MY LOCKDOWN JOURNAL - DAY 7

My Lockdown Journal 2020 – Thursday, Day 7:

Today is #Day7OfLockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has completely changed the world we live in. Our first week of national lockdown and I am sure that many of you (like me) have found yourselves in situations that we could never have imagined. Its impact has not only resulted in a global health crisis but also a global economic crisis. It has hit our already fragile economy hard. To make matters worse, Moody's has downgraded local banks a week after it gave South Africa a sub-investment grade rating. It’s like kicking somebody when they are already down. But God…

With so much volatility prevailing in every sphere of life, people are looking up to leaders for direction and reassurance. In a time like this we can reach out to God because it might not look like it, but He is reaching out to us. We can see it in the frontline, those often overlooked. They are the essential services workers like nurses, doctors, petrol attendants, bank staff, and shop assistants playing a vital role in ensuring food, money and other necessities are available to us in lockdown. God is everywhere!

Today I am writing and editing a manuscript for a friend. My wife is an essential services worker, so it is a bit quiet at home. I appreciate her getting up early and doing her part for society. Our two dogs keep me company and busy. Those who know me are by now used to the dog video clips and pics I post on my WhatsApp status almost every day.

Let us all stay home because people without coronavirus symptoms can spread the disease. People who don’t have symptoms, e.g. cough or even just fever, can still transmit the disease to others. It is what scientists call the “quarantine loophole.” Please continue to have fun at home by reading, watching television, listening to music, have family chats, and share some “throwback” memories.

God is everywhere, even in the news. That’s why we view every news story through the lens of faith. Here is some encouragement from Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

MY LOCKDOWN JOURNAL - DAY 6

My Lockdown Journal 2020 – Wednesday, Day 6:

Today is #Day6OfLockdown and we are indeed living in a very interesting time. One cannot emphasise enough how the COVID-19 lockdown has changed the world and life in it. Now that we're on lockdown, it’s understandable that some of us will start to miss loved ones who have passed away, or those not living with us anymore. The world has really come to a standstill for us all. Embrace these poignant moments; embrace it.

One of the best poems I have read recently is from Gordana Biernat (@MyPowertalk on Twitter). What an honour to say she follows me (name-dropping) on Twitter! Gordana is a writer, speaker, and an Oprah's #SuperSoul100 Teacher. Her purpose is to help people realise how powerful and unique we all truly are.

Here is her poem:

We can’t always choose
the circumstances in our life.
My entire childhood
was about dodging fear.
The freedom lies in knowing
that we (as adults) always have a choice in how we react to the circumstances.
My past taught me how to find light
in the darkest of places.
(Gordana Biernat)

I find this poem to be so relevant during this trying time. As adults, we always have a choice in how we react to the circumstances around us. The current lockdown is no different. But what do we do when we don’t have a choice? I live by a principle that I choose my battles. However, this time the battle chose me; the battle to flatten the coronavirus curve. The virus could show up at our doorsteps, and yet we’ll never really know it’s there since it is invisible and silent. There is one big plus for us in this trying time: The lockdown saves lives. If we remain at home under lockdown, we are fighting the battle against the coronavirus. We will prevail!
I conclude with 2 Chronicles 20:17 (NIV): “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you...”

MY LOCKDOWN JOURNAL - DAY 5

My Lockdown Journal 2020 – Tuesday, Day 5:

Today is #day5 of the mandatory COVID-19 lockdown. Good news! Last night President Cyril Ramaphosa vowed on national television that the country's downgrade by Moody's to junk status will not derail efforts to fight the coronavirus. It, however, doesn’t stop self-isolation really messing with your head. But South Africa is no stranger to adversity, or to its people joining hands to overcome this crisis. We will prevail be it through prayer, going online for distraction, or engaging in offline activities for the whole family, and enjoying wholesome meals.

I shook my head watching the news and witnessing the irony in the social distancing regulation. We as South Africans would (especially as a rainbow nation) stand shoulder to shoulder through trying times but are now told (Elderly Sassa recipients) to maintain a 1,5-metre distance.

Here is another great idea for lockdown; one of my activities – journaling. It’s always nice to sit down at the end of a day and reflect. What did I do today? What did I learn? What am I going to do tomorrow? Answering those questions could be the best time you’ll spend every day.

