COVID-19 in SOUTH AFRICA

[sorCrer]

What the hell do you need a fli jab for in a pandemic?

Actually, I'm backing Sards here.

While the Covid non-pharmacological measures are effective against influenza and we had record low flu cases worldwide last year, the WHO and NICD both recommend getting flu jabs. Heading into the third wave, every ICU bed not occupied by a flu patient will be available for a Covid patient.

Flu has been with humans for 1000's of years and our bodies are quite well adapted to it. Coupled with constant sanitising and wearing of masks there should be very few cases if any of flu. I've read as much as 98% down in 2020.

The issue is that to get the shot you're exposing yourself to the same environment where anyone who is feeling unwell and may have Covid is going. Even if a nurse comes out to you, you don't know.

But each to their own.

[Calculon]

Our Covid graph is really weird. I know we test at much lower levels than the developed countries but in the absence of any kind of lockdown it seems hard to explain. Even more so in that number of deaths is closely tracking the infections curve. So it looks like we can take out the low test percentage factor out of the equation.

Shitting myself for third wave but who knows maybe we get lucky.

If by some miracle we avoid a third wave it can only mean we've already got enough herd immunity. No vaccines and unlikely that we'll be able to go into another effective hard lockdown in time, or at all for that matter.

[OomStruisbaai]

What the hell do you need a fli jab for in a pandemic?

Actually, I'm backing Sards here.

While the Covid non-pharmacological measures are effective against influenza and we had record low flu cases worldwide last year, the WHO and NICD both recommend getting flu jabs. Heading into the third wave, every ICU bed not occupied by a flu patient will be available for a Covid patient.

Flu has been with humans for 1000's of years and our bodies are quite well adapted to it. Coupled with constant sanitising and wearing of masks there should be very few cases if any of flu. I've read as much as 98% down in 2020.

The issue is that to get the shot you're exposing yourself to the same environment where anyone who is feeling unwell and may have Covid is going. Even if a nurse comes out to you, you don't know.

But each to their own.

After Sards smoke his Pappegaai twak he chase his family around the yard kaalgat.

[Blake]

What the hell do you need a fli jab for in a pandemic?

Actually, I'm backing Sards here.

While the Covid non-pharmacological measures are effective against influenza and we had record low flu cases worldwide last year, the WHO and NICD both recommend getting flu jabs. Heading into the third wave, every ICU bed not occupied by a flu patient will be available for a Covid patient.

Flu has been with humans for 1000's of years and our bodies are quite well adapted to it. Coupled with constant sanitising and wearing of masks there should be very few cases if any of flu. I've read as much as 98% down in 2020.

The issue is that to get the shot you're exposing yourself to the same environment where anyone who is feeling unwell and may have Covid is going. Even if a nurse comes out to you, you don't know.

But each to their own.

It's an interesting cost-benefit calculation, no doubt about it.

Risk of getting flu is way down if you and everybody else are following Covid protocols in everyday life.
vs.
Risk of getting Covid when going for a flu shot is increased when going to a clinic.

Personally I don't care either way; but I think getting a flu shot might be a good idea, if only to give your immune system a "fire drill", since many of us that have been following the Covid protocols haven't been sick in 12-18 months? If you go to a competent clinic with a competent nurse and you proceed as if every person and surface is covered in virus until you sanitize again, you should be fine.

[Sards]

Actually, I'm backing Sards here.

While the Covid non-pharmacological measures are effective against influenza and we had record low flu cases worldwide last year, the WHO and NICD both recommend getting flu jabs. Heading into the third wave, every ICU bed not occupied by a flu patient will be available for a Covid patient.

Flu has been with humans for 1000's of years and our bodies are quite well adapted to it. Coupled with constant sanitising and wearing of masks there should be very few cases if any of flu. I've read as much as 98% down in 2020.

The issue is that to get the shot you're exposing yourself to the same environment where anyone who is feeling unwell and may have Covid is going. Even if a nurse comes out to you, you don't know.

