South African Covid-19 News and Discussions 3

[Lupus]

I think the thinking behind the curfew is the government is attempting to avoid super-spreader events, which occur largely inside and where there are masses of people close together. So with a curfew - at least for restaurants and bars - there will be less time spent with other people. Yes, you can theoretically go earlier to the bar and make up for the 'lost time' as a result of the curfew, but I don't many people's planning abilities extend that far.

Or they can just stay till 4am? You know how many clubs I left at like 6am when I was younger.

 

[animal531]

I was told yesterday that there are 8 changes to the spike protein in this new strain which the vaccine acts on. So the chances of the current vaccines working on it are low.

Oof, I hadn't heard that. Thanks, I'll check for updates.

 

[dualmeister]

I like the picture that the DA used in the tweet:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1340220451520458760

Wish the bitch would go to jail.

 

[Geoff.D]

Oof, I hadn't heard that. Thanks, I'll check for updates.

The presentation specifically avoided calling this a new strain pending international peer review of the research.
Next, the presentation specifically stated the above raising questions about the effectiveness if the current vaccines. The answer is "we don't know, so we cant say either way if the vaccines will work or not".
Next, the evidence so far suggests that mortality maybe reduced but insufficient evidence exists to categorically say so.
There were 4 bullet points dealing with what is not known.

 

[dualmeister]

Police officer arrested for selling alcohol from car

A Durbanville police officer was arrested after he was found selling alcohol from an official police rental vehicle at a taxi rank on December 15.

www.capetownetc.com

 

[Paulsie]

I don't like the change, but claiming that the President's word should be final is rich coming from the DA. It's more likely they mean that the President's word should be final, unless the DA disagrees.

All information announced on national TV should be final, regardless of who announces it.

NDZ is not only making mockery of CR but also of all people.

 

[EMAM]

Wow! Just today I've sent 12 different people get well whatsapps... Family and friends, all diagnosed in the last day.

Even I'm beginning to panic, and I don't scare easily

 

[dualmeister]

Wow! Just today I've sent 12 different people get well whatsapps... Family and friends, all diagnosed in the last day.

Even I'm beginning to panic, and I don't scare easily

Yip. Another two in laws just tested positive. Xmas gathering cancelled.
Cousin could not be admitted to hospital due to a lack of beds, Was sent home.

 

[daveza]

The 9pm closure time and 10pm curfew is only for hot-spots.

For everyone else it's as squirrel said.

 

[IdlePhaedrus]

Got questions about the new Covid-19 variant? Health department has the answers

The department of health issued a lengthy list of questions and answers on Saturday after announcing that the virus that causes Covid-19 has evolved into a new variant.

www.sowetanlive.co.za

Possibly posted previously

 

[krycor]

I see they say garden route is stabilizing..

This guy should be a political person but then in those positions you kinda have to be very careful use of words. It’s interesting they haven’t mentioned the hospitalization availability or use in that area though.

But with stabilization it makes the beach closure thing an interesting debate in court vs the “no impact” crew. I hope they forced to post their “plans” for this area as I’m tired of the stupidity in SA wrt turning it into a political thing when it might just be that the stats meant it was not do-able but we will see.

DA always takes the business side, ANC takes the cautious side it seems wrt corona or at least that’s how it’s playing out in media.

 

[Grant]

Or they can just stay till 4am? You know how many clubs I left at like 6am when I was younger.

oy vey
i remember those days, leaving a club at 6 or 7am, only to dash off to the next one at 8am

 

[maumau]

Or they can just stay till 4am? You know how many clubs I left at like 6am when I was younger.

oy vey
i remember those days, leaving a club at 6 or 7am, only to dash off to the next one at 8am

You guys’ life of sex and drugs and rock ‘n roll

 

[maumau]

Wow! Just today I've sent 12 different people get well whatsapps... Family and friends, all diagnosed in the last day.

Even I'm beginning to panic, and I don't scare easily

Same here. First time round I didn’t know anyone who tested positive, this last couple of weeks 2 x neighbours, co-workers of family member, co-workers of friend, son of friend’s BF.

Decided this afternoon to stay at home on Xmas day. We were meant to have a small group of about 15 now it’s out of control so I’ve offered to help with the catering but won’t join the crowd.

 

[Mortymoose]

I have 11 workers positive out of 85, they have been in isolation for the past eight days, men from the ministry are coming by on Monday to test everyone still at work, half of my staff left to the North as did half the town, numbers up here are clImbing rapidly and everyone is throwing caution to the wind as it is the festive season, people setting up campig spots all along the beach, party, party.......

It makes a mockery of the first lockdown......

 

[Supervan II]

oy vey
i remember those days, leaving a club at 6 or 7am, only to dash off to the next one at 8am

Meh. In my case:

Leaving a club at 04:30, getting home at 04:45 - just in time for a quick bath, a bite to eat and then dash off to start work at 06:00. 15-minute town FTW!

 

[Lupus]

Meh. In my case:

Leaving a club at 04:30, getting home at 04:45 - just in time for a quick bath, a bite to eat and then dash off to start work at 06:00. 15-minute town FTW!

I remember waking up in my office parking lot, just in time for work. Than again I did once wake up on the board room table next door.
So yeah quick shoot through to the bathroom to freshen up.

 

[neoprema]

Looks like December's trying to get all the crap in before 2020 ends. New COVID strain has scientists worried and MediClinic is saying they're reaching full capacity from infections...

Looks like most people are just giving up with precautions. I can see us having to go the route of UK with harder lockdowns still... it will be sad. Wear your damn masks and stop hanging out close enough to look like you're about to make out!

 

[The_Right_Honourable_Brit]

Coronavirus in South Africa: Unravelling the mystery

Antibody tests show that up to a third of South Africans may have contracted coronavirus during the first wave.

www.bbc.com

Quite.

In South Africa, Prof Madhi said the early evidence from such tests indicated that it was wrong for African governments to take too much credit for containing the new virus.
"That's complete hogwash. That's a very naïve, simplistic understanding of what is occurring in Africa. We've been highly fortunate, partly because of the age demographic, but also because of some underlying factor that is assisting people in terms of preventing them from becoming severely ill," said Prof Madhi.

 

[dualmeister]

Records tumble on grimmest day yet for Covid-19 in Western Cape

Highest number of daily infections and deaths and a new record for active infections.Those are Saturday's grim Covid-19 milestones in the Western Cape.

www.timeslive.co.za