Lockdown diaries - COVID-19 matters!

What are you going to be doing during the lockdown?

  • At home. I’m non essential

    Votes: 70 41.2%
  • Working. The virus doesn’t scare me

    Votes: 41 24.1%
  • On standby

    Votes: 10 5.9%
  • Working from home. Too essential to take any risk!

    Votes: 66 38.8%

  • Total voters
    170
  • Poll closed .
Interesting doco to watch during lockdown.

https://topdocumentaryfilms.com/big-oil-conquered-world/

How Big Oil Conquered the World

Our reliance on oil is only growing, and our unabated demand continues to bulk the pockets of the energy companies in the process. There are few regions of the globe that remain untouched by this powerful industry, and fewer lives that aren't affected by its dealings. Produced by the always provocative Corbett Report, How Big Oil Conquered the World skillfully traces the nefarious origins and evolution of this energy behemoth.

The film sheds light on aspects of the oil industry that have remained largely obscured by official historical records. For many of us, John D. Rockefeller comes to mind when we reflect on the moment when Big Oil first became big business. But the beginnings our global captivation with this precious source of energy really began with his father William, a man who gained notoriety for his illicit romantic affairs and tenacious gifts as a snake oil salesman. The industry as it exists today - and the general demeanor of the world it has cultivated - is a direct reflection of his slithery personality.

The documentary does not allow the son John escape from intense scrutiny, however. The filmmakers reveal the oft-told tale of how his company Standard Oil used merciless bribery and strong arm tactics to become a worldwide superpower. But in doing so, they deliver a series of surprising and altogether horrific anecdotes. According to the facts presented in the film, even the world's most revered philanthropic interests haven't been immune to the Rockefellers' devious touch. These pursuits have long allowed the richest elites powerful sway over the masses, and the ability to craft a world and a workforce that bends to their needs.

What's past is prologue. How Big Oil Conquered the World recounts the deeply checkered history of the oil industry to form a context for the even more troubling future that awaits an unsuspecting public. In these modern times, they have their fingers in nearly every conceivable pie of influence - from pharmaceuticals to green technologies to education. The scourge of rampant greed, and the continuing emergence of global monopolies, empower these companies with enough leverage to control every facet of our lives, and to make sheep of us all.


 
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Over 106,000 excess deaths reported in South Africa since first Covid-19 wave
Staff Writer25 January 2021
https://businesstech.co.za/news/tre...ed-in-south-africa-since-first-covid-19-wave/

In excess of 106,000 deaths were reported in South Africa in the period between 3 May 2020 and 16 January 2021, indicating that fatalities caused by the Covid-19 pandemic could be much higher than official statistics show.

The data from the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) is based on deaths recorded on the National Population Register are provided to the SAMRC on a weekly basis.
 
Ireland suspends visa-free travel from South Africa – and arrivals must stay in 'quarantine hotel'
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/s...tries-as-new-covid-variant-takes-hold-2020-12
27 Jan. 2021

"Ireland (updated 26 January 2021)

South African travellers will be required to supply a negative Covid-19 PCR test result within 72 hours of their departure. Even with this proof, visitors will be forced to stay locked in a “designated quarantine facility” for two weeks.

Anyone arriving in Ireland without a negative Covid-19 test result could face a €2,500 (R45,844) fine and/or up to six months imprisonment."

Brazil
Brazil announced its decision to ban all international flights which have originated from, or passed through, the UK, Ireland, and South Africa on Tuesday 26 January 2021.

Dubai (and UAE flight cancellations)
Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) announced that anybody who has travelled from or through South Africa in the past ten days would be denied entry. These updated travel restrictions, announced on 20 January 2021, only allow for valid Dubai residence visa holders to return. Returning residents will, however, need to apply for travel permission with the GDFRA.

Additionally, Dubai’s flag carrier, Emirates Airlines, has suspended all flights between the UAE and South Africa until 28 January. Etihad Airways, too, has cancelled flights until the end of March 2021.