But each to their own.

After Sards smoke his Pappegaai twak he chase his family around the yard kaalgat.

You are missing out ouboet

[Sards]

My pharmacist neighbor administers it privately. No risk.
It's done 2 days ago. No issues

[OomStruisbaai]

Flu has been with humans for 1000's of years and our bodies are quite well adapted to it. Coupled with constant sanitising and wearing of masks there should be very few cases if any of flu. I've read as much as 98% down in 2020.

The issue is that to get the shot you're exposing yourself to the same environment where anyone who is feeling unwell and may have Covid is going. Even if a nurse comes out to you, you don't know.

But each to their own.

After Sards smoke his Pappegaai twak he chase his family around the yard kaalgat.

You are missing out ouboet

they will run straight into the ocean.

[OomStruisbaai]

Yesterday:
SA records 548 COVID-19 infections and 47 people succumb to virus

Its looking good.

[Rinkals]

What the hell do you need a fli jab for in a pandemic?

Actually, I'm backing Sards here.

While the Covid non-pharmacological measures are effective against influenza and we had record low flu cases worldwide last year, the WHO and NICD both recommend getting flu jabs. Heading into the third wave, every ICU bed not occupied by a flu patient will be available for a Covid patient.

Flu has been with humans for 1000's of years and our bodies are quite well adapted to it. Coupled with constant sanitising and wearing of masks there should be very few cases if any of flu. I've read as much as 98% down in 2020.

The issue is that to get the shot you're exposing yourself to the same environment where anyone who is feeling unwell and may have Covid is going. Even if a nurse comes out to you, you don't know.

But each to their own.

Have to admit that, if Blake is right and the WHO and other authorities are recommending to take the 'flu jab, it does seem a bit odd.

Not that the WHO is completely beyond question, mind you; IIRC, they were advising against mask wearing in the beginning of the pandemic.

[Blake]

Have to admit that, if Blake is right and the WHO and other authorities are recommending to take the 'flu jab, it does seem a bit odd.

Not that the WHO is completely beyond question, mind you; IIRC, they were advising against mask wearing in the beginning of the pandemic.

TBF, that recommendation for the flu jab was in 2020. Not sure if they have since revised it based on the efficacy of mask wearing and handwashing in limiting hospital admissions for flu. If you recall, the medical authorities were very worried going into winter 2020 about the possibility of a combined Covid and seasonal influenza admissions spike.

Regarding the mask wearing, I think their recommendations in 2020 were very poorly communicated. They didn't want citizens hoarding N95 PPE which should have gone to health workers who were more at risk and when PPE supplies were low. But that message didn't filter through properly and then they got painted as flip-flopping on their position.

[Rinkals]

I dimly remember having a debate with Raggs on the efficacy of mask wearing on PR and his position was that the WHO were against it.

He has since come round, though.

[Sards]

My wife says the bottle store at the mall is crazy as people are stocking up on booze. Carrying cases to their cars.
Priorities people....you also need to eat.

[Sandstorm]

My wife says the bottle store at the mall is crazy as people are stocking up on booze. Carrying cases to their cars.
Priorities people....you also need to eat.

OMG! People are stocking up on booze for the Easter weekend!! This never happened before Covid.

[OomStruisbaai]

Stay on level 1
Iol

South Africa will remain on alert level 1 of the national lockdown. This evening, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that there will only be a few changes made to current lockdown regulations ahead of the Easter weekend.

However, off-site sale of alcohol is not allowed on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.


Ramaphosa said on-site sale of alcohol (at restaurants and pubs etc) is still allowed.

In addressing the nation, he said the curfew remains the same – from midnight to 4am – and public spaces like beaches, parks and dams will remain open subject to people adhering to Covid-19 safety regulations.

“With respect to other gatherings, these will also be restricted to a maximum number of 250 people indoors and 500 outdoors. As before, where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50 percent of the capacity of the venue may be used.


