The Covid-19 threat is not going away fast – for the foreseeable future coping with it in our daily lives will become the new normal. So we must develop a new attitude to each other and cultivate appropriate prevention habits. Such an attitude will be a combination of responsible citizenship, and neighbourly love. Simply put, it’s about practicing African ‘ubuntu’.
Changing the Lockdown rules enables people to get back to their livelihoods, it does not mean that the risk of catching COVID-19 is over. Actually the risk is increased.
Under stress we often try to cope by deleting those activities we consider to be non-essential. And so exercise is often the first to go – not a good idea! Here are some good suggestions.
Face it – you can only take so much – the stress of ‘lockdown’ pushes us all to the limit. Physical and mental stress can lead to burnout. That’s when you feel overwhelmed and emotionally drained – you just can’t meet the constant demands.
Are you a bit like me? During this Lockdown it has sometimes felt like I just want to curl up at the bottom of my dark cupboard. I’ve felt lonely – I’ve missed the hugs, the warmth, and the loving presence of my family and friends. I’ve longed for time just to sit and chat; or go for a walk with real, living bodies. Connecting on Zoom just didn’t seem to do it anymore!
The idea that you can boost your immune system is appealing – pop a pill in the morning and become bulletproof to all nasty bugs and germs? What’s not to love? As great as that sounds, the concept of ‘boosting’ your immune system is a little more complicated.
As we trade your t-shirt for a sweater and your shades for a scarf, we are all bracing for another chilly winter. You may also be reaching for those vitamins and smoothies to boost your immunity. Say yes to cosy evenings. Say no to colds and flu.
The flu isn’t really anything to sneeze at. Each year in South Africa it kills about 10,000 people, those five years and older. While that’s a relatively small number compared with the past year’s Covid-19 deaths, it’s still a heavy toll.
On 21 March, we will be celebrating Human Rights Day in South Africa. It is a time for us to reflect on our individual human rights, and – more importantly – to consider how we can support others to bring these ideas into reality. In other words, a reminder to embrace the spirit of “Ubuntu”, I am because you are.
