WHO, the World Health Organisation, has raised the Global Risk from Coronavirus COVID-19 to the highest level of alert. I’m disturbingly confident that COVID-19 is in South Africa. Like many undeveloped nations with corrupt, incompetent governments, we’re unprepared and unwilling.

IS SOUTH AFRICA TESTING TB PATIENTS FOR COVID-19?

Those most likely to die from COVID-19 have compromised immune systems. If a healthy, old person suddenly dies in a private hospital, a test for COVID-19 will be done. But South Africa is The Nation of the Poor.

The Japanese, on average, live 20 years longer than us.

Three times more people die from colds and flu in South Africa than in the United States of America.

Approximately 10 people die here every hour from TB (tubercolosis) which has developed a drug resistant strain. 450,000 people get TB annually, many of those have AIDS. The death rate grows for those without TB who die with AIDS from other triggers.

Can the South African government prove that they tested all, that the death of the homeless is as important as the death of a member of Government? Of course not. They haven’t even told us how many testing kits they have, or how many tests have been done. They’re too busy with the latest ANC in-fighting and DA implosion.

In contrast, after only one death, the President of France stated that they were facing a crisis. Since then, infections rose to 57. The Prime Minister of the UK has assured that it’s his government’s number one priority.

COVID-19 NEWS

Although Africa has been slow to report cases, Algeria, Egypt and Nigeria have each found their first. Kenya has cancelled flights from China.

On Friday, Al Jazeera said, “Two South Africans on board the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship have tested positive for the coronavirus. These citizens are currently being treated in Japan and are in good care, said a statement by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases.”

South Africa will evacuate 130 of its citizens from China’s Wuhan city but no details are available.

Time Magazine reports that, “WHO and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are now trying to strengthen public health systems across Africa in preparation for a COVID-19 outbreak.”

DON’T PANIC BUT BE CAREFUL

As an asthmatic currently with the sniffles, I’m acutely aware of respiratory viruses. Nevertheless, my goal isn’t to cause panic – definitely not. We’re not at that stage yet, and may never be.

Flu regularly kills many of us. Unfortunately, we’re comfortable with that when we shouldn’t be. As much as eating and drinking, it should be part of our nature to wash our hands regularly and thoroughly… and, when sick, to stay at home, away from others.

That’s emphasised by COVID-19 which has a higher kill rate.

WILL COVID-19 VANISH BY ITSELF?

Viruses are fickle. They sometimes die out on their own. SARS and MERS, brother and sister of COVID-19, thankfully dwindled by themselves.

If climate is a factor for the lifespan of coronaviruses, the Northern hemisphere, which has the most infections, will be looking forward to summer. Correspondingly, we must hope COVID-19 vanishes before our Winter arrives. The South African flu season begins in April, lasting for 19 weeks. It’s bad that it used to start in June, and is now more likely to make us sick for two weeks instead of one.

A concerning fact is that we’ve built up some resistance to flu but have no natural immunity to COVID-19. Antibiotics cure bacterial infections, not viruses!

Of those who got infected with COVID-19 the past month, 36,000 have recovered. Being healthy counts. Make your body as young as possible – give up fast food, cut down on meat, exercise more. It will definitely improve your life… and it may save you.

SYMPTOMS OF CORONAVIRUS COVID-19

Wikipedia: “Most infected people have initially shown clinical symptoms, often described as flu-like symptoms, such as fever, coughing, breathing difficulties, fatigue, and myalgia (muscle pain).

Further development can lead to severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, septic shock, and death. Upper respiratory symptoms, such as sneezing, a runny nose and sore throat, are less frequent.

Some of those infected may be asymptomatic, returning test results that confirm infection but show no clinical symptoms, so researchers have issued advice that individuals with close contact to confirmed infected patients should be closely monitored and examined to rule out infection.

The incubation period (the time between infection and symptom onset) ranges from one to 14 days, though is most commonly five days. However, one case is reported as having an incubation period of 27 days.”

LIFE & DEATH

There will be more coronaviruses in our future. Some will be weaker, some stronger. It’s the nature of life and death. Again, I don’t believe there’s reason for panic but care must be emphasised.

For those of you who aren’t against vaccines and flu shots, know that it this one may only be ready for release next year. Consequently, please wash your hands, regularly and well. Resist touching your face, an unconscious act we perform several times per minute.

Although sneezing isn’t as common in COVID-19, it does happen. It’s good practice to sneeze or cough into your sleeve or toilet paper, never your hands. Wash your hands and face after that sneeze. If you’re sneezing too much to practically do that each time, then you should be at home (in one room if you have a family).

Avoid unnecessary travel and public activities. Drink a beer at home. Read a book, even if you shudder at that educational thought 🙂

Thank you in advance (from Humankind).

Comment on my Facebook post or view today’s infection statistics.