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Taking on Covid-19, South Africa Goes After Cigarettes and Booze, Too Taking on Covid-19, South Africa Goes After Cigarettes and Booze, Too
(32 minutes later)
JOHANNESBURG — The dealer had a stash, but the young woman wasn’t getting through the door without an introduction. That’s where her friend, already a trusted customer, came in. And even then there were complications.JOHANNESBURG — The dealer had a stash, but the young woman wasn’t getting through the door without an introduction. That’s where her friend, already a trusted customer, came in. And even then there were complications.
The woman wanted Stuyvesants. The dealer had Courtleighs. But in a South Africa where the sale of cigarettes is newly illegal, quibblers risk nicotine fits.The woman wanted Stuyvesants. The dealer had Courtleighs. But in a South Africa where the sale of cigarettes is newly illegal, quibblers risk nicotine fits.
She took the Courtleighs and high-tailed it out of there.She took the Courtleighs and high-tailed it out of there.
“I feel like I’m buying cocaine,” said the woman, 29, who asked not to be named for fear of being fined or arrested.“I feel like I’m buying cocaine,” said the woman, 29, who asked not to be named for fear of being fined or arrested.
In late March, in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, the South African government banned the sale of tobacco and alcohol as part of a broad lockdown — one of the most strict anywhere. But even as the government has begun rolling back the lockdown, the bans remain in effect.In late March, in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, the South African government banned the sale of tobacco and alcohol as part of a broad lockdown — one of the most strict anywhere. But even as the government has begun rolling back the lockdown, the bans remain in effect.
A government minister, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, cited “Covid-19 reasons” for maintaining the ban.A government minister, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, cited “Covid-19 reasons” for maintaining the ban.
Ms. Dlamini-Zuma, a doctor who served as health minister in the 1990s and is now cooperative governance minister, said that “besides the effects itself on the person’s lungs,” there were concerns that smoking could promote coronavirus infection.Ms. Dlamini-Zuma, a doctor who served as health minister in the 1990s and is now cooperative governance minister, said that “besides the effects itself on the person’s lungs,” there were concerns that smoking could promote coronavirus infection.
“The way sometimes tobacco is shared does not allow for social distancing,” she said, “but actually encourages the spread of the virus.”“The way sometimes tobacco is shared does not allow for social distancing,” she said, “but actually encourages the spread of the virus.”
Defending the ban of alcohol sales amid cries of protest from the liquor industry, President Cyril Ramaphosa said alcohol was “a hindrance to the fight against coronavirus.”Defending the ban of alcohol sales amid cries of protest from the liquor industry, President Cyril Ramaphosa said alcohol was “a hindrance to the fight against coronavirus.”
“There are proven links between the sale and consumption of alcohol and violent crime, motor vehicle accidents and other medical emergencies at a time when all public and private resources should be preparing to receive and treat vast numbers of Covid-19 patients,” the president said in a statement.“There are proven links between the sale and consumption of alcohol and violent crime, motor vehicle accidents and other medical emergencies at a time when all public and private resources should be preparing to receive and treat vast numbers of Covid-19 patients,” the president said in a statement.
The government has also cited the risk of domestic violence in households where families are isolated at home.The government has also cited the risk of domestic violence in households where families are isolated at home.
Perhaps not surprisingly, an underground market in both cigarettes and alcohol quickly sprung up.Perhaps not surprisingly, an underground market in both cigarettes and alcohol quickly sprung up.
Like bootleg markets everywhere, it relies on word of mouth, as the 29-year-old woman who settled for the Courtleighs soon learned.Like bootleg markets everywhere, it relies on word of mouth, as the 29-year-old woman who settled for the Courtleighs soon learned.
She made her purchase in a suburb of Vereeniging, a city south of Johannesburg, where dealers are said to sell only to buyers referred by someone they know. And they sell only from their homes to avoid driving around with large quantities of cigarettes, since if they were to be caught at one of the dozens of police roadblocks set up around the country, they could be arrested on the spot.She made her purchase in a suburb of Vereeniging, a city south of Johannesburg, where dealers are said to sell only to buyers referred by someone they know. And they sell only from their homes to avoid driving around with large quantities of cigarettes, since if they were to be caught at one of the dozens of police roadblocks set up around the country, they could be arrested on the spot.
Instead, the smoker carries the risk — and the cost. A pack of 20 cigarettes now goes for upward of 150 rand (about $8), three times the old legal price. Underground alcohol prices have also skyrocketed. A bottle of low-end vodka that usually sells for 120 rand ($6) now sells for at least 400 rand ($21).Instead, the smoker carries the risk — and the cost. A pack of 20 cigarettes now goes for upward of 150 rand (about $8), three times the old legal price. Underground alcohol prices have also skyrocketed. A bottle of low-end vodka that usually sells for 120 rand ($6) now sells for at least 400 rand ($21).
South Africa lifted its nationwide lockdown on May 1, but is continuing to implement strict social distancing and face mask rules. Already under siege from H.I.V., the country has around 8,200 confirmed cases of coronavirus and has reported about 160 deaths.South Africa lifted its nationwide lockdown on May 1, but is continuing to implement strict social distancing and face mask rules. Already under siege from H.I.V., the country has around 8,200 confirmed cases of coronavirus and has reported about 160 deaths.
The country had implemented one of the world’s most stringent lockdowns after recording its first coronavirus-related death in March. In addition to banning the sale of cigarettes and alcohol, the regulations banned jogging and dog-walking, and shuttered parks.The country had implemented one of the world’s most stringent lockdowns after recording its first coronavirus-related death in March. In addition to banning the sale of cigarettes and alcohol, the regulations banned jogging and dog-walking, and shuttered parks.
