COVID-19 in SOUTH AFRICA

[Big Nipper]

Like I care what Nipper thinks about me. Or Wrinkles. Or Blake.


Nips is a jealous vokker.
Blake is a lighty.
Wrinkles is just an old man who I don't want you get involved in discussing.

I wind up people to get a response. All attention is attention. Smask it stukkend

So there is no difference between you and AC.

I don’t know about that. AC is a troll, but he is a skilled troll. His bait is carefully crafted with just enough truth to warrant a bite and heated debate. Ox Wagon and Real Crusader used to be the same. A controversial position with a hint of truth, and a sprinkling of spice. Quality trolling.

Sards’ trolling is more hamfisted. He fishes with dynamite and thinks he is skilled. When in reality he is just loud and persistent enough that posters engage out of frustration.

Indeed. And when he gets called out on it he claims the win

[Sards]

It was Enzedder that said that if I was caught on a hook its a fish you are going to regret having hooked.

Do you really think I care what you think about me...

Seriously.........

I am not an insecure person. I have never needed validation. I am not impressed by reputations and don't need labels to define me. I am quite happy in my skin and have lived a good and fulfilled life. I can quite happily go to heaven right now with no regrets.

[Sards]

I see the USA is vaccinating 2.5 million a day......

My word but we are a disaster of a country.

[Rinkals]

I see the USA is vaccinating 2.5 million a day......

My word but we are a disaster of a country.

Certainly, anyone reading your posts would be hard pressed not to agree.

[Calculon]

Read this headline the other day:

Rwanda has managed to vaccinate 140,000 people in two days. It's taken South Africa three weeks to reach the same number

It's an absolute disgrace

[Sards]

They reckon that at the current rate it will take 19.5 years to reach herd immunity

[OomStruisbaai]

Level 2 coming up for Easter

Lockdown latest: ‘Level 2 for Easter’ claims surface
The threat of reintroduced restrictions has been punted for most of March, as scientists and government officials made no bones about a possible resurgence of the virus after the summer. Easter itself could become a superspreader event, with families and friends travelling all across the country to see each other.
The ANC’s goal would be to prevent a major spike in transmission by limiting large gatherings – a proposition made by scientists at Nelson Mandela University earlier on Wednesday. However, plenty of other interventions are also up for discussion. If South Africa was to move to Level 2 of lockdown, it would mean the return of several significant regulations.
What would change if we moved down to Level 2?
(All information taken from the contribution of scientific experts, and the government’s own publication on Level 2 laws)
– Land borders: Points of entry reopened for Level 1 could face a temporary shutdown over Easter.
– Alcohol restrictions return: By dropping to Level 2, alcohol sales would be limited to four days a week.
– Curfew extension: The government’s own advice on this Alert Level means says curfew would be in place earlier, from 22:00.
– Certain beach laws: Closures have been imposed before, but not at Level 2: Alas, stricter rules may still come in for beachgoers.
– Inter-provincial travel limits: Scientists want to clamp-down on travel, and have shared their concerns with the NCCC.
– Private AND social gatherings: A social event at a place of residence would come with a limitation of 10 visitors or less. Meanwhile, the maximum limit of people who can meet indoors may be halved to just 50 – striking a blow for religious communities,=.
Third wave sparks calls for reintroduced restrictions
News24 reports that limitations would be in place for ‘Easter only’. However, that is certainly subject to change. Although new cases of COVID-19 remain low in South Africa, the potential for superspreader events could change these numbers in a heartbeat. Last year, several ‘Matric Rage’ parties were attributed to the creation of a second wave.
In the past seven days, the scientific community of Mzansi has sounded the alarm about an upcoming resurgence:

– Researchers at NMU fear the third wave ‘could hit BEFORE Easter‘ – and have campaigned for travel limits to be imposed.
– Last week, Western Cape Health Experts called for nationwide restrictions on large gatherings over the holidays.
– Several experts said on Tuesday that SA’s COVID numbers are on the rise – and ‘targeted interventions’ are required.

