Q&A
As SA moves to levels 3 and 2, “hot spots” in the Western Cape must remain under strict lockdown, says national health department acting director-general Dr ANBAN PILLAY. Chris Barron asked him …
What will this achieve?
The purpose of all our interventions is to reduce the rate of transmission of the virus.
How many fewer infections will there be?
Technically, if everybody followed all the rules strictly, you could have zero infections after the lockdown.
The reality is they don’t. Won’t this make your lockdowns futile?
Across the world there’s about 50% compliance …
Isn’t the best way of ensuring compliance to send as many people as possible to work, where safety protocols can be enforced?
Well, the mathematical models thus far …
Aren’t they safer at work?
I don’t think that’s true. If you look at the Western Cape, almost all of the outbreaks are in workplace situations like supermarkets. That’s what’s driving the epidemic in the Western Cape currently.
Isn’t it easier to ensure masks, hand washing and social distancing in workplaces?
That’s what we must do and will do. There’s general agreement we must open many of these things up.
How do tighter lockdowns fit into this?
We would have a geo-mapping of all of the positive cases in an area like Tygerberg, which would be closed down and all the people there screened and tested. Those infected would be moved into home quarantine. Then we can lift the lockdown. Provided they don’t move out of quarantine and interact with other people, because then they’re going to mess it up …
How will you enforce this?
Various ways. The Chinese …
China’s not a democracy, is it?
There are certain strict methodologies which may not work here.
Is there any point if, while ensuring these areas are clean, the economy collapses?
There’s a balancing between reducing the infection rate but keeping the economy going. We don’t want to make the mistake of starting the economy too early.
Isn’t our biggest danger right now starting the economy too late?
If I was a businessman I’d say that too. Until we start rolling out the mortuary trucks. We need to be scientific about our decisions, not base them on emotion. If you leave the infection to run away you’ll overwhelm the health system. The objective is to reduce the … curve.
Hasn’t the lockdown done this?
That’s why the president has announced we’re moving to level 3, 2 and 1. Obviously areas that are hot spots won’t do that.
Which will stop businesses from opening, won’t it?
It depends where the business is.
Those with supply chains in lockdown areas say they won’t open.
I wouldn’t come to that conclusion immediately.
You say you must be scientific, so why aren’t you listening to your scientists?
There was only one person who said that and she’s lying.
Her colleagues on the ministerial advisory committee say they agree with her.
If we are not listening to the committee, why do they still want to be on it?