Covid-19 verg koel koppe
Geruime tyd waarsku Republikein reeds teen histerie en paniek weens die coronavirus, nou formeel bekend as Covid-19.
Dit was ons hoofartikel se boodskap laat in Januarie en weer vroeg in Februarie toe 'n vermoedelik geval in Swakopmund later geblyk het 'n vals alarm te wees.
Sedertdien was daar ander gissings wat ook nie as waar bewys kon word nie.
Saterdag het die feite – en ons wêreld – ineens verander. Covid-19 is op Namibiese bodem en ons vind onsself eensklaps in dieselfde bootjie waarin ver meer as 100 lande reeds verkeer.
Die media moet feite en die beste raad moontlik deel. Namibiërs moet hulself minstens ewe veel, of dalk meer teen fopnuus, vals inligting en ongegronde bewerings bewapen as teen die virus self.
Noodtogte na winkels en apteke het begin. Kom ons volg egter betroubare raad en hou medeburgers in gedagte.
Skole is vir vier weke gesluit. Baie sport en vermaak is waarskynlik vir minstens twee weke of ewe lank van die baan.
Ons gaan soos almal in die wêreld Covid-19 aan eie sak, tuis, in ons besighede en in landsake voel. Dele van die ervaring gaan pynlik wees.
Maar ons moet onsself in mekaar se belang vir die groter doel staal. Ons moet mekaar bystaan en ons owerhede. Owerhede moet terselfdertyd met 'n valkoog dopgehou word om verantwoording te eis.
Twee onbeantwoorde vrae: Het beamptes al Vrydag geweet van die twee gevalle wat volgens alle indrukke bevestig sou word? Hoe is die identiteit van die twee toeriste verkeerd gekry?
Ons regering moet sokkies optrek – in almal se belang.
So sê ander
13 Maart 2020
A time for sacrifice
The next few weeks, or maybe months, will be challenging ones for Canadians.
Across the country, many schools have closed, vacation plans cancelled and mass gatherings banned. Our lives are about to be upended.
Many activities that families regularly enjoy will now be put on hold. Sporting events or concerts that people bought tickets for, some at great expense, have been postponed or cancelled.
These times will be difficult and frustrating. For those cooped up at home with the kids for several weeks, as will be the case for Ontario parents, cabin fever will start to kick in.
It will all start to seem unfair and annoying at times. But we can't forget we are making these sacrifices for a reason. And we are making them together.
Right now, the number of infections in Canada is low. Public health officials continue to tell us that the risk is low. So far, the system seems to be working.
Our health officials should be commended for connecting with infected persons, tracing contacts and isolating individuals.
We have been warned though that community spread is, to some degree, inevitable. Let us hope that through our collective efforts we will not see Canada become like Italy, which is tragically facing many more cases and deaths.
• TORONTO SUN
Dit was ons hoofartikel se boodskap laat in Januarie en weer vroeg in Februarie toe 'n vermoedelik geval in Swakopmund later geblyk het 'n vals alarm te wees.
Sedertdien was daar ander gissings wat ook nie as waar bewys kon word nie.
Saterdag het die feite – en ons wêreld – ineens verander. Covid-19 is op Namibiese bodem en ons vind onsself eensklaps in dieselfde bootjie waarin ver meer as 100 lande reeds verkeer.
Die media moet feite en die beste raad moontlik deel. Namibiërs moet hulself minstens ewe veel, of dalk meer teen fopnuus, vals inligting en ongegronde bewerings bewapen as teen die virus self.
Noodtogte na winkels en apteke het begin. Kom ons volg egter betroubare raad en hou medeburgers in gedagte.
Skole is vir vier weke gesluit. Baie sport en vermaak is waarskynlik vir minstens twee weke of ewe lank van die baan.
Ons gaan soos almal in die wêreld Covid-19 aan eie sak, tuis, in ons besighede en in landsake voel. Dele van die ervaring gaan pynlik wees.
Maar ons moet onsself in mekaar se belang vir die groter doel staal. Ons moet mekaar bystaan en ons owerhede. Owerhede moet terselfdertyd met 'n valkoog dopgehou word om verantwoording te eis.
Twee onbeantwoorde vrae: Het beamptes al Vrydag geweet van die twee gevalle wat volgens alle indrukke bevestig sou word? Hoe is die identiteit van die twee toeriste verkeerd gekry?
Ons regering moet sokkies optrek – in almal se belang.
So sê ander
13 Maart 2020
A time for sacrifice
The next few weeks, or maybe months, will be challenging ones for Canadians.
Across the country, many schools have closed, vacation plans cancelled and mass gatherings banned. Our lives are about to be upended.
Many activities that families regularly enjoy will now be put on hold. Sporting events or concerts that people bought tickets for, some at great expense, have been postponed or cancelled.
These times will be difficult and frustrating. For those cooped up at home with the kids for several weeks, as will be the case for Ontario parents, cabin fever will start to kick in.
It will all start to seem unfair and annoying at times. But we can't forget we are making these sacrifices for a reason. And we are making them together.
Right now, the number of infections in Canada is low. Public health officials continue to tell us that the risk is low. So far, the system seems to be working.
Our health officials should be commended for connecting with infected persons, tracing contacts and isolating individuals.
We have been warned though that community spread is, to some degree, inevitable. Let us hope that through our collective efforts we will not see Canada become like Italy, which is tragically facing many more cases and deaths.
• TORONTO SUN
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