22 APRIL 2020
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THE VILLAGE
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Caring for our communities
The Department of Health started with COVID-19 testing in the Overstrand on Monday 20 April. The frontline staff of OK Minimark in Onrus were screened and received awareness training. This week staff at businesses that have been trading during the lockdown, as well as municipal staff performing essential services will be tested. From 28 April, testing will be expanded to people in the community. PHOTOS: Karen Winter
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various grocery stores throughout the Overstrand, as well as those who have opened their hearts and made cash donations varying from just a few rand to thousands. “Every donation, however small, is greatly appreciated and you may rest assured that every cent reaches the most vulnerable in our community.”
But the open hearts and wallets of residents are making a definite difference in the lives of thousands of people in the Overstrand, according to Mayor Dudley Coetzee.
According to the statement, cash donations made to various organisations assisting with food provisions exceed R400 000. The Western Cape Government will donate a further R100 000 toward the food fund and the Overstrand Municipality has made R500 000 available.
“A number of food kitchens have been started in various areas throughout the Overstrand providing food to those in need from Buffeljagsbaai to the Hangklip-Kleinmond area. There are currently 14 food kitchens operating and this will increase to 20 during this week,” Coetzee said in a statement.
“We would like to thank all the organisations and churches, our councillors and individuals who are assisting in preparing and distributing the food. The Department of Education also started feeding school children last week and we are very grateful for this initiative,” said Coetzee.
He went on to express his gratitude to every organisation and every person who has generously donated non-perishable foodstuff at the
Masizole Mnqasela, Speaker of the Western Cape Government and Member of the Provincial Parliament for the Overstrand, said there
Writer De Waal Steyn hile the effects of the extended lockdown are being felt all over our region it is the most vulnerable members of our community that are faced with the devastating daily reality of going to bed hungry at night.
has been overwhelming support from various NGOs, community interest groups, individuals and churches. “Over-all this has afforded us the means to touch the lives of more than 10 000 people in one way or another. The unprecedented need in our communities has been aggravated even further by the many people who are usually gainfully employed, but who are now sitting at home without pay. We anticipate an even greater increase in demand due to the extension of the lockdown,” he said. According to Mnqasela, each municipal area has its own local champion: Cllr Grant Cohen (Hangklip-Kleinmond, phone 072 436 9068), Cllr Ronald Nutt (Greater Hermanus, phone 079 883 7265) and Cllr Riana de Coning (Stanford and Greater Gansbaai, phone 083 597 2781). “In the Greater Hermanus area an average of 2 900 people are being assisted daily through community food kitchens. Thus far 407 families have benefited from food parcels, reaching close to 1 700 people. At a cost of R350 per par-
cel a family of four can be fed for up to a week at a time,” said Mnqasela. He added that up to 500 food packs are delivered weekly in Hangklip-Kleinmond by a joint operation between councillors, retail stores, private donors, church groups, community interest groups and NGOs. In addition, some 700 people are assisted daily at the food kitchen. “Cllr Charmaine Resandt, through her Blue Wave Work-4-Change initiative, has received substantial funding from sponsors which has ensured the delivery of baby items such as nappies, formula and cereal to about 150 mothers,” he said. Rotary International has been instrumental in helping to provide food security in the Stanford area, and in the Greater Gansbaai area at least eight soup kitchens are up and running and serving almost 3 000 people daily. Contributions can be made to: Overstrand LMC, ABSA Account no. 4052379259, Branch Code 33481, Ref: Covid-19. Email your proof of payment to: rianadec122@gmail.com.
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www.thevillagenews.co.za
22 April 2020
I think I may have COVID-19 – now what? Writer Hedda Mittner
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he public has been inundated with information on how to protect themselves during this global pandemic to prevent becoming infected by the Coronavirus, and spreading it to others. Understandably, this has created stress and anxiety, but it is important to remember that, if you adhere to the health safety protocols, the chances of contracting COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, are relatively small. While it’s easy to become fixated on the devastating scenes being played out in the ICUs of hospitals in Europe, the UK and US, we should also remind ourselves that the overwhelming majority of people who are infected with Coronavirus experience an asymptomatic or mild disease which can be treated at home. Unfortunately this encouraging fact is also the reason why COVID-19 is so contagious and widespread. The latest research studies, using blood tests to look for antibodies, are showing that the number of undetected cases of COVID-19 are much higher than the confirmed cases. This means that more people have been infected by the virus while showing none or only very mild symptoms, and may be contributing to the spread of the disease without knowing it. What are my chances of getting sick? With winter approaching, many people will be contracting the “normal flu” and you might at first be unsure what your symptoms mean – is it just a cold, a bout of seasonal flu, or the dreaded Coronavirus? While a cold is called exactly that because patients generally don’t develop a fever, there are some similarities between COVID-19 and the seasonal flu, both of which are viral respiratory infections that spread from person to person. Flu viruses have been with us for a long time and there are basically two types – Influenza A (with several subtypes) and Influenza B. As its name implies, the novel Coronavirus is a new virus that has spread exponentially, which is why researchers and scientists have not had time to develop treatments and vaccines for the disease. But it is not all bad news. Although COVID-19 spreads faster than ordinary flu and has a higher chance of developing into a critical
infection and death, about 80% of those infected will be able to recover on their own. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), around 15% of recorded COVID-19 cases are severe, and 5% are critical. These patients may require hospitalisation and often the administration of oxygen or mechanical ventilation. There is no definitive mortality rate for COVID-19 at this time, mainly due to the variation in factors such as age and location, but the range is estimated to be between 0.25 and 3%. This is still higher than the mortality rate of Influenza, which is estimated to be around 0.1%. As grim as these statistics are, the chances are still overwhelmingly in your favour of being one of the mild or asymptomatic cases, especially if you are under 65, if you are reasonably fit and healthy and not obese, if your immune system is not suppressed, if you are not a smoker and don’t have underlying medical conditions such as heart or lung disease, diabetes, asthma, or liver or renal disease. It also helps to be a woman, as statistics indicate that men are almost twice as likely to die from COVID-19.
usually more abrupt and you are likely to suffer body aches and pains, fatigue, fever and chills, in addition to a variation of cold-like symptoms. These flu symptoms do overlap with those of COVID-19 in its early stage, but there are small differences to look out for. With flu, the symptoms set in rapidly but usually remain mild and are resolved within about a week. The incubation period for COVID-19 is 2 – 14 days and symptoms set in more gradually and may be difficult to distinguish at first. Like a cold, the infection starts in the upper part of the respiratory system and the point where you should start paying attention is when it moves lower down, into the chest. This may only happen a week or more after the initial symptoms started. The most common symptoms to look out for are a persistent cough, fever (a temperature above 37.8°C), shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should contact your GP, the nearest clinic or hospital in order to be tested for COVID-19.
