For approximately the last three weeks I've been monitoring Covid in South Africa. I feel this video from a press conference ending a little over and hour ago is notable enough to share here. It primarily focuses on the Health Minister and Dr Abdool Karim who's marked response is worthy of praise. The most important points directly note exponential growth is unavoidable. Because any new medical drug is not possible in a time frame we can hold this at bay.
Please turn down your volume to accommodate the movement of microphones in the opening moments. Below the video I've placed time markers with an explanation of their significance for those who don't have the over two hours I spent watching this live.
• 21:40 - Comparison with UK in first two weeks.
• 22:51 - Stopping infection before exponential growth occurs
• 24:22 - Testing: SA's exponential growth in tests, not infections.
• 29:54 - Slides are finally shown and overview is provided of their interpretation.
• 36:12 - Presentation continues with community transmission.
• 44:05 - Why exponential growth of infection is unavoidable
• 50:07 - +28,000 workers screening poorest neighborhoods removing early cases/investigating contact/sanitizing.
• 52:40 - Synopsis of entire plan including removal and re-institution of lockdowns.
• 1:08:00 - Mortality rate among NY minorities, lockdown continuing until at least end of September for elderly, etc.