CORONAVIRUS DAILY DIGEST #131
More grades return to school, Covid Long-Haulers speak up and City of Cape Town responds to pushback on its handling of housing crisis
On Monday, most grades were expected back at school. Meanwhile, the City of Cape Town has been confronted about evictions and the sale of prime public land during a housing crisis exacerbated by the pandemic. And Covid Long-Haulers share their experience of having the virus for months on end with no treatment in sight.
Feature Image: Daily-Digest-Feature-Image-August-24: Compilation image by Sahra Heuwel.
Scroll through the gallery below to view the latest Covid-19 numbers available on 24 August at the district level. All maps are sourced from provincial health departments. Mpumalanga did not provide an update by the time of publishing:
In just seven months, Covid-19 has infected more than 23 million people and killed just over 800,000 in more than 200 countries. While the vast majority report having mild symptoms, which clear in a matter of weeks, some have to endure months of it. These people are now known as Covid Long-Haulers.
Daily Maverick’s second season of Don’t Shoot the Messenger begins this week with a discussion about what it’s like to be in it for the long haul and the growing medical acceptance that Covid-19 can be a long-term condition. Listen to it here.
Most grades were expected to return to school on Monday. The Department of Basic Education reportedly said the school system is ready for this next step and that it will continue to keep tabs on compliance with guidelines and regulations.
Meanwhile, Nehawu has reportedly said that strikes at the National Health Laboratory Service will continue until shortages of staff and personal protective equipment (PPE) are addressed. The union has started a protest campaign to demand adequate supplies of PPE and salary increases for public service employees.
Life is returning to the streets of Joburg, but restaurateurs are still picking up the pieces. Revelling patrons feel a mile away from a global pandemic, but uncertainty and fear still keep the small business owners on edge. Shaun Smilie took his camera to the streets and reports from there.
The SA Human Rights Commission and EFF are pursuing an urgent interim interdict against the City of Cape Town to stop all evictions and demolitions of structures during the National State of Disaster. Arguments were heard at the end of last week during a virtual hearing, and judgment has been reserved. Vincent Cruywagen unpacks the arguments.
Meanwhile, the City has withdrawn an advert to lease the King David Mowbray Golf Club for R11,500 a year. This comes as Cape Town faces a housing crisis exacerbated by the Covid-19 lockdown – in the last two months there have been 109 illegal land occupations.
Activists and residents struggling to find a home have protested the renewal of cheap leases for golf clubs on well-situated public land close to schools, hospitals, industry, transport hubs and the city centre. As Steve Kretzmann and Peter Luhanga report, the City has responded, saying that it is considering “all workable options” to increase affordable accommodation. DM/MC
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