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Asian countries are generally far better at dealing with these weird and exotic viruses, probably because so many of them emanate from there. South Africa has in many ways attempting what China did, in terms of a lockdown, although it must be remembered that in Wuhan what actually happened was that the people were locked up in their apartments, were not allowed to go into the streets and food was actually brought to their door. That is why they were able to stop things.
South Africans sneaking off and having parties in the townships and continuing to go shopping is not exactly adopting the Chinese solution! Amongst the other things that the Asian countries have done, which need to be implemented, are:
You cannot enter any shops in countries like Singapore without having your temperature tested – how many international travellers to SA were even stopped?
All travel must stop including travel between cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Everybody needs to wear masks, because if everybody doesn’t wear masks then everyone assumes the people wearing masks are sick and then the sick don’t want to wear masks because they think everybody can identify them. If you force everybody to wear masks we will all be safer.
Social habits like shaking hands and hugging have to stop and hopefully this pandemic will mean the end of them.
Keeping the sick at home does not work – 75% to 80% of all infections in China happened within the family cluster and so they built makeshift hospitals where the not so sick were taken to and they did not stay at home where they could infect the rest of the family.
Some hospitals need to be set aside to deal with normal types of cases – people who had motor accidents, heart attacks and strokes – and those hospitals should be identified and Covid-19 cases should not be going there at all. This is another way that the Chinese dealt with this in Wuhan.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Wednesday 01-Apr-20
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Comments
Ziyanda said:
on Tuesday 12-May-20 07:49 AM
I think that if they really wanted to have the country on lockdown they should have not alllowed people to go to shops or even get social grants, because that is where the virus gets transmitted from one person to another and when they get home, they infect the whole family.
cornelie said:
on Monday 11-May-20 09:49 AM
I think as a country this should have been implemented ages ago we are over populated. I do hope that this precaution will go on and not stop when the virus has stopped.
Joyce said:
on Friday 08-May-20 12:37 PM
I think China dealt with the situation well with their already available resources. Let's hope people will start taking this virus serious and follow the lockdown restrictions, wear masks and protect lives
Bianca Taljaard said:
on Friday 08-May-20 08:09 AM
The people in SA really is not taking this serous, this virus spread so fast, if this doesn't scare people what will.
Lourien said:
on Thursday 07-May-20 04:38 PM
We have experienced a complete lock-down before at alert level 5, we do not want to go back to level 5. People everywhere should take precautionary steps to insure that we are able to overcome this virus as soon as possible. The longer it takes to stop this virus from spreading the more harm it will cause to our economy and businesses.
Please think before you act, act in the safety of other.
brumilde said:
on Wednesday 06-May-20 03:13 PM
Its sad to see that allot of South Africans do not take the lockdown or the restrictions put on place serious. I guess some of them are waiting for it to 'hit home' as they would say.
Shristi said:
on Wednesday 29-Apr-20 08:23 AM
South Africans really need to take heed with the restrictions. There are alot of people that did not take this pandemic seriously. The number of daily cases have been increasing rapidly and should this continue another lockdown is imminent.
Zindy said:
on Tuesday 28-Apr-20 09:37 AM
The numbers have been climbing here in South Africa. We need to take things more serious before Lockdown becomes a shutdown. People in our area dont wear masks or gloves, hear people driving around at all hours blaring their music like its a normal weekend going for braais ect
Helen said:
on Saturday 25-Apr-20 01:48 PM
Chinese are very good rule followers, it is not like us in South Africa. I will agree that a lot of people does not understand how dangerous Covid - 19 virus is. It took government two weeks to calm people down, arresting thousands on the streets.
Tamaryn said:
on Tuesday 21-Apr-20 12:24 PM
I wonder what our leaders would have done if we didn't have a blueprint to follow. China set a remarkable precedent, but we certainly don't have the ability to build new, fully equipped hospitals at short notice. Ultimately we are dealing with apples and pears.
Sinead said:
on Tuesday 21-Apr-20 12:18 PM
The people I know are abiding by the rules of the lockdown pretty well.
That being said, our people as a whole are not as disciplined as the people in China.
