South Africa is officially on lockdown and most of us have by now overcome our fear of being at home and not being able to work.
We have all now reached the acceptance stage, with the realisation that staying home is the best way we can contribute to helping one another and to get our society back to normal.
The lockdown has made us all realise the value of others and just how important we are to one another.
And it’s made us value the essential services workers in our country much more than before the Coronavirus pandemic hit.
I am currently one of the most paranoid people in the world and try my best to never go to the shop.
I cannot begin to imagine just how nervous the essential workers must be every day when they leave their homes to go and provide a service for us. May the Almighty protect them all.
What got to me in this time was how a certain class of people frowned upon those who got paid after lockdown was announced.
These people only had the chance to go shopping when they got paid at month end, and this was also the case with our pensioners and the people who received their AllPay.
So suck it up, we all need a chance to stock up and it’s difficult to social distance in these spaces like Town Centre and elsewhere.
STOCKING UP: Shoppers at Mitchells Plain Town Centre
These are communities where people live from one pay cheque to the next and the lockdown came as a surprise to many of them.
I would like to address those who are outside and not adhering to the rules of the lockdown.
To you I say, this virus is very real and although you may think you are not affected yet, skrik wakker voordat dit te laat is.
Even if you don’t believe that the virus is real, which it most certainly is, just at least obey the rules set out by the president because in that way you don’t make a whole group of people look stupid.
People tend to paint everyone with the same brush.
I understand why the government and police are coming down harder in certain areas like Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha.
It’s not because they are looking down on us, it’s because we are at a higher risk than areas like Sea Point of the virus going viral in the communities.
We are more people living together in a house, more people using public transport and sharing outside toilets, and most of us are essential workers.
So asseblief, just for now, let’s obey the rules and support our president with this massive task he has on his hands, which is to guide our country to safety.
It hurts seeing people from our communities being beaten up and also being arrested, but guys, seriously, just stay at home, once you are done shopping, it’s as simple as that.
ACTION: Disobeying citizens placed under arrest
I have great admiration for all the doctors and nurses who are on a daily basis now facing the virus head on.
To me, they right now are the real army who is fighting this war against the Coronavirus.
They must be scared every day when they make their way to work. I feel for them and their families.
I think we should respect these people, at least by staying at home, because they are sacrificing their lives everyday to save ours.
Much respect to every single one of you.
With that said mense, let’s make the best of our time at home.
Let’s use this time to become better parents and better children and treat this as a time for families to bond.