We get what we deserve in life

M ‘y fellow South Africans….’ These are ominous words for most citizens, as they were again last week when President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation.

Expecting something negative as the Covid-19 infections again soared to alarming rates, our worst fears were confirmed.

Not only has the third wave officially arrived, it has done so with a vengeance, as Gauteng is currently showing infection rates higher than those experienced by the province in both the first and second waves.

This as the bungling vaccination process lags far behind what was previously planned and predicted.

There is no secret as to why the high infection rates have reoccurred: we have simply returned to our old, selfish, reckless ways of living.

Having survived the worst of the previous outbreaks, we have been lulled into thinking the worst is over.

It’s not, and we can expect the death rate to rise, in proportion to the infection rate.

Government has done what it can in terms of preventative measures by raising the alert level, among other measures imposing stricter curfew hours and restricting hours for liquor sales.

While some might see this as harsh, there is an undeniable link between Covid infections and alcohol consumption, late night parties, failure to adhere to social distancing and nonobservance of sanitation protocols.

The road accident, crime and domestic violence cases are also directly affected by our behaviour.

We have nobody to blame but ourselves and we will pay a heavy price if we do not change our ways immediately.

Yes, there will be a negative impact on the hospitality and other trades, but that is the price we must pay if the nation is to ever stop the spread of the virus.

So instead of complaining about this latest step back to alert Level 3, let us take it as an indicator that we need to change our ways, follow all Covid protocols because at the end of the day, it is our own health that is on the line if we don't.