Johannesburg- There are people who don’t read because they can’t read.
Then there are people who don’t read because they are too lazy to read.
There is a term for them: alliterates.
This breed shuns the written word although they are cunning enough to listen to those of us who prefer to keep ourselves informed and then they regurgitate what was discussed.
For instance, I was kind enough to point out that Covid-19 was not the first coronavirus although the others, MERS andSars, did not spread across the globe.
The person I was talking to imbibed this common knowledge but went on to distort my words among his buddies in my absence.
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He quoted me to strengthen his argument, except I had never said Covid-19 was not novel.
I was mollified when he called me to validate his argument.
I quickly shot him down and reminded him that Covid-19 was only discovered in Wuhan, China, almost two years ago and was therefore a novel virus.
He was disappointed that I did not support his supposition.
He could have checked out the information.
This is the guy who borrows my books and never reads or returns them. During the pandemic, a lot of people have spewed their theories and fake news like never before.
Assisted by technology, the information spreads like wildfire before it has been verified. The gullible gobbles the information and disseminates it even further.
What bothers me is that there is so much information at people’s finger tips yet few bother to read to understand.
However, I have also learnt not to dismiss the uninformed at first glance.
When the vaccines first arrived and the government assured everyone that they would not be mandatory, I was one of those who allayed fears that we would be forced to inoculate. I based that on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s own words.
The lockdown restrictions were eased two months ago ahead of the recent local government elections.
The sceptics said this was to allow politicians to campaign.
Word on the street is that with the festive season on the horizon and herd immunity still elusive, a stricter lockdown is on the cards.
Those who peddle this point out to the precedent set last year when alcohol was banned with immediate effect as people prepared to herald the new year.
They say while infections have plummeted, we are told the fourth wave is knocking at the door and the holiday season would super spread the virus. Given our low vaccination rates, a stricter lockdown is as certain.
I have learnt to pay attention even to people who base their information on instinct because it’s better to be safe than sorry. It’ll happen with immediate effect.
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