I’m in a State of Massive Meltdown as We Enter Lockdown

Our country’s a national disaster anyway — now it’s official

Sunday evening I was restless, waiting for our President to address the nation.

The 90-minute delay created chaos in my mind.

Apart from a failing economy 38% unemployment, 52% living in poverty, rolling power blackouts, dysfunctional municipalities, many with lack of access to clean water and a fragile health system, how the hell are we going to cope with Covid-19 in South Africa?

What’s he going to say?

Is it serious here in South Africa with 61 cases reported? How will we contain it? Hubby is 80, I’m nearing 70 — risky business.

I’d been dishing out positive advice sprinkled with humor the past week to readers in Europe, the USA and elsewhere, but now the viral bastard is knocking at my door, I’m not so bloody brave.

It’s no longer virtual reality — it’s here.

I sensed depression creeping in.

Recalling the Shona word kufungisa which means thinking too much, I stopped thinking and started cooking dinner.

Unlike the annual State of the Nation Address in February, filled with platitudes, wishful thinking and action plans that never bear fruit, the declaration of a State of National Disaster was a welcome change.

It was a statesmanlike address with no sugar-coating.

“Never before in the history of our democracy has our country been confronted with such a severe situation.”

“This national emergency demands cooperation, collaboration and common action. It is a time for solidarity, understanding and compassion. Those who have resources, those who are healthy, need to assist those who are in need and who are vulnerable.”

This graphic depicts the containment measures:

President Ramaphosa concluded:

“It is true that we are facing a grave emergency. But if we act together, if we act now, and if we act decisively, we will overcome it.”

“Fellow South Africans, this is the most definitive Thuma Mina* moment for our country.”

(*More on that at the end of this essay, then you’ll understand its significance.)

The first thing hubby said to me afterward was, “We must cancel our shopping trip on Wednesday.”

We hadn’t discussed the pandemic, and I thought he was cool with it. Apparently not.

To be honest, neither was I. Although inspired by the leadership and encouragement shown by our President, Health Minister et al. I was pretty spooked too, but replied we’ll go ahead, regardless.

We’re heading out to a potential war zone tomorrow.

My shopping list includes hand sanitiser and toilet paper — the latter is for practical, not panic-stricken reasons — we only have one roll left.

I’ve never purchased hand sanitiser before so checked online for prices.

Omigod, every brand is “Out of Stock”. Now what?

Help arrived in my inbox this afternoon.

One newsletter explained the scientific reasons why washing hands with soap (not anti-bacterial) and water for 20–30 seconds is the most efficient way to kill those pesky molecules.

Another two were from the stores I plan to visit, announcing the actions they’ve taken to safeguard customers and staff.

I won’t need sanitiser because spray bottles and wipes will be available at the entrance for hands and trolley and basket handles. Cashiers and packers at the tills will clean the surface of the counter, their hands and the pin pad after each customer departs.

Phew! I’ll just buy another bar of soap.

But I hope to hell they have toilet paper.

Caveat emptor! This mild-mannered lady with wrinkles and grey hair packs a powerful punch if you cross words with her.

Thuma mina, Zulu for Send me, has been adopted as a mantra for South Africa, from the late Hugh Masekela’s song of 2002.

I wanna be there when the people win the battle against AIDS I wanna lend a hand I wanna be there for the victims of violence and abuse I wanna lend a hand Send me

Let’s adopt the same strategy for Covid-19.

I pray that love and compassion will prevail. Let’s not lower our immune systems by fearing or hating.

Enjoy the music. Hang in for the trumpet solo towards the end!

May it lift your spirit as it has mine.

A big thank you to Sherry McGuinn for the inspiration.