Vietnam
On 5 January, Vietnam's health and transport ministries announced an immediate suspension of flights from both South African and the UK...

Denmark
On 5 January 2021, Denmark's justice ministry announced that "foreigners residing in South Africa will be refused entry" as part of a travel ban expected to last until at least 17 January. Exceptions include travel for child care purposes and family visits for people who are sick or dying. Access under these circumstances will still be subject to a negative Covid-19 PCR test.

United Kingdom (extended until 15 February 2021)
The UK has extended its South African travel ban. The ban, first implemented on 24 December, will now last until at least 15 February 2021. As a result, British Airways has cancelled all additional flights from Johannesburg to Heathrow. The suspension of British Airways’ flight bookings from Cape Town has been extended to 1 March.

The Netherlands (updated Thursday 21 January 2021)
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines suspended flights from South Africa, following a set of stringent new travel restrictions introduced by the Dutch Foreign Ministry, which come into effect on 23 January 2021.

While the Netherlands’ borders have not been entirely shut to all countries, visitors will need present two negative Covid-19 test results – a PCR certificate obtained within 72 hours and a rapid antigen result obtained within four hours – before being allowed to board. Travellers will also need to enter quarantine for at least five days, even with both negative test results.

Israel
On Sunday 20 December, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that all commercial flights from Britain, Denmark and South Africa had been suspended. Any travellers returning to Israel, who had spent any period of time in either Britain, Denmark or South Africa in the past 30-days, will be subject to a mandatory quarantine period.

Turkey
Turkey’s Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced a temporary ban on all flights from Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark, and South Africa ...

Germany

Lufthansa confirmed that only flights from Frankfurt and Munich to South Africa will continue to operate. Flights from South Africa to Germany will reopen between 1 January and 6 January 2021 but will only be offered to passengers with German citizenship or proof of permanent residence.

Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has confirmed the suspension of all international flights.

Switzerland (revised 24 December)
Switzerland’s Federal Office of Civil Aviation “suspended all air traffic connections” with South Africa and the UK on Sunday 20 December 2020...

Additionally, return flights into Switzerland, from the UK and South Africa, will only be offered to Swiss citizens or holders of a Swiss residence permit or type D visa from Switzerland. These flights will need to be preapproved by the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation and citizens looking to return home have been urged to contact their preferred airline directly.

Mauritius
On Monday afternoon, Mauritius confirmed that any person who had resided or travelled through the UK or South Africa in the last 15 days would be banned from entering the island nation.

Panama
The Central American nation announced that travellers from the UK and South Africa would be barred entry, effective from 23:59 on Monday 21 December."
 
South African Covid variant found in outbreak at Dutch physiotherapy practice
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/south-african-variant-found-in-the-netherlands-2021-1
26 Jan. 2021

"South Africa’s new Covid-19 variant has been identified among patients hit by a coronavirus outbreak at a physiotherapy practice in a small town in the Netherlands.

Eighteen patients and staff at the practice in Gorinchem, in the western region of the country, tested positive for Covid-19. The South African variant was discovered in some of the tests, Business Insider in the Netherlands reported.

The local health authority has started an investigation to confirm whether more people in the practice were infected with the South African variant."
 
Qatar will now be flying out of SA 26 times a week – but you still can’t set foot in Doha
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/q...ek-but-you-still-cant-set-foot-in-doha-2021-1
26 Jan. 2021

"Doha-based Qatar Airways has expanded its operations in Africa, with more than 100 weekly flights connecting via Hamad International Airport."

South Africa’s weekly flight count will increase to 26, with additional operations in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban.

And while Qatar Airways hopes to capitalise on the grounding of its main Middle Eastern competitors, Doha remains off limits to South African travellers and can only be used as a transit point."
 
