COVID-19 in SOUTH AFRICA

[handyman]

Strande is verlate, gelukkig bly my huurders.
So eks happy.

Voorspoed vir 2021 vir jul almal. Sien uit na 2021. Kan net beter gaan.

Hoop ons kom ten minste waar ons n jaar terug was.

Selfde vir oom, geniet maar 'n vuil Coke of 8.

[Chilli]

[handyman]

Stay safe lads, it seems we are in for a rough fortnight.

[Fangle]

I’m pleased that this shitty year is at it’s end.
First I find I have stage 4 melanoma which isn’t going away.
Then Covid-19 arrived screwing up everybody’s lives.
Then on Christmas night taking my second wheelie bin to the curb, I tripped as the bin went over the curb pulling me with it causing my quad tendon to rupture from the kneecap so I couldn’t stan, but lay on the road at a few degrees below freezing. I shouted for help and eventually a neighbor came out and called 911. So here I am, here in hospital on my 77th birthday. Should be out soon.

[Sandstorm]

I’m pleased that this shitty year is at it’s end.
First I find I have stage 4 melanoma which isn’t going away.
Then Covid-19 arrived screwing up everybody’s lives.
Then on Christmas night taking my second wheelie bin to the curb, I tripped as the bin went over the curb pulling me with it causing my quad tendon to rupture from the kneecap so I couldn’t stan, but lay on the road at a few degrees below freezing. I shouted for help and eventually a neighbor came out and called 911. So here I am, here in hospital on my 77th birthday. Should be out soon.

Wow. Shite thing to happen, Fangle. Hope that knee heals quickly.

[Flockwitt]

I’m pleased that this shitty year is at it’s end.
First I find I have stage 4 melanoma which isn’t going away.
Then Covid-19 arrived screwing up everybody’s lives.
Then on Christmas night taking my second wheelie bin to the curb, I tripped as the bin went over the curb pulling me with it causing my quad tendon to rupture from the kneecap so I couldn’t stan, but lay on the road at a few degrees below freezing. I shouted for help and eventually a neighbor came out and called 911. So here I am, here in hospital on my 77th birthday. Should be out soon.

Bloody hell. Is the wheelie bin okay?
















Oh yeah, happy birthday.

[Fangle]

I’m pleased that this shitty year is at it’s end.
First I find I have stage 4 melanoma which isn’t going away.
Then Covid-19 arrived screwing up everybody’s lives.
Then on Christmas night taking my second wheelie bin to the curb, I tripped as the bin went over the curb pulling me with it causing my quad tendon to rupture from the kneecap so I couldn’t stan, but lay on the road at a few degrees below freezing. I shouted for help and eventually a neighbor came out and called 911. So here I am, here in hospital on my 77th birthday. Should be out soon.

Bloody hell. Is the wheelie bin okay?

















Oh yeah, happy birthday.

I hope so. My neighbors picked up my trash which was strewn over the street. I’ll make it a priority to check up on it.

[OomStruisbaai]

I’m pleased that this shitty year is at it’s end.
First I find I have stage 4 melanoma which isn’t going away.
Then Covid-19 arrived screwing up everybody’s lives.
Then on Christmas night taking my second wheelie bin to the curb, I tripped as the bin went over the curb pulling me with it causing my quad tendon to rupture from the kneecap so I couldn’t stan, but lay on the road at a few degrees below freezing. I shouted for help and eventually a neighbor came out and called 911. So here I am, here in hospital on my 77th birthday. Should be out soon.

Sterkte Oom Fangle en voorspoedige 2021. Ons dink aan jou en geniet die verjaarsdag.

[Chilli]

I’m pleased that this shitty year is at it’s end.
First I find I have stage 4 melanoma which isn’t going away.
Then Covid-19 arrived screwing up everybody’s lives.
Then on Christmas night taking my second wheelie bin to the curb, I tripped as the bin went over the curb pulling me with it causing my quad tendon to rupture from the kneecap so I couldn’t stan, but lay on the road at a few degrees below freezing. I shouted for help and eventually a neighbor came out and called 911. So here I am, here in hospital on my 77th birthday. Should be out soon.

