We have Levels of lockdown here in my country with level 5 being the highest; that's where we were for 5 whole weeks until 1 May - Worker's Day, when we moved to level 4.
A BITTERSWEET WORKER'S DAY
This Worker's Day was bittersweet though, a stark reminder that there already have been many job losses with thousands more to follow in the weeks and months ahead as all companies, except for essential services, had to close their doors for an indefinite period!
Small businesses simply cannot survive.
GOVERNMENT AID - TRUTH OR A LIE?
There are government relief schemes for small businesses but when I look at some that are relevant to our BnB, most are loans, some to be paid into staff bank accounts to cover their wages only; forget about the rest of the business overheads!
Who in their right mind wants to take out a loan if you're unsure you're going to survive?
LEVEL 4 LOCKDOWN
Under Level 4, we're still living with draconian laws and are facing the following restrictions:
It is a serious punishable offence to share fake Covid-19 news - don't ask me who's going to be the judge of what's fake and what's not!
Wearing of cloth face masks is compulsory as you step outside your property, even if you're alone in your car! I want to wear a face mask in public in any case whether it's compulsory or not, but really, if I'm alone in my car?
We could be stopped at road blocks set up by the police and harassed, not questioned, about where we're going.
Heaven forbid if you say you're on your way to the pharmacy to pick up meds and cannot produce a prescription as happened to an elderly gentleman who was given a hefty fine when going to pick up his insulin as the pharmacy already had his repeatable prescription and the officer did not believe him!
We can only go for a run or walk between 6 and 9 in the morning. With winter approaching it still is dark at 6am. One will have to make darn sure you're back home before 9am and not stray off the path or get lost!
We cannot move between cities nor provinces without a permit.
I'm not in favour of smoking but banning tobacco sales during times like this when people are already under stress really makes no sense until you hear that the minister who made this decision has a close relationship with a self confessed illegal tobacco dealer! This was verified by a local news reporter!
Smokers currently buy cigarettes on the black market at double the price!
I could go on and on, but the point I'm trying to make is that with these harsh and mostly senseless regulations enforced by our government, people are going to become rebellious!
These are the list of fines we could face if we break the new lockdown laws.
REAL REASON FOR EXTENDED LOCKDOWN
We've learned that the real reason for this extended lockdown is that our government is playing for time, as our pathetic public health system cannot even cope during normal times.
With a pandemic of this magnitude, they would not have enough beds or ventilators, and that is what they're working on before our severe restrictions will be lifted further.
LOW COVID-19 INFECTION RATE IN SOUTH AFRICA
The dangers of not being honest with the people is that everyone is getting GATVOL (fed-up) as our infection rate is ridiculously low - currently stands at 6336 confirmed cases out of a population of just over 59 million people, and only 123 deaths since it first reared its ugly head here in early February!
I fully understand that the worse is yet to come as we're going into winter, but with the poorest of the poor not being able to put bread on the table, things are going to get out of hand.
A hungry belly shouts louder than a possible threat from a virus that has not really shown its face here, and a government that keeps on bullying its people!
Not being honest is the real danger, as people will tire of being vigilant with sanitizing when no one around them are getting sick, until the explosion takes place when the virus invades one of those living in cramped conditions!
THE TABLES ARE TURNED…
I will end on a lighter note and share something that struck me today -
During the times before Covid, we would be showered, shaved, hair done and dressed up in our best gear before going to the stores; nowadays with the threat of contamination and only food stores and pharmacies open, we wear last year's outfits and do all of the above when we get back home!
Then only is everything sanitized; from wallets to shoes, masks and clothes plus hot showers to wash off possible Coronaviruses; the stuff we've bought does not skip this treatment either!
Children are warning their elderly parents to take this Virus seriously, not to go out so often and to make sure we do all of the above!
Used to be the other way around not so!
THERE ARE SOME POSITIVES TO LOCKDOWN - NOT THE LIES!
Many positive things are happening; like we’re now talking a whole lot more to each other.
Many households are more determined than ever before to become self-sustainable with veggie gardens springing up in many households, rainwater harvesting tanks that’s been standing in the garden are being connected, solar system are being planned, Moms are baking their own bread and preparing food from scratch instead of warming up frozen boxed foods and a whole host of other good things!
WE WANT THE TRUTH
Another last word, and that is we need to be told the truth!
There are whistle blowers everywhere and the truth always comes out, so the governments should not try and pull the wool over our eyes as this could turn out to be disastrous!
This has been my response to the question posed by @ecotrain - Is it right for governments to lie to us to control our behaviour or prevent panic?
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I am absolutely livid about the situation. I know it's taboo especially here in Canada and Quebec, to so much as question anything beyond the official narrative. which if we believed, is still no reason to jail an entire world. We are being fear mongered into submission.
