The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts. - Bertrand Russell
is now off the front pages and the media is not nearly as fixated with this pesky virus as was the case in recent months. are on hold, South Africa is on Level 1 and there is this far more relaxed mode and mind set suggesting the worst is done and dusted. The key word defining our current human view on is How wrong could we possibly be and what will be the upshot of the increasingly relaxed outlook on
to write further blogs has waned and this edition follows a break. This suggests it has slipped to back of mind and typifies most peoples current feeling about which is weve had enough of this intrusion on our lives and time to get back to a new normal.
The graph alongside clearly shows that the daily infection curve across Europe, North America, Asia and Latin America/Caribbean is still at stubbornly high levels. The current trajectories as depicted in the other graphics suggests that the world is about to enter unchartered waters and just maybe we have been lulled into a false sense The reality is that the virus is surging again in many regions and countries which had previously tamed the beast. Throw in the onset of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, and the fear that colder weather enables faster virus spread, leaves a lingering question: where to now?
The economic carnage caused by is akin to watching a horror movie unfold. Here in sunny South Africa, it is estimated by our statisticians that 2,5 million people lost their jobs including 250,000 domestic servants. Business confidence is at an all time low and the ANC led Government has simply run out of money and has had to resort to the begging bowl by way of increased loans which we cannot afford. It is estimated that the virus damage to global economies will be four times worse
than the 2008/2009 financial crisis. The UN estimates that close to 265 million could face starvation by the end of 2020.
This virus will be on the radar screen for some time with these scenarios essential to perhaps bringing it to an end. Firstly, does herd immunity work and will it cause the virus to peter out and disappear? By way of example, if 80 percent of a population is immune to a virus, four out of every five people who encounter someone with the disease wont get sick (and wont spread the disease any further).
Secondly, a vaccine needs to be developed and then rolled out globally as a preventative measure. This is serious work in progress in the biopharmaceutical industry but indications are that trials and approval are some 6 to 9 months away. A therapeutic cure has not been found as yet although the medical fraternity are undoubtedly better prepared to deal with seriously ill patients based on learnings since the virus first appeared.
of breaking news involving, mostly those pesky politicians. South Africa leads the pack when to gutter level political leadership. Consider the following; Ramapromisa gives approval to his Minister of Defence to fly on an air force jet to Zimbabwe. A day after she receives approval, off she goes and she decides to take a whole bunch of ANC leaders with her. Civil society gets to hear about this abuse of power and privilege and quite rightly, gets angry. The Ramapromisa (who authorised the trip!) then demands a full report and the upshot is that the ANC will pay back the cost to the Defence Ministry. Lost in translation is the total disregard for procedure in applying for these external travels and regulations at the time. Of course, the prospect of her being fired is in a country where there are no consequences for the diabolical behaviour of these rampaging political thieves. The corruption and theft by numerous politicians and their connections which fed off the provision of product, equipment and services is beyond human belief.
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