There's a running joke that goes something like this...
White people’s Coronavirus preparation: “Right, let’s stock up on sanitisers, masks and toilet paper.”
Coloured mense’s Coronavirus preparation: “ Ko’ ons maak memes.”
South Africans are a funny bunch. Nothing is serious or sacred with us.
Honestly, what’s this obsession with stockpiling toilet paper?
Yes, it’s understandable that people are k@kking themselves over the pandemic. But not literally?
Toilet paper craze
Novel Covid-19 targets the respiratory system, it’s not a stomach bug.
It’s weird how some people’s minds work. When armageddon comes, what’s the first thing we reach for? 3-ply.
Jokes aside, though, brace yourselves, Coronavirus is here.
Yes, there is reason to panic, but even more reason to remain calm.
As a country, we have the benefit of hindsight,
having seen what the global
pandemic can do - in China and in Italy.
If you haven’t read up on it yet, here’s a World Health Organisation guide to avoiding infection:
* Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Interestingly, Mayco member for health, Dr Zahid Badroodien, pointed out that “soap - when correctly used - is actually more effective than hand sanitisers”.
CLEAN ADVICE: Zahid Badroodien
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
* Make sure you and the people around you follow good cough hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
* Throw the tissue in a bin immediately and wash your hands.
* If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve.
* Avoid contact with people who have a fever and a cough.
* Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces with soap and water.
Also, see your doctor if you display any of the following symptoms - fever, coughing and shortness of breath. The earlier you treat the infection, the better your chances of recovery.
At Thursday's count, there were 19 cases in South Africa.
According to the latest global stats, of the total 126,510 cases recorded, there have been 4,637 deaths, while 68,317 have recovered.
Not bad odds.
Look, we’ve been through this before - with HIV, SARS, bird flu, H1N1 and even
listeriosis.
All we can do is be careful and be calm; put our faith in God, and hope government and the health department have the capacity to handle a possible outbreak.
Because if the fit hits the shan, Cyril Ramaphosa and Zweli Mkhize are going to have to make some tough decisions.
TOUGH DECISIONS: President Ramaphosa & Zweli Mkhize
In Italy, where Coronavirus infections surpassed the 12,000 mark this week, with over 800 deaths, Prime
Minister Giuseppe Conte put the entire country on lockdown, shutting down schools, universities, cinemas, theatres, gyms, shops and restaurants until April 3.
All over Europe, leaders are shutting up shop and cancelling public and sports events.
In the US, after being in denial about it for two months, even Donald Trump has laid down the law, suspending travel to America from 26 European countries.
Drastic measures, but necessary.
If our government was proactive, they would also look into a temporary travel ban.
Because all current SA cases seem to have been flown in from overseas - Italy in particular.