Covid-19 Lockdown: Day 27
When I got to work I started writing news crawlers (the ticker at the bottom of the screen) on DSTV channel 403.
I wrote one saying the President acknowledges for the second time this week that government cannot adequately meet the demand of delivering food parcels to those in need - something along those line.
Our President has unveiled a special Covid-19 grant, and that right there, Cyril Ramaphosa’s decison, made me swell with pride once again. I believe in finding and highlighting the positive in every situation, especially when there’s so much of negativity swirling around.
As I write this I am watching a news insert about maggots or something similar found in food parcels in the Eastern Cape. There has been increasing unrest as the lockdown continues, with food trucks, supermarkets and liquor stores being looted. All of these incidents highlight the great divide in our country and the unequal society that we live in. There is so much pain on the ground and I constantly need to remind myself that instead of shaking my head and being opinionated about those who are in a position of power and finger-pointing, I must learn to respect authority. Especially the authority of politicians, law enforcement officers and public order police because there IS a lot of good that’s happening.
South Africa’s handling of the pandemic outbreak is being praised worldwide. Yes there are negatives but there are many positives.
Some of government’s recent efforts to combat the spread of Covid-19 include:
The entire SANDF force has been on standby to help the police reinforce the lockdown rules.
A special Covid-19 grant will be handed out to the unemployed for the next six months.
Grant recipients will receive extra money for the next six months.
Field hospitals with the help of military staff will be set up in Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Cape Town and KZN - the province that’s seen the highest number of Covid-19 facilities.
The UIF has paid out R1.6 billion in Covid-19 related relief.
A R500 billion economic relief and support package has been tabled to deal with the ravages of the crisis.
SA’s lockdown will not end but it government will take a phased approach to keep us safe and start stimulating the economy once more.
I saw a tweet saying the, “F@cking lockdown is f#cking with us.”
Yes it is. Maybe you can’t work and you’re income stream has dried up. I’m so sorry. Maybe you can’t go for a long run or cycle like you used to and you’re losing your mind. Maybe you’re just tired of being at home and you miss your friends and family. I am so sorry again. I feel all of these frustrations. I’m anxious about the future and I’m self-detonating because I miss hugs and my mother so much. But the question I always come home to is…
But did you die?
