Covid-19 – Page 32 – Windhoek Observer

30 Mar

Africans vs social distancing

ObserverNational NewsAfricans, Covid-19, social distancing, World Health Organization

As we reach day 3-4 in our national lockdown, one of the logistical ‘gaps’ to emerge is the Namibian understanding of social spacing vs that of the world health officials who have made the global call for it. While our government has been exposed as lacking in pre-planning, situational needs anticipation and implementation capacity to properly enforce the lockdown, at least they are trying. Though, protecting against a virus that can stay alive on surfaces for days and hang in the air for minutes, our kind of ‘trying’ is a weak link in the chain. What sense does it make…

30 Mar

Foods to boost the immune system

ObserverUncategorisedcoronavirus, Covid-19, immune system

As coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted communities around the world, many people have wondered whether there are steps they can take to stay healthy. Everyday preventive measures—such as handwashing, avoiding contact with sick individuals, and good hygiene—can go a long way in reducing your risk for viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens. But studies have also shown that healthful diet and lifestyle habits can help boost the body’s natural defenses: Diet Eating a low-fat, plant-based diet may help give the immune system a boost. The immune system relies on white blood cells that produce antibodies to combat bacteria, viruses, and other invaders.…

30 Mar

The Daily Social Distancing Show with Trevor Noah’ to air on comedy central during coronavirus pandemic

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, The Daily Show, The Daily Social Distancing Show with Trevor Noah

Nellie Andreeva Three episodes in, the digital The Daily Social Distancing Show with Trevor Noah is making the leap to linear television. Starting on Monday, March 23, The Daily Social Distancing Show, produced and distributed remotely, with Noah and The Daily Show team working from their homes, will air weeknights at 11 pm on Comedy Central. Following the production shutdown of all late-night shows at the end of last week amid an escalating COVID-19 pandemic, they started to return one by one with online videos featuring the hosts doing monologues and remote celebrity interviews from their homes. The Daily Social…

30 Mar

The Time Traveler: Good things from Coronavirus

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19

Hugh Ellis The Covid-19 viral disease is a global crisis. It should be taken seriously. However, the disease and the measures we have taken against it have brought some good things, too. 1. Hand sanitizer points. The young man or woman at the mall or the government building with a spray bottle of hand sanitizer and corporate t-shirt, and generally and surprisingly, a smile, has quickly become part of Windhoek life. I hope they will continue to be seen after the pandemic is over. As well as helping to protect hygiene, probably reducing the number of dead-ordinary cases of ‘flu,…

30 Mar

The day before lockdown

ObserverUncategorisedCabinet, Covid-19, Emma Theofilus, Ester Utjiua Muinjangue, Iipumbu Shiimi, NUDO

Writing this editorial the day before lockdown is sobering. What message should this paper’s editors share that has relevance at such a time? Originally, we wanted to opine about the impact of the few new faces in the Cabinet. Analysis of the changes in the Parliament now that there are loud opposition voices was in order. We wanted to query the decision to merge ministries instead of coldly implementing drastic cuts in the Civil Service payroll. We wanted to give a thumbs up to Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi and lament the poisoned chalice he has been given to drink. We…

30 Mar

Lockdown calorie burning ideas

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19

Don’t get lazy and flabby during quarantine! Some couch potato stuff, reading books and long naps are good; but sitting around feeling anxious or frightened will make you crazy. Get up, look around and find something to do that needs doing. While moving around in the house and garden, you can lift your spirits, but also burn calories. Gyms are closed because of Covid-19. Social distancing is the norm. You can burn calories when you do chores around the house or in the yard. House or yard work can boost your metabolism and help manage your weight. Vacuum Carpets and…

26 Mar

What happens the day after?

ObserverNational NewsCovid-19

The CEO of the Government Insurance Pension Fund (GIPF), David Nuyoma made a comment this week that needs to be repeated. He said, “The GIPF will not be making any rushed investment decisions [due to the virus].” This wisdom needs to be injected into our Covid-19 mitigation ideas and plans right now. Programs must not be entered in a rush of ‘doing something’ about Covid-19. When the virus emergency passes, as it eventually will, the after crisis recovery could be worse for the already-stressed Namibian economy. When the Titanic hit the iceberg, the crew, in its haste to ‘save as…

24 Mar

Shout Out: This is the moment to turn to each other

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Namibia

Jackie Wilson Asheeke In my high school typing class, we used to memorize the keyboard by typing, “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.” Apparently, there is something about the keystrokes in this phrase that made it a perfect exercise. I would adapt that stanza by saying, “In Namibia, now is the time for all good people to come to each other’s aid.” It is time for us to turn TO each other in charity and not ON each other in panic. This state of emergency is disturbing. Many of us…

24 Mar

The Time Traveler: The silver lining in the corona sky

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Government, Namibian government, Namibians

Hugh Ellis I may have to ‘eat my words’ slightly this week. I had said that the global 2019 Corona Virus Disease (or Covid-19 for short) pandemic was not likely to be a big deal for Namibia. Obviously, with schools on semi-lockdown and international flights suspended, this is not the case. It is important we keep a sense of perspective, however. We may even find that in the long term, a lot of good may come out of the disruption and shock this crisis has caused. At the time of writing this column, no-one has died of Covid-19 in Namibia.…

24 Mar

What happens the day after?

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, David Nuyoma, GIPF, Government Insurance Pension Fund (GIPF)

The CEO of the Government Insurance Pension Fund (GIPF), David Nuyoma made a comment this week that needs to be repeated. He said, “The GIPF will not be making any rushed investment decisions [due to the virus].” This wisdom needs to be injected into our Covid-19 mitigation ideas and plans right now. Programs must not be entered in a rush of ‘doing something’ about Covid-19. When the virus emergency passes, as it eventually will, the after crisis recovery could be worse for the already-stressed Namibian economy. When the Titanic hit the iceberg, the crew, in its haste to ‘save as…