Infections on the Rise, Johannesburg Mayor Dies: Virus Update

[Doug3006]

I suppose this depends on what you consider to be a "conspiracy theory". Is it a conspiracy to believe that we have been lied to by the so-called "experts" on just about every level in regard to the original purpose of the lockdowns, the effectiveness (or should I say ineffectiveness) of mask wearing, social distancing, and every other form of nonsense we have been fed? Given the massive amount of ever-changing misinformation as well as outright political propaganda on all fronts, I don't necessarily think it's unreasonable for relatively intelligent people to have some doubts as to what we are being told in regard to vaccines or any of the preventative measures being taken for the "greater good" which are still being perpetuated upon us with no scientific basis whatsoever. If asking questions is considered buying into conspiracies, I am guilty as charged.



What is your definition "normality"? Most of the dem controlled states are already reverting back to mask mandates and lockdowns that have since been proven to be nothing more than theatrical demonstrations of useless virtue signaling to achieve compliance of the masses. As Red Leg pointed out, states like Florida have shown these ridiculous measures to be nothing more than an exercise of political platitudes, yet the sheep put their masks back on and do what they are told... They close bars and ban indoor dining, but the big box retailers hum along. They make you stand 6 feet apart in the TSA lines only to pack the airplanes to capacity...LMFAO! If going backwards and repeating the nonsense indefinitely is normality, I don't want any...




At the risk of being a conspiracy theorist, maybe this is why the flu has mysteriously disappeared for the last year and a half? We went from an estimated high of 60,000 deaths from the flu in 2019 to 646 in 2020? What are the odds of that? It's truly a medical miracle.. LOL..

On a related note, since the flu has traditionally taken tens of thousands of lives a year on average in the US with flu vaccines available since 1945, why hasn't the government or the MSM accused the 55% of Americans annually who have chosen not to get a flu shot as being complicit in murder until now?

Hi Dave. My definition of normality includes an end to mask mandates, easy travel across international boarders, and hospital capacity back to pre-covid levels. These things are achievable, but we need to reduce the growth in infections and hospitalizations.

 

[gram2117]

I suspect that some of these weird conspiracies are planted by external Governments seeking to weaponise miss-information around the covid crisis.

Russia has a long history of this type of action, and China is desperately trying to cloud the issue to deflect responsibility for starting the outbreak and miss-managing its control in early days

Open societies like ours are of course highly vulnerable to such programs.

The situation is not helped by the understandable desire for simplistic answers and a measure of certainty.

Science is unable to offer either as the situation is for ever changing and its impact on society is both nuanced and multi faceted

This leaves open ground for the false prophets

You hit the nail on the head with Russia and China being behind alot of these misinformation campaigns. I find it ironic and sad that these god fearing and patrotic Americans are freely spreading the message for the communists. Threw in the hucksters trying to make a buck and you have the mess we are in today.

 

[BSO Dave]

LA reverting back to closures to deal with Delta is the perfect example. (I should note, such closures have been "proven" to you "to be nothing more than theatrical demonstrations," but other informed people would disagree). And in fairness, Fla and Texas (less Austin - bless their little blue hearts) essentially ignoring the uptick in cases follows their political calculations as well.

With all due respect, these informed folks you mention can disagree all they like. It doesn't change the facts. To date, there has been no credible evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of masking, social distancing, and lockdowns in regard to the spread of Covid. In fact, the evidence we do have clearly exposes the physical, financial, and psychological damage caused from these lockdowns has far exceeded the supposed risks for the vast majority of folks. These mandates are being implemented on feelings, not facts. In all seriousness, how many more politicians do you need to see unmasked gathered in restaurants, on airplanes, or off camera to realize this has been bullshit from the beginning?

Furthermore, we were first told by the "experts" that these mandates were temporary measures to be used to "flatten the curve" remember? Even when the curves did flatten or never peaked in the first place, the goalposts continued to move, and do to this day.. The examples of the hypocrisy and double-standards are literally endless.

My only point is that all of those observations are quite different than believing that the vaccine contains a tracking agent, or it will destroy one's immune system, or it will make most of the world infertile, etc. etc. etc.

I understand and agree, but your generalization of what constitutes a conspiracy theory was much more broad in it's implication in your original comment.

I also agree that it's far fetched to believe that these vaccines are part some diabolical plot of Big Tech or whoever to depopulate the planet. With that said, I do not think it is conspiratorial thinking for an individual to ask questions and perform a personal risk/benefit analysis regarding the long-term, unknown outcomes of an experimental vaccine implemented for emergency use that has been created from new mRNA technology. Actually, in my view, it is the very definition of common sense and the ability to think critically.

