07 July 2020 - www.tametimes.co.za
South Africa’s Strange Lockdown Strategy Other countries implemented a lockdown when cases started to rise and waited for the number of COVID-19 cases to go down before they ease their lockdown restrictions. South Africa is going in the opposite direction and is easing lockdown restrictions as the spread of the virus is increasing. Professor Salim Abdool Karim, chairperson of the Health Minister’s COVID-19 advisory group, said this places South Africa in a unique position. Instead of increasing restrictions during the growth phase of the virus to reduce its spread – like in other countries – South Africa is allowing more movement and larger congregations of people. This fuel the spread of the virus across the country as the number of COVID-19 infections is nowhere close to reaching its peak. Many people criticised this strategy, saying instead of flatting the infection curve the government has only flattened the economy. South Africa overtook China in the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases two weeks ago, and since then, the growth rate has continued to increase. South Africa versus China To illustrate South Africa’s unique lockdown strategy, it is educational to compare it to China’s lockdown in Wuhan and other cities in Hubei. China
When the virus started to spread in Wuhan, China imposed severe transport restrictions in the region on 23 January. Three weeks later, when the growth was reaching peak levels, China imposed a strict lockdown by shutting down all non-essential companies and manufacturing plants. A week later, it shut down all schools in the region as a further measure to curb the spread of the virus. The travel and other restrictions remained in place until the number of active cases flatlined. It eased the two-month lockdown on 22 March and waited for nearly three more weeks before allowing all transportation to resume. South Africa In South Africa, a national state of disaster was declared on 15 March, and
on 18 March schools were closed. Two weeks later, the country went into a strict national lockdown where the government shut down all nonessential companies. Because of the lockdown, the number of new daily cases remained low but the economy started to suffer, which forced the government to ease the restrictions on 1 May. The daily cases started to increase in May, but despite this growth, the restrictions were further eased on 1 June, with schools reopening, religious gatherings being allowed, and domestic travel opened for business purposes. South Africa has now reached a rapid COVID-19 growth phase, and the government has yet again eased restrictions on public gatherings, sitdown restaurants, and business events.
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Harder Lockdown Could Be In The Cards. Gauteng premier David Makhura says that the ‘Covid-19 storm’ has arrived in the province which could necessitate the reintroduction of stricter lockdown rules, according to Business Tech. Speaking in a media briefing on Thursday (2 July), Makhura said that the province saw an exponential rise in the number of coronavirus cases in June, as well as a significant increase in fatalities. And, he warned that July will be ‘even more difficult’. “We don’t want to do something for dramatic purposes without achieving results. But it is quite clear that we are going to have to do something extraordinary given where we are now. “This may mean asking the national command council to introduce some of the restrictions we had in the earlier phases (of the lockdown).” Makhura said that Gauteng now has the largest number of active cases at more than 3,000 new cases daily. This means that the pandemic is running ‘slightly ahead’ of the projected models. “We think there may be a case for harder localized lockdown in areas where the infection rate is getting out of hand and people are not observing the measure being put in place.” Specific issues which are set to be discussed include: The sale of alcohol – including the hours when it may be sold; The return of more school students, with an estimated 1 million expected to return as of 6 July; The reopening of churches and other specific sectors. Makhura said that consultations on these issue will be held on Saturday, while the final decision will have to be made at the national level by the NCCC.“A risk-adjusted strategy means that you look at the hotspots and make a case that a different approach may be needed (in these areas). “Given what we are going through now, and the fact that things will get worse in July, we cannot just throw our hands in the air and say that there is nothing that we can do.”
