Covid-19: Untenable conditions in Alex hamper compliance

Many residents of Alexandra have placed their lives on fate and hope following the announcement of the first case of coronavirus in the township.

Five deaths due to the virus were reported in the country on day five of the 21-day national lockdown of the 1 326 who were infected by day four. At this time, there had been 740 000 infection cases and 35 000 deaths reported globally.

The overcrowding in the township which compromises health and hygiene makes it difficult to adhere to the recommended measures to mitigate the spread of the virus.

In Alex News and other media reports, local leaders have sympathised with them. “Much as they try, it’s difficult to maintain the social distance of a metre apart every time, especially when ordered to remain crowded in shacks and yards,” said philanthropist Linda Twala.

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He urged for creative ways and adjustments of the measures to suit their circumstances as ‘they want to comply’.

Twala added that poverty was also a key challenge for most of the residents. “Without reliable and adequate income, they live from hand to mouth and are preoccupied with survival issues, they feel neglected, all alone and want to pursue any options at whatever time that will bring them food, hence some of the reported violations of the ban on free movement.”

He urged for intensified and continuous awareness messages in various languages using loudhailers to reach everyone simultaneously. “It shouldn’t be assumed they all are functionally illiterate,” he said asking the private sector to donate food and other relief items for distribution by local organisations to limit the poor from venturing out in search of their basic needs.

Explaining why residents had resigned their lives to fate despite awareness of the possible danger of mass coronavirus infections, a resident who did not want to be named reportedly said, “We are used to death in Alexandra and will take whatever comes.”

This assertion was made in reference to their depressed social conditions, feeling of neglect and years of failure by government to provide decent housing. Twala believed that adequate housing could have helped residents to stay indoors.

He urged that this be a lesson to authorities when and if the scourge ends to acquire promised land and develop houses expeditiously for the thousands who are still on the housing waiting list.

Proportional representative councillor Shadrack Mkhonto supported Twala saying, “Residents understand the danger posed by the virus and want to comply with mitigating measures but are limited by their untenable conditions.

“They have no option from early morning than to be on the streets where there is a bit of space away from the crammed lifestyle when indoors.”

Despite this, Mkhonto appealed to residents to comply where possible to save their lives.

This said as the government rolled out testing of those at risk.

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