If I leave the house, I don't see any "road blocks" like they said there would be. I don't really see any Police cars or anything.
I do also agree that certain hospitals or health facilities should be dealing with COVID-19 cases only. Not to infect other people. But I don't think South Africa could manage that.
Kayla said:
on Tuesday 21-Apr-20 09:44 AM
This Virus spread so quickly around the world, South Africa saw how it affected the other countries but I think only once it hit South Africa did reality hit as well. And I believe there was only a wake up call when lockdown was implemented, well for some citizens. I think that we are still in for a long run and this is far from over.
Kendall said:
on Tuesday 21-Apr-20 09:03 AM
People in South Africa are definitely not as disciplined as the Chinese.It is good to monitor other countries and how they have dealt with this pandemic. Although this may be the case it is not practically possible to treat all countries the same, as what may work in some countries will not work in others. The sad reality is there is a vast number of people in South Africa that have not taken this lockdown as seriously as they should have!
Thabitha said:
on Tuesday 21-Apr-20 07:28 AM
What I have noticed kids are obeying rules more than anyone whose got rights and doesn't believe that corona is a serious thing
Dasanya said:
on Monday 20-Apr-20 10:54 AM
It is important to note what has worked for other countries and what has not worked. We have watched many coutries deal with this pandemic before it even reached us so how we deal with this should be according to what we have seen. It is sad to see how many South Africans are just ignorant of the actual purpose of this lockdown and just treating it as a holiday instead of noting the actual pandemic surrounding us if protocols aren't followed. Face masks and social distancing should become the new norm!
Ashleigh said:
on Friday 17-Apr-20 07:58 AM
They say that you are considered to be a hero if you adhere to the rules of the lockdown and stay home as you not only protecting yourself but you are protecting others.
Bronwyn said:
on Wednesday 15-Apr-20 09:52 AM
i dont think South Africans are taking this serious, we had the soldiers in our area yesterday, and this morning looking through the window most have just went back to roaming the streets and having social gatherings young children playing in the street as if we are on holiday, this is really sad to see how South Africans are dealing with this pandemic and its sad to say that a lot just do not care.
Megan said:
on Wednesday 15-Apr-20 09:15 AM
I think when the lockdown started, people weren't taking it seriously but I think a lot more people are now. I feel the government needs to continue focusing on areas where there is over crowding and take serious action on those people not listening and taking the necessary steps to flatten the curve.
Mathilda Du Preez said:
on Wednesday 08-Apr-20 10:30 AM
South Africa will really need to start taking more care and practice social distance.
I really see a hand full of people wearing masks and gloves, and at the shops people are still standing on top of each other.
I agree that some hospitals need to deal with Covid-19 cases and others with normal types
Claudia B said:
on Friday 03-Apr-20 02:26 PM
The people in South Africa are not taking this lock-down very serious if looking what's been posted on social media, everyone needs to take this lock-down serious in order for us not to get sick, we need to work together.
Alexis said:
on Friday 03-Apr-20 12:06 PM
Besides for South Africa not taking things seriously....Yes, one needs to attend to keeping your social distance. I saw a friend just before lock down, and although it would usually be a hug, it wasn't even an elbow tap. I know what I have been doing to take precaution, but even within your family, you have no idea where they have been and who they have been in contact with.
I heard on 702 the other day, that masks are not effective unless dealt with properly=ly, and the voice note sent this morning was very useful with regards to the dos and the donts of trying to stay healthy.
I know that the informal settlements have been addressed to the seriousness of this as well, whether or not people comply, is another question.
Brenda Strydom said:
on Friday 03-Apr-20 09:11 AM
I think it is very important for people in South Africa to take this seriously.The lock down means that people must stay at home but some people take it as an joke. South Africa must stand together to over come this virus.
Melissa said:
on Friday 03-Apr-20 07:56 AM
The protocol in SA is not strict enough and I think people are taking in for granted. Lockdown means stay in your home and then there are still some people who doesn't take this serious
Karien said:
on Friday 03-Apr-20 07:53 AM
I think it is very important for South Africa to consult with other countries and to find out what worked and what didn't.
Co-operation from the public is just as important as the health workers dong their jobs and helping the ill.
