Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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It is very easy for all of us to sensationalise which countries have coronavirus and which don’t. However, if you read the articles a little bit more closely it is clear that any country that had people travelling to it from China or South Korea has undoubtedly already got people within the community who have the coronavirus. The concern is whether or not those countries are actually testing for it? In other words, if people in South Africa have the coronavirus that have not been diagnosed or tested for it, then we can be blissfully unaware of the extent of the virus within the community even though it is actually there.
This is not as far-fetched as it seems – America itself does not have enough tests for the virus. The first few people that have been exposed to the virus have in many cases either be turned away by hospitals, not tested for coronavirus or simply have had a milder form of the disease or thought it was just the common flu and stayed at home. The bottom line is this disease is already spreading around the world and to imagine that South Africa really does not have somebody with the virus right now would be a stretch of the imagination. I wonder how ready we are for this and how many hospitals and laboratories even have coronavirus testing?
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Tuesday 03-Mar-20
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Comments
Bronwyn said:
on Tuesday 31-Mar-20 05:39 PM
Seeing how our numbers are rapidly increasing, it is scary to see that South Africans Are not taking this seriously.
Lourien said:
on Tuesday 31-Mar-20 10:34 AM
If we had accurate numbers of people who are infected, it might actually keep people home and not roaming the streets as they are doing at the moment.
Shanelle said:
on Tuesday 31-Mar-20 08:36 AM
Many people in our country cant afford to take the precautions we all can as they do not have access to medical aid and cant make it through the month financially. It is great that our government is being proactive and putting the peoples needs first. It is also great that we are creating so much awareness about washing our hands etc.
Ashleigh said:
on Tuesday 31-Mar-20 07:10 AM
I am very worried for South Africans. If other countries are battling to keep up with the spread I can only imagine what is in store for South Africa.
Daniella said:
on Friday 27-Mar-20 03:30 PM
I think as soon as we heard about Covid-19 in China we should have stopped people from coming into the Country from any infected Country I think that would have helped in stopping it from coming here to SA.
Nicolle said:
on Thursday 26-Mar-20 04:39 PM
Not to sound like a conspiracy theorist or anything, but, I am pretty sure that our current statistics are being "fudged". You are right! How can we possibly know what the true numbers are? We cannot.
Mathilda Du Preez said:
on Thursday 19-Mar-20 10:32 AM
COVID-19 cases in South Africa is increasing on a daily basis and more needs to be done to prevent this.
Kendall said:
on Thursday 19-Mar-20 08:34 AM
The amount of COVID-19 cases in South Africa is rising rapidly. The government has been proactive and is taking all the necessary precautions in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus. All of a sudden everyone is washing their hands, it does make me wonder why nobody was washing their hands before the outbreak of the virus!
Thabitha said:
on Thursday 19-Mar-20 07:33 AM
In South Africa we've got high number of people who are living with HIV so can you think of what is going to happen if lots of people are going to be infected with coronavirus and also our economy. i just hoping the vaccine will be found sooner
Prishani said:
on Tuesday 17-Mar-20 03:03 PM
I think that the virus spreading to SA was inevitable, it would be expected we have international airports and many other border posts! I do hope that with the outbreak the hospitals are ready in terms of staff and equipment!
Brumilde Cronje said:
on Tuesday 17-Mar-20 10:49 AM
And now it is here in SA, 62 confirmed cases, the newest one even a Grade R student. Keep washing those hands and stay healthy. The panic snuck in yesterday when the people went to go stock up at the shops.
Roxanne said:
on Friday 13-Mar-20 12:12 PM
This virus is spreading fast and if it is not brought under control it will wipe most of the population out.
Claudia B said:
on Friday 13-Mar-20 10:36 AM
I think the Coronavirus is spreading really fast at this stage, people need to be more careful of what they touch, who they speak to and this list can go on and on, you need to keep everything clean around you. let's hope this virus goes away fast.
Kathryn said:
on Friday 13-Mar-20 10:33 AM
Until such time that there is a cure, prevention is the only and best option that we as individuals have. Best not to get too invested in the frenzy and panic. Stay clam and wash your hands!
thembi said:
on Tuesday 10-Mar-20 04:18 PM
I think that everyone is going into a frenzy for something that can easily be controlled. Stay safe and just be clean
Helen said:
on Tuesday 10-Mar-20 08:04 AM
My answer is no, we are not ready for this virus at all. Lots of people already creating panic and drama, but the virus has not touch them yet. Yes I would agree with some staff about not being around people while you are sick, but this staff them self should practice what they are preaching, it is easy to point figures on others, not realizing that you yourself not following what you believe in!
fikile said:
on Friday 06-Mar-20 04:39 PM
It's so hard to know that the virus is in South Africa and our expects are telling us to not panic about it, knowing very well that we will panic because this is a very scary thing to deal with.
Alexis said:
on Friday 06-Mar-20 12:50 PM
It has officially reached South Africa, though from a person who was responsible enough to try and control it. It has most likely reached far more considering the country we live in, but just take care of yourself, stay hydrated and be wise
Melissa van Tellingen said:
on Friday 06-Mar-20 07:52 AM
This virus truly gives me anxiety. The first case was confirmed yesterday and I listened to the radio this morning and so many dicsem stores and clicks stores are sold out of disinfectant products already. I don't think that we have the capacity or recourses to deal with an outbreak at all!
sandra said:
on Friday 06-Mar-20 07:40 AM
I do not know how ready we are but I watched a snippet of the Parliamentary session yesterday where the Minister of Health talked about the issue. It seems that we have 9 hospitals that are ready and more will be equipped in time. I believe that it is bad, but it must not cause panic.