South African Covid variant found in outbreak at Dutch physiotherapy practice
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/south-african-variant-found-in-the-netherlands-2021-1
26 Jan. 2021

"South Africa’s new Covid-19 variant has been identified among patients hit by a coronavirus outbreak at a physiotherapy practice in a small town in the Netherlands.

Eighteen patients and staff at the practice in Gorinchem, in the western region of the country, tested positive for Covid-19. The South African variant was discovered in some of the tests, Business Insider in the Netherlands reported.

The local health authority has started an investigation to confirm whether more people in the practice were infected with the South African variant."

It's not enough that we are stuffing up our own country, now we sending our Variant to make amok around the globe :facepalm:
 
Wisconsin pharmacist to plead guilty to tampering with Covid-19 vaccine vials
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/01/26/us/wisconsin-pharmacist-covid-vaccine-guilty-plea/index.html
27 Jan. 2021

"The Wisconsin hospital pharmacist who in December allegedly removed 57 vials of Covid-19 vaccine from cold storage because he believed the vaccine could harm people has signed a plea agreement "acknowledging that he was guilty" of trying to make the vaccine ineffective, the Department of Justice said.

Steven Brandenburg, 46, is charged with two counts of attempting to tamper with consumer products, "with reckless disregard for the risk that another person will be placed in danger of death or bodily injury," the department said in a release.

Brandenburg removed a storage container with 57 vials, containing more than 500 doses of the Moderna vaccine, at the Aurora Medical Center in Grafton on December 24 and 25, according to police. The vaccine must be kept cold to remain effective...

According to police, he allegedly provided public safety officials at Aurora Medical Center with a written statement saying he intentionally removed the vials, knowing that if they were not properly stored, the doses would be ineffective.

Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, according to the release.

Authorities say Brandenburg admitted to investigators he believed in conspiracy theories and believed "the COVID-19 vaccine was not safe for people and could harm them and change their DNA," according to a probable cause statement obtained by CNN affiliate WTMJ...

Aurora Medical Center has said Brandenburg is no longer employed there."
 
Cases and mortality by country
Country
Confirmed
Deaths
Case-Fatality
Deaths/100K pop.

