Eighty residents of an old age home in Bonteheuwel have been blessed with Covid-19 care packs to help them ward off the deadly Coronavirus.
Ahead of a 21-day national lockdown starting at midnight tonight, Ward Councillor Angus McKenzie and officials from the City of Cape Town handed out the kits to residents of Apricot Place.
Angus demonstrated how to wash hands, the importance of wearing a mask and to practice social distancing.
Angus demonstrated how to wash hands. Video: Genevieve Serra
He told the seniors: “I know it will be difficult for you to stay in your homes for 21 days, avoid being in contact with one another, and not shake hands.
“Keep a distance from one another, give one another a wave.
“We need to get through this together. I do not want to hear about funerals and death.”
Angus says they decided to give the packs as they are most at risk during the deadly epidemic.
“What we have done, we have big population of over 60 and the overwhelming amount of them are being cared for by their families,” he says.
“Today, we are at Apricot Place Old Age home, we have pensioners who hardly have visits and do not have the support they need.
“We are providing them with care packs for the next 21 days of lockdown.
“These care packs contain hand sanitisers, a facecloth, a bucket to wash their hands in, a mask made out of material which can be washed, toothbrush, soap and moisturiser.
McKenzie told the residents of Apricot Place to avoid being in contact with one another. Video: Genevieve Serra
“The fact is that people who are over 60 are extremely susceptible to the Coronavirus.
“We need to do everything we can to assist our elderly people, to make sure it doesn’t spread around them, in Bonteheuwel and other areas.
“We have now protected a group of people.”
CARE: Old age home residents got the Covid-19 ‘talk’
Jamila Toefy, 79, has a husband who is 83 and unable to get around.
She said: “I still manage to do my shopping and I have a husband who is bedridden at home.
“This is why I appreciate this pack.
“If we must lockdown, we must stay in our homes.”
THANKFUL: Jamila Toefy, aged 79
Staff at the home said they were not allowed to speak to the media but were happy to receive the donations.
Resident Hester Koen, 82, kept praising God for the pack: “We can only thank Jesus for this because we had nothing.”