An open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa, originating from 27 graduates the University of Cape Town's MBChB 1993 class, appealing for him to lift the hard lockdown, has drawn support from medical practitioners around the country, with almost 200 having signed.
Our healthcare system and the economy were already on their knees at the outbreak of COVID-19," Polity reports the letter, signed by 27 medical professionals overnight, reads. The letter to Ramaphosa was compiled by graduates from the University of Cape Town's MBChB 1993 class, and their argument was "informed by extensive discussions and sharing of experiences and evidence".
The report says the signatories argue that South Africa has "bought into an international rhetoric which is a poor fit for local circumstances". The virus kills many elderly, a relatively small percentage of the population, it pointed out. "At this stage, we do not know the effects on people living with HIV who are not on treatment and those with TB. If at all, a vaccine is unlikely to be developed and distributed within less than 18 months. Our economy and our healthcare system will be destroyed if we wait much longer and as always, our poorest citizens will suffer the most," the letter reads.
"Although current estimates of mortality are more than six times less than initially estimated, at 0.5%, we are approaching winter and there are a myriad reasons why the pandemic will hit South Africans harder in winter months. We cannot afford to stay on hard lockdown any longer. Each week that we delay is likely to worsen the outcome of the pandemic."
The report says the doctors "strongly urge" that most people return to work as the health-related, social and financial side effects start to mount. "Those who can work from home or in isolation should be encouraged to do so, but we feel it is critical that the fit and robust return to work, in a staggered fashion wherever possible. Close attention should be given to ensuring that public transport operators adhere to the revised regulations to minimise the transmission risk to their passengers."
Businesses where people congregate – such as bars and clubs – should remain closed, as should any meetings of groups of people, it agreed. "Some restriction on the sale of alcohol during this crisis probably continues to make sense, as it likely reduces the burden on hospitals from alcohol related traffic-accidents and violence resulting in trauma," the letter reads, while people withdrawing from alcohol could consult doctors for help.
[link url="https://www.polity.org.za/article/hard-lockdowns-negative-effects-innumerable—some-doctors-call-for-relaxed-regulations-2020-04-21"]Full Polity report[/link]