Eish.............get well soon.

[Blake]

I’m pleased that this shitty year is at it’s end.
First I find I have stage 4 melanoma which isn’t going away.
Then Covid-19 arrived screwing up everybody’s lives.
Then on Christmas night taking my second wheelie bin to the curb, I tripped as the bin went over the curb pulling me with it causing my quad tendon to rupture from the kneecap so I couldn’t stan, but lay on the road at a few degrees below freezing. I shouted for help and eventually a neighbor came out and called 911. So here I am, here in hospital on my 77th birthday. Should be out soon.

FFS! What a clusterfuck of a year. Hope you get well soon...both the leg and the C.

I’ve had it better than most in 2020 but still lost both my grandmothers. Here’s hoping life will be back to normal within the next couple of months.

[OomStruisbaai]

Cases and deaths increase record levels at the moment. What can we expect on friday?

[FalseBayFC]

Went on a run yesterday and passed Victoria Hospital which is a smallish govt hospital in Wynberg. There was a group of people praying outside on the pavement. I stopped to talk to them. They were the relatives of several people who had died of C19 in the previous 24 hours. There were Christians and Muslims praying. One of them told me he lives in a house in Lansdowne, 11 people spanning 4 generations live there. He catches a minibus with 16 people on the way to work at Checkers every day. How are these people supposed to isolate or protect themselves? Very sad and very scary.
.

[assfly]

He catches a minibus with 16 people on the way to work at Checkers every day.

Are there any restrictions on the number of people allowed in taxis and minibuses?

[FalseBayFC]

https://www.news24.com/news24/SouthAfri ... 9-20210107

No effing way my kids are going back to school on 27 January. Three school principals dead. Faaaark! We need beat this thing any way we can. Fuck the SAA bailout, fuck the SABC we need this vaccine urgently.

[TheNatalShark]

He catches a minibus with 16 people on the way to work at Checkers every day.

Are there any restrictions on the number of people allowed in taxis and minibuses?

Appreciate not question asked, but if there were, I didn't see any restrictions being practiced in Dec. Saw plenty providing hand sanitizer on boarding and didn't see any passengers without a mask.

[FalseBayFC]

He catches a minibus with 16 people on the way to work at Checkers every day.

Are there any restrictions on the number of people allowed in taxis and minibuses?

There are but I see them still packed. Plus 8 or 16 is almost the same risk imo. You're packed into a tiny space, one superpreader and everyone is infected. Masks are not going to help much in a taxi with 8-16 strangers.

[Sandstorm]

https://www.news24.com/news24/SouthAfri ... 9-20210107

No effing way my kids are going back to school on 27 January. Three school principals dead. Faaaark! We need beat this thing any way we can. Fuck the SAA bailout, fuck the SABC we need this vaccine urgently.

It’s not about money, it’s a supply issue. I’m in England and have been told to expect my vaccine in August or September.

[FalseBayFC]

Agree Sandy, but apart from immediately fighting the pandemic with vaccine and other measures, we are going to need every cent in our coffers. This is edge of the cliff for us. The peril can't be overstated. I'm talking about the political, social and economic stability of the country. My local has just closed down. The three zimbo barman are completely destroyed. The cleaners and waitresses are locals. We have some well to do patrons and the R250k was raised in just a few days after the closure. So these guys are kinda looked after for 6 months. But this is happening all over and most don't have a safety net.

[Blake]

He catches a minibus with 16 people on the way to work at Checkers every day.

Are there any restrictions on the number of people allowed in taxis and minibuses?

There were VERY strict restrictions, but the ANC caved when the Taxi Bosses flexed some muscle and threatened to suspend services.
Apparently they were running at a loss at lower capacities...which I guess is fair enough, but lots of business are operating at a loss and just trying to get through this.

Anyway, restrictions are for 100% now (but taxis are still getting overloaded) and for all passengers to wear masks and all windows to be open. From what I've seen enforcement is spotty. Passengers generally wear masks but drivers don't. It's a clusterfuck.