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07 July 2020
Child Illness Linked Teacher Dies After Collapsing At School To Covid-19
New evidence suggests that the mysterious Kawasaki-like child illness known as multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) could be triggered by COVID-19. It is also known as or Paediatric Inflammatory Multi-System Syndrome (PIMS-TS). MIS-C in children is a condition that causes inflammation in different parts of the body like the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). When it first began emerging in late April/early May, MISC-C or IMS-TS was initially compared to Kawasaki-disease and toxic-shock syndrome. However, studies have revealed it is a new, distinct illness of its own, and many experts thinking it was related to COVID-19. Doctors believed that MIS-C was not caused by the virus. Rather that the weakened immune system following an infection makes children more susceptible to getting MIS-C. New research by the University of Birmingham now suggests that COVID-19 could be the cause of MIS-C in children, not just related to it as previously thought. The results of this test could mean that any child who has had the virus, even if they were asymptomatic, is at risk of developing MIS-C. Researchers at the University of Birmingham ran antibody tests in children displaying symptoms in line with MIS-C. The CDC describes antibodies as proteins that fights off infection and prevent further infection. Antibody tests check the blood for the presence of antibodies, which can show if someone has had a viral infection in the past. All children tested in the research process came back negative for the SARS-CoV-2 virus but all had high levels of anti-SARS-
CoV-2 antibodies. This shows they had COVID-19 at some point in the last few weeks or months but recovered. They then developed MISC-C symptoms much later. Based on these results, researchers now believe that antibody testing can be used as an effective means of diagnosing MIS-C/PIMS-TS, even if the virus is not directly detectable in the patient. THIS TESTING ALLOWS FOR RAPID DIAGNOSIS AND EARLY TREATMENT, WHICH COULD MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN HOW THE DISEASE DEVELOPS. “By focusing on assay development using academic principles, we have designed a sensitive antibody test that can be used to detect exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infections. The test will be used to understand how many people have suffered from COVID-19 in our communities but we have found another use identifying PIMSTS in these sick children,” said Dr. Alex Richter, lead researcher and Consultant Immunologist at the University of Birmingham’s Institute of Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy. The CDC warns that MISC-C can be serious and even deadly in children, but most who are diagnosed will recover with medical care. SYMPTOMS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN YOUR CHILD INCLUDE: persistent fever irritability or sluggishness severe abdominal pain diarrhea vomiting rash red or pink eyes enlarged lymph node gland on one side of the neck red cracked lips or red tongue swollen hands and feet
A high school teacher collapsed and died at her workplace in Gauteng on Friday, the provincial Department of Education has confirmed. The 48-year-old teacher at Central Secondary School in Soshanguve collapsed near a water fountain. Teachers who witnessed the incident rushed to her aid and took her to an office. Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi said emergency services were called to the school. The teacher was certified dead by paramedics. The cause of the teacher’s death could not be immediately established. Lesufi said he was disheartened by the teacher’s death.
“District officials immediately visited the school to provide necessary support and advised that the school be dismissed following the shocking incident at the said school. “Our psycho-social team and employee wellness will, on 6 July, visit the school to offer necessary support accordingly. “Indeed this is devastating and difficult to comprehend in this difficult period. We would like to convey our sincere condolences to the family and the school community. We want to assure the family that, they are in our prayers, during this time of grief. We will facilitate a memorial service to celebrate her life, in the near future,” said Lesufi. Source: News24
Smokers To Picket Outside Union Buildings Against Ban
This will be the second attempt to get President Cyril Ramaphosa’s attention on lifting the restrictions on the sale of tobacco products. A group of smokers, calling themselves Dear Mr President, plan to picket at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon (1pm). The group hopes their silence while at the Union Buildings on Saturday will make their presence felt, possibly highlighting their plight for tobacco product sales. The group will have to face possible actions from police after Police Minister Bheki Cele, this week, said anyone caught buying, selling cigarettes will get a criminal record. Speaking during a Parliamentary question and answer session on Tuesday, Cele responded to question on getting a criminal record for buying cigarettes, by saying the courts had confirmed that people
could not buy cigarettes and that it was illegal. The planned march fizzled out at the Union Buildings when police were allegedly the first to arrive at the scene. While the ban remains one of the government’s most contentious lockdown regulations, Ramaphosa has made it clear that cigarettes will not be gone forever. During a live public imbizo this week, he said: “Cigarettes are not banned forever in our country. The ban on cigarettes will be lifted.” He urged South Africans to accept the ban until such time as the government deems it acceptable to lift it. “The lockdown is still in place in terms of our regulations,” he said, reminding citizens that the national state of disaster and the rules that govern it are still in place.
07 July 2020
03
DA Donates Library To Buhle Our farmers help communities in dire need for food. Park Secondary School Old Brown Sherry Not The Cure For Covid-19 The
in
thanks to the efforts by the DA, and the
Ekurhuleni handed over a new library
Democratic
generosity of organizations, businesses
to the Buhle Park Secondary School,
and private donors all over the Province,
which promises to be a positive influ-
who donated over 15 000 books, as well
ence on learning outcomes for the stu-
as tables, chairs and shelves.
dents and the community at large.
The opening of the library marked the
On 30 June 2020, the DA team – consist-
final day of Youth Month, and was an
ing of Cllr. Kade Guerreiro, MP Michelle
appropriate occasion to reflect on the
Clarke,
Education
youth of 1976, as well as on our current
Farmers from Ixopo, Highflats, Kokstad,
they donated 5000 bottles of milk,
Khume Ramulifho, and DA Youth Lead-
education system, where less than 10% of
Mount Currie and Mooi Rivier all donat-
cabbage, tomatoes, maize, potatoes, fruit
er MP Luyolo Mphithi, officially handed
schools in South Africa have functional
ed fresh and dry produce, seedlings and
and other fresh and dry produce.
over the new library to Principal Mr. Se-
libraries.
milk to rural communities.
These were all collected, packaged and
kobane.
This is a blight on the system and some-
By partnering with local organisations,
delivered door to door.