However, saying that what the government people told us in the beginning and the difference in what they say now makes everything they said earlier to be all “lies” doesn’t take into account the learning curve we have all gone through with COVID. Many, but not all, of the people advising us on COVID have changed their advice based on recent studies. That doesn’t make them all liars.

I agree with your point that most of these mandates were originally implemented to address a dynamic situation. However, I completely disagree that these adjustments have been made by the so-called experts in power in accordance with the learning curve and new data as it has been received. In fact, the exact opposite of that is what has really transpired. They have and continue to disregard the "science" by constantly moving the goalposts.

We were outright lied to about the need and efficacy of masks from day-1. Remember back in March of 2020 when Fauci, the Surgeon General, and the CDC first claimed that masks offered little to no measurable protection against the spread? Then they changed gears again claiming that only N95 full-face respirators would offer any real protection.. Once they were called out that BS, they then stated that they only claimed masks were ineffective because they were afraid that hysteria may create a mask shortage for medial personnel. Since then, we have been told that silly paper and cloth masks are indeed effective with no science to substantiate that claim.

Then, were also told by the so-called experts lead by Fauci that alternative treatments like hydroxichloriquine and ivermectin were nothing more than "snake oil" treatments sponsored by Trump that could kill people. We later found out that was all bullshit, and hydroxychloroquine is actually a very effective treatment for early onset of Covid, and Fauci himself along with his board of "experts" treated their own families with hydroxichloriquine. Sadly, nobody asks how many people actually did die in reality because Trump was to be denied a victory at all costs?

Seriously, the list of lies we have been told in the last 18 months is seemingly endless. Ironically, If what you stated actually did occur in that they told us from the beginning that this was a new disease and mistakes will be made in good faith with the very best scientific data being followed as it develops, I don't think anyone would have had a problem with how this entire fiasco has transpired. What has occurred instead were lies to cover up incompetency and more lies that they have doubled and tripled down on to date.

Hi Dave. My definition of normality includes an end to mask mandates, easy travel across international boarders, and hospital capacity back to pre-covid levels. These things are achievable, but we need to reduce the growth in infections and hospitalizations.

Hi Doug... So, the only path to this is mass vaccination in your estimation? A demonstration of complicity so we can move on? I understand that the idea of mass vaccinations was sold to us as the promise to return to "normalcy", but that is hardly the direction we are headed. If that is indeed the agenda, why then are we seeing these mask mandates, closures, and lockdowns being perpetuated if the vaccines indeed work? If your mask, vaccine, and social distancing practices work, why then do I need a vaccination? I had Covid and still have the antibody. Should I still get a vaccine to achieve the ultimate goal of compliance? What ever happened to the hallmark liberal idea of my body, my choice?

Sorry, but this ridiculousness only stops when the complicity stops.

 

[barryk]

Seriously? I must say, I consider hunting something other than an ego trip. Having my teeth whitened - that would likely qualify as salving my ego. But hunting? Not so much. And if what you say is correct, then your only alternative is to hide at home for "the foreseeable future and beyond." And beyond may indeed be a very long time.

Lets remember we're all brothers here having enough enemies without fighting each other...I stay with each making their own decision....whether or not I agree....stay safe and watch your six.

 

[JGRaider]

Facts that don’t need confirmation.

The Vax is not FDA approved.
They rushed it
They have no real data to follow
Big Pharm immunity
People die after taking the Vax
People suffer permanent health issues after taking the Vax
People that have taken the Jab are still being infected
Still dying
And still required to wear a mask or three.
just to name a few

 

[lwaters]

They just mandated all VA medical personnel get the covid vaccine. Once this is approved by the FDA look for more and more companies mandating the vaccine. I wouldn't be surprised to see health insurance companies requiring vaccination or they won't pay covid bills. It may go to the courts but the pandemic will be over before the courts make a decision

 

[Jörg Krüger]

5683 new cases for Monday.
Definitely dropping now. Lets hope it stays on this downward trend

 

[Catchaser]

STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA ON PROGRESS IN THE NATIONAL EFFORT TO CONTAIN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC (25 July 2021)​

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STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA ON PROGRESS IN THE NATIONAL EFFORT TO CONTAIN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC (25 July 2021)​

Jul 25th, 2021|Press Releases and Notices

STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA ON PROGRESS IN THE NATIONAL EFFORT TO CONTAIN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC​

