If there is one word which now underpins the current journey, it has to be uncertainty. What was put out on media platforms as fact and latest update last week on the trajectory of the coronavirus is turned on its head a week later. Consider the following; schools are under huge pressure globally to on the basis that people younger than 18 years of age dont get infected at the same rate as older folk. And yet, in America there are current reports of a 40 percent spike in school children infections in one state. The jury is truly out as to whether it is wise to schools and the consequences will play out in the next month or so by way of increased infections or not. There is simply no certainty. And then we have countries who thought they had tamed the beast now experiencing a major resurgence of infections. Even New Zealand is on full alert as they discover a miniscule number of new infections notwithstanding that their target is zero! European countries are reporting what
is quaintly termed as second waves of infections. The whingeing Poms were sent packing from Spain a week ago and a week later France declares that any foreign persons in their country would need to go into a quarantine at very short notice. This led to another charge for the gates by the Poms; their mud island beckons. Here, in sunny South Africa, we have the unenviable record of having the worst statistics on the African continent coupled with what is now widely regarded as the longest and most draconian lock down of any nation across the world. The one major achievement of our hopelessly Command Council is that they have managed to flatten the economy much more effectively than the infection curve. The story of Sweden provides some perspective to our dismal situation. As of 14th August, they had reported 84,294 infections and 5,783 deaths which translates to 0.056 percent of their 10.1 million population. South Africas statistics reveal 579,140 infections and 11,556 deaths which equals 0.02 percent of our 58.7 million population. The one major difference is that Sweden did not lock down, preferring social distancing, limiting crowds and wearing of masks was optional. Their
economy is largely intact. On the other hand, our economy is in tatters and there are current reports that our deaths have spiked by 30 percent against the same period last year. The medical fraternity are scrambling to unpack these shocking revelations but look no further than many of these deaths being due to people with other serious medical ailments not being able to access medical care and treatment. Simply, the reality of unintended consequences! At last count there are almost 200 bio at various stages of vaccine development. These things take time and cautious testing is essential. But the Russians have gone rogue and are forging ahead and vaccinating their citizens with their hot off the lab bench vaccine by name of Sputnik V (I kid you not!). The scientific and medical fraternity watch in bemused fascination and maybe a hint of horror as this vaccine had not really gone through all the testing hoops it should have. Maybe the vaccine is given a boost by a simultaneous slug of vodka! There is likely to be a sequel at some point in the future in the sense that Sputnik V either worked or caused a serious
Spot the the thieving Covidpreuners whom CR will do his utmost never to expose,charge or arrest. PROMISE!
Clearly, there will be much to chew on around that warm, glowing camp fire somewhere in the bush five years hence. One of the topics will be our economy and its destruction notwithstanding that we were already in deep trouble before the arrival of back in South Africans are a resilient bunch as I guess we mostly simply shrug things off on the basis that we have seen it all.