The overwhelming majority of people who are infected experience an asymptomatic or mild disease which can be treated at home
What are the differences between flu and COVID-19? So, if you do start to feel sick, the last thing you want to do is panic and immediately start catastrophizing about the possible outcome. First make sure that you are not just suffering from a cold or seasonal flu (which you may have contracted anyway, pandemic or no pandemic). We all know what it feels like: sneezing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache. As long as you don’t have a fever or a severe cough, it’s probably the common cold. If in doubt, contact your GP or pharmacist for advice and try to keep calm while giving your body a chance to recover. What you do have to do, however, is to self-isolate immediately in order to protect your loved ones and your community until you have a definite diagnosis. People who have the flu will typically experience symptoms within 1 – 4 days. The onset is
What if I test positive? Do not put off having the test because of fear or denial. You should also not feel stigmatised or ashamed, as contracting COVID-19 does not necessarily mean that you’ve done anything wrong, or that you’ve somehow managed to bring this on yourself. With any disease as contagious and insidious as COVID-19, you may never know for sure how, where or when you were exposed to the virus. If you have tested positive, you will be interviewed by a contact tracer and asked to provide a list of your movements and those you had come into contact with over the 14 days prior to the development of your first symptoms. Unless you have developed complications such as pneumonia or have serious underlying health conditions, you will probably be advised by the medical facility where your test was conducted to self-isolate and manage your symptoms at home. Treating COVID-19 at home There is currently no cure for COVID-19 and the aim of treatment is to manage and reduce symptoms until you have recovered. As with other viruses such as colds and flu, taking it easy and looking after yourself are crucial to your recovery. So what should you
do to feel better? • Drink plenty of fluids. Drink enough water so that your urine is a pale, clear colour. Avoid alcohol as this will make you more dehydrated. • Get enough rest and avoid any strenuous activity whilst you are unwell. • Eat nutritious meals that include fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, legumes, fish and poultry. • Use over-the-counter medicines to treat some of your symptoms. To relieve pain and fever, it is recommended that you use a painkiller like paracetamol rather than anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. (However, if you have been prescribed an NSAID to treat a health condition, you should continue to take it until you are told not to by your doctor.) Your GP or pharmacist will be able to advise you on other medications used to treat colds and flu, such as cough syrup or throat lozenges, which could also alleviate symptoms. • Do not take any antibiotics you may have lying around at home to treat COVID-19. As it is a viral disease, antibiotics will have no effect. (You should in any case never take antibiotics which haven't been prescribed for a certain condition by a medical practitioner.) • Although there is no ‘miracle cure’ for COVID-19, there are proven herbal remedies that have strong anti-inflammatory properties and are also high in antioxidants, such as ginger and turmeric. Add them to freshly-squeezed orange juice or make a soothing hot drink with water, lemon, honey, ginger and a pinch of turmeric. • Supplements that may help to support your immune system include Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin B-complex, Zinc, Selenium, Echinacea, Elderberry and Licorice. But be careful not to suddenly overload your system with large doses of supplements or start experimenting with new herbal remedies without checking with your doctor or pharmacist, as some may have properties that could be potentially harmful. • Monitor your symptoms and your temperature. Stay in touch with your doctor and report any deterioration in your condition. If your symptoms are worsening and you have difficulty breathing or are experiencing persistent pain or pressure in the chest, contact your doctor or local healthcare provider. How to get tested for COVID-19 – See P7 How to self-isolate at home – See P9 Sources: cdc.gov; patient.info; medicalnewstoday.com; healthline.com; news24.com
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www.thevillagenews.co.za
22 April 2020
The development of domestic and business life in Hermanus
ABOVE LEFT: One of the early general dealers that developed into something approaching the department stores of the 1950s. ABOVE RIGHT: Fishermen and business owners lived side by side in cottages on large erven that were used for both domestic and commercial purposes.
By the 1950s, business and domestic life in Hermanus co-existed side-by-side. Many of the town’s early settler families lived in traditional fishermen’s cottages on large erven that were used for keeping livestock and growing food, and also for commercial purposes and to house employees. In Part 4 of this series of articles on the early development of business in Hermanus, DR ROBIN LEE turns his attention to High Street as a case in point.
