1 April 2020 by CXpress

1 April 2020

Published every Wednesday by CXpress 2006 (Pty) Ltd - PO Box 1449, Plettenberg Bay 6600 - 6 Park Lane, Plettenberg Bay - Tel: 044 533 1004 - Fax: 044 533 0852 Email: editor@cxpress.co.za / advertising@cxpress.co.za Web page: www.cxpress.co.za Printed by Group Editors

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April fog’s upon us… Sadly, this image is no April Fool’s Day joke... A layer of disinfectant fog from the canister of a lone, hazmat-clad operator adds to Plett’s early-morning mist on Monday March 30, when the first of two sessions to decontaminate public areas in and around town was carried out by teams armed with F10SC. Find out more on page 3.

Photo: Supplied

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NEWS & VIEWS

1 April 2020

Letter from America: civil unrest unlikely, but gun sales soar just in case zombie armies need warding off American national DEBI NICHOLSON and Plett husband Johann Brummer visit the States annually for two months to see family and friends, but this year’s sojourn is not turning out as planned… N the same day - February 24 - we set foot back home in Portland, USA, for our annual visit, the first case of Covid-19 was identified in the state of Oregon. Our neighbouring states of Washington and California had already been hard hit by then. No sooner had we settled in than we got to experience the preparedness and capabilities of our local hospitals firsthand, when Johann ended up in surgery and then ICU for two days. The service and facilities were absolutely amazing and highly efficient. Normally we have a rather hectic social life, but because of voluntary social distancing being practised by many people weeks before government intervention, gatherings were few and mostly cancelled on the side of caution. There were early warnings from government that internal travel restrictions and lockdowns could come into effect, with lots of general information about the disease, so when the lockdown was announced it came as no surprise. This is probably contrary to what you hear in South Africa, but true reality is very different to what you see on CNN. It is really quite amazing how the politicians have turned the pandemic into a blunt instrument to beat each other over the head with.

DESPERATE MEASURES: A scene from the comic book action film The Horde depicts Americans’ big fear of single-handedly dealing with masses of zombies, according to the author

Thank God we have a small but very dedicated and highlytrained civil service to do what must be done. The mindset here is very different. The lockdown has been done in such a manner as to make it as easy as possible for businesses to continue working from home, employing and paying wages throughout. Both here and in California breweries, bars, and restaurants are encouraged to stay open by serving take-out food and liquor or delivering to homes. Several whiskey distilleries are staying open by producing antiseptic wipes, which classifies them as ‘essential’ services.

Because we have such amazing delivery services, we can order just about anything and it is delivered on the same day or within a maximum of three days. Government has encouraged this wherever possible, so we live with very little interruption or discomfort, plus it retains people in employment. An example is that Powell’s Bookstore here in Portland laid off 400 staff last week (it’s the biggest private bookstore in the world), but reemployed 100 on Friday due to the large volume of internet orders. Columbia Sportswear, also based in Portland, has been forced to close down all its out-

lets but announced that there would be no retrenchments, and the CEO took a pay cut from $3.3-million to just $10,000 to help make it possible. We did venture down to the grocery store - amazing to see how quickly things flew off the shelves. Toiletpaper and bottled water… Why? Johann headed straight to the corned beef. He says it’s a South African thing to stock up on when you panic. The other amazing thing, which I think is the American version of panic buying of corned beef, is gun and ammunition purchasing. Gun stores remain open as an essential service and stats show a 180% increase in sales compared to last year. Everybody’s greatest fear is civil disobedience and looting, and despite a highly-efficient police force, we feel we have to be able to halt single-handedly an entire army of zombies. Fortunately, on the whole, we Americans are a very law-abiding and self-disciplined bunch, so civil unrest is unlikely. We keep our distances from others and still get to walk about outside as long as we keep away from others. Heavens knows how long it will last and what the effect is going to be on the economy. For now, all we can do is hunker down and hope for the best. We wish everyone continued good health.