As the majority believe there is a terrible killer on the loose, I dare to believe that it is a lie. When youtubers are no longer allowed to give advice on preventing colds by vitamins, one should get suspicious. When they speak of vaccinating the whole world with a substance that will enable us to travel and work, one should be suspicious. A friend of ours is a nurse in Nova Scotia who says it is a lie and she can't speak up or she will lose her job and be ruined for life.
We have already heard doctors and medical people say that they are labeling the C virus on anyone who may have cold symptoms or any other illness with the same symptoms.This would explain the numbers, which if were real, still wouldn't justify the tyranny.
The news is being blasted right now and it tells nothing all day long except how many people are infected and dying. This is the number one program which is like a constant mantra that could make a person sick with fear and anxiety. I have heard the word death about twenty times in the last five minutes. The news is god to most people.
Okay I apologize for my unpopular opinion. I am boiling over. I guess I have spewed too much. You are right in that we are learning about self-sustaining. I have dug up a patch of lawn to attempt my first garden, in my in-laws yard. For the first time in years I had the wonderful earth on my hands. We don't have it quite as rough as you guys there.
Keep your spirits up as best that you can.
I really don't believe yours is an unpopular opinion, we often sit and wonder what is truth and what not when it comes to this virus!
I do believe you've hit the nail on the head when you said
That is precisely what they're doing!
But we're not the only ones who are coming up with a plan in our industry so will certainly keep the spirits up; us humans are the most adaptable creatures on earth!
Stay safe and sane my friend;)
I hear your frustration with government handling of the virus. Sounds like yours has done a knee-jerk reaction. The government here chooses not to acknowledge the virus. As far as they are concerned it does not exist. Doctors and health care workers were threatened with imprisonment if the wore protective gear as it would cause mass panic. They are discouraging social distancing by organizing massive rallies and concerts. We know that 20 doctors have the virus and that there were 300 deaths in one city in one day. These were attributed to heart attacks. The general population does not believe any of this. We have no idea when the first case actually came into the country and we have no idea how it is spreading and how fast.
Ah @cecicastor so nice to see you again, but how absolutely shocking to hear your government's response! I feel so sorry for the doctors as they understand the dangers of this virus, I'm sure the government themselves keep well away from the public though, as they know exactly what's going on!
Can you not leave there @cecicastor? I don't know how you survive living like that! Makes our situation pale in comparison, please take care!
There is nowhere to go right now. All borders are closed including our own, Canada. We will have to wait it out and hope it doesn't take too long. We have heard from various "experts" that it maybe 2022 before they get a handle on this and have an effective vaccine. We just take one day at a time and keep ourselves protected the best we can.
I agree with you @lizelle, we don't have it quite as strict as you've described, but the lies and control, these things frighten me deeply.
You've summed it up very well @jerrytsuseer, it's the lies and control that's the worrying factor! That control will not last if it continues like this as the people with no formal employment will become rebellious!
Thank you so much for the comments and visit!
I'm afraid that some big wig power hungry politicians got with some unscrupulous scientists, concocted this idea to modify "The Herd Behaviour" to be more amenable and easier to control. Now they have us doing what they say almost without question.
I'm afraid I see darker days ahead
thanks for your response!~ the situation is well described in your post.. and the reasons for it being so..
this aint gonna change anytime soon huh! but maybe sooner if we are told the truth i think!
Sadly you're right and even more sad that governments will never tell the truth!
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They do seem to be enforcing things in the strictest sense and drawing a line which cannot be moved. Surely the authorities have to exercise some common sense, what is the point of wearing a face mask when you're on your own in your car, or even with your family for that matter? The car is no different from your home. Seems like someone has lot the plot
Many in power here have lost the plot for sure, we hear of the most ridiculous incidents every day! It's almost like the various departments think of the most annoying and irrational regulation to add to the restrictions!
Thank you so much for the visit @livinguktaiwan, let's all hope and pray this virus starts losing its hold on the world sooner than expected!
Proof of sharing on Twitter
Holy crap that is some orwellian shit you have going on there! I'm not aware of your gun laws, can you have them?...because if that shit were getting pulled here in the US, I would guarantee there would be a revolt.
Stay safe @lizelle, live your life and imo, give the finger to the man ;)
We have very strict gun laws but there are many criminals here with illegal firearms stolen from those with a firearm license or bought on the black market!
Yep, we're a tough bunch here so won't let them get us down, there are ways and means but it's just sad to hear of the number of hungry people and food parcels that only reach the governing party's supporters!
I will end it there, won't start again;)
Thanks for popping in!
Did you read my Friday post about this?
I share your sentiments @lizelle
And yours truly says SNAP! Read it now, excellent blog @fionasfavourites, you've really covered it well! I've cross posted it to this community as well.
Many thanks, Lizelle. I was going to after I saw your post and the challenge, but I was on my phone.
I have joined the community. I've been a little preoccupied with trying to set up a new site for my online Enlish tutoring.
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No, it's fascism! I wonder if the NWO regime is in control now?