Charting the COVID-19 spread in Australia

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-17/coronavirus-cases-data-reveals-how-covid-19-spreads-in-australia/12060704

We now know that the blunt instrument of social distancing whilst we don't have a vaccine, is the only and most effective way to stop the dreaded virus from spreading. Conclusive proof is coming out of South Korea, NZ and Australia as well as in Wuhan. The world sighs with relief as New York and Washington are also showing positive signs of flattening the curve.....and again it's only because of social distancing. At the rate it's going now, who knows life could get back to normal sooner than anticipated.

It has it plusses, the homicide rate in South Africa has dropped by 70%, the blanket of smog which covered our atmoshere has disappeared and then there's the area I live in, it's been a natural at self isolation for as long as I've been living in it

ooops I forget, the huge plus of Beeno living on a different continent

The effect of social distancing should only be observable after 2 to 3 weeks...one week should be unnoticeable. If it shows on the curve immediately it's due to other factors than the rate of spreading.

Lots of things get done and you don’t spend any money, whilst all the time being safe.

You don't spend any money? What do you eat? We still spend just as much as we do when there isn't a lockdown. Rent, food, electricity, all remains the same.

For people with businesses it's a nightmare. Your expenses remain largely the same, over here many people prepared and stocked up for a big holiday season and suddenly you are forced to close your doors and you're stuck with all those expenses but nothing coming in to pay them with.

If it wasn't for the money I'd enjoy the lockdown too, peace and quiet and no one bothers you, but financially it's a complete fuckup.

"I kinda like this isolation though. Lots of things get done and you don’t spend any money, whilst all the time being safe.

It’s a win/win!"

Not for the poor living hand to mouth in South Africa and other poor parts of the world. You still need money to buy food and if you hove no reserves and you can't go out to work, you won't be able to feed yourself or your dependents.

What do you do to survive then? What will you do to feed your family if you have no money, no income and no means to procure food? That's the reality of Africa. A total prolonged shut-down is like starting a random countdown on a massive time-bomb. The moment the government announces an extension of the lock-down will be will be the moment anarchy is triggered. 

Our president knows this, his cabinet knows it, everyone with any idea about the harsh reality of our country know this. I hope the government is more innovative in dealing with this. They have done exceptionally well up to now. I really hope they are ready for what will happen if they don't get people working again and soon. Tree months is definitely no option for us...more will die due to starvation and violence than the virus will kill.

I cannot understand why the leaders of the world does not address this elephant in the room. I guess about 75% of our population is dirt poor. That's more than 35 million people. What does it cost to feed 35 million people for 3 to 6 months. Imagine the logistics even if you had the financial means to pull it of. Now imagine successfully social distancing people living on top of each other in corrugated sink shacks. Not possible here.

Correct Draad, that's why we need a more balanced plan than a total lockdown. First week into the lockdown and many communities were already saying "screw the virus, we're starving and we're going out to look for food".

Pakie

You do have some savings - you cannot invite guests for dinner, you cannot go and eat out,  you cannot buy prepared food om shops, you cannot buy liquor or cigarettes,  There is no sport on TV   so that eater of electricity - my wide-screen TB is off for most of the day;

I hate it to be confined to home.  It gets to the stage you want  to scream at everybody and cirse the virus and the Government - the latter more than normally so,  

As an introvert I don't miss the socializing too much because I don't do much of it anyway, but for people living alone or who need frequent company and interaction I can understand that it's a shock to the system. The liquor and cigarette ban is madness. There is a little merit to the reasoning behind liquor, but at least sell it in limited quantities. People are simply going to start plundering liquor stores.

We are fortunate to have some space around us. People living in flats or complexes where your only view day in and day out is your neighbour's wall must be going insane. Not to mention the townships.

"Pakie

You do have some savings - you cannot invite guests for dinner, you cannot go and eat out,  you cannot buy prepared food om shops, you cannot buy liquor or cigarettes,  There is no sport on TV   so that eater of electricity - my wide-screen TB is off for most of the day;

I hate it to be confined to home.  It gets to the stage you want  to scream at everybody and cirse the virus and the Government - the latter more than normally so,  "

Maaik. you can set up WhatsApp on your PC or laptop. Do you have a web-cam? Do WhatsApp video calls on a bigger screen. You can use Skype too, but I find the WA video calls work better for me. you can even do conference calls of up to 4 people at a tim e...and it's not that heavy on internet bandwidth. Start experimenting with a couple of things. It must be terrible for people that's all alone. I can't imagine it. 

This all seems like a surreal social experiment. Something is definitely fucky as hell. 

"here is a little merit to the reasoning behind liquor,"

Beyond the obvious one for liquor, there's also the fact that it's one of the only ways the government can prevent the poor from spending preciously little money on "luxuries" like dop en twak. Noble idea but it's not working in practice .

Clouds, you are a good person and your heart's in the right place...I'm OK and I'm sure Pakie is too, but millions of people won't be if the lockdown continues much longer than the announced end of April. 

The president mentioned a start-up under very strict conditions.  His leadership and that of our minister of health has been outstanding throughout his crisis, so I suspect they'll have a workable option on the table before the end of the month. I was impressed about some of the things I read in between the lines. He surely is no fool and advised by competent people.

The world has changed forever, how we bounce back will be the key.

Good luck with everything and keep strong...I suppose your dad's health is much improved? 

Great sentiments Cloudy.

Draad and Pakie get it. While the Faucis of the world want the lock down to just keep going for months and months it's a recipe for total  disaster. It's insane

Here in South Africa it can't be allowed to happen and my guess is that Ramaphosa will have no sane choice but to start to open up from 1 May. 

The facts are very clear those under 60 with no pre condiins are at virtually no risk. Throw in HCQ and they are fine. 

The concern is for the old and those who have pre conditions. 

But Ramaphosa must brace himself for criticism if he open up the economy in any way and people die.  If he doesn't start to open up the economy disaster and riots etc will happen. 

Trump said it best. The cure cannot be worse than the virus. Good data (not the BS from Fauci) is needed and sound common sense balancing pros and cons. 

There is NO  perfect solution and partisan politics is disgusting and dangerous. 

My wife tells me SA may do better than expected  because babies take BCG vaccination against TB and anti virals against for aids and HCQ if in malaria areas. This will help. 

But there again we have the poor living in bad conditions. 

Flexibility is needed and the openness to change course fast. 

God bless each one with health and provision. 

A special plea to ou sharkvirus, Redrooi. Dense Denise and wee Brycy. Try and be sensible occasionally in respect to the times we live in. If that's impossible just zip it and listen to Beeno! Allow yourself to be educated to the extent your severe limitations allow. Hahahahahahahaha. This quartet should be locked up permanently in a Sanatorium! 

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Bye the way oaks the Oz government has legalized the use of HCQ. Ozzie smarts. Dense not being a bona vido Ozzie doesn't get it.