San Marino 2,889 65 2.2% 192.39
Belgium 694,858 20,814 3.0% 182.23
Slovenia 158,131 3,379 2.1% 163.44
United Kingdom 3,680,101 98,723 2.7% 148.48
Czechia 940,004 15,453 1.6% 145.43
Italy 2,475,372 85,881 3.5% 142.11
Bosnia and Herzegovina 120,143 4,593 3.8% 138.18
Liechtenstein 2,454 52 2.1% 137.17
North Macedonia 90,717 2,791 3.1% 133.99
United States 25,293,201 420,972 1.7% 128.67
Bulgaria 215,589 8,880 4.1% 126.42
Andorra 9,596 97 1.0% 125.96
Peru 1,093,938 39,608 3.6% 123.82
Montenegro 58,697 770 1.3% 123.73
Hungary 360,418 12,024 3.3% 123.09
Panama 312,158 5,098 1.6% 122.05
Spain 2,593,382 56,208 2.2% 120.30
Mexico 1,771,740 150,273 8.5% 119.08
Croatia 229,054 4,859 2.1% 118.82
France 3,116,355 73,636 2.4% 109.93
Sweden 547,166 11,005 2.0% 108.07
Switzerland 513,599 9,146 1.8% 107.39
Argentina 1,874,801 47,034 2.5% 105.71
Portugal 643,113 10,721 1.7% 104.27
Colombia 2,027,746 51,747 2.6% 104.23
Brazil 8,871,393 217,664 2.5% 103.91
Armenia 166,094 3,047 1.8% 103.23
Chile 703,178 17,999 2.6% 96.10
Lithuania 177,166 2,664 1.5% 95.50
Moldova 156,426 3,368 2.2% 94.98
Poland 1,478,119 35,401 2.4% 93.21
Luxembourg 49,733 566 1.1% 93.13
Romania 712,561 17,841 2.5% 91.61
Bolivia 202,818 10,051 5.0% 88.53
Ecuador 241,567 14,639 6.1% 85.69
Austria 405,723 7,451 1.8% 84.22
Georgia 253,816 3,071 1.2% 82.31
Kosovo 58,399 1,466 2.5% 79.45
Netherlands 966,194 13,686 1.4% 79.43
Belize 11,770 293 2.5% 76.49
Slovakia 237,027 4,068 1.7% 74.68
South Africa 1,417,537 41,117 2.9% 71.16
Iran 1,379,286 57,481 4.2% 70.27
Germany 2,154,656 53,127 2.5% 64.06
Ireland 188,923 2,977 1.6% 61.34
Latvia 61,231 1,114 1.8% 57.82
Serbia 385,126 3,905 1.0% 55.93
Tunisia 198,636 6,287 3.2% 54.36
Greece 152,412 5,671 3.7% 52.86
Malta 16,861 253 1.5% 52.32
Ukraine 1,234,772 23,001 1.9% 51.55
Costa Rica 190,745 2,558 1.3% 51.17
Canada 757,657 18,868 2.5% 50.91
Israel 613,340 4,498 0.7% 50.63
Russia 3,698,246 68,841 1.9% 47.65
Albania 72,812 1,324 1.8% 46.19
Bahamas 8,133 175 2.2% 45.38
Eswatini 14,622 493 3.4% 43.39
Jordan 321,298 4,239 1.3% 42.58
West Bank and Gaza 155,884 1,796 1.2% 39.31
Paraguay 128,366 2,632 2.1% 37.84
Honduras 141,984 3,462 2.4% 36.11
Denmark 195,978 2,011 1.0% 34.69
Lebanon 282,249 2,374 0.8% 34.66
Iraq 614,576 13,000 2.1% 33.82
Guatemala 154,430 5,469 3.5% 31.71
Oman 133,253 1,522 1.1% 31.51
Azerbaijan 229,032 3,093 1.4% 31.11
Turkey 2,435,247 25,210 1.0% 30.62
Estonia 40,975 383 0.9% 29.00
Libya 114,429 1,782 1.6% 26.68
Suriname 8,112 149 1.8% 25.87
El Salvador 53,479 1,572 2.9% 24.48
Dominican Republic 205,162 2,545 1.2% 23.95
Bahrain 100,230 369 0.4% 23.51
Cabo Verde 13,557 127 0.9% 23.36
Monaco 1,368 9 0.7% 23.27
Kuwait 161,777 954 0.6% 23.06
Morocco 466,626 8,172 1.8% 22.68
Kyrgyzstan 84,068 1,402 1.7% 22.20
Guyana 7,317 172 2.4% 22.08
Saudi Arabia 366,584 6,355 1.7% 18.86
