A crisis can bring out the best in us. What positive stories have you heard since Covid-19 hit?
Johannesburg, South Africa (15 March 2020) – Graeme Codrington, a South African author, futurist and strategy consultant, put out a simple question on social media… one that is giving us all a different perspective.
The number of COVID-19 infections has grown to 38 in South Africa. This was confirmed by Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said on Saturday. The figures increased by 14 from Friday’s confirmed number of 24.
The Health Ministry, in a statement, said the patients had been informed.
“All information has been verified and contact tracing is underway,” said the Minister.
“In view of the rising numbers, President Cyril Ramaphosa called for an urgent Cabinet meeting to be held on Sunday. This meeting will explore ways of intensifying the country’s response to this outbreak,” Mkhize said.
Regarding the returns of 112 citizens who were this morning repatriated from China, the Minister said the evacuees had settled at The Ranch Hotel where they will be under observation for the next 21 days.
Meanwhile, Codrington took to Facebook to ask a simple question:
“A crisis can bring out the best in us. What positive stories have you heard since Covid-19 hit?”
And the answers will bring you some hope during the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Jahni de Villiers posted: “I’ve been making infographics to use as posters, getting my colleagues to help me translate them into many languages. Today I heard from someone who said they saw their staff reading and sharing those infographics and talking about Covid-19. It helped their understanding of prevention measures. I feel like I’ve won the lotto, to be honest.”
Bronwyn Petzer said: “China has stopped its wild meat markets.”
Janine Ward added: “The best is the Italians singing together from their balconies.”
Cath Duncan commented: “South Africans are now washing their hands! (I’m a transplant recipient, so I’ve been immunosuppressed and cringing at South Africans’ poor hygiene for several years now.”
Elsabe Booyens added: “A friend of mine in the USA has with her community started a free lunch program for kids who relied on meals at school.”
Natalie Beveridge said: “The perspective it brings and how we need to realise that we have lived in a fast paced crazy world and this pandemic is forcing us to slow down, re-evaluate our lives, jobs and relationships with each other and the world around us. It’s also forcing us to go home and spend time with our families. This is my first week in self imposed isolation going into week two… it’s amazing how you need to actually be present and enjoy what you are blessed with at home instead of seeking it beyond your front door.”
Tom Kennar added: “A church colleague is circulating template forms for her congregation to complete and pop through their neighbours’ doors. They say, effectively, ‘Hi. I’m Fred, and I live at No.13, a member of St Blasphemous. If you are in need of any help with shopping, or just want someone to talk to during these troubling times, please just call me on xxxxxcccc. If I can’t help, I’ll definitely know someone at my church who will be able to.”
Jae Mather posted: “The thin veil that represents our civilisation has been pulled aside to reveal how strong our systems need to be to manage crisis and change. It has shown the world that our biggest challenges (COVID 19, climate change, inequality, neoliberal capitalism etc.) require much more fro,m us that we are currently capable of. It has shown us that we are indeed all in this together on spaceship Earth and that it is time to step up as a species…”
Susan Reed Allen said: “Many online educational websites are offering free access to schools, teachers and students while schools are closed.”
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