Brenda Strydom said:
on Friday 06-Mar-20 06:33 AM
This virus is really scary and is busy freaking people out.I hope they start finding a cure soon.Make sure you take vitamins and was your hands.
Prishani said:
on Thursday 05-Mar-20 04:39 PM
This was a good call. I hope that now that a case has been confirmed in our country more serious steps will be taken. I think individually each person needs to take steps, taking vitamins and making sure they are aware of all the symptoms.
Chante said:
on Thursday 05-Mar-20 03:25 PM
The news about the Coronavirus is so scary but we should be aware of not listening to all the rumors we are hearing about this virus. It is, however smart to take precautions and we should just hope that they find a cure for this virus soon.
Sujata said:
on Thursday 05-Mar-20 10:56 AM
Our healthcare sector does not have the resources or staff as other first world countries to be fully prepared for an outbreak of COVID-19. The virus is most likely to affect the elderly, young and immune compromised; with South Africa being an under developed country with suitable conditions for the virus to spread at rapid rates an outbreak is a definite possibility. The virus displays symptoms that are similar to the common cold or the various strains of influenza, pause for a moment and consider that the 'flu-vaccine' that pharmaceutical company's dispatch in truth only prevent the most common influenza strains and there are around 100 strains of influenza in which one can not be fully protected against despite receiving the flu vaccine, therefore the virus can be easily mistaken even in a person who has taken the Flu vaccine. Everyone should take precautionary measures as the virus will indeed be present in South Africa if not already here and the most important factor will be to boost your immune system especially if you are someone susceptible to respiratory infections.
Karien van Zyl said:
on Thursday 05-Mar-20 09:24 AM
South Africa has ideal conditions for the virus to spread - overcrowded communities, public transport, and being uninformed of how to prevent the spreading of the virus.
The only way to look after yourself and your loved ones is to take the necessary steps to protect yourself from the virus. Prevention is key.
Natasha said:
on Thursday 05-Mar-20 09:17 AM
This is so scary I spoke to my mom about it last night and she got a message on one of her whatsapp groups from a doctor that if you think you might have the corono virus you are not even allowed to go to the doctor you phone the doctor and he will consult with you over the phone he will ask you 5 questions/symptoms if you have 3 of them you have to put your self under house quarantine for two weeks, so I asked her so what to they do about it? Do they just leave you on House quarantine to until you die? No this is really scary we need to start getting masks now because when its an emergency you wont be able to get any.
Joyce said:
on Wednesday 04-Mar-20 05:00 PM
this is scary news, one just needs to follow the advises to survive from this horrible disease
Sarah said:
on Wednesday 04-Mar-20 11:14 AM
This virus is really freaking me out. I read there is many different kinds of coronaviruses. Some of them can cause colds or other mild respiratory (nose, throat, lung) illnesses. I find it very strange that South Africa has not been infected as yet but most of the world has been.
I hope they start finding a cure soon
Melissa said:
on Wednesday 04-Mar-20 08:54 AM
This is so scary and we have to be more careful, even if it means you have to wash your hands 100 times a day then let it be
Ziyanda said:
on Tuesday 03-Mar-20 04:19 PM
This is so scary and what makes it worse is that I don't think we are ready to control the Coronavirus in South Africa. I also think that it might already be in South Africa and the number of cases are going to increase especially during the winter season. We really need to practice good hygiene at work, home and public spaces.
Brumilde Cronje said:
on Tuesday 03-Mar-20 03:20 PM
People forget that we almost got killed by Palony. People around you should also take care if they are sick. Go to the Doctor and get proper treatment, dont sit and sniff and cough the whole day. You are spreading germs. You clearing your throat the whole day means you have an infections.
Bianca Taljaard said:
on Tuesday 03-Mar-20 02:40 PM
I could not agree with Mathilda more. It takes one person to even just drive with you in a car to infect you, you don't need physical contact. Home remedies does not work, go to the doctor and get proper medicine!
Mathilda Du Preez said:
on Tuesday 03-Mar-20 02:34 PM
I personally think the Corona-virus is already in South Africa.
I just think everyone should be ready, stock up on masks and hand sanitizer and practice good hygiene!!
Also if you are sick at your place of work you should wear a mask and go to the doctor to get antibiotics and stay at home until you are 100% , also cough and sneeze into your elbow, hand or tissue there is a website you can go to called “How to practice good cough and sneeze etiquette”
Victoria said:
on Tuesday 03-Mar-20 11:31 AM
I also think there are already cases in South Africa we just not hearing about them. This coronavirus is just taking over and is still killing many people. I don't think we are ready for the virus.
Clare said:
on Tuesday 03-Mar-20 11:16 AM
This has stressed me out and has stressed everyone out, This has become everyone's topic. I hope that they can clear it out as soon as possible all the lives this taking is so sad.
Megan said:
on Tuesday 03-Mar-20 10:08 AM
I can't help but feel there are cases already in South Africa but the Government is forcing the media to stay quiet. I'd like to think we would be able to handle this virus in our country but if countries which are more advanced than ours can't really get a hold on it, I don't think we have much of a chance. These are very scary times.
Courtney said:
on Tuesday 03-Mar-20 09:23 AM
This is very scary. Just hearing the coronavirus gives me the chills! Coronavirus, like the common cold, is spread by droplets, which are often generated when a person coughs or sneezes. I am so afraid of any cold symptoms now...
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
