I’m disappointed in society. I’m disappointed in Krugersdorp. I didn’t go into this lockdown thinking I’d feel this way. “This is it, this is the moment that we all put aside our differences, show each other that we care and prove that we’re worthy of surviving this.” After a week of preparing for and another week actually going into lockdown, I’m disappointed in our society.
Watch what it really looks like driving through town for 20 minutes:
If you’re reading this, you will know who you are and if I’m talking about you. When the lockdown was announced, the News team, like social media, was flooded by mounds of false information. I never knew so many lies could be distributed and believed by so many people. Just as many people tried to debunk the falsehoods, sure, but I’m worried about the thousands upon thousands who participated in spreading fake news.
The moment I started worrying about Krugersdorpers was when I went out on stories on Wednesday, 25 March. Thursday night, after having been in town to renew my vehicle licence so I can go out and report on news during the lockdown, I got into bed in a near depressed state.
Also Read:
https://www.citizen.co.za/krugersdorp-news/416792/from-the-editor-life-in-the-time-of-corona/
People were waiting in queues for about half an hour at every single shop in the multiple shopping centres I visited. Shelves were cleared out. Why? The grocery stores will and have remained open during lockdown. Why buy three months’ worth of supplies for three weeks? A few people bought everything while the rest could get nothing. They could always go back and buy food the next week during the lockdown, but what about those people and their children who were hungry that very night?
The banks were another problem. I drove to seven different bank locations to withdraw R600 for my licence. I’m not over-exaggerating. Six bank ATMs were completely empty. My question is: do people think that because we have to stay at home for 21 days that the banks are going to crumble and you’ll lose all your money?
If you see someone else buying three months’ worth of supplies, and you do the same for fear of missing out, you’re no better than they are. The world is not about to end. The country is not going to fall apart.
Read more:
https://www.citizen.co.za/krugersdorp-news/417446/we-need-to-stand-together-as-a-community/
In the past 20 years that I can remember most clearly, this is the very first time, ever, that I’m proud of our government. For me, it’s the first time they’re actually acting appropriately. They’re going above and beyond, and many other countries can learn from them. It’s unfortunate that this country’s residents aren’t doing the same.
I’m disappointed in the thousands who turned this into a frenzy, and proud of the few who remained calm and considerate.