[average joe]

I traveled with minibus taxi's on a few occasions as a young man and I can tell you cracking a window is a big no-no. The gogos hate it and will promptly let you know you're playing with your life.

[Sandstorm]

I traveled with minibus taxi's on a few occasions as a young man and I can tell you cracking a window is a big no-no. The gogos hate it and will promptly let you know you're playing with your life.

[FalseBayFC]

The poor conductors on the taxis. Those gogos if I recall correctly from my taxi trips often kept their taxi fare in their bra. And then it was passed hand to hand from the back to the front.

[assfly]

Weird to think that SA hasn't transitioned to a cashless payment system like so many other countries.

[Green light echo]

Weird to think that SA hasn't transitioned to a cashless payment system like so many other countries.

No it isn't.

[Sards]

I am sure I have had it already. Lot of people I know have.

[Blake]

Weird to think that SA hasn't transitioned to a cashless payment system like so many other countries.

We are surprisingly cashless. We are at 90%+ banked and most retailers in South African now accept QR code payments in the formal and informal sector and something like 95%+ of credit card terminals are NFC Chip enabled allowing for tap payments...one of the highest the world.

A couple of payment providers tried to roll out cashless payment solutions (both QR and RFID) for Taxi's but the Taxi bosses wouldn't have it, because as soon as it goes digital they can't hide their real income in their tax returns anymore.

[assfly]

We are surprisingly cashless. We are at 90%+ banked and most retailers in South African now accept QR code payments in the formal and informal sector and something like 95%+ of credit card terminals are NFC Chip enabled allowing for tap payments...one of the highest the world.

A couple of payment providers tried to roll out cashless payment solutions (both QR and RFID) for Taxi's but the Taxi bosses wouldn't have it, because as soon as it goes digital they can't hide the income in their tax returns anymore.

Interesting. Can't say I noticed it last time I was back.

Yes that would make sense about the taxis.

[Blake]

Interesting. Can't say I noticed it last time I was back.

Yes that would make sense about the taxis.

I hardly carry any cash with me when I go out anymore; just my phone and one credit card for emergencies.

Coffe Cart - Zapper, Canteen - Snapscan, Checkers / PnP / Spar - FNB Pay. Even the mall parking can now be paid with Zapper, while CBD parking attendants and Big Issue street vendors can be paid with Snapscan. It's becoming ubiquitous very fast, especially after last year's lockdown. At any hipster food market or farmers market the stalls have one or both. If they don't, customer like me just don't buy there.

In the informal settlements a virtual currency called Flash is used to purchase Electricity, Airtime and pay accounts. It was used as a cashless payment system by Coca-Cola and SAB for deliveries to taverns at some point. Not sure if that is still the case.

You probably shop at Woolies
I still have to use my credit card there.

[OomStruisbaai]

Everything stay the same, surprisingly. Kak thing about the beaches. Maybe get a fishing permit. When it's hot, it's kak to hear the sea but can't go for a swim

[sorCrer]

Drove from Port Alfred through the Transkei on the 28th. Places like Qumbu, Mount Ayliff and Mount Frere were utter chaos, no masks and no distancing.

[assfly]

I hardly carry any cash with me when I go out anymore; just my phone and one credit card for emergencies.

Coffe Cart - Zapper, Canteen - Snapscan, Checkers / PnP / Spar - FNB Pay. Even the mall parking can now be paid with Zapper, while CBD parking attendants and Big Issue street vendors can be paid with Snapscan. It's becoming ubiquitous very fast, especially after last year's lockdown. At any hipster food market or farmers market the stalls have one or both. If they don't, customer like me just don't buy there.

In the informal settlements a virtual currency called Flash is used to purchase Electricity, Airtime and pay accounts. It was used as a cashless payment system by Coca-Cola and SAB for deliveries to taverns at some point. Not sure if that is still the case.

You probably shop at Woolies
I still have to use my credit card there.