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n analysis of business development shows that, by the end of World War II, Hermanus had four levels of an increasingly complex service economy. The 'top' level comprised the business activities that brought money into Hermanus. Here we find hotels, builders, home buyers, lessees of holiday homes and businesses that dealt directly with tourists. People whose companies provided this apex level of service generally formed the wealthier elements of Hermanus society. They were all residents of the town, and quite soon, they began themselves to need services, first for their business operations and, then, as residents. The state and the municipality provided new services or upgraded existing services, such as water, road maintenance, and, at a different level, education. The 'Klipskool' opened in 1918. The 'wasbakkies' with clear water for laundering were a municipal innovation in the 1920s. The private sector provided other services: banking facilities, medical and dental care, legal services, stores that developed from general dealers into something approaching the department stores of the 1950s, including drapery and haberdashery, and separate hardware stores and builders’ suppliers. These businesses were owned and managed by people who did not necessarily serve the tourist
market directly. Instead, they provided essential services to the owners of and workers in enterprises that did deal directly with the tourists. These developments had a beneficial side effect. Professionals in medical services, legal services and other fields moved to Hermanus, looking for a different, more relaxed lifestyle for themselves and better education facilities for their children. Once working in the town, they provided a higher level of service than would be expected in a town of Hermanus's size. This was especially true in the case of medical facilities and soon became a reason for retiring to Hermanus. The nature of the town began to change. At first, buildings had been overwhelmingly domestic, housing different social levels of the population. Fisher families lived next to business owners. But this egalitarian situation gave way from the 1940s on. Many cottage homes were converted to businesses and the inhabitants located elsewhere. Hermanus started to develop a central business district. In this context, a group from the Hermanus History Society made a detailed study of High Street, as it was in the 1950s. The following analysis is based on that research. The 1874 survey of the village saw
the creation of long erven (plots) along several central streets, including Main Road, High Street, and Mitchell Street. The plots were almost like the smallholdings found in other towns, but these were usually on the outskirts of the town. The plots were much longer than broad and had an entrance at the back of the property, generally opening onto the next street. Owners of the plots were permitted to keep livestock, grow food, and house employees. As a result, plots that faced onto Main Road also backed onto High Street (Walker Bay Modern Art Gallery is an example), and plots fronting onto High Street backed onto Mitchell Street (such as Tutamen). Later, some of these rectangular plots were subdivided, with one plot, for example, fronting onto Main Road and the other onto High Street. During the History Society's research, I was contacted by Mrs Magda Odendaal (born Wrigley) whose family had lived in High Street in the 1940s and 1950s. She had almost a total recall of everyone else living there at the time. Mrs Odendaal mapped out her memories, and I worked systematically along High Street with her and her family to verify my understanding of where each family had lived and where the cottages had been used for commercial purposes. She then produced a hand-drawn diagram of
the street and its inhabitants, as it was in the 1950s. I had her drawing re-designed by a graphic designer, and the result appears as an illustration to this article. (In the diagram, some modern names have been included to help readers orientate themselves to the layout.)
PHOTOS: Old Harbour Museum
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I am saddened to report that Mrs Odendaal has passed away since assisting us with this research. Notable features of High Street in 1950 were: • The street was still mostly domestic, with single persons, couples, or families residing on 60 % of the plots. Today, our research shows that a family is occupying only one property in High Street. • Names of the families or individuals living there read like a catalogue of early Hermanus settlers: Henn, Warrington, Paterson, Boucher, Van Blommestein, Luyt, and Allen(gensky). • Relatively large commercial concerns between Main Road and High Street, included the Astoria Hotel, Central Hotel, Royal Hotel, Adelphi Cinema and Bouchers General Dealer. • On the south side of Main Road, not directly linked with High Street, we identified the wellknown family homes of the Luyts, the Grants, the Westcotts, and the Hamans. • Large and small businesses faced onto Main Road: the Mineral Water
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Factory, three cafés, two general dealers and a hairdresser. Seven 'passageways' linked Main Road and High and Mitchell Streets. This indicates provision for the extensive use of High Street by pedestrians, probably heading to work in the Old Harbour. One earlier passageway, in the top left-hand corner, has now become College Road and another passageway has become Dirkie Uys Street. The following persons were identified in other research the History Society carried out as living before or at this time in what are now business streets in Hermanus: Warrington family, Woensdrecht family, Henn family, Swart family, Coena Haman (barman at the Bay View Hotel) and family, ‘Old Diya’ (Dia) and son, Poppie de Kock (usherette at Adelphi Theatre), Smalberger (projectionist at same), Allen (originally Allengensky) family, Van Blommestein family, Luyt family, Grant family, Westcott family, De Villiers family, Johnson family, Lipschitz family (second occupants of Lemm's Corner).
The research shows that by 1950 Hermanus was modernising and developing a service economy at four levels, but that the composition of the CBD-to-be was still mostly domestic. However, drastic changes were on the way, including the Group Areas Acts.
www.thevillagenews.co.za
22 April 2020
5
Hermanus Varsity meets challenges head-on While we wait to hear about the government’s plans to get both school children and tertiary students back on track for the 2020 academic year, ELAINE DAVIE takes a look at how our own Hermanus Varsity is forging ahead despite the lockdown.
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t’s not often during this time of gloom and doom that one comes across someone who is brimming with hope and enthusiasm. Yet right up there is Delana Finlayson, CEO of the Hermanus Varsity Trust (HVT), not only in terms of the present, but also the past and future. As she sums it up: “It’s been the most incredible journey for all of us so far – the most exciting project I’ve ever been involved with!” Hermanus Varsity was officially launched at its new campus hub, the old Synagogue building on Main Road, on 16 March 2019. By the end of the year over 80% of the first LED (Local Economic Development) students were certificated and HVT was going full steam ahead, with ambitious plans for additional courses in 2020. The only fly in the ointment at that stage was that the owner of the building they were renting had gone into liquidation and the Trustees simply didn’t have the funds to buy it (The Village NEWS 18.12.2019). Nevertheless, the 2020 academic year got off to a flying start in January, with 120 students
enrolled for further LED modules and a new full-time environmental course. At more or less the same time, Delana received a visit from a stranger. He was a South African-born Canadian with a holiday house in Hermanus, who said he had read The Village NEWS story about HVT in December and wanted to learn more about the project.
structures, teaching methodologies and materials, so that the students’ studies would be disrupted as little as possible.
Over coffee Delana told him about the 2018 vision shared by Theo Krynauw, William Ntebe and Prof John de Gruchy – considered piein-the-sky by many at the time – to establish a private tertiary educational institution in Hermanus that would offer certified courses for local youngsters who could not afford to attend universities or TVET colleges further afield. She went on to describe all that they had already achieved in just one year. As they replaced their empty coffee cups, her visitor dropped a bombshell: he would like to buy the old Synagogue building for HVT! Delana almost fell off her chair. “I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Could this possibly be true?”
One would have thought that a system which is largely built around online teaching would be ideally adapted to the present circumstances, but it was soon evident that there would be unexpected complications. “It became clear to us,” explains Delana, “that the role our volunteer tutors play in their groups of up to five students each goes way beyond assisting them with their course material. It’s about relationships and motivation and engagement. So we tried to get the tutors to make videos for the students, but they just couldn’t replace face-to-face contact and what’s more, ate up too much data.
Apparently it was, because things happened very quickly after that. An amount of R4.2 million changed hands and the building was theirs. As if this weren’t enough of a miracle, right on top of it, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and his wife, Leah, expressed a wish to demonstrate their endorsement of the HVT project with the establishment of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Scholarship Fund for Excellence.
