Analysis | Wahab Patel
Covid-19, Coronavirus, The Beast from the East. A microscopic parasite that has the entire nation on lockdown. A pandemic of this magnitude has implications that affect lives in more ways than just from a perspective of physical well-being.
It may not seem to be the ‘need of the hour’, but we are in fact in a crisis that serves as a stressor to most, if not all individuals in society. In an ideal world, it seems really simple, stay at home, flatten the curve and all will be well. Is it really that simple? Let’s look at it from a practical point of view, not because I’m pessimistic, but because in the South Africa that I live in, we live life practically. Can the man selling air-fresheners at the traffic light afford to stay at home for 21 days? Can the lady who sells vetkoek at the taxi-rank afford to stay ‘cooked’ up in her zozo for 21 days? Mind you, she’s actually paying a rental fee to have that zozo in the yard of an individual that’s paying a rental fee to the municipality. My point is that South Africa, as we know is a developing country. What is the key characteristic of our nation? A large number of the population lives from ‘hand to mouth’, and that’s the harsh reality.
You could argue that the government has certain policies in place to assist the above-mentioned individuals. I want to argue that when the government has let the nation down on so many occasions, what reason does the lady at the taxi rank, and the gentleman at the traffic light have to actually feel assured and protected? Definitely not by statements made the President on live television. The past has seen the masses being promised assistance and then left hanging. Why should people believe that this time is going to be any different?
Despondency, desperation, frustration, aggression, and anger. That’s the result of the national lockdown on the majority of the masses and in that very sequence. We’re looking at an outbreak of domestic violence, violent crimes, petty theft and much more.
The solution? Well, in the past couple of days I’ve seen many videos of law enforcement officials making sure those who don’t comply with the lockdown regulations are ‘dealt with’. Have you seen a video of the government policies that the President has spoken about actively making a difference in the streets of our country? I have not. Perhaps when I see evidence of people being taken care of, and getting the aid they so desperately need then I’ll change my mind.
On a parting note, a colleague shared with me an insight that is the reality for many people out there: “I’d rather be out there on the street and be consumed by the Covid-19 outbreak than sit at home and see the lives of my children being stolen by poverty.”
Featured image from Google via GroundUp.
