Today is April 30 in Our Year of CoViD-19. This is my coronavirus prediction of what will happen worldwide, mostly over the next month.

Considering that psychics scientist have made fools of themselves, this is surely foolish endeavour. I could have emailed it to myself, and only shown it later if I was correct. But if I was wrong, I’d have known that I was a self-righteous coward seeking attention (even though my readership is akin to a tadpole in the Three Gorges Dam).

Nevertheless, on 19 February 2019, I warned that a global financial challenge lay ahead (‘This Economic Crash is Gonna Hurt More’). Later the same year, I expressed further concern with ‘The Future: How will South Africa Fit In?’ In February this year, I worried that the coronavirus situation in South Africa is worse than we’re being told. I’m guilty of then moderating my tone because I didn’t want to be perceived as an alarmist. But the Media are still failing to push for answers on the most serious questions. There’s also been no response to my coronavirus letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa (which is more important for you to read than this).

COVID-19 PREDICTION

THE UNITED STATES OF COVID

The USA’s scientific predictions have continuously, and strangely, defied common sense. When the White House was expecting 60,000, I was expecting 150,000 (and half a million worldwide). I read an American report today that said 67,000 – absurdity! If the corpses of those who died at home or in nursing homes are tested, my figure will be closer. New York State, alone, will be approximately 40,000 (currently 23,274).

Expect Georgia, Florida and other Southern states’ statistics to worsen into Media prime time. Despite that being argument against idiots, unrest will rise because that’s what restless, hateful people do. Sunbathers are as likely as much as a mass shooter – it’s American.

That orange epidermis named Donald Trump will continue to peel himself in grotesque fashion. Will the carrot of a possible second Presidential term allow his staff to nudge him out of the spotlight? Surely his ego can only do that in the short term. Will Mexico, whose understated cases will worsen, be the next country he uses as scapegoat? He’ll obviously keep misdirecting at China but will he ever question Russian statistics? Will he do the world a favour and die? No, the latter isn’t a covid-19 prediction, it’s my humanitarian hope – death by virus would be most appropriate.

Despite Biden being an awful opposing candidate, Trump isn’t as popular as the polls pretend. Blacks and Hispanics will increasingly turn against him. The White middle class, the majority that is often ignored, partly because of their own avoidance of attention, will nurture their resent towards him. Expect the Democrats, who are devils themselves, to shine a light on polls favouring this view.

However, too many greedy billionaires need Trump as their puppet. Biden would have to get ill or also die for a change in Presidency to stand a better chance on that roulette wheel. Consequently, his choice for running mate is important. It has to be someone whose been favourably in the Public eye. Nancy Pelosi or Kamala Harris would work. The Public would respond better to a ‘motherly’ appearance after their coronavirus shock and hugless future.

The death of a beloved celebrity would affect the run-up to the November election.

THE VIRUS IS EVERYWHERE

Brazil’s true death rate will remain in question yet the figures released will be alarming. President Bolsonaro will come under increasing pressure, leaving him with a choice between pretend redemption or becoming a more hatefully populist. Either way, liberals will gain ground on him. Some countries will close their borders to protect themselves from Brazil.

Poor Venuezuela. Not so long ago, the torch shone on them. What is happening there right now?

What disastrously happens in Nigeria will become more visible.

Russia’s figures are likely to remain distorted yet the known 972 will increase dramatically, nearer 5,000.

Israel. What a screw-up. Netanyahu, like Trump, is the visible face of our worst selves. They should share the same grave. Maybe they could squeeze in Duterte, from the Phillipines. Surely there has to be another major Israeli political disruption?

The UK’s per capita mortality rate, currently 384, will climb higher. It’s possible that it will exceed Italy’s (458) and be nearer Belgium’s (647). It’s death toll, currently 26,097, will double.

Iceland will be looked at as an example of good virus handling. It will also be one of the main testing grounds for covid reemergence or reinfection after lockdown.

THE SOUTH AFRICAN COVID-19 PREDICTION

A better picture of CoViD-19 will emerge in the Southern Hemisphere through South Africa.