’’We continue to urge all South Africans to avoid gatherings if they are in a vulnerable group, such as the elderly and those with co-morbidities. We will review these measures on the size of gatherings within the next 15 days based on an assessment on the state of the pandemic and the extent of compliance with health protocols,” he said.

“Fellow South Africans, this pandemic is still very much with us. We must act with caution, not just this coming weekend but in the days, weeks and months ahead,” he added.

[Blake]

My wife says the bottle store at the mall is crazy as people are stocking up on booze. Carrying cases to their cars.
Priorities people....you also need to eat.

Ja, I dropped in and bought a case of beers and some wine, just in case they got trigger happy with the alcohol banning again.

Seems it was not needed and sanity prevailed after all.

[Sards]

Some action going on with our politics....can't seem to find the politics thread.

Ace and Zuma might actually be removed from the playing fields

[Blake]

Some action going on with our politics....can't seem to find the politics thread.

Ace and Zuma might actually be removed from the playing fields

Would be excellent if true. Get those grifters purged out of public service AND hopefully fracture the ANC into 2 factions.

[Lemoentjie]

Some action going on with our politics....can't seem to find the politics thread.

Ace and Zuma might actually be removed from the playing fields

One can hope!

[Sards]

it seems that all those implicated in corruption need to leave office within 30 days....more than enough time to purge evidence...
Ramaphosa seems to have gained control of the NEC and has placed bans on the RET brigade from using state funding , assets and facilities...and from protesting or defying the state.
Ace is the RET brigade kingpin...if he is removed Zuma gets exposed and all the cadres....

[Blake]

Back to COVID....

Husband of a friend from high school in ICU with Covid. Day 4 in ICU and not improving, awaiting transfer to a bed with an ECMO machine rather than putting him on a ventilator.
Odds are heavily stacked against making it. He is 39 with a 5 year old and 3 year old.

Fuck this virus.

[handyman]

Back to COVID....

Husband of a friend from high school in ICU with Covid. Day 4 in ICU and not improving, awaiting transfer to a bed with an ECMO machine rather than putting him on a ventilator.
Odds are heavily stacked against making it. He is 39 with a 5 year old and 3 year old.

Fuck this virus.

That could be me, 39 years old with 2 children 5 and 3. Praying for a miracle.

[Sandstorm]

Back to COVID....

Husband of a friend from high school in ICU with Covid. Day 4 in ICU and not improving, awaiting transfer to a bed with an ECMO machine rather than putting him on a ventilator.
Odds are heavily stacked against making it. He is 39 with a 5 year old and 3 year old.

Fuck this virus.

That's nasty, poor bugger. Hope he pulls through.

[OomStruisbaai]

78 more COVID-19 deaths, 756 infections reported in SA

[Rinkals]

Some action going on with our politics....can't seem to find the politics thread.

Ace and Zuma might actually be removed from the playing fields

Would be excellent if true. Get those grifters purged out of public service AND hopefully fracture the ANC into 2 factions.

Remind me: is this the second or third ultimatum that's been served on Ace this past year?

I'm normally upbeat about this country, but the fact that there is such a mountain of evidence against him for Estina, for the asbestos housing debacle, even for the theft of paintings and yet he is still in line to take over the ANC and Government.

[Fangle]

Back to COVID....

Husband of a friend from high school in ICU with Covid. Day 4 in ICU and not improving, awaiting transfer to a bed with an ECMO machine rather than putting him on a ventilator.
Odds are heavily stacked against making it. He is 39 with a 5 year old and 3 year old.

Fuck this virus.

Blake, best of luck there.

My 69 year old wife is nearly three weeks in ICU. The first week was touch and go. Every phone call from the hospital was traumatic. She was also weakened by having had a stroke a few years ago. So she still can’t breathe on her own, but at least she seems stable and hopefully getting stronger. They did a tracheotomy to make her breathing easier. The recovery process can be very long. But yesterday she tried to talk for the first time.

Just keep hoping despite everything.