ABOVE: Students Vuyolwethu Jangile (left) and Zenande Jacob work at computers at the Varsity’s Hub, which they have been unable to use during lockdown. This has forced them to access their course materials on cellphones, with a huge consumption of costly data. CIRCLE: Two of Hermanus Varsity’s visionary founders, Theo Krynauw and Prof John de Gruchy in front of the old Synagogue building which has become the Varsity’s Hub campus. It was recently purchased by a Canadian donor and transferred to HVT’s name.
All this was beyond the wildest dreams of everyone at HVT. A joint celebration of these two extraordinary gifts was planned for March this year, exactly 12 months after the project had been launched. And then along came COVID-19. The still- anonymous Canadian donor could no longer fly out to South Africa, and as with all other events in the country this one, too, had to be postponed. In any case, the Trustees, staff and volunteer tutors at HVT had their hands full trying to reorganise
“The same applied to the workbooks we compiled for them. Most of the students don’t have their own computers; they use the computers at the Hub. So now they were having to download the material on their cellphones and we suddenly understood that when it came to a choice between buying a loaf of bread and an additional data bundle, clearly they would buy the bread. Their reality was very different from ours.” So the first priority had to be to ensure that the students had access to food. They directed them to the Food Bank coordinated by Disaster Management, and many of the tutors on their own initiative supplied members of their groups with food vouchers and data. They also discovered a student resources website which provided free data for students. Of course, there is no such thing as a free lunch, so on a reverse-charge model, it billed the Varsity with
PHOTOS: Johann Kruger the cost of the data, which turned out very expensive. They have therefore initiated discussions with Telkom and Cell C who currently supply some universities and TVET colleges with free data. “One of the most useful lessons we have learnt from this lockdown has been the need to be agile,” says Delana. “So we’ve already completely restructured our operation, so that it is less rigid and more fluid. Something else we realised was that we needed a more strategic marketing plan and we are currently negotiating with one of the top marketing companies in the country to help us with this, but also to accept interns from amongst the young people of Hermanus to teach them technical skills like website design and management, graphic design, brand management and so on. “We have also been given the time to get into more detailed planning for future courses, like the BEd we want to introduce next year, or at the latest in 2022,” adds Delana. In the more immediate future, they are planning an art exhibition with Ubuntu as its theme, which will be restricted to local participants. It was supposed to have been a feature of the FynArts Festival; now they are discussing the possibility of going ahead with it anyway, perhaps in a different form. The arts are important to HVT and discussions are currently underway with Stellenbosch University and Kleinmond’s Handevat music project to collaborate on a music course for teachers. “So all in all,” laughs Delana, “we have made the most of this unexpected gift of time and it has been great to discover that no matter what, we have the adaptability, the resilience and the ability to innovate at short notice. That’s very self-affirming.”
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www.thevillagenews.co.za
22 April 2020
LET'S TALK
Business as usual for Overstrand Hospice The media are so focused on the current lockdown and the COVID-19 pandemic that we sometimes forget that other health care services are continuing as normal. Overstrand Hospice is an essential service to the community and our nursing and care staff are on the frontline. We are currently caring for around 60 patients and their families providing counselling, pain and symptom management, and emotional and spiritual support, often in very difficult circumstances. The selfless devotion and commitment of our staff is an inspiration to us all. We also appreciate the close working relationship we have with the medical profession who are challenged with having to make tough decisions daily on prioritising their patient loads across the medical spectrum. The following statistics put our service into perspective: Overstrand Hospice receives between 10 and 15 new patients very month and sadly have to deal with a similar number of deaths over the same period. In the last 12 months we had around 170 patients who passed away. As of Monday, COVID-19 deaths in South Africa were still below 60, with just over 3 000 people so far testing positive. We foresee a growing need for bereavement counselling, already an essential part of our service, as the impact of the pandemic spreads in our
community. We provide all our services completely free to those who require them, and no-one is turned away. We receive no Government funding at all. All our income is from donations, bequests and fundraising events. However, the Hospice shop in Hermanus is the main source of income. It has been closed from the start of the lockdown and we are obviously concerned that this will have a significant impact on the medium-term sustainability of our vital service. We have had a significant number of people calling us wanting to donate items for the shop. This we really appreciate and we would ask you to hold on to your goods, which we will gratefully receive once the lockdown is over. With the onset of cooler weather, Overstrand Hospice has decided to support the Municipal Disaster Management effort by donating shop items of clothing. Earlier this week the staff and directors of the Hospice filled over 30 big bags of clothing which will be sorted and given out to the vulnerable members of our community. We are very grateful to our Councillor Kari Brice, the Mayor and the Fire Department for their assistance with this initiative. We appreciate that so many people are feeling the economic consequences of the
How to get tested for COVID-19 If you are experiencing symptoms and have reason to suspect that you may have been in contact with someone who is infected, there are three courses of action you could take:
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Contact your GP and complete a telephonic assessment. Do not go into the doctor’s office. If you have an appointment, remain in your vehicle and call the practice so that you can be attended to in your vehicle. Contact the COVID-19 risk-assessment team at Mediclinic Hermanus on 028 313 0168 / 082 785 5917 / 083 377 7843. You can also call the Mediclinic COVID-19 Hotline number on 0860 24 00 24. If you need to be tested, do not enter the facility. Park your vehicle at the Emergen-
With 50% of the world’s population in some form of lockdown, people all around the globe are turning to The Village NEWS (TVN) online for factual and comprehensive stories about the Overstrand and the Overberg. Read some of the over 3 000 articles on The Village NEWS website (thevillagenews.co.za), or follow our Facebook groups and pages for news updates. Love Instagram? Follow us on @thevillagenews. Or find everything in one place and get the My Village app (download on Google Play or App Store).
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cy Centre and call the hospital to inform them that you are there for a COVID-19 test. Remain in your vehicle, where you will be met by medical staff to complete documentation prior to testing. Contact your local hospital or clinic: Hermanus Provincial Hospital 028 312 1166 / 028 313 5200; CDC Clinic, Zwelihle 028 313 5700; Hawston Clinic 028 315 2063; Kleinmond Clinic 028 271 5807; Stanford Clinic 028 341 0945; Gansbaai Kliniek 028 384 1917. Follow the instructions you are given by the medical staff.