[Big Nipper]

Good call. This is a preventative measure to prevent super spreaders over Easter

[handyman]

Good call. This is a preventative measure to prevent super spreaders over Easter

Apparently they are going to struggle to defend it in court. Let's see what happens.

[Calculon]

Interesting piece on our non existent vaccine strategy:

https://www.iol.co.za/news/opinion/sout ... be35307d89

One of only 44 countries that hasn't started a vaccine roll-out. What's our excess death toll now, over 200k?

The government's "strategy" appears to be:
1 pretend the J and J trail is a vaccine roll-out
2 Hope there's enough herd immunity to make the 3rd wave not so bad
3 blame rich countries for their inability to get any vaccines

We must be one of the worst countries in the world when it comes to how we have handled this pandemic.

[Sandstorm]

Interesting piece on our non existent vaccine strategy:

https://www.iol.co.za/news/opinion/sout ... be35307d89

One of only 44 countries that hasn't started a vaccine roll-out. What's our excess death toll now, over 200k?

The government's "strategy" appears to be:
1 pretend the J and J trail is a vaccine roll-out
2 Hope there's enough herd immunity to make the 3rd wave not so bad
3 blame rich countries for their inability to get any vaccines

We must be one of the worst countries in the world when it comes to how we have handled this pandemic.

Shocked the ANC can’t manage a national health initiative. Shocked.

[assfly]

Nairobi has gone back into a lockdown, albeit a mild one. No travel in our out of Nairobi and surrounding counties, curfew starts 8pm, bars and restaurants closed. But interestingly our positivity rate has started to drop already.

Deaths are definitely worse this time. The back pages of the local papers are pages and pages of obituaries, which didn't really happen in the first two waves.

I may be getting my vaccine this week. They started the second phase for the over 58s, but apparently take-up has been so slow that they're worried they won't use up their allocations in time. I'm 38 but will pop by the hospital this week to see what the story is.

[handyman]

Nairobi has gone back into a lockdown, albeit a mild one. No travel in our out of Nairobi and surrounding counties, curfew starts 8pm, bars and restaurants closed. But interestingly our positivity rate has started to drop already.

Deaths are definitely worse this time. The back pages of the local papers are pages and pages of obituaries, which didn't really happen in the first two waves.

I may be getting my vaccine this week. They started the second phase for the over 58s, but apparently take-up has been so slow that they're worried they won't use up their allocations in time. I'm 38 but will pop by the hospital this week to see what the story is.

Meanwhile, back in SA the vaccines is a clusterfuck. Happy for you.

[assfly]

Meanwhile, back in SA the vaccines is a clusterfuck. Happy for you.

Ja what a disaster. It's really not that complicated, and they've had months to plan for it.

What's the situation with the private sector? Surely it makes sense for the likes of Discovery to handle part of the rollout for its members? Even at a cost which I'm sure most people wouldn't mind paying for.

[OomStruisbaai]

Covid-19 in SA: 965 new cases, 15 new deaths

he latest deaths per province on March 28 were:

Free State 3
Gauteng 6
KwaZulu-Natal 1
Mpumalanga 4
Western Cape 1

Excellent.

[handyman]

Meanwhile, back in SA the vaccines is a clusterfuck. Happy for you.

Ja what a disaster. It's really not that complicated, and they've had months to plan for it.

What's the situation with the private sector? Surely it makes sense for the likes of Discovery to handle part of the rollout for its members? Even at a cost which I'm sure most people wouldn't mind paying for.

I received an e-mail from Discovery just this morning. It states that the government is close to procuring 37 000 000 vaccines, the timeline however is still not settled. Private sectors are banned from rolling out the vaccine, they have tried and was blocked. Discovery claims to be ready to do 50 000 vaccines per day when they get the green light.

[OomStruisbaai]

Meanwhile, back in SA the vaccines is a clusterfuck. Happy for you.

Ja what a disaster. It's really not that complicated, and they've had months to plan for it.