Belarus 238,635 1,658 0.7% 17.48
Kazakhstan 227,165 2,961 1.3% 16.20
Cyprus 30,143 188 0.6% 15.81
Namibia 32,650 319 1.0% 13.03
Republic of the Congo 21,954 661 3.0% 12.60
Finland 42,772 655 1.5% 11.87
Jamaica 15,012 338 2.3% 11.52
India 10,676,838 153,587 1.4% 11.35
Uruguay 38,041 390 1.0% 11.31
Indonesia 999,256 28,132 2.8% 10.51
Norway 61,315 548 0.9% 10.31
Maldives 15,102 51 0.3% 9.89
Philippines 514,996 10,292 2.0% 9.65
Trinidad and Tobago 7,490 134 1.8% 9.64
Mauritania 16,421 417 2.5% 9.47
Egypt 162,486 9,012 5.5% 9.16
Comoros 2,350 76 3.2% 9.13
Qatar 149,296 248 0.2% 8.92
United Arab Emirates 281,546 798 0.3% 8.29
Iceland 5,990 29 0.5% 8.20
Sao Tome and Principe 1,189 17 1.4% 8.06
Zimbabwe 31,646 1,075 3.4% 7.45
Nepal 269,789 2,011 0.7% 7.16
Algeria 105,854 2,866 2.7% 6.79
Equatorial Guinea 5,454 86 1.6% 6.57
Afghanistan 54,672 2,385 4.4% 6.42
Djibouti 5,920 61 1.0% 6.36
Lesotho 8,044 134 1.7% 6.36
Antigua and Barbuda 201 6 3.0% 6.23
Saint Lucia 886 11 1.2% 6.05
Myanmar 137,957 3,069 2.2% 5.71
Gambia 4,008 128 3.2% 5.61
Botswana 20,658 124 0.6% 5.50
Pakistan 535,914 11,376 2.1% 5.36
Syria 13,697 890 6.5% 5.26
Bangladesh 532,401 8,041 1.5% 4.98
Sudan 26,526 1,738 6.6% 4.16
Japan 368,684 5,193 1.4% 4.10
Venezuela 124,112 1,154 0.9% 4.00
Zambia 46,146 660 1.4% 3.80
Senegal 24,993 582 2.3% 3.67
Australia 28,780 909 3.2% 3.64
Barbados 1,401 10 0.7% 3.49
Kenya 100,052 1,744 1.7% 3.39
Gabon 10,411 67 0.6% 3.16
Seychelles 1,069 3 0.3% 3.10
Malawi 19,987 518 2.6% 2.86
South Korea 75,875 1,371 1.8% 2.66
Nicaragua 6,204 168 2.7% 2.60
Guinea-Bissau 2,532 45 1.8% 2.40
Malaysia 186,849 689 0.4% 2.19
Haiti 11,099 243 2.2% 2.18
Yemen 2,118 615 29.0% 2.16
Ethiopia 134,132 2,071 1.5% 1.90
Uzbekistan 78,429 621 0.8% 1.88
Cameroon 29,617 462 1.6% 1.83
Liberia 1,927 84 4.4% 1.74
Cuba 21,828 197 0.9% 1.74
Mali 7,995 324 4.1% 1.70
Angola 19,476 461 2.4% 1.50
Rwanda 13,311 177 1.3% 1.44
Central African Republic 4,980 63 1.3% 1.35
Sri Lanka 59,167 287 0.5% 1.32
Ghana 62,135 372 0.6% 1.25
Mozambique 32,781 363 1.1% 1.23
Madagascar 18,743 279 1.5% 1.06
Sierra Leone 3,173 77 2.4% 1.01
Tajikistan 13,308 90 0.7% 0.99
Togo 4,682 76 1.6% 0.96
Somalia 4,754 130 2.7% 0.87
Mauritius 568 10 1.8% 0.79
Nigeria 122,996 1,507 1.2% 0.77
Chad 3,182 116 3.6% 0.75
Uganda 39,188 318 0.8% 0.74
Brunei 175 3 1.7% 0.70
Niger 4,353 151 3.5% 0.67
Guinea 14,375 81 0.6% 0.65
Burkina Faso 10,103 117 1.2% 0.59
South Sudan 3,788 64 1.7% 0.58
Côte d'Ivoire 27,096 146 0.5% 0.58
Singapore 59,352 29 0.0% 0.51
New Zealand 2,290 25 1.1% 0.51
Benin 3,643 48 1.3% 0.42
China 99,402 4,807 4.8% 0.35
Democratic Republic of the Congo 7,887 117 1.5% 0.14
Thailand 14,646 75 0.5% 0.11
Papua New Guinea 835 9 1.1% 0.10
Tanzania 509 21 4.1% 0.04
Vietnam 1,549 35 2.3% 0.04
Taiwan 889 7 0.8% 0.03
Eritrea 1,950 7 0.4% nan
 