CXPRESS not locked down - the show must go on! XPRESS qualifies as one of the critical and essential services and businesses exempted from the Covid-19 nation-wide lockdown, listed in the category Enabling Services and tasked with assisting in the Covid-19 response. According to this government directive, the following services are required to continue operations: “Communication and media services on screen, TV, radio, print, broadcast and online.” As a community newspaper

Paws

Plett Animal Welfare Service

serving the Garden Route for the past 22 years, we have a responsibility to keep our readers informed on news relevant to our area. Apart from covering the Covid-19 crisis, community contributions submitted by readers and advertisers is the lifeblood of this paper and we remain the platform to share your news and views. So it’s business as usual for the CXPRESS team and the show must go on… We are the paper, you are the news! However, due to the nation-

wide lockdown, the next three editions - April 1, 8, and 15 will have a smaller print run and hard copies will only be distributed at the large supermarkets in Plettenberg Bay and Knysna. Find information in this regard on this page. Each Wednesday’s edition will also be posted at www. cxpress.co.za with added content due to a lack of space constraints. Likewise, the CXPRESS Garden Route Newspaper Facebook page will be updated on a regular basis.

As a free newspaper that relies solely on advertising, we urge our regular advertisers to continue their support in order for us to continue bringing you fresh news on a weekly basis. We cannot do this alone, so readers are reminded to keep on sending their stories and photos for inclusion. Email editor@cxpress.co.za and advertising@cxpress.co.za or contact us on 044 533 1004. We’re all in this together and we wish you the very best of health during these trying times.

NEWS & VIEWS

1 April 2020

CXPRESS

Controversial disinfectant sprayed around Plett’s public places in bid to keep virus at bay After concerns over the ‘fogging’ of high-risk areas against the novel coronavirus were quelled, Bitou Municipality gave the initiative the goahead, and the first of a series of decontamination efforts took place on Monday - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports LETT Tourism’s new chief executive Marius Venter last week announced that plans were in the pipeline to embark on an environmental disinfection campaign, which involves a professional team releasing a disinfection “fog” and spray in high-risk areas. Similar efforts had been done in various countries around the world following the outbreak of Covid-19. This caused a divide among local residents, with several raising concerns over the initiative’s safety on the environment and the community, while others

supported the efforts saying that it would be a step in the right direction in suppressing the spread of the virus. The proposed initiative even resulted in the creation of two sets of petitions, one in support of it and the other against it. While it was initially scheduled to take place on March 28, Bitou Municipality placed the decontamination on hold following these community concerns raised. “The Bitou council notes that all over the world various methods are applied to try and prevent the spread of the virus. Fogging could

perhaps have made a huge impact on fighting the virus. “However, there is still a lot of suspicion around this method and at this stage it may cause a lot of alarm and stress among residents who already have to deal with the growing numbers of positive cases reported as well as the looming lockdown. “Therefore, council have decided not to approve the proposal at this stage,” the municipality said last week. However, a special Covid-19 task team meeting, during which expert advice was sought with regards to safety, was held on Satur-

News Briefs • When it was confirmed last Friday that the second suspected coronavirus death reported in the Western Cape did not match the clinical picture of Covid-19, after receipt of test results of a deceased 28-year-old woman, the provincial toll reverted to one, matching the singular deaths recorded in the Free State and KZN respectively. Premier Alan Winde said: “One life lost to this virus is still one life too many and I appeal to residents to take the lockdown seriously. Globally, we have seen how this virus has taken the lives of thousands, and it is in our hands to slow the spread and save lives.” By going to print, the Garden Route accounted for 21 of the 324 confirmed cases recorded in the province. Visit www.cxpress.co.za and the CXPRESS Facebook site for updated figures in this regard. • Harsh sentiments were expressed across the country after sovereign rating agency Moody’s decided on Friday to downgrade SA’s investment rating to junk status, with the SA Communist Party describing the move as “heartless, insen-

sitive and inconsiderate” in light of the coronavirus crisis that has brought the country to a standstill. But some opposition parties blamed the ANC’s track record of corruption, the escalating public spending and the national debt, and put blame for the decision squarely on burdensome state-owned enterprises. • The SASSA grant cycle for this month is currently underway and will remain open until April 3. In line with announcements made by Transport minister Fikile Mbalula, public transport hours have been extended for this period. Those who will be going to collect grants are reminded to take the utmost care, ensuring that they keep at least a 1.5m distance from others at all times. • On March 25, local DA constituency head Dion George accused the ANC of putting its political agenda ahead of the needs of the people of Knysna, after the town’s acting municipal manager wanted the election of a mayor to be placed on the council agenda for the next day. “The DA fully supports her in this regard and be-

