disadvantages that many members in the community are facing, what with unemployment and low-income jobs. […] I thought this was such a touching story and an incredible initiative!

* * *

Today on the news they showed a story about a 29-year-old who makes facial masks and shields using recycled materials. What touched me about his story is that he is an unemployed graduate; he studied mechanical engineering at UJ [the University of Johannesburg]. He usually makes money by recycling things, but due to the lockdown he cannot. He donates the facial masks and shield that he created. […] As a student working towards my degree, it’s a little bit scary to see a graduate unemployed.

* * *

I accomplished a lot more today in terms of school, but still not enough. It is as though I am playing catch up; which isn’t the best feeling to be experiencing right now. I’ve come to the conclusion that what I am missing about contact classes is the communal aspect that comes about from being in the same room as your fellow classmates – even though most times a lot of my classmates were strangers to me. It is weird being next to no one in an ‘academic’ setting. It’s also a bit weird having this much freedom in determining my school routine.

I have always thought myself to be someone who didn’t like routine, preferring constant change. But this whole online schooling thing has me questioning that. Under normal circumstances, I don’t think I would say this: but I kind of also miss the routine that school gave us (i.e. having to be in a classroom at a certain time for a certain period). Now I determine all of that, and it’s kind of a lot of pressure. At least when I was at university and I was kind of distracted in class, I could make myself feel better by saying at least I went to the class. Now I have no excuse. Because besides having to make sure I submit all my work, EVERYTHING is up to me. I’m hoping with time it will all get easier.

A lot of my friends are saying that we shouldn’t put pressure on ourselves, that adjusting to all the change will take time, but I feel as though I don’t really have the time to ‘adjust’. School is right now. Deadlines are now. Work needs to be done now.

Wow that sounds really gloomy and ominous…

* * *

I went to the grocery store today and was shocked at the length of the queue outside of Woolworths and Pick n Pay. I live in a small town with an even smaller population; therefore, I would think that there wouldn’t be as many people wanting to buy groceries.

I wonder if the measures and precautions taken now will stay in place in the long run. Will we ever return to a world where wearing a mask outside while running or going to the shops is not normal? Will we always restrict the number of people allowed in a shop at a time? Will money be a factor in deciding whether or not you must wait in these lines or not?

Currently I am imagining a world where every supermarket has a bouncer, and some of the supermarkets are charging entrance into their store. If you pay this entrance, you can skip the queue. Entrance into better supermarkets costs more. However, there you will have access to better produce of a greater variety, and an unlimited amount of stock. Those who cannot afford to pay entrance will have to wait in the queue for the grocery stores that allow people in free of charge.

While this is very hypothetical and unrealistic, it has occurred to me that, when all of this is over, money will begin to create a greater divide than ever.