UNION BUILDINGS, TSHWANE 25 JULY 2021

My Fellow South Africans,

Since I last addressed you fourteen days ago, we have been fighting a battle on two fronts – the first against the deadly coronavirus, the second against the actions of those who have sought to create instability and chaos.
We have marshalled all of our resources to restore stability and order to KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, to ensure that we stabilise the situation and ensure that the violence of two weeks ago is ended.
To address these two crises, we have to take several actions at once.
Firstly, we have to contain the spread of the coronavirus and limit its impact on economic activity.
Secondly, we have to accelerate our vaccination programme so that the vast majority of adult South Africans can be vaccinated before the end of the year.
Thirdly, we need to ensure that peace and stability is maintained throughout the country and that there are no further incidents of violence.
Fourthly, in response to both the pandemic and the recent violence, we need to provide support and relief to poor households, in order to alleviate the hardships they are going through and reduce hunger.
Fifthly, we need to help businesses to rebuild. These are businesses affected by looting and destruction of property and those affected by the pandemic and the necessary measures we have taken to contain it.
Finally, we need to accelerate the implementation of our Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan to rebuild our economy, create employment and drive inclusive growth.

The coronavirus pandemic is the greatest threat to the lives and health of our people and to the recovery and transformation of our economy.
Accordingly we need to continue to do everything in in our means to contain the spread of the virus.
The latest figures suggest that we have largely passed the peak of the third wave of infections, although there are areas in the country where we still need to be concerned because the rates of infection have not yet shown signs of decline.
The measures that we put in place for the past 28 days, alongside the continued adherence of South Africans to basic health precautions, have been effective in reducing the rate of infection.
The average number of daily new infections over the last week was around 12,000 new cases a day, which represents a 20 per cent drop from the previous week.
In the last two weeks, the number of new infections in Gauteng – which has been the epicentre of the third wave – has steadily been declining.
However, as we have observed before, there are significant differences between provinces.
As infections in Gauteng fall, daily new infections in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal continue to rise.
There has also been a concerning rise of infections in the Northern Cape after a period of relative stability.
In all these cases, infections are being driven by the Delta variant, which as we said before is far more transmissible than previous variants.
Now, more than ever, we need to adhere to the basic precautions to limit the spread of the virus from one person to another.
We know that indoor gatherings, particularly in places that have poor ventilation, are the major cause of outbreaks and super spreader events.
We must continue wearing our masks at all times when in public, keep our distance from others and always ensure that windows are open and that there is a flow of fresh air.
The overall decline in new infections means that it is possible to gradually ease some of the restrictions on gatherings, movement and the sale of alcohol.
Based on the recommendations of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19, and inputs from the President’s Coordinating Council, Cabinet this afternoon decided that the country should be moved from Adjusted Alert Level 4 and be placed on Adjusted Alert Level 3.
This will take effect later this evening once the regulations have been gazetted. This means that:
The hours of curfew will stay the same, starting at 10pm and end at 4am.
Interprovincial travel for leisure may resume.
Non-essential establishments like restaurants, taverns, bars and fitness centres may be opened. These establishments will however need to close by 9pm to allow their employees and patrons to travel home before the start of the curfew.
Gatherings will be allowed but will be limited to a maximum of 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.
Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50 per cent of the capacity of the venue may be used.
Gatherings include religious services, political events and social gatherings.
The limits on venue capacity also apply to restaurants, gyms, fitness centres, bars, taverns and similar places.
Attendance at funerals and cremations may not exceed 50 people and all social distancing and health protocols must be observed.
Night vigils and after-funeral gatherings are still not allowed.
The sale of alcohol from retail outlets for off-site consumption will be permitted between 10am and 6pm from Monday to Thursday.
Alcohol sales for on-site consumption will be permitted as per licence conditions up to 8pm.
Schools will re-open tomorrow, Monday the 26th of July, according to strict health protocols and other measures announced by the Minister of Basic Education.
It remains mandatory for every person to wear a face mask that always covers their nose and mouth at all times when in public spaces.
The owners and managers of public buildings, centres, shops, restaurants, taxis and buses all have a responsibility to ensure that people on their premises or in their vehicles wear masks.
They must also ensure that the appropriate social distancing measures are in place and are adhered to.
It is important to remember that it is a criminal offence if the number of people on these premises exceeds the maximum number of customers or employees allowed.
As we ease restrictions, we must remember that infections remain high and that we need to continue to exercise caution.
As we have always said, our most effective weapon in the fight against COVID-19 is an effective and comprehensive vaccination programme.
In the last few weeks, our vaccination campaign has made huge strides. We are now administering more than 240,000 vaccines every week day. A month ago, this figure stood at around 100,000 vaccines per week day.
As a result, we have now administered more than 6.3 million vaccines, with over 10 per cent of our population having received a vaccine dose.
This has been possible through close collaboration between government and the private sector and with the active support of other social partners.
In the coming weeks, we will substantially increase the rate of vaccination.
We are increasing the number of vaccination sites and improving the vaccination registration system.
We will also increase our vaccination capacity on weekends.
We will now allow people between the ages of 18 and 34 to be vaccinated from the 1st of September 2021.
This will be in addition to the age groups that are currently eligible, which is everyone over 35 years of age.
We are now able to allow people to present themselves at a vaccination site without an appointment and be registered and vaccinated.
This substantial increase in the rate of vaccination is made possible by improvements in the supply of vaccines.
Within the next two to three months, we are scheduled to receive around 31 million additional doses from Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson.
This supply pipeline means that there will be sufficient vaccine doses available for the rest of the year.
We have made tremendous progress in addressing the challenges we faced as a country and the continent in access to vaccines.
As a result of our negotiations with pharmaceutical companies and various developed economy governments have, our country and our continent has been able to secure vaccines and is able to manufacture vaccines on our continent.
Aspen based in Gqeberha will from October be manufacturing vaccines solely for the African continent.
A few weeks ago the World Health Organization chose South Africa as hub for the manufacture of vaccines.
A few days ago, the Biovac Institute in Cape Town was appointed to manufacture the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for distribution within Africa.
While there is ample supply of vaccines for the short term, we must ensure that this supply is delivered on time and without disruption.
It is also important to monitor the emergence of new variants and to secure access to future vaccines that are adapted to these variants.
I urge all South Africans to register for vaccination as soon as they are eligible, whether online, via WhatsApp or USSD, or by calling the toll-free number on 0800 029 999.