Everyone has to do their part!
I was wearing a mask to work two weeks before the announcement of the lockdown. It will be a way of life for an unknown time and I think the faster everyone gets used to wearing a mask the better. Rather safe than sorry.
Chante said:
on Friday 03-Apr-20 07:32 AM
It would be much more effective if South Africa had implemented more strict rules like these, even though it would not have stopped the spread of the virus completely it sure would have decreased the speed at which the contamination rates have been climbing. In times like these far more strict measures have to be put into place.
Jolene said:
on Thursday 02-Apr-20 05:36 PM
South Africans don’t understand the seriousness behind this lockdown. We took a great approach by locking down early but it won’t help anything if everyone is not working together. I saw a video of Wuhan where they welded the doors of an apartment block, they clearly made sure everyone stayed indoors.
Daniella said:
on Thursday 02-Apr-20 02:54 PM
China dealt with the matter greatly! The whole Country worked together and made the sacrifices needed I hope SA can start doing that.
Victoria said:
on Thursday 02-Apr-20 09:04 AM
I think China did deal with the situation very quickly and put down strict rules for people to follow to slow the spread of the virus. Which they have done very well, i think all other Countries should be following what China did in order to slow the spread. I think South Africa has acted quickly but not as fast as China, I feel people just need to follow the rules and try not to go out unless its urgent and wear a mask, use hand sanitizer and when you get home wash your hands very well before touching anything else.
fikile said:
on Thursday 02-Apr-20 08:42 AM
It is not always that South Africans will work together in some thing less than kick out people who don't belong in their country, other than that they will always do the opposite of what they are asked to do because according to them they know better or they were never told more about this.
Courtney said:
on Wednesday 01-Apr-20 02:33 PM
Every day when I watch the news I see people going on like there's nothing wrong. They don't worry abut themselves never mind others!
South Africa should become strict like that!
we should be wearing masks all the time when leaving our homes. Also, wash more hand and keep sanitizing all the time.
Megan said:
on Wednesday 01-Apr-20 02:03 PM
I wish protocol here was as strict as in these countries, I agree people are not taking this as seriously as they should be and the fact that most of the people not taking it seriously will be the determining factor on how this lockdown will work and if it will be extended. If we were all hypothetically positive, this is the time in which the symptoms will present themselves and we have enough time to recover as well if we just stayed indoors!
Sujata said:
on Wednesday 01-Apr-20 12:21 PM
Its sad to see that some are not taking the virus seriously. The country being on lockdown does not mean its time to party but of course those that think such are living in ignorance and this applies to all South Africans. If society can just follow strict protocol and common sense then maybe the infection rate may slow down more than what it currently is.
Natasha said:
on Wednesday 01-Apr-20 09:55 AM
A lot of people are doing what they want and don't care about the outcome but i think if we were more like Wuhan a lot of things would have been much better. But South Africans are stubborn and think that all rules don't apply to them
Jessica said:
on Wednesday 01-Apr-20 09:36 AM
I was saying to my partner. I wish in times like these we actually had the Chinese president here. That man has his country down to a T. I mean they do not step out of line. Here in South Africa the people don't care about what our President says. They carrying on as if nothing will stop them. It is sad actually.
Ruby said:
on Wednesday 01-Apr-20 09:19 AM
The above are great measures to help curb the virus in order to "flatten the curve". But in South Africa, with a large illiterate population, some of these social habits must be translated to a much more granular level. There are social habits such as sharing cigarettes, using the same hookah pipes etc. I am not always sure if people always consider these habits when they adopt "clean" habits.
Bianca Niemann said:
on Wednesday 01-Apr-20 09:06 AM
I think that a lot of people are not taking this as seriously as they should. Parties and large gatherings are still being held, and people are still in the streets like absolutely nothing is going on. It's this kind of ignorance that will cause this virus to spread even more rapidly in our country.
