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www.thevillagenews.co.za
FROM THE EDITOR
25 November 2020
Let’s make informed decisions
With Covid-19 vaccine developers reporting promising results, we are soon going to be faced with the question of whether or not we want to be vaccinated. It is understandable that many people would want and need the vaccine as soon as possible, but it is also understandable that some may be wary of not only a new product but also a new type of vaccine (mRNA) in the case of Pfizer and Moderna. This leads us to the problem of what the medical fraternity now refers to as vaccine hesitancy. American research
data suggest only 3 in 4 people would get vaccinated if a Covid-19 vaccine were available, and only 30% would want to receive the vaccine soon after it becomes available.
question: Can the government compel us to be vaccinated or do we have the right to refuse it? There are competing rights and duties on both sides. Forcing an individual to be vaccinated is a violation of their right to personal choice. But it is the fundamental right to life that throws the Covid-19 vaccine issue into stark relief, because it also means governments must make some effort to safeguard citizens’ lives by protecting them from life-threatening diseases. One of the aspects of the Covid-19
If these numbers prove to be universally accurate, then even if a safe and effective vaccine is produced, at best world-wide immunity will be significantly delayed by vaccine hesitancy, at a cost to both lives and to the resumption of normal life, and at worst, it may never be achieved. It is therefore probable we will face the public health
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navigator, surveyor and cartoonist who isn’t around anymore to ask.
De Waal Steyn
But the latest news is that after his ship, the Santa Flatulata sank, Marco and his vuvuzela were rescued by Somali pirates two miles off Africa’s east coast near the port of Lawrence O’Marks. As soon as we’ve deciphered the rest of Lenny’s notes, we’ll let you know, Mr Angelo.
E: dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za
Hedda Mittner
CONTENT EDITOR T: 083 645 3928
But back to the emails. Many folks asked about our inexpensive home-made Champagne Spritzer, ideal for any occasion, so here’s a quick step-by-step guide again. Fill a large glass/tankard 50/50 with wine and cold water. Pour in a dollop of Oros for flavour and colour. Add ice and just a pinch of ENOs. Stir vigorously and drink while still fizzing. Repeat ad nauseum. Guests love it.
E: hedda@thevillagenews.co.za
ONLINE EDITOR T: 074 125 5854
E: raphael@thevillagenews.co.za
Elaine Davie
JOURNALIST T: 084 343 7500
E: elaine@thevillagenews.co.za Taylum Meyer PRODUCTION MANAGER, PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN T: 084 564 0779
E: taylum@thevillagenews.co.za
In the same way, the introduction of mass immunisation programmes therefore requires a balancing act between personal choice and public safety. The time has come for us to start thinking and talking about these issues. We need to have a clear understanding of
the choices we are being faced with. We must not be swayed either way by the illogical arguments of hard-line anti-vaxxers or the public relation bumf spun by large pharma. On the one hand you might have the right to refuse vaccination but on the other it might impose limits on your freedoms of travel or access to schools and workplaces. This, while you have a responsibility towards yourself and those around you. Public consent on these issues is vital. This is the good NEWS. -Ed
Replies to Readers’ Frequently Asked Questions
PUBLISHING EDITOR T: 083 700 3319
Raphael da Silva
pandemic that has changed the way in which we think of illnesses, is our public responsibility to others. For instance, we do not wear masks only to protect ourselves from the virus, we also wear them to protect others from being infected by us.
By Murray Stewart murray.stewart49@gmail.com
T
he end-of-year joys and horrors are just around the corner, so before the madness sets in, I’ve decided to knuckle down and answer those emails from readers around the globe that have been piling up on Fanny White from Kansas – who wants to remain anonymous – the editorial desk all year. asked where she could buy a tanning machine like President Micky Angelo, curator of the Trump’s. Well Fanny, they’re made archives in Venice’s Nautical History Museum, enquired about in China, and with the current tariff wars raging, they’re pretty Marco Polo’s journey to the East scarce, but some are still available via Southern Africa which, he on the black market. maintains, isn’t recorded in any historical documents in his library. Sadly, the President’s highly This, Mr Angelo, is due to poorly popular model Burnt Orange is out scribbled records in Latin shorthand by Lenny da Vinci, the ship’s of stock, but others in the range
include Merlot Glow, Brazilian Bronze, Siam Sallow and Rum’n Raison for the rugged outdoor look. All come in sweat or matte finish. Orders via the Russian Embassy or Rudy Giuliani. Then there’s the Black Forest Lumberjack Union who asked for our help. They’ve been unable to get answers from The Hood, the den of dubious delights owned by Red Riding Hood with her creative herbal cookies. They’re looking for the slightly camp wood-cutter who pitched up late, and being a vegetarian, refused to help the wolf eat Granny. The Union bosses want a word with him. If you know his whereabouts please email us. Dozens of readers are still confused and sceptical. Well, the answer to their frequently asked question is yes. It is true. We are visited by aliens/angels, and have been since biblical times. Welcome to the 21st century. Penny Lane from Liverpool wrote: “Since you alerted us about how often people begin a sentence with the word ‘so’, our whole family plays a game around the TV every evening called So Spotting. The first to shout ‘spot!’ when anyone starts their answer with
‘so’, gets a point. The one with the least points by the 8pm news does the dishes.” Glad we could help, Penny but it drives me mad. The ladies from the Somerset West Underwater Bridge Society are in a dilemma about “safety regulations for this Coronavirus thing”. Apparently eye-contact and subtle hand gestures are vital in Bridge, especially when playing in the deep end. “Social distancing is not practical,” they claim, “and the masks get tangled up with our goggles and snorkels. Will we be fined if we don’t wear masks?” Yes ladies, you will. Rather play in the shallow end. Mr Qultzal is the owner of The Duck ’n Fiddle’s Mexican franchise called The Quack ’n Banjo. His family tree has roots going back to the Aztecs, and their ancient language, Nahuatl, was passed down to him through the generations. As a result he thought we should all know that the following words come from the Aztecs: Chocolate. Chilli. Coyote. Well, thanks for that Mr Qultzal. From now on I’m sure our readers will always think of Coyote chasing Road-runner when munching chillies.
Charé van der Walt MARKETING & SALES MANAGER T: 082 430 1974
E: chare@thevillagenews.co.za
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