Joburg COVID-19 Lockdown Journal: Day 1

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South Africa’s official lockdown started today.

Looking up at the sky on Day 1 of lockdown in Johannesburg
Lockdown photo 1: Morning sky.

South Africa has 1,170 confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. We also had our first death – a 48-year-old woman in Western Cape province.

Joburg COVID-19 Lockdown Journal: Day 0

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Today is the day: South Africa’s COVID-19 lockdown begins at midnight. From this point forward I won’t be leaving my house except to buy food or medicine. It’s just me, the Melville Cat, and Trixie.

Joburg COVID-19 Lockdown Journal: Day -1

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South Africa’s COVID-19 lockdown begins in about 24 hours.

View of Joburg from the Melville Koppies
Lockdown photo -1: View of Joburg from the Melville Koppies this evening. The Koppies are supposed to be closed already but they’re not.

As of today, South Africa has 709 documented cases of COVID-19 and no deaths. Yesterday we had 554 cases and the day before we had just over 400. More than half the cases are in Gauteng province.

Joburg COVID-19 Lockdown Journal: Day -2

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At midnight on Thursday, South Africa is going into a 21-day lockdown.

Lockdown photo -2: Hand sanitizer bubbles
Lockdown photo -2: Hand sanitizer bubbles.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the lockdown last night in a speech to the nation. Although the situation we’re in is horrifying beyond measure, I feel much safer after listening to the president’s speech than I felt before. I trust President Ramaphosa to lead the country as best he can, and I’m really grateful for that. Trust in leadership is a luxury many people around the world don’t have right now.