Melandre' said:
on Wednesday 01-Apr-20 08:57 AM
I don' think a lot of South African citizens understand the seriousness behind this lock down. Or even comprehend the impact of their actions or the extent to which this virus influences people's lives. If everyone had to play their part as they do in Asia, this 21 day lock down has a much greater possibility of working. However, we cannot act for the vast majority, all we can do is bring our side, stick to protocol, and implement even more strict measures. Eg. Whenever my family runs out of supplies, we don't quickly jump in the car and go buy things, we order online (yes there is a two week delay). Once it arrives my aunt goes out fully kitted, then she throws all boxes away and places all products in a container full of ethanol, she returns and immediately decontaminates whilst the groceries soak over night. obviously this is not practical for vegetables and open foods. It takes a little initiative in order to break the link.
patrick said:
on Wednesday 01-Apr-20 08:34 AM
Some of the above mentioned measures works better in countries with good working economies . Our country is battling with many things. That said, measures like staying home can be done, we just need a change of heart and mind set .
Nicolle said:
on Wednesday 01-Apr-20 08:29 AM
These are trying times and a very peculiar and strange time for our world. We have essential persons, such as Nurses / Doctors and the like who cannot see or hug their families. We have social distancing. An acute awareness of hygiene (which is long overdue). And, yet, I believe we are still human. If you find yourself on your death bed, you will not be reaching out for your device, instead, you would seek the hand of a loved one.
Roxanne said:
on Wednesday 01-Apr-20 08:15 AM
Its disgusting that people have no value for their lives and the lives around. The quicker people realize why we have the lock down and stay at home, the sooner we can contain the virus and get rid of it
Kathryn said:
on Wednesday 01-Apr-20 08:14 AM
It's important to remember that China is a communistic country and its citizens never argued in favour of their constitutional rights against a lockdown on the basis of a limitation on their right to freedom of movement etc. The government was able to quickly and effectively control the situation due to the fact that the government has always had this stringent control over its citizens. I think that the combination of advanced technology, a stable economy and strict compliance by the citizens of China is ultimately what sets them apart from country like South Africa.
Michelle D said:
on Wednesday 01-Apr-20 07:44 AM
We have implemented a sort of "Wuhan-lite" approach. My last few days at court they did take my temperature before they let me in. I think at some shops at least they are implementing it with the fore-head scanning thermometers. And provincial travel is basically prohibited the last I saw. I agree with the separate hospital idea, even with something like giving birth, it's very scary to think of going into a hospital where people are being treated for Covid-19 left right and center!
Melissa van Tellingen said:
on Wednesday 01-Apr-20 07:40 AM
I couldn't agree more with the contents of this blog. I don't think the people in the townships understand what the virus is and what it can do. I think these people need to be educated. I watched the news yesterday and a man from a township stated that he can't fear a virus if he doesn't know anything about it It's scary to think that there are more people like this which means that they will contract the virus without knowing it and infect other people as well. These people are ignorant and before it hits home I don't think they will take it serious.
sandra said:
on Wednesday 01-Apr-20 07:35 AM
The reason for this lock down is to stay at home and stop the disease from spreading. However, like in China after their lock down and the continuation of normal life after the fact shown that numbers increased again. I think it is important for everyone to just practice social distancing and hygeine. ALthough if you can get infected, you will. You can be the cleanest most cautious person, you can still get it.
Nicolene said:
on Wednesday 01-Apr-20 07:33 AM
I agree 100%. This is definitely not a holiday. They must stop having parties and they must not go to the Mall. The lock down won't help at all if they keep on doing what they not supposed to do. People are still walking in the streets for no apparent reason. I really don't know why the public are not adhering to the rules.
david said:
on Wednesday 01-Apr-20 07:31 AM
just stay home, and if you do have to go out regard everything outside your property as contaminated.
it's crazy, but we're actually living a sci-fi movie at the moment.
Michelle Smillie said:
on Wednesday 01-Apr-20 07:26 AM
My family and I were actualyl talking about this yesterday, and I have mentioned it a few times, that perhaps it should be more of a shutdown than a lockdown, which restricts movement to its max capacity forcing the virus to die out. Let's hope that the Government's intervention of screening individual areas will help curb the problems with people not takign them seriously. Gauteng was supposed to begin with Alexandria township yesterday, and the screeners are meant to be accompanied by a police officer. It will be good if this will force everyone to bide by the rules, although I highly doubt that it would.
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!