lieves that the mayoralty should be filled immediately. The people of Knysna elected the DA to govern them and therefore should have a DA mayor. It would have been possible to do this tomorrow and return the town to good governance. “Instead, the ANC refused to accept the agenda item, thus leaving Knysna without a mayor until after the lockdown - a reckless and foolhardy decision that will be remembered come election 2021,” said George. • Western Cape Community Safety minister Albert Fritz had by Saturday reported 65 cases of individuals who failed to adhere to the lockdown conditions. Fritz said: “Unless you have been exempted from the lockdown, you may not leave your home for reasons other than to go to the grocery store or pharmacy, to seek medical attention or to collect a social grant. All incidents will be reported to Provincial Joint Committees attended by the SANDF and SAPS.” He noted, however, that police who act high-handedly would be investigated. Email ombudsman@wcpo. gov.za to report complaints.

day to discuss the matter and a decision was taken to go ahead. “A resolution to allow disinfecting certain public areas was then taken. This means that fogging will be allowed to be done in the area. We were assured of the safety aspect and that it is not harmful to humans and pets.”

The municipality said areas identified for the disinfection included all taxi ranks, The Market Square Shopping Centre, ablutions at informal areas, and other public spaces in “an attempt to promote good hygiene in the town”. The product to be used is F10 - a South African product initially created as a

veterinary disinfectant and now widely used in most animal husbandry sectors, including fish farming and bee keeping. The money raised to fund this exercise was contributed by a few individuals in the private sector. • Visit the gallery at www. cxpress.co.za for more fogging images.

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Knysna, Bitou health systems geared for testing ... but always call 021 928 4102 first HOUSANDS of people visit public health facilities on a daily basis, and the Western Cape Health Department urges readers to #StopTheSpread to especially protect vulnerable people. “By keeping your distance from crowded places such as clinics and hospitals, you protect the vulnerable, including the sick and elderly, and safeguard our facilities against the spread of the virus,” according to a departmental statement last week. Health officials therefore request that unless you require emergency treatment, you stay at home and seek advice first. If you need

NEWS & VIEWS

1 April 2020

emergency medical care, you must urgently go to your closest health facility. • Primary health care clinics will remain open for essential services. Chronic medication will be available for collection. • Patients who have sixmonthly appointments to renew their scripts will be able to collect medication at their clinic but they will not have to draw a folder or have observations done if they are well. A fast lane will be set up at all clinics to ensure limited time in the waiting area. • Allied services - physiotherapy, occupational therapy and dietician appointments - have been post-

poned, as have dental services. Management of pain and sepsis with medication will be offered but no extractions or any fillings done. Knysna Provincial Hospital will divert all resources to essential and emergency services: • All non-urgent elective surgery will be postponed and patients provided with a later date. Emergency surgery will continue. • Specialist clinics will be postponed. • Women’s health services and services to pregnant women will continue. • Limited ultrasound/sonar services will continue. • Non-emergency x-ray ap-

pointments will be rebooked. On arrival at the hospital or clinic your needs will be assessed and you may be asked to come back at another time. Only persons who meet the current NICD screening criteria will be tested for Covid-19 at hospitals and select clinics. No persons who are well (i.e. those with no symptoms) will be tested. You are encouraged to complete the self-assessment test online at www.westerncape.gov.za/department-ofhealth/ or call the provincial

Investor Focus

hotline 021 928 4102, or national hotline 0800 029 999. Those who do need testing must contact the facility beforehand to arrange a date and time. The facilities include: • Sedgefield Clinic - 044 343 1117 • Karatara Sat Clinic 044 356 2612 • Keurhoek Clinic - 044 389 0212 • Knysna CDC - 044 382 3935 • Khayalethu Clinic - 044 375 0207

• Hornlee Clinic - 044 385 0579 • Knysna Town Clinic 044 382 0836 • KwaNokuthula CDC 044 533 5700 • Wittedrift Satellite Clinic - 044 535 9061 • New Horizons Clinic 044 533 6438 • Plett Town Clinic - 044 501 3700 • Kranshoek Clinic - 044 533 9333 • Crags Clinic - 044 534 8337 • Knysna Hospital - 044 302 8400 (press 1).

