Do you know that almost 150 000 people die every day in the world?

The world first became aware of COVID-19 in December 2019.  We can then assume that the virus has been active for 7 months.  If we multiply 150 000 by 7 months, that means that during this period, 31 500 000 people have died, from various causes.  During the same period, 609 000 people have died as a result of the virus.  Not even one million. 

Does this mean that we shouldn’t take the virus seriously?  Of course not, but it does mean that we shouldn’t panic.

Having the virus does not mean an automatic death sentence – the death rate in South Africa from a COVID-19 infection is 1.4%, in the world it is 4%.  If you are healthy and become infected, it is highly unlikely that you will die. 

Wear your mask, wash your hands, consider those around you, treat yourself and the virus with caution and respect – but do not panic!  Stay positive and optimistic and the world will get through this and life will get back to normal, as it did, after all the wars the world has been through.