It's been a year since I've been in SA, so that makes sense.

We have had mPesa here for ages. It's basically a phone wallet where you can send money to people and buy goods. It's so widely accepted that I don't carry cash at all anymore.

Woolies we don't have them here, by my sister is a typical yuppie who only shops there and claims it's cheaper than everywhere else and assumes the entire country shops there.

[assfly]

I do find it odd that CR appeared to take a hardline on funerals, but then allows for 50 people to attend

[Rinkals]

I hardly carry any cash with me when I go out anymore; just my phone and one credit card for emergencies.

Coffe Cart - Zapper, Canteen - Snapscan, Checkers / PnP / Spar - FNB Pay. Even the mall parking can now be paid with Zapper, while CBD parking attendants and Big Issue street vendors can be paid with Snapscan. It's becoming ubiquitous very fast, especially after last year's lockdown. At any hipster food market or farmers market the stalls have one or both. If they don't, customer like me just don't buy there.

In the informal settlements a virtual currency called Flash is used to purchase Electricity, Airtime and pay accounts. It was used as a cashless payment system by Coca-Cola and SAB for deliveries to taverns at some point. Not sure if that is still the case.

You probably shop at Woolies
I still have to use my credit card there.

It's been a year since I've been in SA, so that makes sense.

We have had mPesa here for ages. It's basically a phone wallet where you can send money to people and buy goods. It's so widely accepted that I don't carry cash at all anymore.

Woolies we don't have them here, by my sister is a typical yuppie who only shops there and claims it's cheaper than everywhere else and assumes the entire country shops there.

If you're talking about Woollies in the UK, it's a different entity.

Woollies in SA is the SA equivalent of the UK's Marks & Spencer: more expensive than anywhere else, but generally better quality.

My sister's BiL pioneered cell phone banking in 2004 with a bank called "Wizzit" (https://wizzit.com/wizzit-sa/) but it didn't find too much traction. When I first went to the UK in 1984, they'd never heard of ATMs, but they were pretty much commonplace here.

[Rinkals]

I do find it odd that CR appeared to take a hardline on funerals, but then allows for 50 people to attend

Clearly a political decision rather than a rational one.

The problem is that the irrationality undermines compliance.

[Chilli]

So we had our first scare here at the Hotel.
On Friday an IT Nerd from Head Office came to fix our printers. He was in the back offices, reception and gents loo as well as the spaces leading to and from. He was exposed to 4 colleagues.
On Sunday he goes for a jog, is short of breath and develops a cough and headache. He goes to the Hospital, they test him. Sunday afternoon he gets the positive SMS. He then informs the company who then phones the hotel and speaks with our reservation manageress. Instead of informing us and having the offices decontaminated she does vokol. We have a meeting in the offices yesterday and colleagues continue to work in them. At 12h00 she decided to mention to the Housekeeper about the Covid case.
So now it is finish up lunch, get all the guests out, send the staff home, get the people in to decontaminate etc etc. What a fukken circus. We had to cancel restaurant bookings for the night etc. Fortunately we had no overnight guests. She buggers off because suddenly she isn't feeling well and must go for a screening.

How irresponsible of this fukken woman? She has potentially exposed all of us due to her carelessness.

[Chilli]

I do find it odd that CR appeared to take a hardline on funerals, but then allows for 50 people to attend

Did you see the piece where the Cops raid a church service and the outrage it caused?

[Sards]

So we had our first scare here at the Hotel.
On Friday an IT Nerd from Head Office came to fix our printers. He was in the back offices, reception and gents loo as well as the spaces leading to and from. He was exposed to 4 colleagues.
On Sunday he goes for a jog, is short of breath and develops a cough and headache. He goes to the Hospital, they test him. Sunday afternoon he gets the positive SMS. He then informs the company who then phones the hotel and speaks with our reservation manageress. Instead of informing us and having the offices decontaminated she does vokol. We have a meeting in the offices yesterday and colleagues continue to work in them. At 12h00 she decided to mention to the Housekeeper about the Covid case.
So now it is finish up lunch, get all the guests out, send the staff home, get the people in to decontaminate etc etc. What a fukken circus. We had to cancel restaurant bookings for the night etc. Fortunately we had no overnight guests. She buggers off because suddenly she isn't feeling well and must go for a screening.

