We’re nearing the end of another year of COVID-19. Exhaustion is no longer a feeling, it’s a living, breathing person. On the plus side, it leaves one numb. I’m slightly slower to react to things that usually push one over the edge. Think rolling blackouts, water cuts, and the general craziness out there right now.
Yes, Mr De Ruyter, zero power = blackouts = load shedding = power off = zero power. Same difference. Take your spin somewhere else, the elections are over. You know, that event on 1 November where the blackouts miraculously disappeared.
When you’re a parent, especially of babies and school-going kids, holidays are a misnomer.
We’re hurtling to December. That time when some of us have to switch it up to become full-time parents for up to 6 weeks. When you’re a parent, especially of babies and school-going kids, holidays are a misnomer. Holidays for who, for what?
Surprisingly, I don’t have the heaviness of dread in my heart this year. At 8 and 6 years old, they’re a lot more independent than the earlier years. Yes, it does get better.
There’s a high probability of a fourth wave during December and January. In just over two days (16 & 17 November), there’s been a double increase in infections. It’s from a relatively low base, but we all know how that can spiral out of control in no time.
So, with this looming and the fatigue we’re all suffering from, how can we make it through the holidays? Any way of getting out refreshed on the other side of 2022? Will we see #RenewIn2022? Or did those New Year hashtags disappear after that colossal, failed start to 2020? Once bitten…
Some things are never going back. Hand sanitiser and masks will always feature, even if seasonally.
We can see that the coronavirus is here to stay. Much like influenza and others. It’s really a matter of management and lifestyle adjustment. Some things are never going back. Hand sanitiser and masks will always feature, even if seasonally.
Personally, I don’t think I’ll ever be comfortable in groups larger than 10 – 20. I never really liked crowds, think I tolerated them. What option did one have to socialise? In my youth, I would often find myself in crowded bars and clubs, packed in like sardines in a can – that’s such a foreign concept these days – and I would always be thankful for my height. That I could peer above most.
But back to the holidays. The last thing any of us want is an increase in lockdown levels. Ever again. We’re, hopefully, on a journey to eradicate the mass-scale disaster of this health pandemic on to recovery.
Can we please talk about the vaccine? I, for one, was not jumping up and down with glee at the prospect of receiving it. But, when it became our reality, when it was available and was our turn, we duly complied.
In my opinion, all of this is far more hazardous than a vaccine.
Why? Because we live in a world that has fundamentally changed. The quality of our air, food, and water is questionable. Especially if one lives in a city, not living off the land. Then there’s the main killer of modern society: stress. For me, this is the omnipotent silent virus of the 21st century. And we medicate this with all sorts of narcotics, alcohol, and chronic meds. Some, for most of their lives. In my opinion, all of this is far more hazardous than a vaccine.
Yet, some are privileged to reserve their rights of self-determination and self-preservation as the world buckles. To the religious groupings that denounce this vaccine, and other medical interventions, where’s your humanity? So, your god is different to the Source? Religion is the ultimate coloniser, but that’s a piece for another time.
I acknowledge that there are those who cannot get the vaccine for medical reasons. But I don’t think that number is anywhere close to a double-digit percentage making it significant. I believe that the main reason is fear. Fear of the unknown. We’re living through history.
Perhaps Twitter – the headquarters of conspiracy – will prove otherwise.
Presidents in the First World have taken the vaccine. And as far as I’m aware, no-one has developed three breasts. Perhaps Twitter – the headquarters of conspiracy – will prove otherwise.
If we want to be able to relax this holiday and create an environment where we can all be free beyond, here’s what most of us can and should do.
- Get vaccinated. As an eternal laggard, always last in the queue, I can tell you that there’s no exam that you are failing. Here’s a plus. You’re not obligated to post your “I got vaccinated” selfie. Those of us not posting and hashtagging our daily lives are still living. Very well, actually.
- Get clear. If you will be socialising with friends and family that you have not been in contact with for long or are coming from other provinces and countries, have discussions around your comfort zones upfront, what is acceptable behaviour. Goodness knows, family get-togethers without COVID-19 are hotbeds of emotional triggers.
- Set boundaries. If you’re still not comfortable socialising, even if you are vaccinated, don’t allow peer or familial pressure to twist your elbow. There’s also no need to apologise for your stance.
We are social beings, and our mental health is at an all-time low. Do what works for you and yours in a responsible, safe manner. And if you’re privileged to have one, I wish you a relaxing, peaceful break.
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