Today's diary comes from South Africa where I have been several times, sometimes on my way to a conference or seminar in Botwana, staying on the way with the parents of a dear friend of mine who was married to a Mauritian and lived in the same town as us, in Mauritius. The parents lived in Jo'Burg and always welcomed me.
Prilli, who is English, is today's protagonist and is married to cardiologist John Stevens and they live in Cape Town. He trained at St Bartholomew's (Barts, London) more or less at the same time as a dear old friend of mine. Prilli was in charge of outpatients at Barts when my old friend was ill. He says she was particularly good to him and facilitated his seeing his doctor straightaway so that he could go to his lectures. They have remained friends ever since.
Prilli has just celebrated her 80th birthday and has done amazing work in Africa. In 1976, she opened a stomaltherapy service at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town. She ran a two-week course and continued training nurses in this speciality over many years. She says she is honoured to have worked with Dr Chris Bernard in the transplant unit as ward assistant.
Here Prilli gives us a Capetonian's perspective of what's happening in Cape Town in the time of Corona.
She considers herself fortunate to be housed, loved, fed and currently Covid-free in a beautiful part of South Africa.
"For the fortunate minority instructions were clearly spelt out on radio, television in a stirring call to arms by our President, Cyril Ramaphosa.
However it was the "fear" component that filtered through to less fortunate citizens who wondered how on earth they were going to Lockdown, socially distance themselves - and wash their hands in poor supplies of water and no soap - or indeed acquire sanitizers as an alternative.
We carry around with us the frightening vision of an unstoppable "bug" that would kill any who came into contact with it - especially those who didn't wash their hands and socially distance themselves from others by the magic two metre requirement.
Living, as many do, in shack dwellings, cheek by jowl with less than optimal facilities, commuting in packed taxis, trains and buses - and surviving on small salaries if fortunate to have employment - Lockdown certainly presented a huge challenge.
As part of the draconian instructions to Lockdown the government imposed a complete closure of shebeens (places where liquor is sold illegally), beer halls, and public houses selling liquor. They imposed a total closure of "unnecessary" goods being sold including any alcohol and cigarettes.
The richer members of society leapt into action pre lockdown and stocked up for the expected three weeks that lay ahead ... but those with only sparse funds to hand were unable to do so.
However, a very satisfactory outcome has resulted in crime statistics as murders, rape, gunshots, stabbings and violent crime have dropped by 87% in this first six week restriction period. Sadly, some desperate drinkers have already attacked and looted some bottle stores and food stores and outlets are already targeted by indignant and angry mobs in some of the townships in parts of the country.
Locking down in South Africa has been more stringently adhered to than in other parts of the world, it appears. No gentle strolls in the park - or exercise is allowed outside one's residence. One member of a family may make a trip to collect food or medical supplies.
For some, exceptionally balmy early autumnal weather has made staying within the confines of a home with a garden - possibly a pool, no real hardship. Many homes previously had the luxury of a staff member to help with the cleaning, cooking and gardening - these members of staff have all been paid their wage whilst advised to stay at home.
The families concerned have found it quite refreshing to once again explore the delights of cleaning their own home - and enjoyed clearing out excess and old clothes, books and unwanted paraphernalia. Continuing to pay staff whilst at home has been adhered to by the majority with much good will on both sides - including extra food being given to needy families by their employers.
Churches, stores and societies - sporting bodies and a multitude of good citizens and businesses have rallied to see that every person is assisted as much as possible. Special mention should be made to the awareness of the need to keep school feeding schemes going throughout the school closures and this is being wholly supported and accomplished.
There is little doubt that much good has come out of the experience for all families - with a better bonding between parents and children - amazing help from education departments in home schooling and stimulation for children. This is a time for us all to take stock of what has passed - and the precarious future.
Admiration for those having to cope in less fortunate environments is certainly an awareness and concern for many South Africans - and a wish to try to alleviate some of this stress in the future foremost in everyone's mind.
Certainly, the addiction to all sport in the country has resulted in some very frustrated sportspersons indulging in home spun exercises - tapping into television Pilates and gym classes - and establishing chipping and putting, tennis and boule in their sitting room or square patch of grass!
But, most noticeable - the incredible silence ... no traffic to be heard... rail, road or sky ... bird song amplified ... and in Cape Town environs the wonderful sight of penguins strolling in the main street of Simons town - and a leopard spotted at night roaming around the seaside cottages of Pringle bay.
Admiration for our medical, nursing and paramedical teams functioning in the townships public and private hospitals who are doing sterling service cannot be anything but outstanding.
Medical students, returning medics and nursing staff have offered their services and are being utilised in a variety of ways including testing, tracking and tracing Covid patients and contacts.
A sense of community prevails - and as long as the potential powder keg of hunger and anxiety doesn't explode - thanks to supportive and diplomatic assistance from police and armed forces who are trying to enforce the Lockdown to control the virus - I think South Africa can at this moment hold its head high - and thank our government for getting a firm grip on the frightening and uncertain path of this virus."
'AND AS FOR ME...' as the song from Cabaret goes... well, its generally more of the same. My almost daily trips to the roof to say hello to the water tanks, satellite dishes, other people's washing, air conditioning units and waves to the woman who encouragingly shouts: "Tajjeb, Tajjeb," go on happening as I walk round hoping to shed a kilo or two. One must never give up. The kilos go but then reappear again. I am convinced something is wrong with my weighing scales.
I keep on eating my quarantine treats, meant to last for a week, in two days. Very soon I regret it and desperately ransack fridge and kitchen cupboards hoping for something I had forgotten to turn up. It never does. I am meticulous in eating my treats. I have been known to eat white chocolate which I don't like at all, in desperation.
On the roof I contemplate the balconies in the area. There are far too many yellow and green gas tanks easily seen from outside. Surely architects can devise balconies where washing, air conditioning units and gas tanks can be hidden from sight? Even forty years ago, in Mauritius, architects were designing flats in such a way that all this paraphernalia was out of sight.
If I had a Euro for every time someone said "we are living in strange times" and "keep well" and "keep safe". I would be a millionaire. It's the Corona speak.
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