Coronavirus in South Africa: The lull before the tsunami?

BBC ^ | 10 April 2020 | Andrew Harding

[nickcarraway]

During the past fortnight South Africa has seen a dramatic, and unexpected slow-down in the daily rate of coronavirus infections.

Health experts are warning that it is far too early to see this as a significant development, and worry that it could even trigger a dangerous sense of complacency.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has now suggested that the two weeks of lockdown is responsible. He has extended the nationwide restrictiions, scheduled to end in one week's time, to the end of the month.

But - as the country and the continent continue to brace for the potentially devastating impact of the pandemic - doctors are struggling to explain what's going on.

[LukeL]

Apres moi, le deluge?

[Gay State Conservative]

During my last visit to SA (2016) there was evidence of huge Chinese involvement there everywhere you looked.China clearly sees SA as a mining colony and its incredibly corrupt government is just fine with that.

It's easy to imagine many Chinese citizens visiting SA for business and tourism...while OTOH it's tough to imagine many South Africans visiting China.

[DannyTN]

[chiller]

Or is the BBC looking at a glass half empty, instead of half full ?

Rhetorical.

[Ben Mugged]

I wonder if they consider Africans take anti-viral drug chloroquine to ward off malaria?

[Mr. K]

I saw a chart that showed the average IQ of Africa was 66. That means 50% of the country has an IQ less than that. I would not want to set foot in a country with people like that.

[untenured]

I saw a chart that showed the average IQ of Africa was 66. That means 50% of the country has an IQ less than that.

It’s a pretty extraordinary claim that the average African (black African? Arab African?) is mentally retarded.

So where did you see that chart?

[Pelham]

Malaria map

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

South Africa does not have significant malaria. In the entire country there is one small area where malaria mosquitos can survive and that is desolate bush with very few people. People are not on anti-malarial meds. (a handful are, but something like 0.0001%)

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

Fauchi made your map. I am from there. See mine.

[null and void]

I wonder if they consider Africans take anti-viral drug chloroquine to ward off malaria?

South Africa appears to be risk free for malaria.

No need for Hydrochloroquine.

Highest number of Corona Virus cases in all of Africa.

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

Detailed map.

[Vermont Lt]

South Africa is pretty temperate. It’s pretty far from the equator so there are more grasslands than jungles. So, malaria would be fairly rare.

[null and void]

Still, it’s nice to have a couple maps that show what we know to be true...

[angry elephant]

I wonder if they consider Africans take anti-viral drug chloroquine to ward off malaria?”

Probably the Chinese tourists also have malaria shots before going there.

[Pelham]

👍

[Pelham]

So use of quinine meds would be limited.

[Fitzy_888]

(Pre-existing conditions...)

EXCERPT:

Nowhere in the world is the AIDS epidemic been more devastating than the continent of Africa. For South Africa, political turmoil and a long history of government denial fueled an epidemic that had reached disastrous proportions by the late 1990s and early 2000s.

(...)

Estimates suggest that 5.7 million South Africans are living with HIV, representing about 12% of the population (or nearly one in eight citizens). Additional statistics are as follows.

The HIV rate among adults is today over 18% (or roughly one in five people).

One in four people aged 15 to 49 years is believed to be infected with HIV.
45% of all deaths in the country can be attributed to HIV.

13% of South African blacks are infected with HIV versus 0.3% of South African whites.

It is estimated that there are 600,000 orphaned children as a result of AIDS.

Link: https://www.verywellhealth.com/hiv-around-the-world-south-africa-48673

[ROCKLOBSTER]

One in four people aged 15 to 49 years is believed to be infected with HIV. 45% of all deaths in the country can be attributed to HIV.

13% of South African blacks are infected with HIV versus 0.3% of South African whites.

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.