Malcolm Stewart – Investment manager at Michaelides Parker Wealth Knysna & Plett

Revisiting Greenspan: The Virus and rates and will probably drop the Hurricane them further. The governLAN Greenspan, former head of the US Federal Reserve Bank, compares recessions to hurricanes. They are often dangerous, people may die, but then they pass. He divides them into three categories: • Category 1 hurricanes these are typical boom/bust recessions. They are often driven by slumps in demand, assets devalue, and unemployment rises. However, with the passage of time as well as the deployment of monetary and fiscal measures, the economy recovers. • Category 2/3 hurricanes - these are characteristically driven by serious bad debts. Bank balance sheets are impaired, and normal monetary interventions do not work. The ability of the economy to operate is seriously diminished. The market collapse of 2008/9 is typical of this type of hurricane/recession. Banks went insolvent, established Wall Street firms went bankrupt, and unemployment soared. Many people lost their homes. However, new and aggressive monetary tools emerged,

the hurricane passed and the economy recovered. It resulted in one of the longest US bull markets of all time. • Category 4/5 hurricanes - these are simply devastating; homes are lost, jobs are lost and people die of hunger. The last one of these depressions was in the 1930s. The Great Depression lasted for years during an era when neither monetary nor fiscal stimulation tools had yet been developed. We in SA are currently only experiencing a Category 1 hurricane, i.e. if the virus evaporated there would be no global recession. However, we do not know how long the virus will last for. The lessons from the 2008/9 recession are being deployed, while monetary stimulation (low interest rates and excess liquidity) and fiscal stimulation policies are massive. Governments around the world are acting and once this hurricane has passed, the global economy will recover. In South Africa, our banks have strong balance sheets; the Reserve Bank has reduced interest

ment is putting supportive fiscal measures in place. The lockdown has caused a drop in demand, so businesses with high levels of debt will disappear, while others will see substantial reductions in turnover and profits. We have many well-run businesses that are well capitalised and will survive this hurricane. The recent sudden, panic-driven collapse of the equity markets has created some incredible situations. REITS have been devastated - to the extent that the V&A Waterfront and Sandton City now have zero value built into their share prices. Standard Bank shares are offering a dividend yield over 7.5%. Many shares are at prices last seen in 2008. They ignore 12 years of accumulated profits. Let me reiterate: This hurricane will pass, and our economy will recover. • Malcolm has been in the investment industry for nearly 50 years. He has written this column for the last 21 years and is a specialist in managing retired wealth. See the ad on this page for details.

Blood service assures it’s safe to donate HE Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS) last week announced there was currently no reason to suspect that Covid-19 could be transmitted through blood transfusion, based on the fact that respiratory viruses, in general, are not known to spread in this process, and no cases of transfusion-transmitted coronavirus have been reported. Routine blood donor health assessment measures already in place will prevent

individuals with clinical respiratory infections from donating blood. For example, blood donors must be in good health on the day of donation, and be negative for any risk factors surveyed by the donor questionnaire. As a precaution, WCBS requests donors to refrain from presenting to donate blood if they have: • Recently returned from travel outside of South Africa’s borders; • Lived with individuals di-

agnosed with or suspected of having Covid-19 infection; • Been diagnosed with or suspected of having Covid-19 infection. The Service is currently experiencing a critical shortage of O and B blood groups, but urges donors of all blood groups to continue donating. Should you develop coronavirus infection within 28 days of donating blood, you immediately have to call the WCBS on 021 507 6319/6320. The next blood donating clinic will take place at Sedgefield Municipality Hall in Tarentaal St on April 2 from 3-6pm. Visit www. wcbs.org.za for additional information.