Fellow South Africans,
Two weeks ago, the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng were hit by deliberate, planned and coordinated acts of violence designed to create the conditions for unrest.
This led to the loss of more than 300 lives, the looting of shops, warehouses and factories, damage to critical infrastructure, and disruption of the country’s economy.
We are still counting the cost of this violence, and coming to terms with the destruction that it left in its wake.
I speak of the lives that were cut short, and the families that lost their loved ones. I speak of the business owner who in a single day lost what it took years to build.
And of the mothers and fathers who lost their jobs as a warehouse went up in flames, and now wonder how they will feed their children.
We have a duty to support those affected by this violence, and ensure that it never happens again.
To ensure that order and stability are maintained, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, we have increased the deployment of SAPS and SANDF personnel.
We have maintained this deployment in areas regarded as potential hotspots, as well as key economic and government infrastructure, shopping centres, warehouses and factories.
Security forces are also responsible for keeping critical supply routes open and safeguarding the transport of goods.
Through these measures, we have been able to restore order in affected areas and to return the ports, freight rail network and road transport to full operational capacity.
Investigations into the violence and those behind it are continuing, led by our specialised law enforcement units, with a view to speedy arrests and effective prosecutions.
Special measures have been put in place to manage the large number of suspects who have been arrested for offences related to the unrest.
The SAPS has activated its Community Policing Strategy in areas throughout the country, which has involved communities in preventing further incidents.
I want to make it clear that law and order will be maintained.
There will be further arrests, particularly of those who conceptualised, planned and executed these actions that have led to so much destruction and loss of life.
Although calm has been restored to these areas, the impact of the violence and destruction continues to be felt by households, employees and businesses.
We are taking decisive action now to secure the livelihoods of millions of people that have been threatened by both the pandemic and the unrest.
This evening we are announcing a range of measures to support the recovery of the economy and provide relief to the poor and those who are vulnerable as a result of the measures that we had to impose to deal with COVID-19.

