News blues
As a cohort of Zuma-supporters and hangers-on, predominantly Zulus – Zuma is Zulu – protest Zuma’s incarceration, President Ramaphosa addressed the nation on extended lockdown. (28:09 mins)Takeaways:
With the current delta variant third wave worse than first two waves, SA cabinet decided:
Adjusted Alert Level 4 for another 14 days
Gatherings prohibited
Curfew from 9pm to 4am
Sale of alcohol prohibited
Schools closed until July 26
Compulsory to wear masks over nose and mouth in public
Adjustments:
Restaurants able to operate while observing health protocols (50 people or 50% of normal capacity. Gyms, animal and game auctions, can operate with the usual safety protocols.
We know:
Reducing instances of close proximity helps contain infections and that the virus spreads at funerals, office, parties, taverns/restaurants. Therefore, we are prohibiting social and religious gatherings
Gauteng, with high levels of movement into/out of area, will be and limited
Prohibiting alcohol takes pressure off hospitals and frees up health care facilities to deal with Covid cases.
Vax program expanding at “reasonably rapid pace” – more than doubled in last 7 days
Govt and private sectors working to vax many people each day
After July 15, over 35-year-olds can register for vax in August
Encourage all eligible SA to register and get vaccinated.
Message: “vaccines do work and are effective”
Challenge: availability of vax doses.
AU and EU agree to improve supply to Africa. SA company will deliver 17 million doses as of July to SA and the rest of Africa. After October, the vaccine stock will double. J&J will adapt current arrangement to use vaccine in SA under license rather than under contract (more control for SA). Later, it may be produced in SA.
SA should have a pipeline of vaccine sufficient to meet targets.
It is the pandemic that poses greatest threat to economy than restrictions, but restrictions have consequences. We are doing all we can do to mitigate challenges posed.
Expired business licenses valid until 31 December, 2022.
And protests: “These acts endanger lives of people and our work to build the economy….Never any justification for violent, destructive actions…” “Ethnic mobilizations” must be condemned at all costs… All people of South Africa are equal before the law… rule of law safeguards against the misuse of power…. As a nation, we will not tolerate acts of vandalism and criminality – those doing so will be arrested and prosecuted… “
“Misuse of old video on social media rile up people… “ “We’re building up, not shutting down, not destroying, saving lives, rebuilding economy and creating jobs…
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After months of data collection, scientists agree: The delta variant is the most contagious version of the coronavirus worldwide. It spreads about 225% faster than the original version of the virus, and it's currently dominating the outbreak in the United States.Read “The Delta Variant Isn't Just Hyper-Contagious. It Also Grows More Rapidly Inside You” >>
A new study, published online… sheds light on why. It finds that the variant grows more rapidly inside people's respiratory tracts and to much higher levels, researchers at the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported.
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The pandemic has hit Indigenous communities disproportionately hard, compounded by generations of historical trauma and mistrust. According to an independent study done by the APM Research Lab published in March 2021, Indigenous Americans have the highest actual COVID-19 mortality rates nationwide, accounting for 256 per 100,000 deaths in the United States.Read “How Indigenous leaders are pushing to vaccinate their hard-hit communities” >>
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Tracking coronavirus vaccinations around the world >> Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
KZN is aflame. Watching from afar – this time – and concerned for family and friends there. Brought to you courtesy of Jacob Zuma, the guy who gave away South Africa’s needed financial resources to the Gupta brothers. Oh, and by the way, none of this ‘unrest’ reported on US/California television news.Not good news for the future.
