Thread by @MaS1banda

President @CyrilRamaphosa's first address since the lockdown started in SA.
• The decision to lockdown was correct & confirmed by researchers & scientists
• South African have - for the most part - have responded reasonably & positively by staying at home, exercising care…

• Number of deaths now at 3.
• Number of infections continue to grow. 1326 cases in SA to date.
• STAY AT HOME for the next 17 days. Only leave if you need to get food, essential provisions or medicine; collect grants; get urgent healthcare.

• Only people that can go to work are essential service providers.
• If you do go out, take extra care not to get infected and to infect others.
• This disease affects everyone. It is very real and poses a great danger to all of us -rich & poor, black & white, urban & rural…

• Various actions to support those in distress - whether business or individuals that are homeless.
• Lockdown has great impact on the vulnerable. Urgent measures being developed.
• Resources are constrained, but the will is there.

• Larger scale intensive screening, testing, tracing field project will be launched over the next few days.
• People with severe symptoms will be transferred to hospitals
• Mobile tech will be used to trace those that have been in contact with confirmed coronavirus patients.

• SA's dire economic situation (incl• the downgrade by Moody's) will negatively impact action
• Health & socio-economic measures will continue within the constraints of the current crisis
• Structural economic reforms will continue to lessen crisis
• Further measures needed

Thanks go to:
- Motsepe Foundation: R1 billion
- Naspers: R1.5 billion
- Jack Ma: Donation of vital medical supplies
- Frontline health staff for their tireless work
- Frontline essential services staff
- NGOs
- Security services

(in addition to those thanked last week…)

An ode to the unsung heroes:
- Farmworkers
- Technicians
- Care givers
- Taxi drivers
- Refuse collectors
- Bus drivers
- Supermarket cashiers
- Petrol attendants
- Cleaners

The Wuhan 114 (all tested negative of the coronavirus & now back home) went through an 81-day lockdown… they should give us hope.

If they can do it… the president suggests… so can we.

We shall overcome.

Fin.