Lockdown Journal - Day 27

My Lockdown Journal 2020 – Wednesday, Day 27:

The country’s poorest of the poor are experiencing extreme hardship under the extended lockdown. This is not unique to South Africa because hundreds of third world countries around the world are going through the same hardships if not worse. We are all in this together.

Last night, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a massive, R500-billion package aimed at loosening the grip that COVID-19 has on the economy. It is unprecedented, historic and unexpected. He announced that unemployed people, not in receipt of money from the Unemployment Insurance Fund, or a grant, will get R350 per month for 6 months. Grant beneficiaries are to receive an extra R250 a month for the next 3 months. He announced several other aid packages during the live broadcast.

The COVID-19 pandemic has given couch potatoes and keyboard protestors an opportunity to hurl criticism at our president with statements like, “not enough” and “stop the lockdown”. It seems to me that they refuse to take accountability because they expect the government to do its job of protecting its citizens. To lift the lockdown restrictions now would increase the transmission of the coronavirus dramatically.

The impact of COVID-19 on our psyche is severe. During the lockdown, many women, men and children are stuck at home with their abusers. The number of cases reported since the beginning of the lockdown is really scary. There is no excuse for abuse during or after lockdown. The bravest thing you and I can do is to help someone who needs help or is asking for help. Call the Stop Gender-Based Violence Helpline on 0800 150 150.

#StayAtHome
#SaferTogether
#SocialDistancing
#LockdownJournal
#LockdownSouthAfrica
#COVID19

Lockdown Journal - Day 26

My Lockdown Journal 2020 – Tuesday, Day 26:

Have you noticed the increasing number of irresponsible posts by people demanding the lockdown to end? The government is accused of lies etc. Really? Welcome to the new normal; we are in uncertain times. The whole world (including third world countries) are dealing with a pandemic that nobody understands. Many things have been feeling upside-down lately. All economies are affected, some admittedly more adverse than others.

We as South Africans have weathered many storms (apartheid, being the tsunami), but we have survived. Yes, we are all in uncharted territory. The current format of the full lockdown will be eased soon to resuscitate our ailing economy. However, we cannot expect the floodgates to be opened and then suffer a resurgence of the virus.

I do have questions for those demanding an immediate lifting of the lockdown:
“Rest at home” or “Rest in peace”
“6 feet away” or “6 feet under”

During the lockdown, many women, men and children are stuck at home with their abusers. There is no excuse for abuse during or after lockdown. The bravest thing you and I can do is to help someone who needs help or is asking for help. Call the Stop Gender-Based Violence Helpline on 0800 150 150.

#StayAtHome
#SaferTogether
#SocialDistancing
#LockdownJournal
#LockdownSouthAfrica
#COVID19

MY LOCKDOWN JOURNAL - DAY 2

My Lockdown Journal 2020 – Saturday, Day 2:

I woke up on day two of the national lockdown to not-so-good news. The rating agency Moody’s has stripped South Africa of its investment-grade rating, downgrading our government bonds to “junk”. A “junk” rating means there's a bigger chance that the government won’t be able to pay back its debts. There is good news though: The BBC reported that new data confirms there has been an improvement in air quality over Europe, an obvious by-product of the coronavirus pandemic.

Staying on the environment, don’t forget tonight’s Earth Hour. Let's #StayHome (we are locked in) and join millions of people from all over the globe and switch off the lights in solidarity from 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM to support our planet and nature.

To come back to the news on the home front, the financial meltdown is a threat to the country’s overall happiness. It has dipped slightly at the start of the lockdown. Day one of South Africa’s lockdown was a mix of sacrifice and disregard from a few. Several people have been arrested for allegedly disregarding South Africa's lockdown rules. There are also reports that a second man was arrested for refusing to self-isolate. Let’s keep doing the right thing as responsible citizens.

Today I’m working to assist students online via our student coaching cluster. I will also spend most of the day writing and watching a bit of Netflix movies and documentaries.