Hermanus Provincial Hospital and most clinics in the Overberg will conduct testing for free with results available in 72 hours. Mediclinic Hermanus delivers test samples
lockdown. However, for those who can, we would ask that you consider sponsoring or part sponsoring a nursing sister or a patient. The current average cost of the operation of each nursing sister is R15 000 per month and the cost per patient is in the region of R5 500 per month. Please note the following contact numbers: • Nursing support; Patient Care Manager Sister Esme Potgieter: 082 200 4233 • Financial donations/ bequests - Amor du Preez: 082 684 1798 • Shop queries - Petra Luttig, Shop manager: 076 509 3915 We thank everyone for their continued outstanding support. John Ross-Smith Chairman, Overstrand Hospice
to Pathcare for processing and results are available between 24 – 48 hrs. You will be contacted via WhatsApp (or email /telephonically if you prefer) with your test result. The cost of the test and screening procedure at the Mediclinic is covered by medical aid (PMB condition). If you have been advised that you need to be tested, your ID number, telephone number, email address and medical aid details will be required. The testing procedure itself takes around five minutes, following which a decision will then be made on whether to admit the patient or send them home for self-isolation until the results of the test are known. You are urged to adhere to all medical advice presented by the team during the assessment.
Have a look at our latest website stats: • 20 904 unique users in March 2020 (+ 24% versus Feb 2020 and +148% versus Mar 2019) • 60% live in the Western Cape • 25% of Western Cape online users live in The Village NEWS newspaper distribution area (+250% versus February 2020 and +150% versus March 2019).
Compared to February 2020, The Village NEWS Facebook groups and pages doubled their growth in March 2020, despite the fact that 50% of The Village NEWS’ core readership already belongs to a TVN group. In March 2020, posts on TVN groups and pages reached over 300 000 people.
www.pressreader.com www.issuu.com/dwaal 5 162 reads of The Village NEWS come from ISSUU, a global publication platform. March 2020 saw a 20% increase from February 2020 and a 50% increase from March 2019. More and more readers are choosing to download the newspaper in a PDF format. Not only is it convenient to read TVN on ISSUU, but you can also directly click on any advertisement to instantly access further information on the company’s website or Facebook page.
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www.thevillagenews.co.za
22 April 2020
MY HOME
Accommodation sector taking a hard knock By Stuart Cohen CabinCare Property Management & Project Specialists
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s we all adjust to life in lockdown and the uncertainty of what lies ahead, writing about the state of the holiday rental market might seem like a slap in the face by a close friend. If ever there was a time in my life when I wished I had a crystal ball on my desk, it is now. The global future has never been as difficult to imagine as it is at the moment. Some older folk are even comparing the cataclysm of this pandemic to that of World War II. In our small part of the world, where the local economy was starting to show positive signs of recovery after the 2018 riots, the lockdown is having a devastating impact on the short- and long-term accommodation sector. There isn’t anyone with
field is that we are all in this together, whether we like it or not. For once, this is not a political positioning of the powerful, as nothing is more powerful right now than COVID-19. a hotel, guesthouse, bed & breakfast or Airbnb room-to-let that hasn’t taken a financial bath in the past two months and the predictions for the rest of this year are already looking pretty gloomy. There are many scenarios that could play out in the next few months and no one can be sure which way it will go. The biggest concern for many who have relied on their rental income as a means to survive month by month is that the income stream has simply dried up, overnight. In the same way as the world is forced to endure what some see as a global cleansing, so we in the Overstrand are going to see a change in tourism dynamics that even the most astute hosts and business owners may find hard to
comprehend, never mind the adjustments that will have to be made. One encouraging change I have observed is the extent to which many people seem to have had an epiphany in terms of who they are and how they’ve been living, and how this will impact their lives moving forward.
If ever there was a time to behave with humility then this is it. For those of us with Alpha-type personalities, it is challenging to say the least. We will need to adapt to the new restrictions as, for once in most of our lifetimes, we can only plan within a short timeframe until some sense of normality returns.
Humanity has been forced back to the basics, and the compassion and support shown to those less fortunate in our community have been profound. I doubt that many people will come out of this unchanged in one way or another, and I hope that some of our arrogance and lack of consideration will change as we are reminded of what is important in life. I know it has done that for me.
If I dare make some predictions about what could transpire in the next few months, the one obvious focus for all accommodation providers will be a new approach to sanitation and cleanliness, the likes of which we haven’t seen before. Once the tourists start returning to our shores they will want all kinds of reassurances that hygiene protocols are in place.
The one thing to level the playing
Many hosts have asked me the
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question we all want answered: When will normality return? Taking all things into consideration, and being realistic rather than blindly hopeful, I suspect we will not see a real pick-up in numbers before the end of the year. This prospect is shattering for all concerned, but it is largely out of our control and in the hands of the powers that be to determine when the “new normal” will become a reality. What we will need to do is to make sure we have a plan in place in order to adapt quickly to whatever the outcome will be. If there is one thing I can predict, it is that the spirit of survival of South Africans and the incredible levels of positivity and camaraderie to be found in this town will make the transition to the new normal a united one. We have a tough and bumpy road ahead, but as long as everyone accepts that we are all in this together we’ll be able to remain positive rather than fretting about what we cannot change.
The difference between quarantine and isolation
The word ‘quarantine’ refers to the separation of a person or group of people who have been, or may reasonably have been, exposed to a communicable disease but are not yet symptomatic, to prevent the possible spread of the communicable disease. Voluntary quarantine (when someone isn’t ordered to go into quarantine but chooses to do so just out of caution) is often called self-quarantine. Isolation happens when a person is infected with a communicable disease, and is separated from people who are not infected (in a hospital, for example) in order to stop the spread of the disease. Voluntary isolation at home is now often referred to as self-isolation, although it does not necessarily mean that the person or group of people are actually infected, but may have reason to suspect that they could be. - dictionary.com
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How to self-isolate at home Stay in a separate room
Wear a mask Call ahead around others before going to the doctor
Use your own toiletries
Take turns to use the kitchen
Clean cutlery and crockery properly
Thoroughly wash hands
Disinfect high-touch surfaces
Dispose of waste correctly
Wash laundry separately
60°
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f you or someone in your household develop flu-like symptoms, a fever or a persistent cough, you should self-isolate and not leave your house for any reason for at least 14 days from the onset of symptoms, until symptom-free and fever-free for 72 hours without the use of fever-lowering medications. If you have received a negative test result for COVID-19 during this period and no other members of your household have developed symptoms, all should be well. However, if you did test positive for COVID-19 and were instructed to self-isolate at home, you could still infect others after you stop feeling sick, so the latest recommendation from the World Health Organisation (WHO) is that you remain in self-isolation for another 14 days after symptoms disappear. All other members of your household must also self-isolate and, if any of them become unwell during the first person’s 14 days of isolation, the same measures will have to be followed for another 14-day period.