The Government’s unConstitutional suppression of honesty will weaken with news leaks from Public hospitals. Numbers from private nursing homes will voluntarily or involuntarily come to light. The official infection rate (5,350) will more than quadruple. Healthcare workers, as they have globally, will die. They’ll make headlines even as journalists get retrenched. Unions will protest even as they push to cover politically-induced debt with pension funds.

IF the police release figures, it’ll show an increase in break-ins despite the army camping in the suburbs.

The EFF cannot afford to remain unseen. They’ll begin to form their election campaign but not in a meaningful way as they need the Public to first lose confidence in President Ramaphosa. Additionally, like other politicians and officials, they may wait for the massive overseas loans to be provincially distributed. Robbing the Public always seems to be in consideration.

The ideological counterpart will find overseas ‘liberal’ NGOs and countries donating to the DA-run Western Cape and ‘liberal’ NGOs. The DA will continue to be mostly silent whilst seeking a long-term reaction they can hang onto, to use for their own election campaign.

There’ll encouragement for South Africans to get flu shots but the upper to middle classes will be fearful of leaving home. The Government may make a drive to vaccinate the poor but that’ll depend on stock availability. If there isn’t enough, the number of deaths will be awful by July, though they may not be attributed to covid-19.

As test for Government truth, a major publication will compare March mortality rates to last year’s in order to discover the unstated covid number. Unfortunately, most media will remain sensationalist and, thus, apathetic to their fellow South Africans.

Economics has always been the bigger disaster than poor physical health. South Africa’s will worsen despite the hundreds of billions in loans (i.e. debt). Although the full impact will not have arrived, ’cause debt buys time, it will become visible on the horizon i.e. a few critics will be more negative than stock markets and currency exchange rates.

South Africa’s best bet is to begin an era of reconstruction of national roads and utilities. It needs to stock up on cheap oil and construction materials. It needs to follow the example set by the New Deal that President Roosevelt undertook for the USA after the 1930s depression. It’s not a solution in itself but keeping the Public occupied and optimistic buys more time.

GLOBAL DEPRESSION & USEFUL PROPAGANDA

The USA’s mismanagement damage will affect the world but Europe’s disunity is as worrying ’cause they don’t have the unholy privilege of endlessly creating digital money to hide the weight of 2008’s debt atop the current crisis.

China is also disturbing. Ironic to freedom fighters is that dictatorship has advantages. China will launch its biggest campaign to bolster its market and try prevent their housing market from debubbling.

A major, private funding coalition will appear, to support the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation. China, if it hasn’t established itself as a vaccine leader, will increase its donation to WHO so as to attack the USA. None of us will care if that helps the world. China’s campaign to be the good guy will increase, especially in Africa. Covid is the biggest opportunity to force the continent away from the West. The situation in South Africa is trickier ’cause it takes from both sides. Consequent manufacturing may, ironically, save jobs in China.

Worldwide, celebrity pledging will increase, Oprah’s will get a lot of attention. Tom Hanks will look more presidential. Amanda Palmer will start a grassroots campaign among indie artists.

Although it will be the Southern Hemisphere’s flu season, the North’s talk will begin highlighting fears of a second wave of Covid around September.

Some questions may be answered by the end of May e.g. can you get sick via ingesting food that’s been touched by an infected person and, more importantly, can we get reinfected?

Whilst reality is more entertaining than fantasy, expect many television and online series to be cancelled. Networks will want to present something “new”. Despite our morbid fascinations, more zombies may not be on the cards.

Junkies will have a bad time. Drugs will be in short supply.

YOU & ME

Where will I be? That depends on my enemies whom I have no intention of antagonising with more truth in this new world order. If they haven’t appeared, I’ll still be in this room, on Day #80 of quarantine. I expect to weigh 5kg less. I won’t blog hello until that day. Maybe I stop forever.

Wishing every child and kind adult the very best in health. Time for me to blow my nose before my month of silence.

Mike Hampton