Read all my lockdown journal posts.
It’s Day 42 of the South African lockdown — the day my phone screen shattered.
This morning I made the rookie mistake of trying to hold my phone in my armpit while dragging the hose around the garden, watering plants. The phone slipped out (duh) and landed face-down on cement, which was too much impact for my previously impervious rubber phone case. That case has served me well through three years and countless phone-drops, but one can only expect so much from a thin piece of rubber.
The last time I shattered a cell phone screen was in April 2013 — I know this because I blogged about that incident, too. Twice in seven years isn’t too bad, I guess.
A broken iPhone is a severe annoyance at the best of times. During lockdown times, a broken iPhone is a massive calamity resulting in screaming, swearing, sobbing, yanking of hair, gnashing of teeth, and angry calls to Vodacom customer service.
Three hours later, after several calls with Tyla, my impossibly cheerful and efficient insurance broker, I have calmed down significantly. Life will not end if I have to hand my phone over to a repair person for a day or two. I have a computer with Zoom, WhatsApp, and FaceTime, as well as a very old, tiny iPhone 5s that I am gently coaxing back to life (like Sleeping Beauty) after three years of slumber.
What better time to be temporarily without a phone than lockdown, when I have wifi and absolutely nowhere to be?
Phew. Emotional breakdown averted.
In other news, I’m pleased to announce I went for a 45-minute run outside this morning. I wore a scarf tied around my face, which worked way better than a mask.
COVID-19 Case Numbers
I’ve been meaning to provide an update on the COVID-19 numbers in South Africa. We’ve now had 7808 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 3153 confirmed recoveries (although there have undoubtedly been many more), and 153 deaths. Yesterday there were 236 new COVID-19 cases.
Occasionally the number of daily new cases jumps a bit, into the 400s. But overall the rise in cases continues to be relatively slow, as is the death rate.
Some people use South Africa’s low case numbers to argue the lockdown is working and the government is doing a good job. Others use the numbers to argue the lockdown is “draconian” (officially the most overused word of this pandemic) and the government is doing a terrible job. As always, I have no idea what to think but I have a feeling the answer is somewhere in between.
Lockdown Around the World
A reader named Tracy Smith sent me this lovely message from London. It made me cry. I can relate to how Tracy feels in so many ways:
I am locked down on my own in London, England. I am in a tiny flat decorated with African masks, pictures and curios from South Africa. I am currently listening to Bongeziwe Mabandla and wondering when I will get to go home. For even though I have lived here for nearly twenty years, Africa is my home.
I grew up in Zimbabwe and South Africa and still view Johannesburg as my spiritual home. I have lived in the South and then also in Parkview. I miss it. My relationship with South Africa has always been like being in a passionate love affair, a bit dramatic like the rainstorms and sunsets in Africa. Like any relationship we have had arguments, especially with the history of the country. We made up though over braai’s, the sound of a hadeda and the friendliness of everyone. My relationship with England is more like a gentle love, calm and serene but not as life fulfilling. I miss bar hopping in Melville and walking past the animals in the Zoo. It is very difficult not to get upset reading the news and I often go to a park down the road and walk to a huge 100 year old tree and say aloud “you are strong, beautiful and have survived hundreds of years, so will we’”.
Take care and sending my love to South Africa,
Tracy
I didn’t have time to find a worthy cause today, but I’ll have one for you tomorrow.
Beautiful, evocative post from Tracy! I think it’s getting to be time for me to write one.
Any time!
Beautiful, Tracy. I really felt it reading your words.
Agreed 🙂
Happy to hear that Tracy talks to trees, I do too and more so these days.
🙂
I think when you’re always on the verge of crying or screaming–due to the world being on fire and all–one broken item can really send you into a tailspin.
My sympathies, and good job getting perspective back.
This is very true.
Love this evocative phrase “… a very old, tiny iPhone 5s that I am gently coaxing back to life (like Sleeping Beauty) after three years of slumber.”
Thank you, I was also quite proud when I thought of that.
Thanks to Tracy! (and you!). Liking the headscarf idea. As we come out of Lockdown in the UK we will really have to consider face coverings in public places. The tube remains deserted for now. Boris announcing new measures on Sunday.
Yep, I think covered faces are in our future for quite a while.
Thanks Heather for posting this. Stay safe and well my lovlies!
Thanks for contributing!
I wouldn’t worry too much about your scarf while running. Here’s the evidence NZ has collected round use of masks – the main evidence for is in crowded and inside spaces. There is one interesting finding that Saudi women who wear veils get more illnesses than those who don’t! https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/pages/evidence-review-for-the-use-of-facemasks-by-the-public-may6-2020.pdf
That’s interesting.
Lovely letter by your friend Tracy.
Sorry about your phone.
Maybe if your armpit was more hairy it could have provided more ‘grip’. Something to think about.
😛
???????????????? I had a slippery fleece sweatshirt on so that wouldn’t have helped, sadly.
Damn, wear more rubber and rough fabrics, Heather.