You have to test negative for COVID-19 twice in a row, 24 hours apart, to confirm that you are no longer contagious before resuming your normal routine. What does self-isolation mean in practical terms? • Stay in a separate room away from other people and pets in the home and remain there as much as you can. Keep the windows open to let in clean, fresh air. • Avoid all contact with other people and pets in your home. When you can’t avoid being around others, always cover your nose and mouth with a face mask. • Do not leave the house unless it’s to seek medical attention. Call ahead before going to your doctor’s office, clinic or hospital and inform them that you have, or may have COVID-19. Avoid using public transport. • If you can, use a separate bathroom to everyone else in the home. If you are sharing a bathroom, you should use your own
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towels, toothbrush and washcloth, and keep them separate from the rest of the household. Clean and disinfect the toilet and bathroom every time you have finished using them. If you share a kitchen, avoid using it when others are present. Take turns to cook or use the kitchen. Clean the kitchen and disinfect any surfaces you have touched afterwards with household detergent or bleach. Take your meals back to your room to eat. Use separate utensils, glasses, cups, cutlery and crockery to everyone else. If you have a dishwasher, use a 60° cycle to clean and dry your used crockery and cutlery. If you don't have a dishwasher, do your washing up using warm water and your normal washing-up liquid. Dry them thoroughly afterwards using a separate dish cloth. Other people in your household should regularly and thoroughly wash their hands and avoid touching their faces. Use hand
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sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry. All high-touch surfaces in your home should be disinfected every day, including phones, remote controls, counters, tabletops, doorknobs, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables. Tissues, disposable cleaning cloths, wipes, masks, gloves and other personal waste should be stored in disposable rubbish bags, placed inside another bag and stored separately for at least five days in direct sunlight before being placed outside for collection. Any dirty laundry should be washed separately at a high temperature (60°), and then tumble-dried or hung outside in the sun to dry before being ironed. - Hedda Mittner
Sources: patient.info; medicalnewstoday.com; healthline.com
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MY PET
Life for your pets after lockdown By Hilldidge Beer
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here is no doubt that lockdown will have a significant and lasting impact on all of us, and that includes our pets. For the first time in their lives they’ve had our undivided attention. Dogs may have been frustrated because daily walks were curtailed, but having you at home 24/7 has certainly made up for it. However, the moment lockdown is lifted pet parents will head back to work, back to the shops, off to the movies and pets will again spend long hours alone. Like humans, pets thrive in company. Both dogs and cats need people for love, shelter and for entertainment. For dogs that includes, but isn’t exclusive to, a daily walk. Mental stimulation through play, ‘hunting’ and chasing are just as important. For pet parents who will be leaving the home after lockdown, here are a few things you can do to keep your pets mentally stimulated in your
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absence. Remember, a bored pet is a destructive pet and purchasing a few toys or devising a few home games is a lot cheaper than a new sofa! At-home entertainment If you’ve never thought of buying a toy for your pet, now’s the time. There’s a wide variety to choose from but make sure they’re the kind that don’t necessarily need you to play along too. • Puzzle toys that can be stuffed with peanut butter, small bits of droë wors, biscuit bits or kibble will keep dogs entertained for hours as they hunt down the delicious smell of the food inside. • A rope toy with hooves attached (stuff the hooves with peanut butter) will not only keep them entertained but will also keep their jaws strong and agile.
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Rogz has a wide range of fun toys, including a soft toy sleeve for a plastic water bottle. Pop the bottle inside and its crunchy sound when your dog chews the soft outer sleeve will provide lots of fun. For cats, try fixing a feather toy to a shelf or door handle so that it hangs just above your cat’s head. Add a tinkling bell. Or buy a ball with a bell buried inside it or a mouse stuffed with catnip. This will satisfy your cat’s hunting instincts.
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You can make your own toys too. Puppy trainer Janina Kruger suggests that if your dog stays outside when you’re not home, roll balls of newspaper around treats and put them in a box that’s the right size for chewing, ie. don’t give a packing case to a Maltese! Close the lid. If he wants those treats, your dog will do all he can to tear that box open and find them. Puzzle feeders are great stimulators, too, as your pet must work hard to get to his breakfast and dinner. Create a treasure hunt around the garden by hiding kibble or treats. Set your dog off on the hunt just before you leave the house by throwing a handful of kibble on the lawn. Once he’s got the hang of using his nose to find the
kibble, he’ll hunt until he’s found it all. Get to the vet One of the biggest advantages of having spent so much time at home with your pet is that you are more attuned to him, so should notice the symptoms of ailments sooner than you might have otherwise. These might include limping (arthritis), drinking unusual amounts of water (kidney issues), dragging his hindquarters repeatedly on the ground (anal glands), breathing heavily (heart) or loss of appetite. All of these need veterinary attention. The sooner there’s a diagnosis, the more successful the outcome. And don’t forget his weight. It’s likely that under lockdown you spoiled him with more treats than usual but an obese pet is at high risk of life-threatening disease, so ask the vet to weigh him. Veterinarian Dr Hilldidge Beer is CEO of the EberVet Petcare Group and EberVet Vetshops.
