Majoko, business isn’t putting profits over lives

In reality, the lockdown is destroying businesses at an alarming rate, writes D Wolpert

It is absolute nonsense to suggest that business is “putting profits over lives” (“Cyril needs to work magic” by Sydney Majoko, The Citizen 5 May). In reality, the lockdown – which was launched both efficiently and promptly – is now a shambles aided by poorly thought out, economically damaging restrictions. It is destroying businesses at an alarming rate.

In addition, some 80% of our population is now not adhering to essential social distancing. In many cases, this is impossible due to their socioeconomic situations.

Using government’s own forecasts, we can expect job losses of between three and seven million.

Our bankrupt country cannot afford that. Poverty and death will follow in huge numbers.

There is no binary choice here between the nation’s health and saving our economy. We have to find a balance.

What good is it if the medicine kills the patient?

We are killing the hospitality industry. It supports millions of people.

Many other businesses that pose minimal risk are closed. The list is endless.

Instead of listing essential business, we need to open all businesses except those that are high risk.

Those that are opened need to provide acceptable and effective virus protection mechanisms.

Closing an entire country down would, of course, be the most effective route, but it will totally destroy our economy, which will, in turn, be far more damaging to SA.

I find it sickening that government creates a potential economic catastrophe and your writer blames it on business greed.