Lock-down Day 25

Sir Galahad is back! I heard him last night - and by Mewthos' eager moving to a personal encounter, guessed it was him. I went after Mewthos, picked him up and carried him inside and called an early 'inside mippies'. I couldn't be sure, because it was already dark and I couldn't see him ... just went by the reaction from my mippies. And then, after I went to bed, he came for a concert at my window! Definitely Sir Galahad!

Other than that, I had another good night. Very grateful for that! I'm not sure, apart from scratch pads, what I should do today. I think it's time to look at my finances ... face reality.

Some good news first: My credit card is not in the red. So, I have some credit to draw on - getting into debt at horrific interest rates ... if I get really desperate. Neither I nor my cats will starve.

I'm finding it impossible to concentrate on my budget or anything much, as I'm desperately searching through the news channels for an announcement, anything from our government. In the Information Session, the 18th April was set as the defining milestone; the numbers by that date would indicate whether the rate of community transmission was accurate; which in turn would determine the course of action to follow - either another extension of the lock-down, or start gradual release of the lock-down. That was Saturday, the 18th. Today is Monday, the 20th. So far, the only 'message from government' has been acknowledgement that our welfare system is way below reasonable expectation ... 

Government has embarked on a nationwide campaign to alleviate the plight of the poor by handing out food parcels to those in need. 

This has not been without any controversy, with allegations that some African National Congress (ANC) councillors have fraudulently benefitted from food parcels meant for the poor.

The food parcels were apparently given to their families or friends. 

The councillors have since been suspended by the ANC. 

President Ramaphosa has vowed that harsh action would be taken against any corrupt councillors.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, on top of alcohol and cigarettes, now the sale of cooked food is banned!

Oh, in Germany they are protesting the re-opening of restaurants ... and that government must provide face-masks free of charge, if they want to make wearing them a legal requirement ... I wish I had their problems!

One o'clock news: sale of cooked hot foods is now definitely unlawful.

On my own little front, I've definitely reduced the number of cigarettes, even last week with all that pain, during which I didn't ration myself as strictly. I normally use one carton per week - I opened a carton last Sunday night, and I'll be opening the next sometime today. And that includes 2 packets I gave to our gardener. He handed me money today, wanted to buy a packet of cigarettes off me - sorry, I'm not selling them. He needs what little money he has. I gave him a packet.

Now, I'm hungry. And still searching for any news of what's to come ... what our government has planned for our future ... will I be allowed to go to work? When? So much depends on when I will be allowed to go back to work ... can't really plan nor budget, when I don't know how far it must stretch ...

Okay, found an article on News24, giving some indication of what's in the wind:

"So the message to businesses is going to be: You've got to come up with your own set of rules" - to ensure strict physical distancing, proper hygiene, professional standards and all necessary protocols to prevent any transmission of the virus.

Winde described this as a "Covid-19 de-risked new normal way of doing business". And every business that wished to trade would require these strict protocols.

"If you've got Covid-19 cases, the first thing the health department is going to do is close you. So if you can show you have proper processes they will say you can open again," Winde predicted.

Asked how businesses would need to demonstrate they had the necessary levels of safety in place, Winde said it was likely different sectors would be categorised, according to risk.

For example: "A high-risk sector would be a sector that has lots of people - either on the production side or the sale/customer side."

Interesting personal news: Since my period started, my emotions are no longer all over the show! I'm no longer blubbering every time I'm watching an emotional scene. A bit of a relief.

On the down side: I'm having trouble making even the simplest decisions! Can't decide what I want to cook, whether to make rolls or a loaf of bread, whether I should bake some muffins ... I'm more stressed than hungry at the moment. This 'not knowing' is really tough. Well, I've started - as always - by washing the dishes. I've sort of decided to make tuna pasta mix tonight and bread rolls for breakfast tomorrow ... now ... that the dishes are clean ... I'm having trouble getting my rear into gear and start the food production. At least I'm still allowed me cook hot food at home!

I just stumbled across an article 'explaining' the reason for the ban on the sale of cigarettes:

According to the World Health Organization, smokers are likely to be more vulnerable to the virus as they touch their lips while smoking, which increases the possibility of hand-to-mouth transmission.

Seriously? THAT is what you're going with?  

“Government is losing, according to estimates, in the region R1.5 billion a month on excise alone with the ban. When you factor in VAT, corporate income tax and other tax types the figure becomes even greater,” he said.

Yeah, very logical and smart, right?

Anyway, two mips were just outside: Mewthos and, of course, Mini - she rarely goes far! So, I decided to try and cuddle Mew-Mew into staying, to avoid the fear-session while I wait for him to come back ... didn't quite work. He went off for a walk, anyway. But he came back fairly soon - only, that's when Ziva decided she wanted to go for a walk. My call stopped her - but she wouldn't come back. She just sat at the end of the drive-way ... waiting. So, I got my three mips inside, then went to try and call Ziva ... which worked! I was surprised, but she came running to me, mipping happily! I picked her off the car and carried her inside.

Still giving them only 2 sachets. Still no complaints. Mini is now suddenly obsessed with the toilet flushing - same as Mewthos used to be! Every time I flush, she comes running to watch! And her current favourite place outside is curled up in the bird bath! The one next to the bench. And she always rolls onto her back when I come near, wanting her tummy tickled! She craves attention, like every kitten - and I'm happy to oblige. Most of the time. Hey, there are 4 of them and only 1 of me! Give me a break! They ALL love to have their tummies tickled - nobody's offering to tickle mine!

I cooked the pasta, used cream, 2 tins of tuna and the last chopped tomatoes from the tin. Ate half, now at least I'm full. And there are 6 rolls now baking in the oven. They'll be as fresh as can be for breakfast.

Mippies are everywhere, Mewthos and Mini on the bed, Janey on the dresser and Ziva in the shelf. I think tonight I spend some time cuddling so that I don't have to displace mippies to get into bed.