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MY WELLNESS
Lockdown beauty SOS By Lindi Prinsloo Refine Anti-ageing & Laser Clinic
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uring this lockdown period, we’ve found ourselves being deemed a non-essential service. Beauty, non-essential? What! But so it is and here we are, some stuck at home alone, some with young children to drive them crazy, and somehow, some way we need to find a path through this extended, five-week lockdown. Not only are you far less active during this period, but if you are limiting your trips to the shops you may be eating different foods to what your body is used to. Your sleep may also be affected by this change in routine. I have heard from many friends that they are experiencing periods of stress, frustration and even grief for the life that they’ve had to leave behind and the adjustments they are having to make. We’ve put together some tips and tricks to help you stay happy and healthy during lockdown. You may even enjoy this chance to pause and reflect. See this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take stock of your life, pamper yourself and set future goals. This will ensure that you come out of lockdown with your chakras balanced, ready to grab life by the horns. Get enough sleep Sleep is an essential part of staying healthy. When we sleep the hormone, melatonin, is released and essentially detoxes our brain and body for the next day. Inadequate sleep can cause your
body to release more of the stress hormone, cortisol, which can cause inflammation in your skin, manifesting as acne or psoriasis. Interestingly enough, excess cortisol caused by stress and lack of sleep also lowers your immune system. So enough sleep is one of the essential ingredients for supporting your immune system at this time. Remember to exercise You’ve probably heard that exercise causes your body to release endorphins, those wonderful little morphine-like hormone molecules that elevate your mood. Exercise also burns cortisone, making it a great way to reduce stress and anxiety and help keep your skin clear. There are many exercise programs on YouTube that can be easily followed, even in a small space such as an apartment. Set exercise goals for yourself. These can be as simple as increasing the number of push ups you do or timing yourself doing the plank and holding it for longer each day. If you find yourself working out more than once a day because, well, you have the time, just remember to wash your face before and after (as well as taking a shower post-workout) and apply moisturiser. Get enough vitamins It is interesting to note the overlap between those vitamins and minerals we need to maintain a healthy skin and those needed to support a strong and healthy immune
system. A solid dose of vitamin C (1 000 mg daily) and zinc are required for both healthy skin and immunity. Most pharmacies would be able to supply you with a reputable supplement and the good news is that some health shops are also open during lockdown. Usually, we warn of the dangers of the sun. However, it also has a very important role to play in keeping our skin and immune systems healthy. We’ve had glorious weather over this lockdown period and you should ensure that you are exposed to the sun for around 20 minutes every day. This will increase the production and conversion of vitamin D – an essential vitamin needed to protect you from colds and flu. You can still protect the skin on your face with sunscreen and expose other areas of your body.
as they could also cause over-stimulation of the sebum glands. Don’t forget to moisturise after you wash your hands
If you cannot get sun exposure for some reason, you will need to supplement with vitamin D. The US Institute of Medicine suggests an average daily intake of 400–800 IU, or 10–20 micrograms of vitamin D. Vitamin D is long-acting, so you may opt for a weekly dose of 5 000 IU from a company such as Metagenics.
We’re all washing our hands much more often than usual (or we should be!). This could lead to more cases of hand eczema, as all that washing and use of hand sanitiser dries out the skin. Many people are experiencing cracked and chapped hands. It is essential to moisturise after handwashing, as chapped skin allows bacteria and viruses to penetrate. Moisturising adds a layer of essential protection to your skin and protects from infection.
Use skin masks, peels and exfoliators with caution
Avoid foods with a high glycemic index
With extra time on your hands, you might be tempted to indulge in all kinds of masks, exfoliators and peels. Be cautious about getting carried away with this kind of treatment as you really could be hurting your skin. All that exfoliating and peeling affects your skin’s acid mantle.
A healthy, balanced diet is good for your skin, too. While there is no one miracle food that will give you great skin, there are foods you should try to avoid. Foods with a high glycemic index don’t do your skin any favours. These include boxed cereals, white bread, rice and crackers.
You have good bacteria and bad bacteria on your skin, and you don’t want to get rid of all the good stuff. If you over treat, your pH levels go up and that can lead to skin problems. Be aware of home-made facial masks,
Anything rich in antioxidants – foods like strawberries, spinach, raspberries and artichokes – are good choices to support overall health. Due to the lack of movement during lockdown, you may find that you are eating less.
This is fine and natural. We should all adjust our diets to lower kilojoule intake at this time. Running out of skin care products? While none of the following should necessarily make up your entire skin routine, there are household items you could use if you are running low on your regular skincare products. There are people who believe that coconut oil can help with eczema and dry skin. But don’t put it on your face. It has been shown to be comedogenic, which means it can cause blocked pores and breakouts. You can, however, use castor oil on your face. As a source of triglycerides, which help retain moisture, castor oil can be beneficial to your skin. And good old petroleum jelly applied once or twice a week can help repair the skin’s barrier – but don’t overdo it! Take advantage of being less rushed. Take care of yourself. Moisturise. Keep up your skin care regime. If you’ve haven’t had time in the past to stick to a routine, now is an excellent opportunity to do that. There have been interesting social media posts with everything from facial yoga poses, to face muscle exercises. Stick to the basics and we’ll see you soon for our serious skin treatments!
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MY ENVIRONMENT 1
PHOTO: Getty Images
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PHOTO: Wikimedia
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s I write this we are well into the extended period of lockdown and we are all experiencing a touch of the blues. But let’s not dwell too much on that and look at some fascinating marine animals generally known as ‘the blues’. The blues, as might be expected from the name, hang out in the deep blue ocean. Or perhaps more accurately, they sail the seven seas. The blues all have some sort of floatation device that allows them to float at the sea surface. And yes, they really are blue, the colour being camouflage against predators spotting them on the surface from above. However, they have no means of propulsion, so the blues are all at the mercy of sea currents and the wind. This is why the on-shore winds will cause them to wash out on beaches around the world.
Portuguese Man o’ War or ‘Bluebottle’ Most people are familiar with the bluebottle, also known as Portuguese Man o’ War (Physalia physalis). People who have experienced their stings may wish they were less familiar with them.
This remedy works for jellyfish stings as well. Both toxins are proteins and the hot water denatures the protein (breaks the 3D structure), rendering it inactive. Peeing on the sting will not help, despite what you may have seen on TV programmes such as Survivor or Friends.
A bluebottle is not just one animal, but a colony of specialised individuals, which all have the same genetic makeup but different functions (like the organs in our bodies).
