EFF MP Naledi Chirwa says government must do door to door campaigns to inform the citizens of the symptoms. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Parliament has called on government to institute urgent measures to protect poor South Africans from the coronavirus (COVID-19) and not just monitor the country’s points of entry.
This, as the first case in South Africa has been confirmed in KwaZulu Natal on Thursday. The Department of Health says a patient is a 38-year-old man who travelled to Italy with his wife. Speaking during a debate on COVID-19, EFF MP Naledi Chirwa says government must do door to door campaigns to inform the citizens of the symptoms to look out for with regards to the virus.
“The majority of our people use alternative modes of transport and our country borders don’t start and end at OR Tambo international airport. What tracking mechanisms have the department devised for townships and rural are public spaces, how will you track down taxi and train passengers who are sitting next to an infected person? The minister must conduct a comprehensive stakeholders and community engagement plan of action to inspire and coordinate a multi-sectoral and partnered intervention.
The department must also find out the monthly cost of dealing with coronavirus should it seep into the country as we have learnt today it already has. Such viruses are a bigger threat to the poor who will not have the means to buy food in bulk and lock themselves in their houses.
EFF MP @NalediChirwa debates on the urgent matter of national public importance: The Coronavirus and the readiness of South Africa to deal with the pandemic.
Watch full speech via EFF YouTube Channel https://t.co/RamIffqZGi pic.twitter.com/GjH1xYd9aX
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) March 5, 2020
In other news – Buhle Samuels is praying that the coronavirus doesn’t spread any further in Africa
As the coronavirus continues to spread, actress Buhle Samuels believes it should give Africa a rest. On Twitter, the Muvhango actress said she hopes the virus, which has been detected in Nigeria, doesn’t spread to other African countries.
Scary times we are living in! Travelling anywhere right now isn’t ideal! Praying for everyone affected and praying this thing doesn’t spread further, because God knows how we already have enough issues in Africa! #Coronvirus,” Buhle said. Read more
Source: sabcnews
