Lock-down Day 7

I had a very bad night. I woke around 11 and just couldn't get back to sleep, the mosquitoes buzzed and bit and buzzed awfully! It was past 1, last time I checked the time. As a result, I woke up late, to an impatient Mewthos restlessly mewling and sitting on top of me, demanding I get up. He's worse than the mosquitoes!

South Africa now has 1380 confirmed cases, but in another article, I see that only about 45k have been tested ... so I'm wondering what exactly that means. 3% of those who were tested, are positive for the virus; no numbers are mentioned on how many people have been 'screened' in total. People are first screened, with only 10 laboratories in the whole country able to do testing, anyone who has not been in contact with what they're now calling 'hot-spots' or high-risk centers; and who have no symptoms, are not tested. And nobody knows how many South Africans have been screened.

I'm also seeing a lot of indications that there is some form of manipulation of the news. Nothing as blatant as I witnessed during the 911 attacks, no contradictory news releases or statements, just ... there's a lot that ISN'T said. It sometimes feels like I'm IN on of those alien invasion movies, only I'm one of the 'masses' kept in the dark. Well, since there's nothing I can do about it, it's no good dwelling on it. So, I let it go ... wait and see, watch as the story unfolds ...

On a positive note, I'm 16 years sober today! I usually take time on this day, to reflect on the past year to see if I'm still growing. At the moment, though, I'm busy in the kitchen ... maybe I'll make some time, later.

In the kitchen, I've got a wee bit of a problem: what shall I do with waste? For example, the tissues they put at the bottom of meat packets, which soak up the blood from the meat? It's not compostable, and with no refuse removal, I can't put it in the bin. I've also left it a little too long, so some of the produce has gone off - can't put that in my Bokashi bin, either! Just vacuum packing won't be enough. I'm seriously considering freezing it! I mean, what else can I do? Can't bury it in the garden, can't compost it, can't just leave it in the fridge, not for another 2 weeks!

Oh, and it took only 7 days for the first mention that the lock-down will probably be extended. I was waiting for that ...

Well, I've turned all my produce into Salsa. I can get away with calling it Salsa, because Avocado, Spring Onions and Cherry Tomatoes were involved. I cooked some pasta with it, and now I'm fit to burst! Trying to consume what I've bought. And I haven't opened my freezer once since the lock-down started ...

Just saw a headline warning the public NOT to wear masks and gloves: 

South Africans warned not to wear masks and gloves during lockdown

“Scientific evidence proves that by wearing a mask, if it is not needed, you may put yourself at higher risk because you fiddle with the mask and then transfer germs from your hands to your face.”

Wearing this equipment in the belief that it will protect you when you are in public may result in the infection actually spreading faster, the department warned.

Not sure what to think. Okay, that article is dated 1st April - but it was also published the day before. Same article, from the Western Cape Department of Health.

Here another article, from the Gauteng Department of Health:

The Gauteng Department of Health has warned people not to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), like masks and gloves, "inappropriately", saying it places them at greater risk.

This also includes face shields, aprons, goggles and gloves.

The department added that those who wear such protective equipment unnecessarily put themselves at risk of further spreading the virus.

"People who wear masks and gloves when they don't need to, end up fiddling and touching their faces, thus transferring whatever infection from surfaces to their face. This leads to the further spreading of the virus," Kekana explained.

Yet, at the same time, taxi drivers are now allowed to load 70% of the capacity (i.e. number of passengers) but must provide face masks.

It seems to me, it's about the shortage of face masks - those who rely on them at work, won't have enough, soon. Which, in turn, would indicate that they CAN prevent contagion ... although, I think, the masks protect others from the wearer, not the other way around.

Anyway, another day comes to an end, only 14 more to go. Maybe.