The Countdown!
Over
5 months of chaos. 4 stages of disaster management. 3 levels of vaccine
testing. 2 seasons passed. 1 reason: COVID-19.
Past, present and future seem the same but what we have in our hands right now may have a positive effect on such time frames. When given the freedom to do anything we have 2 choices: use it to the best of our ability or respect it since you know what it is like to be without. Looking at the circumstances that the freedom was given to us may lead to a better understanding of my previously mentioned choices. Let us have a quick recap of our past experiences shall we…
Roughly 5 months ago our country and many others around the
world were met with an unknown virus. This virus later revealed itself to be
the covid-19 we have today, and was found to be transferred through physical
contact. Regulations were put into place and South Africa, along with some
other countries, were put under lockdown; no exceptions (besides essential
workers). That was when our country learnt a tiny pinch of discipline. A curfew
and certain important regulations were put into place; wearing a mask when
leaving home, staying 1 metre apart at all times and travel and luxury missions
were put to a stop.
To be the highlight of it all: cigarettes and alcohol
sale/purchase were banned. This took everyone by surprise as not only the impact
on households but the economy seemed to increase. The suffering lasted as long
as 2 months and the light at the end of the tunnel was seen on the 15 August
2020 when our dear Mr President declared stage 2 of lockdown which permits the
sale/purchase of these items again.
This brings me back to the choices that I discussed
earlier: to be free or not to be free; that is the question. Whether it is
noble in the mind to suffer or just go about with instructions given to us.
The freedom that our beloved country sees once again after
5 months of chaos could also be the next step to putting our world under severe
strain. The virus has not just disappeared, as some would assume, and this is
what alarms me when many go back to their daily lives as normal. The risk
factor still stands today but, the adamant behaviour has rather overlooked
such.
Let me not be unfair and forget to mention the many
benefits that this has brought to our economic state, as many would say, they
see the change in economic crisis since the day that we were allowed to resume
all trade. Job opportunities were once again made available for the unemployed
Could this really be the beginning of the end of lockdown
restrictions being forgotten sooner or will this be end of the beginning of
civilization as we know it?
It has been a wide variety of emotions that have been
experienced and today I feel as if what we went through was all just a dream.
But was it preparing us for something vaster instead?
Level 1 has got us more confused than ever with many people
slowly forgetting the rules and regulations that once governed our Covid-19
stricken world. Despite fewer people found wearing masks, the number of new
covid cases has seemed to be an endless rollercoaster. People feel freer to go
back to their normal lives but I still think it is too soon.
The backslide we see today is due to the reckless behaviour
of individuals. But, this could also be due to the lack of control by our
government. The freedom given to our fellow brethren can only be the work of
our dear Mr President, who has no idea of this backfire. His decision to open
clubs, pubs and taverns was one of the biggest mistakes and the root of the
increase in numbers can only be found by the sale of alcohol. Be it private or
public consumption, stores are flooded with people supporting just this action.
The benefit however, was that the entertainment industry had a chance to get
back on their feet. But could this also be a suicide mission?
Rumour had it that we would be going back to level 3 but
this was debunked by Mr President himself. However, I do feel that this should
serve as a warning to some. Would the economy be able to take the strain of
loss of income due to the ignorant behaviour of its people or would our people
take into consideration the consequences of their actions… the answer lies
within.
For now I bid you farewell and stay safe,
And remember: make the right choice. 💙
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