In a Nutshell – commentary by Trevor Barnes
Always look on the bright side of life, as the saying goes, but at this particular moment – locally and globally – the Covid-19 pandemic is making this hard to do.
Fortunately, the earlier than later implementation of the lockdown, has limited the death toll from the disease, and also those South Africans who tested positive to a relatively low number.
When compared to fatalities in first world countries, we, as a developing third world country, is getting off very lightly. So thank you Mr President for your early intervention! Bearing in mind our present situation, there will be those people who will get the short end of the stick, and in this particular instance, it is the elderly in our country.
Although the forced isolation is for their own good, they are weathering this lockdown situation under the most trying circumstances. Due to various physical and sometimes mental challenges, these senior citizens are resident in old age care facilities, where visiting is usually quite strictly monitored.
However, under the lockdown procedure, visitations by outsiders and even family members, which would include possible physical contact, are taboo. Living in these facilities can already be difficult during normal times, but with these new regulations, life must be really trying and make the old people feel totally abandoned. Some of them may even feel that they may as well be living on the moon!
Should this state of isolation be extended till the end of September, I do not know just how well some of the old folks will fare. My heart will bleed for them in sympathy with their predicament.
Looking to the future, when this pandemic has been tamed and we can then start living our lives under the “new normal”, I pray that we will have all learned something positive and lasting from the experience.
Something along the lines of appreciating family and friends, who had stood by you in the stressful time now past.
Also do not take your life, or those close to you, for granted. Enjoy your life. Live for today and enjoy the promise of what tomorrow will bring.
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