Before the lockdown, with a ban looming, some smokers stocked up on cartons of cigarettes. But when the ban on cigarettes was extended beyond May 1, things for smokers began to grow tense.Before the lockdown, with a ban looming, some smokers stocked up on cartons of cigarettes. But when the ban on cigarettes was extended beyond May 1, things for smokers began to grow tense.
Now, it’s a matter of who you know. The cafe owner willing to slip a box under a container of milk, perhaps, or a supermarket cashier willing to steal and resell cigarettes languishing in the storeroom.Now, it’s a matter of who you know. The cafe owner willing to slip a box under a container of milk, perhaps, or a supermarket cashier willing to steal and resell cigarettes languishing in the storeroom.
In one Pretoria township where everyone knows everyone — including the police — few dare sell cigarettes from their homes. Instead, dealers hide among young men milling around on the neighborhood corner.In one Pretoria township where everyone knows everyone — including the police — few dare sell cigarettes from their homes. Instead, dealers hide among young men milling around on the neighborhood corner.
A 23-year-old smoker said that when he saw a group of four men sharing a cigarette, he approached them to find out where they had found the contraband. They just so happened to be selling, they told him.A 23-year-old smoker said that when he saw a group of four men sharing a cigarette, he approached them to find out where they had found the contraband. They just so happened to be selling, they told him.
Desperate after a failed attempt to quit smoking, he said, he paid 160 rand for his favorite brand and “ran home,” where he took a photograph of the sealed pack, planning to share it on WhatsApp with envious fellow smokers.Desperate after a failed attempt to quit smoking, he said, he paid 160 rand for his favorite brand and “ran home,” where he took a photograph of the sealed pack, planning to share it on WhatsApp with envious fellow smokers.
But when he opened the pack, a cloud of sawdust choked him. There was not a cigarette to be found.But when he opened the pack, a cloud of sawdust choked him. There was not a cigarette to be found.
Smokers say they are finding fake cigarettes in sealed boxes that look exactly like legitimate brands. And those who are desperate enough are buying unknown brands that have appeared during the lockdown with names like Pineapple and Chestel, and are notorious for inducing immediate coughing.Smokers say they are finding fake cigarettes in sealed boxes that look exactly like legitimate brands. And those who are desperate enough are buying unknown brands that have appeared during the lockdown with names like Pineapple and Chestel, and are notorious for inducing immediate coughing.
Updated June 30, 2020
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
The tobacco industry has not taken kindly to the government’s new policy.The tobacco industry has not taken kindly to the government’s new policy.
The ban has fueled an underground cigarette trade that was thriving even before the lockdown. By some estimates, it made up more than 30 percent of the market, depriving the above ground tobacco industry of profit and the government of tax revenue.The ban has fueled an underground cigarette trade that was thriving even before the lockdown. By some estimates, it made up more than 30 percent of the market, depriving the above ground tobacco industry of profit and the government of tax revenue.
Now both industry and government are losing even more.Now both industry and government are losing even more.
The country’s largest cigarette manufacturer, British American Tobacco South Africa, at one point threatened legal action if the government did not drop its ban, but on Wednesday changed course. “We have taken the decision not to pursue legal action at this stage,” it said in a statement, “but, instead, to pursue further discussions with government.”The country’s largest cigarette manufacturer, British American Tobacco South Africa, at one point threatened legal action if the government did not drop its ban, but on Wednesday changed course. “We have taken the decision not to pursue legal action at this stage,” it said in a statement, “but, instead, to pursue further discussions with government.”
The company said, “We are convinced that by working together we can find a better solution that works for all South Africans and removes the threat of criminal sanction from 11 million tobacco consumers in the country.”The company said, “We are convinced that by working together we can find a better solution that works for all South Africans and removes the threat of criminal sanction from 11 million tobacco consumers in the country.”
The ban on cigarettes and alcohol has set off a debate on civil liberties in a country with one of the world’s most liberal constitutions. While South Africa was an early adopter of public smoking regulations, many see the bans as a symbol of government overreach.The ban on cigarettes and alcohol has set off a debate on civil liberties in a country with one of the world’s most liberal constitutions. While South Africa was an early adopter of public smoking regulations, many see the bans as a symbol of government overreach.
Though its coronavirus policies may have succeeded in keeping the outbreak in check, some are calling the government hypocritical. Junk food remains readily available. And officials strictly limited outdoor exercise during the lockdown.Though its coronavirus policies may have succeeded in keeping the outbreak in check, some are calling the government hypocritical. Junk food remains readily available. And officials strictly limited outdoor exercise during the lockdown.
In a country increasingly struggling with diabetes and obesity, such inconsistencies undercut the government’s argument that it is guarding the public’s health, said one South African constitutional law expert, Pierre De Vos.In a country increasingly struggling with diabetes and obesity, such inconsistencies undercut the government’s argument that it is guarding the public’s health, said one South African constitutional law expert, Pierre De Vos.
“In the long term, if the government overreaches and it wants to continue imposing these limits when the threat has subsided, I think the courts will invalidate this,” he said.“In the long term, if the government overreaches and it wants to continue imposing these limits when the threat has subsided, I think the courts will invalidate this,” he said.
Still, the ban may have yielded at least one former smoker: the man who bought the box of sawdust.Still, the ban may have yielded at least one former smoker: the man who bought the box of sawdust.
“I cannot just go around losing money like that,” he said. “I just said to myself: ‘Nah, man, it’s not worth it. I’ll stay home and eat sweets, as that’s what’s legal now.’”“I cannot just go around losing money like that,” he said. “I just said to myself: ‘Nah, man, it’s not worth it. I’ll stay home and eat sweets, as that’s what’s legal now.’”