NEWS & VIEWS

1 April 2020

Coronavirus - the psychological impact and how to deal with it ROF Pieter Kruger and Rümando Kok - both senior clinical psychologists at the Institute of Psychology and Wellbeing at North-West University, say it’s understandable that many people in South Africa and globally are experiencing an increase in anxiety levels. “Anxiety is defined as a feeling of worry, nervousness or unease about something with an uncertain outcome. Although the threat is real, and people have unfortunately passed away as a result of the virus, the psychological risk in this situation is that our thinking styles can significantly exacerbate the already delicate situation in which we find ourselves.” They say that, in reality, according to the international research community, an estimated 95% of people who contract the virus will have only mild to moderate symptoms, but the psychological effect of the current pandemic may in fact have a severe impact on the mental health of people around the globe. “This is not so much the overestimation of the chances that you may contract the virus - with our government suggesting that around 70-80% of all South Africans will but rather our underestimation of our ability to deal with it.” Anxiety with regard to contracting the virus and our inability to deal with it is but one part of the problem. “A further problem we now face is the consequences of the government’s strategies to contain the virus. This includes selfisolation, social distancing and even being in quarantine. These unnatural and sudden forced changes in behaviour are creating a new set of mental health challenges.” How do we deal with the lack of routine, potential boredom, being geographically confined to a limited area, and the inability to engage with certain support groups in a face-to-face situation? “People cannot participate in team sports like they used to do, go to the gym or freely go out to bars, cinemas and restaurants to get relief from their daily stressors. Being confined in close quarters with immediate family members or house mates can put a significant strain on relationships, leading to further mental obstacles. “Also, although many people will have the ability to work from home, telecommunication will bring frustration and challenges of its own, such as miscommunication, issues with connectivity and the health challenges relating to sitting in front of a computer all day long. Against this backdrop, it is important to find ways of adjusting mindsets to the new reality, at least for the time being. “We need to be able to distinguish between controllable and uncontrollable factors. Individually, we have no control over the protocols and directives issued by the government, and we are expected to adhere to these. “We cannot control the virus, nor the impact it will have on a lot of people. What we can control, however, is how we react to the current situation. We can be victims, or we can make the best of the situation.” Kok and Kruger explain that focusing on the factors that can be controlled, such as behaviour and thought processes, will not only give people a potential new routine and a clear focus, but will stop them from constantly thinking worst-case-scenario thoughts and will definitely lower the levels of uncertainty - and therefore anxiety. “Even though the consequences of Covid19 are far-reaching and already tangible, this does not mean we are powerless. For essential services personnel exempted from the lockdown, strict precautionary measures need to be applied in order to keep the working environment safe for everyone involved. “Those working from home must maintain meaningful interpersonal connections and ensure that day-to-day life is characterised by purposeful activities. If we look at this in an innovative way, it creates time for the family interaction so scarce in modern times.”

They say examples of such activities would include sitting around a table and having a meal together, playing board games, laughing and having fun together, or practising sport in the yard. “It is necessary that, as a community, we unite and reach consensus in our approach in order to function from a similar point of view. This is not a time to panic or to create unnecessary fear, but we must also not be ignorant of or deny this global threat. It is a time when we need to stand together, be cautious and look after ourselves and others.” Practical suggestions to deal with the anxiety include: • Have a plan. Mentally worrying about contracting the virus is like sitting in a rocking chair - it gives you something to do, but it takes you nowhere. So be more proactive: follow clear health behaviours, wash your hands, avoid crowded places and follow the government’s lockdown instructions, but do not sit in the proverbial rocking chair all day long. Have a plan for approaching the situation. • Focus on what matters. Take up a few passions and hobbies that you seldom have time for, build relationships, read more and get enough rest. There are many important things we can still do in these times. Focus on the things that matter most to you in life. • Keep your perspective. Although the threat is real, do not underestimate the human body’s ability to fight off a virus - especially if you have no underlying health problems. It is probable that 95% of all people contracting the virus will have only mild to moderate symptoms and will recover in a short space of time. The situation is bound to change at some point. We have to stay strong through the early months, as humans will start building natural immunity (known as herd immunity) over time. In the interim, be sensible but don’t stop living. Focus on the things over which you have control.

CXPRESS

Master Barlow beats the sports ban and prohibition with a well-timed hole-in-one ACE IN THE HOLE: Matt Barlow points towards the 11th hole at Plettenberg Bay Country Club, where he got an ‘ace’ last Thursday - beating lockdown of the club by mere hours!