How irresponsible of this fukken woman? She has potentially exposed all of us due to her carelessness.

I have no welders at the factory....a lot of staff travelled to the Eastern Cape and are now developing symptoms...told them to get tested and isolate until better.

But yes....what a doos she is...

[Blake]

If you're talking about Woollies in the UK, it's a different entity.

Woollies in SA is the SA equivalent of the UK's Marks & Spencer: more expensive than anywhere else, but generally better quality.

My sister's BiL pioneered cell phone banking in 2004 with a bank called "Wizzit" (https://wizzit.com/wizzit-sa/) but it didn't find too much traction. When I first went to the UK in 1984, they'd never heard of ATMs, but they were pretty much commonplace here.

He is in Nairobi. He was referring to SA Woolworths that hasn't expanded to East Africa yet.

Kenya and Tanzania have a lot saffer retailers and corporates. In Dar es Salaam in 2009, if I wanted to, I could buy a Vodacom SIM at a Vodashop, draw some cash at Standard Bank, buy some food at Shoprite and some flip flops at Mr Price and eat dinner at the Spur watching the rugby.

Regarding Wizzit, it's frustrating how time sensitive a lot of these technologies are. I great idea will only get you so far, timing is everything. Before every dominant technology today there was a failed competitor that had the exact same thing...just too in the wrong market or the wrong time.

[assfly]

He is in Nairobi. He was referring to SA Woolworths that hasn't expanded to East Africa yet.

Kenya and Tanzania have a lot saffer retailers and corporates. In Dar es Salaam in 2009, if I wanted to, I could buy a Vodacom SIM at a Vodashop, draw some cash at Standard Bank, buy some food at Shoprite and some flip flops at Mr Price and eat dinner at the Spur watching the rugby.

Regarding Wizzit, it's frustrating how time sensitive a lot of these technologies are. I great idea will only get you so far, timing is everything. Before every dominant technology today there was a failed competitor that had the exact same thing...just too in the wrong market or the wrong time.

Shoprite have just closed all of their shops in Kenya. A real shame, it was like being back in SA with all their goodies. Apparently they can't compete with CarreFour. Mr Price also folded here recently, rebranded to Mr. P and have a local owner but it's pretty awful. Woolworths do have shops here, but only clothes and prohibitively expensive.

Spur have been here a couple of years but I don't see them lasting. Just not their market, and not enough Saffa expats here to sustain.

But ABSA have recently taken over all the Barclays, but they're not much competition for the big local banks here.

[Blake]

So we had our first scare here at the Hotel.
On Friday an IT Nerd from Head Office came to fix our printers. He was in the back offices, reception and gents loo as well as the spaces leading to and from. He was exposed to 4 colleagues.
On Sunday he goes for a jog, is short of breath and develops a cough and headache. He goes to the Hospital, they test him. Sunday afternoon he gets the positive SMS. He then informs the company who then phones the hotel and speaks with our reservation manageress. Instead of informing us and having the offices decontaminated she does vokol. We have a meeting in the offices yesterday and colleagues continue to work in them. At 12h00 she decided to mention to the Housekeeper about the Covid case.
So now it is finish up lunch, get all the guests out, send the staff home, get the people in to decontaminate etc etc. What a fukken circus. We had to cancel restaurant bookings for the night etc. Fortunately we had no overnight guests. She buggers off because suddenly she isn't feeling well and must go for a screening.

How irresponsible of this fukken woman? She has potentially exposed all of us due to her carelessness.

FFS! Goodluck man. What an idiot. I take it none of you guys have the Covid Alert app installed on your phones? (Not judging, just asking)

It's such a useful way to find out if you've been in close proximity to somebody that has tested positive. No middle-woman that forgets or decides not to inform you.