I had a
routine of watching the news every morning, starting at on channel and giving
each one it’s due and then moving on to the next. It is a question of timing
that that started me doing it in this way, then it became about seeing who had
a story that another one didn’t. Then it became about how the same story was
interpreted. I am by no means a guru on
what’s going on and I am inclined to pursue the stories which are of interest
to me. But, staying informed is important on so many levels.
I have
noticed that in South Africa, especially with television news the story remains
the same and if there are any nuances trying to sway me in any direction I just
haven’t picked up on them. I am very much aware of print news and the different
slants each publication takes. But a
newspaper seldom gets bought.
Since the
Coronavirus outbreak my news watching habits have changed somewhat and I have
to confess that I am now fishing for the stories I want to hear. Where I had a
morning news session and one at lunch time, I now wait for the day to fully
arrive and then I watch the news. I started doing this because the footage I
was seeing was just too heartbreaking, and the dire situation was fast becoming
all consuming. It’s just that there are other things happening in the world
while we are looking away. I have previously mentioned looking for other news and
how difficult it is.
If there is
a breakthrough or an update I receive a notification on my phone, so I never
miss the crucial moments as our new history plays itself out.
I think
that despite the hardships our country experiences as a matter of course, the
obstacles created by legacy, near and distant, the self-made hurdles of
corruption and the general decay of systems and standards, our leaders are
performing and delivering incredibly well.
Granted, we
are still at the beginning of the pandemic in our country and the chickens of
greed and mismanagement are coming home to roost. Swift and targeted action has kept us on good
footing. We have not been lied to about the severity of
the situation. Brutal honesty is key in
getting us through this nightmare. Politicising
the situation or going the race route have not become the order of the day,
which is heartening in the face of a non-discriminatory killer.
Following
British and American news and how they are dealing with the situation is informative
and times frustrating. It helps to compare where we are regarding treatments,
cures and controls. It seems that there were delays, and grandstanding from a
president who is all about the president.
Politics and grandstanding have no place in an arena where all lives are
at stake. I think he finally realises this.
But,
This
morning, after he has been called out by all and sundry for the ineffective
initial response to a world crisis, the President of the USA has chosen to
shift focus and is talking about a possible military threat from an enemy. Is
this true? Is it more obfuscation from a scolded child? Can they afford to ignore it.
Yes, there is
a worldwide shortage of masks, there are nowhere near enough ventilators or properly
equipped hospitals but there are ways to overcome these obstacles. When this is over we can address the reasons
behind things that went wrong and set the country on a path that is trod with
integrity. But, for now, if the warring parties in South Africa can put their
differences and egos aside and continue to attack the problem with the efforts
that they have, we are in with a chance.
My post
today is all very serious, but it is what is in my head. And to be perfectly
honest I am not in the highest of spirits.
I can see that what our government is doing is working, they are
proactive and decisive. But, I wonder if 21 days is enough?
Today I am
doing all I can to keep positive and to keep the faith. I am by no means disheartend, just taking a bit of strain.