What's the situation with the private sector? Surely it makes sense for the likes of Discovery to handle part of the rollout for its members? Even at a cost which I'm sure most people wouldn't mind paying for.

Discovery

Further to my note last month, I am reaching out to update you on the national vaccination programme, following the Cabinet address on 25 March, and to describe plans at Discovery to ensure that members of the medical schemes we administer are vaccinated at speed and scale. In essence:

The country is on the brink of securing sufficient vaccines to cover more than 37 million adults in South Africa, exceeding the population herd immunity target of 29 million people – the number of adults required to reach the herd immunity threshold.
The key issue is when the vaccines will arrive in the country, and the success of the combined efforts of both the public and private sector to fast-track vaccine administration in order to cover the high-risk population as soon as possible.
At Discovery, we are making an unprecedented financial and human capital investment in our own Mass Vaccination Programme. The aim is to vaccinate three million adult beneficiaries of Discovery-administered schemes quickly and efficiently, with the capacity to vaccinate 50 000 people per day, pending vaccine supply. This will enable all of Discovery’s 550 000 high-risk members to be vaccinated within a few weeks. We will alert you when to register on our digital portal – you don’t have to do anything for now.
It is important that you understand the detail and context, so you know what we are doing and what to expect. We are acutely aware of our responsibility in ensuring the rollout is successful for our members of administered schemes – and all South Africans.

The complexity countries like ours face is pronounced: as you know, there is a global shortage of vaccine supply, in the face of unprecedented demand. Pharmaceutical manufacturers globally are still not allowing private players to procure vaccines directly; and if they did, these vaccines would still need to be registered centrally via national regulatory structures. The bottom line is that in this supply-constrained environment, vaccine procurement must be led by the State, with strong collaboration from the private sector.

What is a successful rollout and what will it take?

We have undertaken a considerable amount of actuarial and epidemiological modelling, and the implications are clear: in an ideal scenario, we should aim to vaccinate all high-risk groups by the end of June, including people over the age of 60 years and people living with multiple co-morbidities.

The Cabinet plan aims to achieve this, including essential workers, by latest October 2021. We will push hard as a combined public and private sector distribution initiative to achieve this sooner; and given the skewness in allocation of doses towards the third and fourth quarter of the year, those at highest risk will be prioritised for vaccination by July. This would mean reaching the targeted population herd immunity threshold of 29 million adults vaccinated in South Africa before the end of the year. This would help realise meaningful health and economic outcomes, and avoid many preventable COVID-related deaths.

Achieving these objectives requires procuring sufficient vaccines as a country to vaccinate more than the targeted 29 million adults in total (number of adults required to reach herd immunity threshold), aspiring to reach more than 37 million adults, broken down as per below:

1.5 million healthcare workers by the end of April
14 million adults from May to September – the elderly and those with co-morbidities, plus various groups of essential workers identified as central to sustaining the economy
22 million during October to February 2022 – the balance of the adult population
In order to achieve the desired outcomes, South Africa must vaccinate 250 000 to 300 000 people per day. We are working with Business for South Africa and the Department of Health to ensure that capacity is in place, with the private sector to be included in the vaccination rollout from May, as confirmed in the Cabinet plan. We are confident that this target is feasible and achievable.

Assuming adequate supply of vaccines, can we vaccinate our members of administered medical schemes at the rate required as part of the national rollout?

Discovery has taken the steps to be ready to vaccinate medical scheme members in high volumes when the supply of vaccines becomes available from the Department of Health.

We have segmented and stratified all members of administered schemes, identifying those at highest risk, who will be prioritised. Our segmentation approach is aligned to the national prioritisation framework, as guided by the Ministerial Advisory Committee. Simply, this means that we know exactly who should receive the vaccine first, and we will communicate quickly with our scheme members to confirm their place in the rollout, contingent on vaccine supply.

Following detailed research of best-practice mass-vaccination models around the world, we have made a significant investment in our own Mass Vaccination Programme. We are deploying in excess of 500 people and spending significant capital to achieve this, including on the establishment of more than 20 large-scale vaccination centres.