Bubble-raft shell Another fascinating blue floater is the bubble-raft shell. These beautiful blue snails look fragile, but they're hardy travellers and fascinating hunters! The violet sea snail (Janthina janthina) is a pale purple gastropod found in tropical and subtropical waters all around the world. It spends its entire life adrift on the ocean surface using a raft made of bubbles.
One type of animal forms a blue gasfilled float; others are specialised reproductive and feeding animals that hang beneath the float. Yet other individuals form long trailing tentacles with vicious stinging cells. These tentacles are designed to catch and immobilise fish and other prey. They then retract the tentacles to bring the prey closer to the specialist feeding 5 animals. The best way to treat a sting from a bluebottle is to rinse the wound with vinegar to remove any residual stingers or bits of tentacle left on the skin, and then immerse the wound in hot water – ideally at a temperature of 45° C for 45 minutes. A hot pack will substitute nicely for the hot water.
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PHOTO: IFL Science
The beauty of ‘the blues’ By Anina Lee
PHOTO: Project Noah
It excretes mucous from a gland on its foot, and agitates the water around it to create bubbles that it traps inside the mucous. The bubble-raft is critical to its survival as the snail lacks the ability to swim. If the bubbles become dislodged from the shell, the snail will sink and die. Beyond worrying about keeping its bubble-raft intact, life isn’t care-free for the violet sea snail, because it is food for a wide range of predators, including birds, turtles and fish. Violet snails are protandric hermaphrodites, meaning they are born male and develop into females over time. Fertilisation is internal, but males lack
1. ‘The blues’ float at the sea surface and because they have no means of propulsion they are at the mercy of sea currents and the wind. 2. Most people are familiar with the bluebottle (Physalia physalis), also known as Portuguese Man o’ War, which often wash out on beaches. 3. This bubble-raft shell (Velella velella) is also called a ‘by-the-wind-sailor’ because of its translucent triangular vane that acts like a small sail. 4. The bubble-raft shell (Janthina janthina) is a beautiful violet sea snail. 5. The Blue Dragon (Glaucus atlanticus), locally known as a ‘sea swallow’, has an even more powerful sting than the bluebottle. PHOTO: mnn.com
a penis, so there is no direct mating. Instead, the males release their sperm into a case that drifts to a female, where the sperm fertilises the eggs. The eggs develop internally and are born live, with the tiny purple snails immediately able to build their own rafts. These baby snails are protected from day one by a great camouflage strategy known as countershading. It works by having the underside of their shell – which sits on the surface of the ocean when they’re floating – be much darker in colour than the top. By-the-wind-sailor and Sea Swallow So what is the advantage of floating at the surface? The bubble-raft shell has evolved this ability in order to feed on other ‘floaters’ such as jellyfish, bluebottles and particularly Velella velella, also called ‘by-thewind-sailors’. By-the-wind sailors have a stiff translucent triangular vane that acts like a small sail. Interestingly, the sail runs diagonally across the top of the float, so that the animals sail at a 45-degree angle to the prevailing wind, just like
a sailing boat. Another member of the ‘blues band’ is Glaucus atlanticus, a species of sea slug (Nudibranch), locally known as a ‘sea swallow’. The sea swallow uses its blue coloration to its advantage as it floats on the ocean's surface. The blue side of the body faces upward to camouflage it against the blue of the sea, while the silver side faces downward to camouflage it against the bright surface of the water. Like other nudibranchs, the sea swallow stores the stinging cells (nematocysts) created by the creatures on which it feeds, including Portuguese man o' wars. These cells are stored and concentrated, so when it's touched, the blue dragon can release these stinging cells to pack an even more powerful punch than the man o' war. That’s some punch. These beautiful but dangerous sea slugs can be found throughout oceans around the world, from temperate to tropical waters. So if you come across one, it's best to admire its beautiful blue colours from a distance and not be tempted to touch it.
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R 1 900 000 FINE & COUNTRY FEATURE VERMONT, HERMANUS, WESTERN CAPE Artist’s retreat. Renovator’s dream. This lovely family home with a separate flatlet or studio, is nestled between large trees and an enchanting garden in a quiet area of Vermont in Hermanus. A renovator’s dream and artist’s retreat, this home enjoys a rich variety of bird life, with the sound of waves echoing in the background. The open-plan lounge, family room, dining room and kitchen open onto a covered verandah overlooking the front garden with a picket fence. The home accommodates 3 bedrooms, one being en-suite, a full guest bathroom and an office-study. The flatlet has an en-suite bedroom and a small living area. There is a spacious double garage and an additional single garage. This much loved gem of a home has a delightful ambiance expected of the area and sought by many. It is within walking distance from the ocean, close to all the popular beaches, restaurants, local wine farms and many important amenities. Exclusive instruction. Jenny Küsel 082 262 7578 Stephen De Stadler 082 441 0120 WEB: 1472366
R 1 999 999 FINE & COUNTRY FEATURE SANDBAAI, HERMANUS, WESTERN CAPE Sea and mountain meet an upmarket lifestyle. This stunning 3 bedroom family home is nestled in the Avenues, a popular secure estate on the Western side of Sandbaai. The open-plan lounge and dining room lead out onto a lovely covered patio with a built-in braai and enclosed front garden overlooking the mountain vistas. The living area offers high trusses and a cosy built-in fireplace to give way to many happy family gatherings. The open-plan kitchen with gourmet finishes leads out onto an enclosed back garden. The main bedroom offers a full en-suite bathroom and leads out into the front garden with magnificent mountain views. The other 2 bedrooms share a guest bathroom. Offering a single garage, fitted for laundry appliances, as well as paved secure parking. The Avenues is known for the uninterrupted mountain views, serene lifestyle and ambience Hermanus has to offer. The estate has beautiful landscaped communal gardens, access to a sparkling communal pool, dog park, play park for children, walk paths and is close to popular beaches, local wine farms and many more amenities. Exclusive instruction. Jenny Küsel 082 262 7578 Stephen De Stadler 082 441 0120 WEB: 1362148
Hermanus Office 16 Hope Street, Hermanus, 7200 + 27 (0)21 205 7135 hermanus@fineandcountry.com
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