Johannesburg – Many countries across the globe no longer observe Covid-19 restrictions and it seems South Africa may soon follow suit. Countries have chosen to move back to normality as the Covid-19 threat slowly subsides.
Citizens in various countries are now pushing for restrictions to end. Life is slowly going back to normal, and it is a call that many experts are backing. The economy has suffered under Covid-19 restrictions and economists believe lifting restrictions can help the economy recover.
Covid-19 infection rates are going down
South Africa is currently experiencing the 5th wave. Unlike the other waves, it has gone unnoticed in the country. According to Dr Akhtar Hussain, South African Medical Association (SAMA), there are far fewer infections and even less people dying.
“This month the cases from the 5th wave are very low. It has dropped down. There are not many deaths at all. Even if there is, those are co-morbidity deaths … The minister is dropping [the mask restrictions] on the basis that cases have dropped now. Infection rates are now less than one person and hospital admissions are very few. In fact, the intensive care units are empty. Hospital beds are available. No one is dying at the moment because of Covid-19. Those are good signs.”
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Not enough people have gotten vaccinated
When Covid-19 was first discovered there was an outcry for a vaccine. Many countries around the world, particularly Europe, managed to effectively roll out the vaccine. South Africa faced problems in rolling out the vaccine, which is why the vaccination rate is not where it needs to be, said Hussain.
“We have not done well on vaccinating our population from the beginning. The world started vaccination long before us. In fact, there was a crisis when the vaccine came as it was about to expire, and we had to send it back. Then Johnson and Johnson came but the policy was that it must be given only to the health workers. Then the senior citizens. The majority of deaths were above 60 to 65. We didn’t do very well in rolling out the vaccinations. By now we should have vaccinated almost 40 million people from South Africa.”
In Europe and many other countries people stopped wearing masks after they got vaccinated. South Africa could have had similar had there been less anti-vaccine calls and had the vaccine roll out been said Hussain.
“The delay and so many myths against vaccines. People who are frightened because they have heard so many stories of complications. The vaccine is the only way to protect yourself from Covid-19. If we had more than 80% of the population vaccinated, then we would have herd immunity already. We should have been immune from Covid-19 long ago.”
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Booster shots are essential
After getting two shots of the Pfizer vaccine, one must go back after a couple of months to get a booster shot. Many feel this booster shot is not necessary or unneeded, but Hussain explained that the body’s immunity decreases over time and a booster is needed.
“After a certain time, the immunity of the body decreases. You need to boost it up. This is the idea. If you remember, we give booster doses to cancer patients or chronic lung disease patients every year. We give them a flu vaccine to boost their immunity and protect them. Once you get that infection your chances of deterioration and complications to your system are higher. That’s how the booster will protect you going forward.”
The way forward to living a normal life is to increase the vaccination rate to create herd immunity. Now South Africa is slowly returning to normal but having everyone vaccinated guarantees another restriction or lockdown will not take place.