Words & photo: Chris van Gass

ATT Barlow’s luck made him a very happy young man on Thursday March 26 at Plettenberg Bay Country Club, when he shot a hole-in-one at the par three 11th hole - beating the coronavirus lockdown on sporting events by a few hours. Nineteen-year-old Matt - the great-grandson of legendary South African businessman Punch Barlow - was squeezing in a final round of golf at the Plett course with his brother, a local buddy, and a friend from Namibia, when his “fluke shot” happened. He teed off with a wedge at the 117m 11th hole just before 5pm. Says Matt: “I hit the ball sweetly and saw it soar towards the hole. It breached the bunker and spun back towards the flag. I could not see where it ended up, as the hole was obscured by the bunker. “As I walked towards the hole I knew I would be close to the pin… and then I saw the ball had rolled into the cup. Wow, what a feeling! “At that stage the coronavirus crisis was

very far from my thoughts as my adrenaline started pumping and I lifted the ball from the hole.” Matt’s luck also held out at the 19th hole where, as tradition has it, he had to ring the bell to signal a free round of drinks for all those in attendance at the bar - beating the prohibition deadline necessitated by the Covid-19 pandemic by about 20 minutes. The bill for the free round was paid by the club, which has insurance against golfers holing out in one. “It cost me nothing, which is lucky for a student,” Matt quipped. Matt was previously attached to the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport - the home of the SA Sevens rugby team - where he played 15s rugby as a prop. A local resident since 2009, he attended Plettenberg Primary School and matriculated at St Andrew’s College in Grahamstown. This year, Matt is starting his studies at Stellenbosch University for a Bachelor of Accounting degree. Here’s wishing him as much luck with his academic career as has been the case on the golf course.

CXPRESS

INTERVAL

1 April 2020

Opinion sharing… • My neighbours are listening to great music. Whether they like it or not. • Sometimes I drink a glass of water - just to surprise my liver. • If I wanted to commit suicide, I would climb up to the height of your ego and jump down to your IQ level. • According to my mirror I am pregnant. The father is Nutella. • If you had to decide between a diet and a piece of chocolate, would you prefer: dark, white or milk chocolate? • Organised people are simply too lazy to search for stuff. • A jellyfish has existed as a species for 500 million years, surviving just fine without a brain. That gives hope to quite a few people. • They say every piece of chocolate you eat shortens your life by two minutes. I did the math. Seems I died in 1543. • I’m aware that the voices in my head aren’t real. But their ideas are just awesome sometimes! • Somebody said today that I’m lazy. I nearly answered him. • I’m not saying I’m Batman, but so far nobody has seen me and Batman together in the same room. • Stressed is just desserts spelled backwards. 1

• If you ever see me running, run like hell too. I’m far too lazy to be running without a good reason. • A list of things that look good in leopard pattern: 1. Leopards End of list • I’m all for irony, but the phrase ‘Good morning’ seems to be going a bit too far. • Now, I wouldn’t exactly say I’m lazy, but it’s a good thing that breathing is a reflex. • No thanks, I didn’t fight my way to the top of the food pyramid to become a vegetarian. • I am in touch with my motivation. I saw it going by this morning, waving at me and winking. • I weighed myself today. It is clear I am too small for my weight. • So what do I have in common with a Victoria’s Secret model? I’m hungry all the time, too. • Dogs have beloved masters. Cats have waiting staff. • All my life I thought air was for free. That was until I bought a bag of chips. • Of course I can keep secrets. But the people I tell them to obviously can’t. • If you see nothing you could be grateful for, check your pulse. • What not to say when you get pulled over… Police officer: “Papers.” Driver: “Scissors.”

