Lockdown Diaries: We are seemingly our own virus

We are our own virus, it seems; we just haven’t learned anything. Yes, we wear our masks and gloves to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, but we still have the culture of dumping … used masks and gloves are carelessly thrown away in the street.

Don’t people realise kids pick them up to play with them?

They even bring them home, unbeknown to their families.

Yes, children aren’t supposed to be in the streets but, believe me, I see them every day playing where they shouldn’t.

Just as I see used masks and gloves littering the streets. Some days I count up to 10 masks just lying there, ready to spread this killer virus.

These are tough times, but surely the government has reached all with their hygiene messages?

“Wash your hands.” “Keep your distance.” “Wear your mask.”

But maybe they had to spell out how you discard of that same mask.

What if that mask you so carelessly dropped on the pavement is riddled with the coronavirus?

Have you ever thought that that is a sure-fire way of spreading the virus?

Worse, you are spreading it among innocent children and the poor sods who make it their business to every day clean up the streets after you and your rubbish.

Just think: aren’t they going to be infected; even spread it without noticing?

South Africans say they are ready to go to level 3 – and they are even demanding a drop to level 2 soon, but I have my doubts: not as long as we behave like this.

The question we need to ask ourselves is, are we really ready for an easing of the lockdown or are we just playing at keeping clean and safe?

What I see in the street tells me we are not ready by a long shot.

Covid-19 is spreading like wildfire and I am trying my best to keep my family safe in these uncertain times – and that includes the little ones under my roof.

So spare a thought for them. I’m asking you, my neighbour, my people: dispose of your used mask and gloves safely.

Throw it in a bin or even burn it to ensure the safety of everyone. Don’t leave it lying around for innocent people to pick it up.

I, for one, don’t want to be the next person infected.

Lucas Khumalo.

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