We are no doubt in unchartered waters, and most certainly face a long and hard road ahead.
My plea to all residents is please to do everything in their power to adhere to the Covid-19 regulations. Hygiene is of paramount importance. Social distancing must become a daily practice. I notice in communities many residents still have not taken this virus seriously. Last weekend we handed out more than 3 000 face masks in Atlantis and Witsand – but still we see people in the streets not wearing any mask.
I am greatly concerned about the mental and social challenges we are dealing with on a daily basis. Many residents have lost their jobs, some households are only receiving a percentage of their salaries, which affects many households. The need for food support is growing daily, and National Government through Sassa is not able to sustain the need for food support.
Many projects are being rolled out in the Atlantis area, NGOs are running soup kitchens, handing out cooked meals and distributing food parcels, but still there is a huge cry for assistance.
There is a huge misperception regarding testing in the Atlantis area. The Department of Health is the primary department doing the testing, and although we have identified several positive cases in Atlantis, the area has not been declared a hotspot for testing.
We have over time circulated a lot of media information on the virus, but we wish to share only a few pointers with our residents:
Who is at risk?
Older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart or lung disease, cancer or diabetes. These individuals should at all times remain indoors and protect themselves.
Symptoms:
Mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, coughing, difficult breathing and a sore throat.
How does it spread?
It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, close contact such as touching or shaking hands, and touching objects or surfaces with the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes afterwards before washing your hands.
How can I prevent it?
Wash your hands often. Avoid touching with unwashed hands. Avoid close contact with infected people, cover your cough or sneeze into a tissue, and once used throw it away. If you are mildly sick, drink lots of fluids, stay at home and rest.
Where does one go?
If you feel you might be infected, call your local clinic and make an appointment to be tested. Do not go to the clinic without an appointment, as they will not be able to test you.
We will endeavour to get the Department of Health to the area to do testing. When we do have dates and venues we will make sure this information will be widely circulated, be it on social media, flyers, local media, local radio stations. If you need assistance contact the 24/7 hotline on 021 928 4102.
I urge you all to look after each other. When standing in line, and you feel the person behind or in front of are standing too close, kindly request that they keep their distance, for we have to watch over one another.
Most importantly, wearing of masks is compulsory! When leaving home, walking down the street or travelling in a car you must wear a mask. Take good care of your mask by washing it daily with hot water and soap, hang it in the sun to dry and iron it with a hot iron.
Children should not accompany parents to shopping centres, and you should be protected at all times.
If you do not have or cannot afford sanitiser, use hot water and soap to wash your hands, and do so regularly.
I wish all our residents good health at this time. Protect, respect and remember to take good care of yourself.