• Why do you call so early? It is Sunday - 3pm in the morning! • The worst thing about parallel parking are the eyewitnesses. • Next time you get a call from an unknown caller, pick it up and say: “It’s done, but there’s tons of blood everywhere!” Then hang up. • I’m very sorry about all those texts I sent you last night. Unfortunately, my phone was drunk. • I wouldn’t say my cooking is totally terrible, but native Indians keep showing up, asking if they can dip their arrow tips in my soups. • It’s funny how many people get mad when a sentence doesn’t end as they carrot juice. • Nine out of the 10 voices in my head say that I’m crazy. The tenth

is humming. • My friend was bragging he made love to two Brazilian women. Come on, of course I don’t believe him. Even though I’m not entirely sure how many a brazillion is. • Last month I made a firm resolution to lose 10 pounds. I only have 15 left to go now. • Love is temporary insanity. The only tried and tested cure for love is marriage. • Looking at you, I’d say you were born close to your home. That’s where most accidents happen. • I wanted to lose weight so I’d be nicer to look at. But then it dawned on me that I love food far more than I like people. • Never do anything that you can’t picture yourself explaining to the paramedics...

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NO Sudoku in CXPRESS for the last few weeks! Goodness, what have you done?! A crossword puzzle is NOT the same. Please bring back the weekly Sudoku. CX-reader Bridget-Jane Tisdall, by email (Just when we thought a change is as good as a holiday... Well, Bridget-Jane, with the schools closed and most of us on a 21-day lockdown, we suppose regular readers like you need serious distraction. So, look to the right. Just for you! - Eds.)

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OT H I NG S B E E A E A L AWA Y R P S W OX L OT H N V U E B E A T E N K R H E S T OWE D A I A R T I C L E E O A E S NA L Y S I S

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WE X OT R L A O A R D R I N R A R R Y

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

P L A S T I C

ON THE SOAPBOX

1 April 2020

Letters to the Editor

Email: editor@cxpress.co.za - Fax: 044 533 0852 - PO Box 1449, Plett 6600

Novel coronavirus only killed by alcohol stronger than 65% - and other helpful facts The following was received from an assistant professor in infectious diseases at Johns Hopkins University and is very informative. It is an excellent summary to avoid contagion and I share it with your readers because it is very clear: • The virus is not a living organism, but a protein molecule (DNA) covered by a protective layer of lipid (fat) which, when absorbed by the cells of the ocular, nasal or buccal mucosa, changes their genetic code (mutation) and convert them into aggressor and multiplier cells. • Since the virus is not a living organism but a protein molecule, it is not killed, but decays on its own. The disintegration time depends on the temperature, humidity and the type of material where it lies. • The virus is very fragile; the only thing that protects it is a thin outer layer of fat. That is why any soap or detergent is the best remedy, because the foam cuts the fat. That is why you have to rub so much: for 20 seconds or more, to make a lot of

foam. By dissolving the fat layer, the protein molecule disperses and breaks down on its own. • Heat melts fat, which is why it is so good to use water above 25 degrees Celsius for washing hands, clothes and everything. In addition, hot water makes more foam and that makes it even more useful. • Alcohol or any mixture with alcohol over 65% dissolves any fat, especially the external lipid layer of the virus. • Any mix with one part bleach and five parts water directly dissolves the protein, breaking it down from the inside. • Oxygenated water helps long after soap, alcohol and chlorine, because peroxide dissolves the virus protein - but you have to use it pure, and this hurts your skin. • No bactericide serves any purpose. The virus is not a living organism like bacteria; one cannot kill that which is not alive with antibiotics, but its structure can quickly be disintegrated with everything mentioned here. • Never shake used or

unused clothing, sheets or cloth. While the virus is glued to a porous surface, it is very inert and disintegrates only within three hours (fabric and porous surfaces) or four hours (copper, because it is naturally antiseptic; and wood, because it removes all the moisture and does not let it peel off and disintegrate). It can live for 24 hours on cardboard, 42 hours on metal and 72 hours on plastic. But if you shake it or use a feather duster, the virus molecules float in the air for up to three hours, and can lodge in your nose. • The virus molecules remain very stable in external cold, or artificial as air conditioners in houses and cars. They also need moisture to stay stable, and especially darkness. Therefore, dehumidified, dry, warm and bright environments will degrade it faster. • UV light on any object that may contain it breaks down the virus protein. For example, it is perfect to disinfect and reuse a mask. Be careful, though, as it also breaks down collagen (which is protein) in the

