Johannesburg – We passed the milestone of 600 days of lockdown this week, not that many people noticed.
That’s 600 days wherein our constitutional right to freedom of choice has been non-existent.
A global pandemic has thrown our freedoms out of the window.
We live in the shadow of curfews and restrictions in public spaces.
As the festive season approaches, the president and his cabinet are mulling whether to introduce more curbs to free hospital beds for those who need to breathe.
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It’s clear that we’re going to miss the government target of 40-million vaccinated by a mile (only 23-million people have been jabbed), so the suits are not happy at all.
The festive gatherings will therefore have to be stopped in their tracks because herd immunity will only be reached next year.
This week, the number started climbing once again.
Yes, Covid-19 infections and deaths are increasing, just after the elections and in time for Black Friday and December festivities.
Do not be surprised when the president instructs us to celebrate New Year’s Eve by lighting candles at home.
In fact, we’ll have no choice because Eskom is determined to keep the lights off.
Big Concerts hasn’t wasted time and will be bringing Justin Bieber to South Africa next year.
However, only vaccinated Bieliebers (as his fans call themselves) would be allowed near FNB Stadium.
There is no news whether Cassper Nyovest plans to fill any stadium next year or whether the Cape Town International Jazz Festival would go ahead after a two-year hiatus.
There’s no word on Macufe 2022.
It would be funny if it wasn’t tragic but Covid-19 has hogged the limelight at the expense of other pandemics such as gender-based violence, for which no vaccine exists.
Flu has belatedly made a comeback after it was interrupted by mask-wearing last year. Poverty and unemployment have gotten worse while the government throws the R350 monthly vaccine at the problem.
Crime stats are once again shooting through the roof with daily reports of kidnappings in Johannesburg, with our police overwhelmed and outnumbered.
Criminals are making hay and are back robbing and killing while the rest of us must comply with disaster management protocols.
The Special Investigating Unit has finally identified the pillagers of the Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme, but don’t hold your breath for any arrests.
Six hundred days under lockdown and we have little to show for the effort.
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