[handyman]

Back to COVID....

Husband of a friend from high school in ICU with Covid. Day 4 in ICU and not improving, awaiting transfer to a bed with an ECMO machine rather than putting him on a ventilator.
Odds are heavily stacked against making it. He is 39 with a 5 year old and 3 year old.

Fuck this virus.

Blake, best of luck there.

My 69 year old wife is nearly three weeks in ICU. The first week was touch and go. Every phone call from the hospital was traumatic. She was also weakened by having had a stroke a few years ago. So she still can’t breathe on her own, but at least she seems stable and hopefully getting stronger. They did a tracheotomy to make her breathing easier. The recovery process can be very long. But yesterday she tried to talk for the first time.

Just keep hoping despite everything.

Will keep you guys in my prayers.

[Blake]

Thanks Fangle and good luck on that side too.
She sounds like a fighter. The fact that she came out the other side after 3 weeks gives me some hope.

The doc on this side prepped us for the worst, but we are remaining hopeful that he can defy the odds.

[Fangle]

This longish documentary shows processes in a British hospital. I found it very emotional.

[Fangle]

Blake, has your friend made it?

From my side I have been lucky. My wife is slowly recuperating and they are starting to wean her off the ventilator.

These times are tough.

[Blake]

Glad to hear it Fangle! That’s great news.

My friend is still in ICU unfortunately. He is on a ventilator and ECMO machine. Critical but stable according to his wife. O2 sats at 92%. Only good news we’ve gotten is that he is fighting, his kidneys are holding up and his infection count is down.

[Fangle]

Glad to hear it Fangle! That’s great news.

My friend is still in ICU unfortunately. He is on a ventilator and ECMO machine. Critical but stable according to his wife. O2 sats at 92%. Only good news we’ve gotten is that he is fighting, his kidneys are holding up and his infection count is down.

So far so good. These are tense times. My wife didn’t go onto ECMO, but was given blood when her hemoglobin dropped below 7.

[OomStruisbaai]

1 240 new Covid-19 cases, 33 deaths confirmed in SA on Easter Sunday

[OomStruisbaai]

Iol.co.za

Seven provinces in SA record zero Covid-19 deaths
Durban - Seven provinces recorded zero Covid-19 related deaths in the past 24 hours, the health department said on Monday evening.

Four deaths were recorded in Gauteng and four in the Free State.


A total of 452 new cases were also recorded from 11 091 tests conducted.

[Calculon]

Hope this isn't the calm before the storm

[handyman]

Some people believe SA is not going to have a 3rd wave. We will soon see.

[OomStruisbaai]

Some people believe SA is not going to have a 3rd wave. We will soon see.

Bang maak stories maar dit werk. Hope we can have crowds soon.

[Calculon]

Ek hoop jy is reg en dit is 'n bang maak storie en dat dit wel werk, maar al die ander lande wat ''n second wave gekry het, lyk my kry nou 'n derde wave. Behalwe die wat geinent het. Dinne gaan eers begin beweeg na normaal wanneer ons ook geinent is

[ACE]

Yesterday:
SA records 548 COVID-19 infections and 47 people succumb to virus

Its looking good.

Yes, but we are still on this so-called Red List that prevents us from traveling overseas.

Its annoying. Im applying for my UK spousal visa now that my EU passport doesn't quite work anymore.

[OomStruisbaai]

Yesterday:
SA records 548 COVID-19 infections and 47 people succumb to virus

Its looking good.

Yes, but we are still on this so-called Red List that prevents us from traveling overseas.

Its annoying. Im applying for my UK spousal visa now that my EU passport doesn't quite work anymore.

Vokof soutpiel.

[FalseBayFC]

If this long weekend doesn't trigger a third wave then we must have some serious herd immunity. Cape Town was party central for three days and there was mass migrations between Eastern and WC. Gauteng was apparently off the hook in the townships. We are sure to have some hotspots imo. Just hope that its a small wave.