Spare a thought for the Class of 2020. What was supposed to be a milestone year, full of nostalgia, hard work and (hopefully) celebration has been assaulted, first by a debilitating lockdown and now a cheating scandal that will possibly see two key exams being rewritten.
And 2021 will not get off to a much better start for this year’s grade 12s. Late matric results, due to be released only on February 23, will mean late applications to colleges and universities. So those who are planning to study further will start on the back foot, with additional pressure on them in the year ahead.
On a more short-term basis, perhaps the rotten cherry on the top of this rubbish pile of a year is that Matric Rage parties have been cancelled countrywide, a sad but warranted decision that should have been made weeks ago. Nevertheless, it is a rite of passage denied. What a deflated way to end one’s schooling career.
However, it is not only matrics whose end-of-year plans have been thwarted by rising Covid-19 infections.
After a massively stressful year, many South Africans are planning to head home to their families, friends and loved ones in other provinces for a bit of rest and relaxation. A type of a matric rage for grown-ups, so to speak. Who can blame them, given the year we have had?
This weekend the mass exodus from landlocked provinces such as Gauteng will begin in earnest, with hordes of people, if they have any money to spare, expected to head for the coast.
Yet with many communities seemingly ignoring basic safety protocols such as wearing masks, social distancing and limiting gatherings, these festive travels are fraught with risk.
How do you tell your kindly aunt that she can’t hug you hello and kiss you on the cheek?
First, the challenge of getting to your destination: those travelling in cars will have some degree of protection from the virus. Those travelling in crowded taxis, busses, trains and aeroplanes are less fortunate. Social distancing is not possible on these modes of travel, leaving passengers armed only with masks and sanitisers.
Once you have arrived at your destination, the second challenge kicks in. How do you tell your kindly aunt that she can’t hug you hello and kiss you on the cheek? How do you break it to your single cousin that you won’t be going pub-crawling with him this year? Or attending your neighbour’s daughter’s wedding celebration? Or going to the New Year party all your friends will be at? It will take the finesse of a diplomat and, at times, a will of steel to decline these offers without creating bad blood.
And for those not visiting extended family, staying away from crowded spots where tourists generally gather will be a difficult temptation to resist.
Top Covid-19 health experts have warned that many people travelling this holiday season will bring the coronavirus home when they return, leading to a second surge in the first few months of the new year.
So what is the solution? Stay at home? That would push our economy further into a critical condition.
The only workable option is to maintain a steely discipline when heading on holiday. Adhere to the three golden rules: wear a mask, social distance and wash your hands well and often. If we all follow these basic steps, the chance of avoiding infection is good.
What we should not be doing is relying on an imminent vaccine rollout. This is likely to be several months away and will not be available in time to save those who choose to be irresponsible over the festive season.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.