The virus means a chance to reset our broken society

Like in any crisis, the coronavirus pandemic (aren’t you so tired of hearing those two words?) has brought out the worst and the best in folk.
The worst was what we saw days before the key was turned on the lockdown – people bulk buying, piling up loo paper as if they had a severe case of jippo guts (to use an old army term), tinned food and cooking oil…
The more astute among us stockpiled on fags and booze.
Non-smokers have made a pretty penny out of selling their wares to smokers who are now desperate – desperation exacerbated by the extension of the lockdown which, the seers say, could now extend into May.
The effects on the economy are unthinkable. Already a depressed area, the Endumeni district is in danger of sinking even closer to under the poverty line.

While many groan about not being able to go out and play sport, meet friends, go to the restaurants and drive to Newcastle, and understandably so as cabin fever builds, there are those who are embracing the new normal.
The jolly Dundee golfers are posting videos of themselves putting in the garden and having fun in the house with their ‘sticks’.
Bowlers are rolling woods down the passage.
Footballers are replaying DVDs of classic matches.
Rugby players are probably moving the furniture around in the lounge.
Some damage has been reported when it came to practicing line-outs, especially in the homes of Sentraal players.
The spinning drivers are uprooting their gardens as they just keep on spinning…
Others are enjoying family time, and others still are re-arranging the cupboards for the umpteenth time and washing their car, which has of course no place to travel.
The other uplifting news is the number of people who are making a difference.
People like Dave van der Westhuizen and his team, who are driving around feeding 130 people a day – thanks to a generous team of sponsors and those who have sponsored their labour to make it happen.
Others like Abrie from T-Shirts 4 Afrika are donating money to charity from the masks they have sold.
Many others, who remain anonymous, are simply making a difference by being kind and reaching out.
Johan Rupert, one of the wealthiest men in the country and who donated a billion Rand to the Government’s Solidarity Fund, has said that society will never be the same again once we recover from Covid-19.
He has likened it to a reset, much like what happened after World War II.
With society more sophisticated now and more reliant on technology, the reset could be even more dramatic.
As one seer by the name of the Woestynrot said, “We are making history here guys, but I’m not sure if we want to make history.”
It will be easier if everyone is just kinder to everyone.
No data required to get that right.

HAVE YOUR SAY:
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at dundee.courier@caxton.co.za.  Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394