To support those who have no means of supporting themselves, we are reinstating the Social Relief of Distress Grant to provide a monthly payment of R350 until the end of March 2022.
This has been made possible by the slight improvement we have seen in our revenue collection.
We are expanding the number of people who are eligible for this grant by allowing unemployed caregivers who currently receive a Child Support Grant to apply.
Details on the reinstatement of the grant, including the process for application, will be announced shortly.
This will build on the strength of our existing social protection system, which is one of the greatest achievements of our democracy.
In addition to the food relief being provided by the Department of Social Development, government is contributing R400 million to the Humanitarian Crisis Relief Fund established by the Solidarity Fund to assist with the immediate needs of affected communities.
We are also implementing measures to help businesses to rebuild.
The most immediate need is to ensure that those businesses that were damaged or looted are able to rebuild and reopen as quickly as possible.
We are one of the few countries in the world to have a state-owned insurance company, SASRIA, which provides cover against incidents of public violence, strikes, riots and unrest.
Businesses that are insured will be covered by SASRIA.
SASRIA has committed to expedite the payment of all valid claims, and is working together with private insurers to ensure that assessments are completed without delay.
Government will ensure that SASRIA is able to honour all of its obligations and will provide whatever support is necessary in this regard.
In addition, however, some businesses that were victims of this violence may not have been insured.
This includes many small and medium-sized businesses, whether formal or informal.
Many of these businesses have lost everything, and will not be able to rebuild on their own. We will not abandon them in their time of need.
We are therefore working to extend support to uninsured businesses that were affected by the violence.
Government will set aside dedicated funds for this purpose and we will soon announce a mechanism for these businesses to apply for support.
We will also be reprioritising funding for SMMEs affected by the pandemic through a once-off business survival funding mechanism.
We are also working with large business to determine their contribution to the support of SMMEs, job creation and eradication of hunger and poverty.
Two weeks ago, we announced that the COVID-19 TERS scheme would be extended for those sectors which were affected by Alert Level 4 restrictions during the past 28 days.
Applications for this period are open, and the UIF will facilitate payments as quickly as possible to support workers who have not received an income.
Most importantly, the UIF will provide income support to all those employees who have lost jobs as a result of the recent unrest.
This will ensure that jobs are protected and that workers can continue to earn an income as those businesses take time to rebuild.
While the TERS scheme has provided crucial support for many sectors that have been unable to operate, there is a need to provide even further relief to help businesses to recover.
We are therefore expanding the Employment Tax Incentive for a period of four months to include any employee earning below R6 500 and to increase the incentive amount by up to R750 per month.
This will encourage employers to hire and retain employees, especially those in the retail and hospitality sectors which have been worst affected.
We will also defer payment of PAYE taxes for a period of three months to provide businesses with additional cash flow, with an automatic deferral of 35 per cent of PAYE liabilities for employers with revenue below R100 million.
The payment of excise taxes by the alcohol sector will be deferred for a period of three months, to ease the burden on the sector as it recovers.
These interventions are designed to extend as much relief as possible to individuals and businesses that are in need of support, without compromising our fiscal sustainability.
No country can expect its economy to grow, or to live in peace and harmony, while many of its citizens remain marginalised, hungry and excluded.
The impact of recent events on our economy has made the implementation of our Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan even more important.
We have been working closely with our social partners on the further measures we will take to address poverty, accelerate the implementation of reforms, drive inclusive growth and create jobs.
We will shortly be able to make further announcements in this regard. Fellow South Africans,
The effect of the recent violence on investor confidence is a great threat to our recovery.
We are taking steps to strengthen the capacity and preparedness of our security forces to prevent similar incidents in future.
This includes responding more quickly and decisively to reports that we are now receiving of extortion by criminal groups as businesses start to rebuild, especially in KwaZulu-Natal.
Anyone who threatens or engages in violence will face consequences.
While we have acknowledged that our response was too slow, our security forces have demonstrated that they are able to ensure stability and order.
More importantly, South Africans have demonstrated to the world that we are committed to democratic government, that we oppose violence and criminality, and that we will stand up to anyone who seeks to destabilise our country.
Our greatest strength lies in our Constitution, in the protection that it provides for our rights and freedoms, and in our open and democratic society.
Our constitutional order has stood firm.
As we move to rebuild our country from the effects of this violence and from the impact of this pandemic, let us do what our Constitution calls on us to do.
We must continue to heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights.
The foundations of our democracy are based on the will of the people.
To strengthen our democracy we are called upon to improve the quality of life of all citizens and free the potential of each person.
It is our collective duty as South Africans to work together to build a united and democratic South Africa able to take its rightful place as a sovereign state in the family of nations.
Let us all join hands to continue building the South Africa of our dreams despite the many challenges we face.

May God protect our people.
Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika. Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso. God seën Suid-Afrika. God bless South Africa.
Mudzimu fhatutshedza Afurika. Hosi katekisa Afrika. I thank you.

https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php... CONTAIN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC (25 July 2021)

 

[WAB]

Pretty good message. Missed opportunity to thank citizens of all races for standing together against the anarchy.

 

[Jörg Krüger]

17300 new positive cases for Wednesday

 

[Jörg Krüger]

13781 new cases for Thursday