Masked Bandit!

Masked Bandit

Haiku 196

Covid Chronicles

The Masked Bandit Rides Again!

Or just leaves the house!

.

This was in the early days, when we went from Level 5 Lockdown – not allowed out to exercise, to Level 4 – allowed to go out between 6 am and 9 am. As it is still dark in Cape Town till 7.30 am and very damp in winter, this is not the best time to be out walking!

Still, my makeshift face mask, a silk scarf, worked very well; both in adhering to the regulations and in keeping some of the damp air out of my asthmatic lungs!

I have since made my own face masks, out of a linen tea-towel, which are very comfy and allow me to breathe. It is mandatory to wear a cloth mask any time you leave your house and to keep a distance of 2 metres from anyone else. Your hands will be sprayed with hand sanitizer at every single shop you enter and trolleys and baskets wiped down. Cashiers sit behind perspex screens or wear protective visors or masks. Counter tops are sanitized regularly.

We’re now at Level 3 Lockdown, so can exercise outside any time. More businesses have opened; alcohol is on sale from Monday to Thursday, but still no cigarettes.  Kids are beginning to return to school, starting with only the 13 and 18 year olds.

So of course, with increased movement, the stats are rapidly rising. It is now definitely winter; a massive storm has just swept through the Cape, bringing so much rain there have been floods. Flu season is upon us, but maybe with all the masks, sanitizing and social distancing, the flu won’t be too bad this year!

As of going to press, South Africa has 58,568 confirmed cases of Corona, of which 33,252 have recovered and 1,284 died, in a population of about 59 million.

 

16 thoughts on “Masked Bandit!”

  1. A Curious Introvert

    Loved the photo and poem and the wonderful combination of the lovely scarf, sunglasses and hat! Our stay-at-home order has ended and while there are still some restrictions, there are times when I’m driving along Main Street with all the traffic that life looks like the old days. I still have so many questions about what is going to happen next, but the one thing I do believe in is wearing a mask, constant hand washing and social distancing. I have no talent for making my own, but I already have quite a collection of masks of my favorite sports teams. Take care!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. scifihammy Post author

      Thank you very much 😀
      Your masks sound like fun! And yes, wearing them, hand washing and distancing definitely make a difference.
      Keep Safe too 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  2. paulsprepping

    Let me see, 203 days till the 1/1/21.
    Liter bottles I’ll guess?
    Yep, you’re going to make a fortune when you return the bottles! 😉
    Keep safe my friend.
    Paul

    Liked by 1 person

    1. scifihammy Post author

      Sadly only 750ml – I don’t see litre bottles of vodka here and there is no money on returns, so we just recycle. Still, as long as I have enough it’s all good! 😀
      Keep Safe too. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    1. scifihammy Post author

      Thank you very much! 😀
      Yes, I think at the start everyone was figuring out the best way to cope with this pandemic. Masks, hand washing and social distancing seem to work best. 🙂
      Keep Safe! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Garfield Hug

    Is that you under all that camouflague haha!

    In comparison, lil red dot has more than 35,850 cases as at Friday and 25 deaths for our population of some 5 million people. Most of these are migrant workers (*As at 2019, on our Ministry of Manpower web page, we have 1,427,500 total foreign workforce here)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. scifihammy Post author

      Yes, SA and Singapore were neck and neck in the Corona numbers for a time, but your deaths are low, which is a good thing.
      SA had to ease the Lockdown because people are really suffering economically now, but at least we bought time to prepare and put up field hospitals etc

      Oh and yes it is me! 😀

      Like

  5. quiall

    Those numbers look good but it does not tell the story of the disruptions to our lives. (Canada: 9,700 cases, 8,000 deaths 37,700.00 people.). I am looking forward to looking back on this time. Stay well.

    Liked by 1 person

    2. scifihammy Post author

      This is so true. 😦
      The main reason SA is easing Lockdown is because people are really suffering economically now and many are hungry, despite food parcels.
      Yes, I really can’t wait for some return to “normality”. 🙂
      Keep Safe. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Murphy's Law

    I don’t think your own family would recognize you!! All that matters is that you’re adequately covered up, protecting you from others and others from you. As lockdown levels are being lowered here, more and more states are seeing an uptick in Covid-19 cases. Not good.

    I too hope in your area as flu season rears its ugly head, the protective measures you are already taking will continue to keep you safe and healthy. And I hope your alcohol supply doesn’t run out!
    🐾Ginger 🐾

    Liked by 1 person

    1. scifihammy Post author

      haha Well, I always wear the peaked cap pulled low down and the wrap around sunglasses, but the addition of the mask does make me unrecognisable! 😀

      As to vodka supplies – I bought Tons last week, because I didn’t trust them not to stop selling it again! – so I’m good till next year! Cheers! 😀

      Like

Comments are closed.