‘The ideal does not exist’

Africa's best read [Rawson]( [Bizzamm]( Mail & Guardian Newsletter logo [mg.co.za]( [The Ampersand Daily Newsletter from the M&G team] [Divider Strip] July 15 2020 | [View Online]( [Divider Strip] [Facebook icon]( [Twitter icon]( [Instagram icon]( [LinkedIn icon]( Hi there, Deliberately choosing not to wear a mask has to be one of the strangest political statements we've seen in recent history. During a health crisis, some people quickly accommodate a major shift in behavioural norms, but it's usually the loudest who don't. We all know the stories: when condoms became a public health issue, there were some people who "couldn't find a size" or felt their sex lives were being policed. [no face mask no entry] In the United States, we are seeing this happen again with the growing no-mask mob and its near-religious fervour for rebellion. Thousands of people are flocking to streets and beaches with no purpose other than to advertise that they have cast off the yoke of safety and common sense. The good news is we don't live in the alleged land of the free. The bad news is we have our own devotees. The practice is not nearly as widespread here, but the viral videos of patrons refusing to don a mask are concerning nonetheless. Then there are the apathetic who will also always walk among us. Still, trying to shame people into healthier behaviour generally doesn't work - and actually can make things worse. Cajole, not compel behavioural scientists say. With South Africa entering what is believed to be the worst of the pandemic, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in his Sunday address that there will be greater oversight over what should be ubiquitous use of masks. Now, Sarah Smit reports, the National Coronavirus Command Council has urged that [the new approach is not there to punish the public, but to protect us](. We do this by normalising the behaviour of masking up. "It must be embarrassing to move around without a mask," Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola emphasised. "It must be cool to move with a mask. And it must be something which is becoming the new normal." It's debatable whether we ever will come to see masks as "cool", but the long and short of it is this: regardless of what you think of the government and its approach, just wear the damn thing. It's not going to hurt you. At the same briefing, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize discussed the new regulations governing the use of minibus taxis - which include permitting full capacity for short trips. In an ideal world, all commuters would keep one metre apart from each other at all times. Unfortunately, "[the ideal doesn't exist](. "What had to be looked at was what is necessary to sustain the movement of taxis under all the factors that have been considered by the department of transport," he said. Long story, short It isn't over: Just like protests against police brutality didn't end, the media and celebrities just got bored and stopped paying lip service to Darfur. Most Darfuris are still living in camps for the internally displaced, and journalists and aid agencies have been unable to access the region to help provide basic services, or to document crimes carried out during one of the most infamous - [and ongoing]( - conflicts in the world. Beefing with Bibi: Israeli police have clashed with protesters camped outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's home in Jerusalem. Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets of the Israeli capital over the past few weeks to rally against Netanyahu's alleged corruption and what protesters see as the government's [mismanagement of the coronavirus pandemic](. Spinning tall tales: Madagascan DJ-turned-president Andry Rajoelina is grappling with a PR nightmare after he announced that [two legislators had died]( after becoming infected with coronavirus, as he claimed a herbal concoction continues to protect him and his family from Covid-19. Eleven parliamentarians and 14 senators also tested positive for the virus, Rajoelina said. On July 5, the Indian Ocean island placed its capital, Antananarivo, under a [new lockdown]( after a surge in infections, two months after restrictions were eased. Unlucky pot meet kettle: Lucky Montana, the former Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa chief executive, says Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, whose commission of inquiry is probing allegations of huge corruption at the rail agency, is unfit to serve as a judge and [should face impeachment](. Montana accuses Zondo of "gross misconduct and/or gross incompetence". From the ashes: SAA's creditors have approved the state airline's business rescue plan, bringing to an end [a long seven-month process](. Business rescue practitioner Siviwe Dongwana told the meeting of creditors on Tuesday that 86% of them had voted in favour of the plan, which will see the airline dissolved to make way for a new airline. --------------------------------------------------------------- We want to hear from you: Even under regular circumstances it can be difficult to advocate for your health or that of your loved ones when they are admitted to hospital. The coronavirus has added another layer of complexity to this. Please [fill out this form]( detailing your experiences of the hospital system and Covid-19 treatment. Keeping our newsroom going strong is a big ask and some might say now is the wrong time to ask you to help us do it. The old ways no longer work and have landed us in crisis. 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