thinking beyond

CUT Medical Scheme Cover (PDF)

Vice-Chancellor Communqiues released to guide the measures taken at CUT. 

26 March 2020

Go to, https://www.cut.ac.za/announcements/63

VC communique, English 26 March 2020 (PDF)

18 March 2020

Go to, https://www.cut.ac.za/announcements/62

• VC communique, English 18 March 2020 (PDF)

16 March 2020

Go to, https://www.cut.ac.za/announcements/60

• VC communique, English 16 March 2020 (PDF)
• VC communique, Sesotho 18 March 2020 (PDF)
• VC communique, Afrikaans 18 March 2020 (PDF)

• Press releases and notices, https://sacoronavirus.co.za/category/press-releases-and-notices/
• Videos, https://sacoronavirus.co.za/category/video-clips/

Document releases to note:

• Disaster Management Act - lockdown (PDF), 26 March 2020
• Temporary measures in respect of Foreign Nationals (PDF), 19 March 2020
• Disaster Management Act - Gazetted (PDF), 18 March 2020
• Travel advisory in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, 17 March 2020
• Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on measures to combat COVID-19 epidemic, 15 March 2020

Videos

President Ramaphosa: South Africa in 21-day lockdown, 23 March 2020

President Ramaphosa COVID-19 briefing after meeting with political parties, 18 March 2020

1. Do not share content on platforms (including WhatsApp) unless you are sure of the validity and the correctness of the source.
2. Read your trusted media sources for information. Do not rely on content that is populated on your Facebook news feed or send via WhatsApp.
3. Check the validity of the information you receive with your sources before sharing.
4. Contact Communications and Marketing team if you are unable to confirm the information and need assistance.
5. Go to Africa Fact Check - they check for facts and alert about misinformation.

Source: https://mybroadband.co.za/news/government/343315-6-months-in-jail-if-you-spread-fake-news-about-coronavirus.html

Laws to prevent stockpiling and price hikes approved

Government has imposed regulations that will limit unjustified price hikes and product stockpiling, to protect consumers.

Government issued directives under the Disaster Management Act and Regulations under both the Competition Act and Consumer Protection Act.

According to the regulations, prices may not exceed the increase in the cost of the raw material. The profit levels, he added, should not be hiked higher than in the period just before the period of the COVID-19.

Source: https://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/world-news/south-africa-stockpiling-price-hike-laws-approved/?utm_content=buffer777e1&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer 

Bars, clubs, shebeens and restaurants selling alcohol
The sale, dispensing or transportation of alcoholic beverages is prohibited between 18h00 - 09h00 (Monday to Saturday); 13h00 - 09h00 (Sunday and public holidays).

Source: https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2020-03-18-strict-new-regulations-to-contain-virus-will-see-bars-in-sa-close-at-6pm/

Due to the current situation regarding the COVID-19, many organisations are taking precautionary measures towards the health and safety of their employees, as a result, asking them to work from home.

LinkedIn has put together a list of 16 courses that members can go through to help them with this rapid change of working remotely, adjusting to a new working and learning environment, and managing remote teams.

The courses are also packaged in a learning path.

Below are some of the courses that can be sent to all employees.

1. Working Remotely – 1 hr
2. Time Management: Working From Home – 1 hr 25 min
3. Productivity Tips: Finding Your Productive Mindset – 59 min
4. Executive Presence on Video Conference Calls – 34 min
5. Thriving @ Work: the Connection between Well-being and Productivity – 41 min
6. Managing Stress for Positive Change – 57 min
7. Building Resilience – 34 min
8. Developing Resourcefulness – 18 min

This being said, and in line with supporting members across the globe, LinkedIn has opened all the 16 courses for free to everyone, therefore, please feel free to share this with your connections & community directly, as well.

More information

8 tips for getting it done when working from home

Podcast: How to work from home

Online resources (now free)

The following listed resources are being made available for free during this time.

• Free Audio books: Audible
• Virtual tours: 12 famous museums
• News channels for browser: DStv Now’s free service
• Online academic resource JSTOR: Materials Accessible to the Public

For kids

• Free Audio books: Audible
• Activities and online resources for homebound kids: A coronavirus guide
• National Geographic: Kids
• Google and YouTube launch resources page: Teach from home

Does the coronavirus spread from person to person?
The virus can spread from one person to another, mainly through droplets of saliva or mucus carried through the air for up to 1 metre or so when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Viral particles may be breathed in, land on surfaces that people touch, or be transferred when shaking hands or sharing a drink with someone who has the virus.

What is the incubation period for the coronavirus?
An incubation period is the time between being infected by a virus and showing symptoms of the illness. Current information suggests that symptoms of COVID-19 usually appear on average after five days from infection. However, the incubation period may be as short as two days or as long as 14 days before the infected person shows symptoms.

How is this new coronavirus confirmed?
A specialised test must be done to confirm that a person has COVID-19. However, it is important to note that only persons who show symptoms or meet criteria as set out by the NICD will be tested. If you or a loved one have suspected symptoms, please contact your general practitioner first, who will liaise with the necessary authorities to assist with tests. In cases of severe
respiratory distress, please go to your emergency unit. However, inform them of your arrival prior to entering the unit.

Can people who are asymptomatic spread coronavirus?
A person who is asymptomatic may be spreading the virus and could make others ill. How often this lasts if asymptomatic transmission is occurring is unclear. The risk of catching the virus from someone with no symptoms, is very low.

Can the coronavirus live on surfaces such as fabrics and carpets or hard surfaces?
How long the new coronavirus can live on a soft surface — and more importantly, how easy or hard it is to spread this way — isn’t clear yet. Available evidence suggests it can be transmitted less easily from soft surfaces than frequently-touched hard surfaces, such as a doorknob or the
elevator button.
According to WHO, coronaviruses may survive on surfaces for just a few hours or several days. However, many factors will influence this period, including the surface material and weather.
This is the reason why taking personal hygiene steps such as frequently washing your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser, and wiping down often-touched surfaces with disinfectants or a household cleaning spray, are excellent infection prevention practices.

Should my children and I wear a face mask to protect against coronavirus?
Please follow public health recommendations. Currently, face masks are not recommended for the general public. Even though there are confirmed cases of COVID-19 in South Africa, most people are more likely to catch and spread seasonal influenza (the flu).
Some health facilities require people to wear a mask under certain circumstances, such as if they have travelled from areas where coronavirus is spreading, or have been in contact with people who did or with people who have confirmed coronavirus.
If you have respiratory symptoms like coughing or sneezing, experts recommend wearing a mask to protect others. This may help contain droplets containing any type of virus, including the flu, and protect close contacts (anyone within 1 to 2 meters of the infected person).

Should someone who is immunocompromised wear a mask?
If you are immunocompromised because of an illness or treatment, talk to your doctor about whether wearing a mask is helpful. Advice will depend on your medical history and where you live. Many people will not need to wear a mask, but if your healthcare provider recommends wearing one in public areas because you have a particularly vulnerable immune system or for
other reasons, follow that advice.

Is there a vaccine available for coronavirus?
No vaccine is available, although scientists are working on vaccines. In 2003, scientists tried to develop a vaccine to prevent the SARS virus but the epidemic ended before the vaccine could enter clinical trials.

What is the treatment for coronavirus?
Treatment is based on supportive measures, which means giving fluids, medicine to reduce fever, and, in severe cases, supplemental oxygen. People who become critically ill from COVID-19 may need a ventilator to help them breathe.

Can people who recover from the coronavirus still be carriers and therefore spread it?
People who get COVID-19 need to work with providers and public health authorities to determine when they are no longer contagious.

Myths and facts about Coronavirus