skin, eventually causing wrinkles and skin cancer. • The virus cannot go through healthy skin. • Vinegar is not useful because it does not break down the protective layer of fat. • No spirits, for example vodka, will serve in breaking it down. The strongest vodka is 40% alcohol, and you need 65%. • Listerine will do as it contains 65% alcohol. • The more confined the space, the more concentrated the virus will be; the more open or naturally ventilated, the less. • This can’t be said enough: you have to wash your hands before and after touching mucosa, food, locks, knobs, switches, remote controls, cell phones, watches, computers, desks, TVs, etc. And of course when using the bathroom. • You have to humidify hands dried out from so much washing, because the molecules can hide in the micro cracks. The thicker the moisturiser, the better. Also, keep your nails short so that the virus does not hide there. Michele Assaf, per email

You heard it here first: virus protection from the inside out Firstly, have you checked your screen - sprayed it with sanitiser? It could have gone viral overnight. Yeah, sneaky little bastards. Well it’s all doom and gloom from China, Italy, Iran et al (always Al!). Death and disaster waiting for us everywhere, like being shaken in a kaleidoscope and never knowing when or if it’s going to happen, randomly. We have to be alert yes, the nation needs ‘lerts: separate, isolate. In fact not go if we choose, and including a laundry list of dos and don’ts, never knowing if we’ve hand-washed or sanitised

enough with a substance that contains alcohol. What? Wait! Now you’re talking. Yes, drinkies! And if you can sanitise by rubbing it on your hands to keep the airways open, why not just skip that bit and pour the alcohol down your throat’s airways in the familiar refreshing, sparkling, fullbodied, fulsome, tasty, thirst-quenching, life-enhancing fashion? Take it intravenously and tackle said sneaky little bastards from the inside out, rather than the outside in? Aha, World Health Organisation, has anybody thought of that? You’ve

Kudos for report on Kei Thanks for the lovely article on the appointment of Kei Heyns as head ranger for the Robberg Coastal Corridor Protected Environment [read it on page 2

of the March 25 edition at www.cxpress.co.za]. Well done to you - from a fellow marine activist, conservationist and passionate environmentalist. Bradley Sparg, Plett

read it here first, Ed... Drinking alcohol will no longer be a sin, nor just a milch cow for Finance ministers worldwide every budget year. Everybody will be willing pay their sin taxes if it contributes to lifesaving and, as it did for so long to so many, our entertainment from 2pm on Fridays and the weekend ahead. And there’ll be so many converts to this remedy against said sneaky little

bastards who don’t appear to understand that homo sapiens rule, ok, and so much so that the cheer cheers of the future, with our glasses uplifted (strictly to clear the airwaves, old boy) we will surely have gone viral. Yours… while breathing alcohol fumes on my keyboard. John Johnson, Plett (What can we say, John, other than: ‘do NOT try this at home’? - Eds.)

Praise for an outstanding builder André le Fleur and his team are without doubt the best, most reliable, and happiest group we have ever had the pleasure of working with. They recently completed some internal renovations and added a separate garage to our house in Mintos Ledge. Both were on time, on budget, neat, hassle-free and, dare we say, as pleasant an experience as building

can possibly be. We are always so quick to complain, but slow to praise. I really hope André will get lots more work because of this letter, as he truly deserves it. We thoroughly recommend him and his team and will definitely use them again. Call André on 078 699 0807 to secure his sterling services. Mike and Shelley Ellman-Brown, Plett

Don’t lose connection with grandparents during Covid-19 There is very little in the media regarding some of our most vulnerable citizens. Grandparents are not only in the frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic, they are also isolated in many instances from their greatest treasures - grandkids. With up to 500,000 or-

phans in SA, many of them in the care of their grandparents, an enormous tragedy is unfolding. We would like to start a fund for these orphans and grandparents to address some of difficulties facing them. The Grandparents Association of

South Africa has given some direction to this effort (visit www.grandpar entssa.co.za for details). Public health recommendations to practise social distancing have impacted across society, and no more so than the relationship between grandpar-

ents and grandchildren. The website offers tips on staying connected with your grandchildren. ‘Nancy Nan’, by email (Visit www.cxpress.co.za and read ‘10 Ways to protect the elderly during the coronavirus pandemic’ for further information - Eds.)

CXPRESS

1 April 2020

CLASSIFIEDS

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