The Buhle Park Secondary School has
thing that the DA is committed to make a
churches and municipalities, they were
“When we heard that spaza shops were
been trying to obtain a library for years
difference.
able to assist 4500 families. The Kokstad
not among the initial list of essential sup-
to no avail, as the City of Ekurhuleni has
Libraries play a critical role in providing
Community Care Centre, the Kokstad
pliers,
unfortunately failed to provide any fund-
students with access to information so
Chamber of Commerce, local ward Coun-
we knew our communities would suffer
ing or support.
that they can excel academically and ulti-
cillors and churches helped identify all
greatly and that we needed to help,”
The library has now become a reality
mately uplift their communities.
the families in need. There was an over-
said Bruce Alwood, Chairman on the Ixo-
whelming response from the farmers as
po Farmers Association Trust.
Shadow
Alliance
MEC
for
(DA)
Classifieds
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07 July 2020
Siya Kolisi tops prestigious list of ‘most influential’ figures in rugby
Cheetahs midfielder rolls car while evading guinea fowl, emerges unscathed
World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has topped a list of the most influential figures in rugby in 2020. The list, which included a top 50, was compiled by the prestigious Rugby World magazine and included input from experts from all over the world. Springbok director of rugby Rassie Erasmus, who coached the Boks at the 2019 World Cup in Japan, comes in at No 6. SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux features at No 15, while Jacques Nienaber, who was the defence coach at the World Cup but has since been promoted to head coach, is No 43. “Siya Kolisi of South Africa - but now one of rugby’s universal soldiers - stands at No 1 in our most influential list, with Maro Itoje close behind at No 3,” wrote Stephen Jones in the magazine. Rugby World most influential people in rugby in 2020: 1. Siya Kolisi 2. Bernard Laporte 3. Maro Itoje 4. Warren Gatland 5. Nick Clarry 6. Rassie Erasmus 7. Claude Atcher 8. Eddie Jones 9. Dr Eanna Falvey
Familiar failings condemn Manchester City to defeat at Southampton Manchester City lost for the ninth time in the Premier League this season as Che Adams’s spectacular first Southampton goal condemned Pep Guardiola’s men to a 1-0 defeat on Sunday. Just four days after thrashing newly-crowned champions Liverpool on Thursday, City were given a reminder of why they are 23 points behind the Reds at the top of the table as defensive mistakes and a host of missed chances cost them at St. Mary’s. Adams caught City goalkeeper Ederson stranded well outside his area to score the only goal on 16 minutes as Saints then somehow held out to mathematically secure their Premier League status for another season. Guardiola made six changes from the rout over Liverpool with Kevin De Bruyne among those dropping to the bench. Even without the brilliant Belgian, City still created enough chances to win com-
fortably but were only denied by some inspired goalkeeping by Alex McCarthy and wayward finishing. Southampton were given something to hold on to on 16 minutes when Stuart Armstrong robbed Oleksandr Zinchenko and Adams ended his 30-game wait to score a goal for Southampton in spectacular style by catching Ederson out of his goal from over 40 yards out. The Saints goal then lived a charmed life as Gabriel Jesus fired over with the goal gaping from Joao Cancelo’s cross, Fernandinho struck the post and McCarthy made the first of a string of saves from David Silva’s powerful header. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men were still causing a threat themselves on the counter-attack and Danny Ings uncharacteristically wasted a golden chance to make it 2-0 and close on Leicester’s Jamie Vardy in the race for the Golden Boot by shooting over with just Ederson to beat. City continued to dominate after the break
as McCarthy spread himself brilliantly to save from Silva before Bernardo Silva’s goalbound effort was deflected wide. De Bruyne and the in-form Phil Foden were introduced on the hour mark, but still the hosts’ defence held firm to keep City scoreless for just the fourth time this season. Saints were marooned in the bottom three when the sides last met in a 2-1 City win in November, a week after they suffered a Premier League record 9-0 home defeat to Leicester. But the Southampton board’s backing of Hasenhuttl, who recently signed a contract extension to 2024, has been fully justified as the Austrian’s side climb to 13th and could yet be the beneficiaries of City’s misfortune. Southampton are just five points off eighth place which may be enough for a place in next season’s Europa League should City’s appeal against a two-season ban from European competition not be successful later this month.
New Cheetahs recruit Howard Mnisi had a narrow escape last week when he rolled his vehicle. Register your interest for the British & Irish Lions tickets in South Africa 2021 Afrikaans newspaper Rapport indicated on Sunday that the accident occurred outside Senekal in the Free State. It is believed that Mnisi, who was on his way to Bloemfontein, lost control of the vehicle when he tried to avoid a guinea fowl in the road. A Cheetahs spokesperson told Sport24 on Monday that Mnisi’s car rolled several times and is written off, but that the player emerged unscathed from the accident. Mnisi signed a two-year deal with the Cheetahs in May, having been on the Southern Kings’ books since 2019. The 30-year-old played Super Rugby for the Lions between 2015 and 2018. Before that, he made a name for himself at Griquas (2013-14) and also played Super Rugby for the Cheetahs in the same period. In 2016, Mnisi played for the SA ‘A’ team against an England Saxons touring team and was tipped by many for higher honours. However, injuries at crucial junctures in his career curtailed his hopes for Springbok recognition.