We plan to vaccinate three million adult beneficiaries of Discovery-administered schemes. All 550 000 individuals identified as high-risk members will be vaccinated within a few weeks of commencing the Mass Vaccination Programme, subject to vaccine supply. We will inform you if you fall within this category, so you do not need to do anything now until you receive communication from us.

We will be ready to launch the programme on 1 May, guided by the Cabinet’s start date for private-sector vaccination, and if supply allows. Our programme will have capacity to efficiently achieve 40 000 to 50 000 vaccinations per day.

We are also developing a dedicated digital portal to assist with the vaccination programme end-to-end, ensuring a seamless member experience. It will work alongside and in support of the Department of Health’s National Electronic Vaccine Distribution System (EVDS) and allow for booking, appointment management, identification on arrival, tracking and reminders for second doses, and follow-up. We will track any adverse effects, which are likely to be few and far between, and support members through the process.

How is the country progressing on the procurement of vaccines?

Despite the complexity and frustrating delays, the progress is good. It appears that the country has secured 31 million doses of vaccines in total, which is sufficient to vaccinate approximately 21 million people (some vaccines require double doses). This comprises 11 million doses of the J&J vaccine and 20 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which are both highly effective and suitable. In addition, there are a further possible 20 million doses of the J&J vaccine that are being negotiated. This would be sufficient to cover more than the 37 million adults in South Africa, exceeding the population herd immunity target of 29 million people.

However, the central issue is the fact that the bulk of the vaccines will only arrive in the country from June onward, given the global shortage of vaccines for the second quarter of the year. This hampers the ideal of vaccinating those at high risk by the end of June. The delivery schedules are not yet finalised, but we are supporting Government where we can by engaging with global manufacturers to free up stock that can be fast-tracked for the second quarter of the year. We are hopeful that more can be done.

What can you expect and what must you do?

We expect to see an acceleration in the vaccine rollout from late April. If we can secure more vaccines in the second quarter of the year, then getting through the high-risk groups by the end of June could be a reality. I will update you on the vaccine availability as soon as there are developments.

Closer to the go-live date, we will let you know how to register for a vaccine on our portal, when you become eligible for a vaccine. This will guide you step-by-step through the process. You do not have to do anything now.

While the above Mass Vaccination Programme is a massive operational undertaking, and not without execution risk, I hope it assures you that we are doing whatever we can to support an accelerated national rollout, and that we are investing heavily to protect our members once supply from the Department of Health becomes available.

Until then, I urge you to continue to wear a mask and avoid large gatherings over the upcoming religious holidays. We must avoid a third wave to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.

[OomStruisbaai]

Still no word from CR? No family meeting.

[Sards]

Just took my family for our annual flu vaccine jab...next few days should be interesting...anyone else getting theirs

[sorCrer]

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

[Rinkals]

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

Sards doesn't use logic, I'm afraid.

He doesn't realise that the measures against covid are also effective against 'flu and that social distancing, masks and hand-sanitising measures are likely to be effective against 'flu.

[Sandstorm]

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

Sards doesn't use logic, I'm afraid.

He doesn't realise that the measures against covid are also effective against 'flu and that social distancing, masks and hand-sanitising measures are likely to be effective against 'flu.

Yeah, he thinks those measures are stupid too.

[Sards]

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

Sards doesn't use logic, I'm afraid.

He doesn't realise that the measures against covid are also effective against 'flu and that social distancing, masks and hand-sanitising measures are likely to be effective against 'flu.

Yeah, he thinks those measures are stupid too.

No, I think you all are stupid.....how many of you have had the Covid vaccination?

[Big Nipper]

Sards doesn't use logic, I'm afraid.

He doesn't realise that the measures against covid are also effective against 'flu and that social distancing, masks and hand-sanitising measures are likely to be effective against 'flu.

Yeah, he thinks those measures are stupid too.

No, I think you all are stupid.....how many of you have had the Covid vaccination?

