COLUMN: Let’s wear our masks and keep safe
These are trying and tumultuous times in our lives, and only fate shall determine our epochal destiny.
Covid-19, is mercilessly obliterating our human planet.
Over 182 million people worldwide have so far contracted Covid-19, and nearly four million fatalities have been recorded globally. In South Africa, the monstrous brutality of the pandemic has already claimed the lives of over 60 000 compatriots.
And over 1,9 million citizens in the country have been infected with the novel Coronavirus.
The unfolding gravity and magnitude of Covid-19 infections are dragging our country towards a slippery precipice.
The most infectious strain of the virus, known as the Delta variant, is wreaking untold havoc in the country.
Highly infectious and extremely contagious, this delta variant has turned Gauteng province into the epicentre of Covid-19.
Healthcare facilities in Gauteng are unable to cope with the gravity and magnitude of infections. The rate of Covid-19 infections is becoming horribly worse and viciously scary in that province. Very soon the whole country will succumb to the ferocious and marauding third wave of the pandemic.
On Sunday evening, President Cyril Ramaphosa wasted no time in putting the whole country on lockdown alert level four. Informed by scientific necessity and critical urgency, Ramaphosa announced several Covid-19 containment measures and precautionary regulations.
The president imposed an immediate ban on the selling, buying or transportation of any alcoholic beverages. The ban on alcohol shall persist for 14 days, subject to further situational review and appraisal. Alcohol-related violence, trauma and accidents are causing severe strain on the capacity of our healthcare facilities. Currently, we need more hospital beds to accommodate infected persons who are having severe or chronic symptoms. The president decreed that all schools shall close on 30 June.
As from Wednesday, all colleges and universities shall stop offering any contact classes.
Let us all continue to wear a mask and regularly wash our hands with antibacterial soap or hand sanitizer. In these deadliest and terrifying times of Covid-19, we must also avoid kissing, hugging and handshakes. Come what may, we shall prevail and emerge triumphant against the pandemic. Compliance, courage, inspiration, resilience and wisdom are all we need right now.