Sorry , long list above, ... but when you look at the figures, it makes you wonder if the conspiracy theorists are actually onto something.

SA 71.16 deaths per 100 000

China 0.35

WTH
 
Machines that can make water from air
Atmospheric water generators (AWGs) could be one of the solutions used to combat the ever-present threat of droughts and water shortages in South Africa.
This is according to South African entrepreneur Ray De Vries, who founded Air Water – a company that imports and sells AWGs to home users and businesses.
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/technology/378406-machines-that-can-make-water-from-air.html

It's been done.

A long time ago.

In a galaxy far away.

latest
 
Western Cape’s COVID-19 cases decline by more than 50% in two weeks
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/co...cape-decrease-by-over-50-over-two-week-period
27 Jan. 2021

"The number of active COVID-19 cases in the Western Cape has declined by more than 50% over the past two weeks, dropping from about 40 000 to around 19 000 cases.

On Tuesday, January 26 the province recorded a total of 263 398 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 234 011 recoveries since March 2020.

There are currently 2893 hospitalisations, and 510 of these cases are in ICU.

Premier Alan Winde has requested that President Cyril Ramaphosa review some of the restrictions placed on the Western Cape, as he believes the province’s declining numbers are encouraging..."
 
Government already has ‘ready-made’ changes for alcohol sales in South Africa – what you should know
The Draft Liquor Amendment Bill proposes a number of wide-reaching changes including:
  • Increasing the drinking age to 21 years;
  • The introduction of a 100-metre radius limitation of trade around educational and religious institutions;
  • Banning of any alcohol sales and advertising on social and small media;
  • The introduction of new liability clause for alcohol-sellers.
In addition, the Traffic Amendment Bill has already been approved by President Cyril Ramaphosa and was originally set to be introduced before the end of 2020.
https://businesstech.co.za/news/lif...l-sales-in-south-africa-what-you-should-know/
And :
Here are the changes officials want for South Africa’s alcohol ban
https://businesstech.co.za/news/lif...th-africas-alcohol-ban/?utm_source=newsletter
 
Government already has ‘ready-made’ changes for alcohol sales in South Africa – what you should know
The Draft Liquor Amendment Bill proposes a number of wide-reaching changes including:
  • Increasing the drinking age to 21 years;
  • The introduction of a 100-metre radius limitation of trade around educational and religious institutions;
  • Banning of any alcohol sales and advertising on social and small media;
  • The introduction of new liability clause for alcohol-sellers.
In addition, the Traffic Amendment Bill has already been approved by President Cyril Ramaphosa and was originally set to be introduced before the end of 2020.
https://businesstech.co.za/news/lif...l-sales-in-south-africa-what-you-should-know/
And :
Here are the changes officials want for South Africa’s alcohol ban
https://businesstech.co.za/news/lif...th-africas-alcohol-ban/?utm_source=newsletter

I agree with increasing the drinking age to 21. Last year one of the restaurants here imposed that restriction to keep drunken youngsters out and it was apparently most effective.

The limitation of trade within a 100m radius of educational instituions - yes. But religious instituions? What's the point of that? Tops is closed on Sundays anyway.

As for banning advertising on social media - is alcohol advertising even necessary?

And what exactly does the liability clause for alcohol sellers entail?? Is a restaurant owner going to be held liable if someone drives home drunk and causes an accident????
 
I agree with increasing the drinking age to 21. Last year one of the restaurants here imposed that restriction to keep drunken youngsters out and it was apparently most effective.

The limitation of trade within a 100m radius of educational instituions - yes. But religious instituions? What's the point of that? Tops is closed on Sundays anyway.

As for banning advertising on social media - is alcohol advertising even necessary?

And what exactly does the liability clause for alcohol sellers entail?? Is a restaurant owner going to be held liable if someone drives home drunk and causes an accident????

In JHB bottle stores are open on Sundays. KZN and WC aren't though. Different set of rules.
 
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