MY LOCKDOWN JOURNAL - DAY 4

My Lockdown Journal 2020 – Monday, Day 4:

Today is #day4 of the mandatory lockdown due to the coronavirus. I woke up to birds chirping and my wife offered me tea or coffee. I’ve read that the Eastern Cape’s COVID-19 cases has risen to 12. The images and video clips posted by newspapers remind of the movie ‘I am legend’. The scenes of our city-centre streets could make for intense material in a Hollywood movie. The fact that the army rolled into Nelson Mandela Bay has just added to the already apocalyptic atmosphere.

The killer virus has shone a light on poor living conditions in the townships. One can just hope and pray that we as South Africans will persevere and come out victoriously. On the upside; the coronavirus seems to have brought families together. It is evident in the increased chats and jokes on WhatsApp groups and even Facebook. It’s done a world of good for our mental well-being during this uncertain time.

Board games are a favourite pastime nowadays. I enjoy chess and Chinese checkers (yes, Chinese!). watching movies is another ‘vaccine’ to prevent our worrisome thoughts to not paralyse us. My favourite author, Seth Godin, once said the best way to complain is to make something. It turns out this is great advice for this trying time we are living in. There’s one huge opportunity brought on by the coronavirus crisis: We have a lot of extra time on our hands. I suggest someone pick up that paintbrush gathering dust in the garage. There’s no such thing as bad art especially if it makes you feel better. You could also build puzzles, play with the dogs, or like me immerse yourself into your writing. Our plans for the next 17 days (or even longer) are cancelled. We only have today. Let’s make the best of it.

MY LOCKDOWN JOURNAL - DAY 3

My Lockdown Journal 2020 – Sunday, Day 3:

Today is #day3 and it’s a Sunday. Most of us will be “attending’ church online. We will join a “Prayers of Blessings over Families” church service via YouTube due to social distancing rules imposed on the country's citizens.

Yesterday we saw countless videos of citizens clashing with the police and army. We need to accept the fact that lockdown regulations are crucial to saving lives. These are anxious times but as the scripture in Psalm 37:1-2 (NIV) says, “Do not fret because of those who are evil, or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.” We hope and pray that this Coronavirus (COVID-19) will die soon, and very soon.

When you read the newspapers long enough, you begin to pick up on news patterns from around the world. Most of the news was just news to us until a deadly virus in Wuhan, China became a ‘thing’ we ought to take notice of. Today I am writing from my own lockdown home-office because the Coronavirus is threatening our lives.

A friend messaged me about his concerns about not being able to complete his post-graduate education this year. On the bright side the Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande told the media that they have done all they can to ensure that students are able to get their materials and get online. He stated that Higher Education also cannot afford to lose an entire academic year.

In closing, if you are a healthcare worker, first responder, social worker, counsellor, retail employee, soldier, police officer, or anyone out in the frontlines: Thank you for keeping us safe and out of harm’s way! I hope you are well, taking care of yourselves, and finding a way to connect with people you care about.

If you are bored or looking for something to do, I highly recommend some of you do online courses which are free. It will help your CV to stand out. Also, have a look at Google certifications.

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.

MY LOCKDOWN JOURNAL - DAY 1

My Lockdown Journal 2020 – Friday, Day 1:

It's my wife's birthday! To show my love and appreciation, I wrote her a message and posted it on social media. Oh, I made her a scrumptious breakfast accompanied by a bunch of roses (the rose of Sharon).

Our street is quiet; no cars, no joggers, no-one walking their dogs, no workers on their way to work. Just an eerie silence... The coronavirus has become our 9/11 and our Arab Spring. The coronavirus has changed civilisation; it changed our imaginations. It’s a historic period because mankind will in future (now already) refer to a pre-coronavirus and a post-coronavirus period.

We’ll look at sci-fi movies and acknowledge that the unthinkable can become possible within a matter of days. Science fiction before coronavirus was just that, “fiction”!

The world is concerned with maintaining some sort of normalcy but the truth is that we’ve been swallowed up in the abyss of a pandemic that even medical scientists don’t understand. However, while we’re trying to stay afloat, the pandemic has brought civilisation closer together. We’re in a battle for survival. Let’s stay together!

#COVID19SouthAfrica
#CoronaVirus
#LockdownSouthAfrica