Seeing as South Africa will not experience this feeling of hope for a while, it helps to talk to people who have had the vaccine and whose lives are returning to some semblance of normality.
The reduced number of museum visitors competing for prime viewing space is just one bonus of being a tourist under pandemic constraints. Another is being able to feel awe and intense appreciation for art, while the world outside collectively holds their breath until a vaccine is found.
We are mature enough, thoughtful enough, and ‘woke’ enough to be able to make out own choices. As is said in one of my favourite quotes: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”.
Where initially I thought Cuties was a promotion of paedophilia by Netflix (as had been the title of many scathing Facebook posts), I understood that ‘Cuties’ centres around themes of religious dogma, conflicting ideals of radical femininity, cultural displacement and the policing of girl’s sexuality.
I started the hike up the vegan mountain of information, opinions and controversies in an attempt to come to terms with my guilt at enjoying fast-foods while claiming to be an animal-lover.
Wanting to know more about COVID and South African hospitals, I asked a paramedic to describe the logistical nightmare haunting all hospitals in South Africa.