What is your point thicko?

[sorCrer]

Sards doesn't use logic, I'm afraid.

He doesn't realise that the measures against covid are also effective against 'flu and that social distancing, masks and hand-sanitising measures are likely to be effective against 'flu.

Yeah, he thinks those measures are stupid too.

No, I think you all are stupid.....how many of you have had the Covid vaccination?

Sards...just no.

[Sards]

Yeah, he thinks those measures are stupid too.

No, I think you all are stupid.....how many of you have had the Covid vaccination?

Sards...just no.

Everyone to their own...if you feel you are doing the right thing for yourself carry on....our plan worked last year so we will rinse and repeat.....

[Big Nipper]

No, I think you all are stupid.....how many of you have had the Covid vaccination?

Sards...just no.

Everyone to their own...if you feel you are doing the right thing for yourself carry on....our plan worked last year so we will rinse and repeat.....

I really do hope this does not end in tragedy for you

[Sards]

Sards...just no.

Everyone to their own...if you feel you are doing the right thing for yourself carry on....our plan worked last year so we will rinse and repeat.....

I really do hope this does not end in tragedy for you

You said that last year , you are saying it this year.....like I say , I take my chances with no regrets.....I live my life to the fullest. I fear no one or nothing.
How many of your staff have you vaccinated so far since outlining your plan

[assfly]

I know too many people that have died slow and painful deaths. I'm getting that vaccine as soon as I can.

[Sards]

I know too many people that have died slow and painful deaths. I'm getting that vaccine as soon as I can.

If you could take an alternative that would improve your chances until a vaccine was available to you....would you.

[assfly]

If you could take an alternative that would improve your chances until a vaccine was available to you....would you.

Of course, but I wouldn't call it an alternative. I take all necessary precautions and have tried my best to improve my health and natural immunity, but all I'm really doing is buying time until the vaccine.

[Big Nipper]

Everyone to their own...if you feel you are doing the right thing for yourself carry on....our plan worked last year so we will rinse and repeat.....

I really do hope this does not end in tragedy for you

You said that last year , you are saying it this year.....like I say , I take my chances with no regrets.....I live my life to the fullest. I fear no one or nothing.
How many of your staff have you vaccinated so far since outlining your plan

Why do ask shit like this? Do you think this is some sort of gotcha moment?

You act in bad faith

[Sards]

I really do hope this does not end in tragedy for you

You said that last year , you are saying it this year.....like I say , I take my chances with no regrets.....I live my life to the fullest. I fear no one or nothing.
How many of your staff have you vaccinated so far since outlining your plan

Why do ask shit like this? Do you think this is some sort of gotcha moment?

You act in bad faith

That was a bit harsh...yes....I seem to be attacked at every point so its natural to react like that...

Sorry

[OomStruisbaai]

Sards should take the Malkoei siekte vaccine.

[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.

[FalseBayFC]

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.

[handyman]

I will take the flu jab to protect me against flu. Cannot wait for my vaccine shot tho.

[FalseBayFC]

I will take the flu jab to protect me against flu. Cannot wait for my vaccine shot tho.

Me too, we've been so careful with my parents. Unfortunately it looks like my Dad is going to escape Covid but get taken by cancer. Bone marrow cancer suddenly appeared, 2 months ago he was an active 81 year old and now he's in hospital.

But yes it will be great to get the jab even if it means Bill Gates can track me from his lair.

[handyman]

I will take the flu jab to protect me against flu. Cannot wait for my vaccine shot tho.

Me too, we've been so careful with my parents. Unfortunately it looks like my Dad is going to escape Covid but get taken by cancer. Bone marrow cancer suddenly appeared, 2 months ago he was an active 81 year old and now he's in hospital.

But yes it will be great to get the jab even if it means Bill Gates can track me from his lair.

Geez boet, that's tough, all of the best.

[FalseBayFC]

Thanks Handyman. Hoping he will hang around until the Lions series. He's an absolute rugby fanatic.