Pretoria News Weekend Saturday, July 25, 2020

Smokers’ hopes stubbed out Tobacco body’s leave to appeal dismissed ZELDA VENTER zelda.venter@inl.co.za SMOKERS’ hopes that the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein would take another look at the government’s ban of the tobacco trade during lock-down went up in smoke after the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, dismissed the Fair Trade Tobacco Association’s (Fita) bid for leave to appeal. Three judges, headed by Judge President Dunstan Mlambo, found that there were no reasonable prospects that another court would come to a different finding. Fita argued at least 10 points a week ago on which it claimed the court came to the wrong decision when it ruled against the lifting of the ban on the sale of cigarettes and related products. It was argued that Co-operative Governance and Traditional…

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE NUMBERS SOUTH Africa is in fifth position globally for the total number of active Covid-19 cases recorded, behind the US, Brazil, India and Russia, which have larger populations. It is in 14th place in the number of deaths, but when it comes to the number of deaths per million of its population, it fares better than countries hit earlier in the pandemic such as Spain, Italy and France, as well as the US. However, South Africa has not reached the expected peak of infections. This is predicted to occur in mid-August to early September. ◆Global: 15.673 million cases, 636 848 deaths. ◆National: 408 052 cases, 6 093 deaths. ◆Gauteng 148 854 cases, 1 187 deaths.…

Interns share their fears on the front line ZELDA VENTER FOUR young doctors – all University of Pretoria Medical School graduates – had no idea what was waiting for them when they relocated to Cape Town for their internships this year. Kay Hendry, who is doing her second year, shares a house with a view of Table Mountain with Simone van Staden, Phillipa Essame and Byron Rudman, who are in their first year. These young doctors are among many in hospitals across the country who have come face to face with Covid-19 in the various hospitals where they work. The mountain, they say, grounds them, and is a welcome sight when they have a bit of time off from their hectic shifts. Debriefing and relaxing together when they can manage…

VACCINE Delay in cure for Covid-19 HOPES for a coronavirus vaccine before the end of this year have been dashed by a World Health Organization expert. Dr Mike Ryan, head of WHO’s emergencies programme, said the first use of a Covid-19 vaccine could not be expected until early next year. He noted that several vaccines were in phase three trials and none had failed so far in terms of safety or ability to generate an immune response. His comments came as hopes of a Covid-19 vaccine by the end of the year were raised this week when Oxford University revealed there was still a chance it could deliver its experimental jab sooner if tests kept going according to plan. Professor Andrew Pollard from the Oxford research group said in early…

UNPROTECTED Tshwane apologises for protest Condemns damage to infrastructure; alerts residents to further service delays RAPULA MOATSHE rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za THE City of Tshwane is concerned that a three-day protest over pay by municipal workers this week could impact negatively on service delivery. The protest, which turned violent, was held by workers affiliated to the SA Municipal Workers Union (Samwu), and led to damaged municipal property including traffic lights and fire hydrants in the inner city. Protesters also cut metal water pipes, opened up manholes and lit fires at various intersections and invade Tshwane House. On Thursday, the police fired rubber bullets to disperse the workers embarking on continued unprotected strike action. City spokesperson Lindela Mashigo apologised to residents and warned of possible delays in services due to disruptions caused…

ALCOHOL BAN Restaurateurs offer alternatives A SPOKESPERSON for the government caused consternation this week when they tweeted on Wednesday that the ban on the sale of alcohol and cigarettes would remain in place until the lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19 was lifted. After much outrage on social media, the government backtracked on the issue, stating that it was an error and the ban was part of level 3 lockdown regulations. The government has given the number of people suffering from alcohol-related illnesses and injuries putting a strain on the health system as its main reason for reimposing the alcohol ban. “By limiting alcohol-related hospital visits and admissions, we are limiting exposure to, and transmission of, Covid-19. A ban on alcohol sales will also have an impact in…