The Citizen (Gauteng)

Covid is the death of us

- Kekeletso Nakeli-Dhliwayo

Ialways try to find that glimmer of hope in Covid’s new normal, but how I have missed functions, birthdays – all now virtual gatherings… I have missed church and night vigils. With my asthmatic toddler, I have slept days in hospitals as we treat his respirator­y infections. I have socially-distanced – eroded my skin with sanitizer, overcome my fear of all things technologi­cal as I navigated through online shopping.

But I would be lying if I did not say that a year later, I am exhausted… I am beat.

That fatigue we are told not to allow to set in, has crept in… it has found a comfortabl­e seat in my mind, body and spirit.

I am tired of our leadership letting us down; the looting of funds meant for healthcare.

While in the eye of the storm, leadership has enriched itself. So much so that the face of the Covid response of the government, the former minister of health, is being investigat­ed for this. The presidenti­al spokespers­on and her husband also allegedly unduly benefitted.

Industries buckled under the closure of businesses; eateries could not maximize profits as they were not considered as essential; waitrons who depended on that gratuity tip to make ends meet had to fight off poverty; the beauty industry; B&Bs and hotels – the list is endless…

Jobs were lost and family businesses ceased to exist.

The hopeful among us, those who were able to keep our employ, kept saying we need to stay alive in order to enjoy life post-Covid.

But our bellies of motivation are now empty.

We have no more words of encouragem­ent… I am exhausted.

And so “Cupcake” announced the easing of restrictio­ns on Tuesday.

While we are aware of the dangers of Covid that may currently be with us, we celebrate that in some way we are edging closer to some sort of normalcy. We are on the road to recovery. We are almost, hopefully, at the finish line…

But while we celebrate, we must remember the importance of staying alert. Vaccinate if you can. If you wish not to, I respect that decision, but take care of yourself and those around you.

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