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LOCKDOWN BLOG: Puppy gets her shots and a run-in with the law – Day 3
Surely there are bigger things to be concerned about than charging a girl answering her cellphone?
As I got into my car to take my puppy to the vet for her vital second-booster shots – little did I know my day wouldn’t go quite as planned. Nowhere near, in fact.
In case you are wondering why I was out on the road, in terms of ‘essential services’, one is permitted to visit a vet, doctor and pharmacy, as well as buy food supplies. These are considered essential services.(That’s aside from being a journalist, we are permitted to be out there, covering news.)
But getting back to puppy.
No one wants a sick dog, especially during a lockdown. Parvovirus to go with coronavirus? No thanks.
So off I go, my first outing since lockdown.
The streets are quiet, almost ‘dead’.
It feels like a scene from an apocalypse movie – I’m the only one travelling on the road.
My phone rings and, thinking it’s important, I answer it.
The next thing I know there’s a traffic vehicle behind me, with three officers inside.
I’m on a narrow bridge so felt the option of pulling over was not there, as it could put other motorists who may drive past in danger.
To me it felt like they were tail-gating me, like this was some sort of high-speed chase.
Plus, I’m a woman, on my own. I don’t feel safe being pulled over by three men.
I’m also thinking ‘surely they have more important things to do?’
I pull over eventually, and then the officers, wearing no masks or gloves, attempt to come closer to me than the prescribed social distancing one metre (as per Government order in the Covid-19 crisis).
I ask them to maintain social distancing but they seemed to fail to understand.
I had not broken any coronavirus laws and should not be treated like I have.
I’m also very much NOT saying that answering my phone was the right thing to do. I realise that.
But to make such a fuss at a time like this?
Seems just a tiny bit petty, especially after minister of police Bheki Cele asked the country’s men in uniform to allow for some leniency and understanding.
The charge book came out and I was slapped with a few fines, which made me (and my bank account!) feel like I was being targeted.
Another vehicle pulled up, now there were five officers on the scene – all for a woman who answered her phone.
Aren’t there other places – where lockdown laws are not being strictly obeyed – where their resources could be better used?
While all this is going on, I see other vehicles drive past, transporting six people, maybe more. How is that okay?
In addition, I see groups of people milling around, not being asked to disperse.
It made me feel like a soft target, not only in terms of the law but also in terms of health and the proper social distancing required by law due to the Covid-19 threat.
Like almost everyone, I am extremely worried about our country and the havoc this virus might cause.
It seems some still don’t understand the concept of ‘social distancing’, especially when you hear reports of a some places still operating, selling alcohol.
All this needs to change to ensure the safety of our people.
On a positive, at least puppy has had her shots (albeit we were 45 minutes late) and should be fit and healthy to keep us company during the rest of the lockdown!
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