In life, there is more than one way to do most things. Over the last 10 months we have certainly seen that, whether it be at government level or an individual’s perspective on what they think is best. In many cases no individual way is the correct way – all those alternatives are also correct as long as the outcome is the right one and achieves the desired result.
This pandemic has highlighted how different this ‘way’ can be, especially when you look at how the situation has been controlled by the individual governments. I say controlled because in my opinion there is no better word for it. There are many complaints of how controlling those in charge are. The occurrence of political agendas and self-enrichment at the expense of others (corruption) being expressed during these distressed times is downright ugly.
We’re living in the oddest of times under the strangest rules is an understatement. We all have to abide by rules and work together to beat this troubling virus but when these rules are made up without much thought then it is not easy to comprehend. Under current level 3 rules implemented on the 29th December 2020 you can go and fish anywhere but you can’t go on the beach for a walk, swim in the sea or rivers or surf in the sea, there is an alcohol ban and billions will be lost in taxes which could pay for the vaccines and more plus there is a curfew that keeps many from getting to work on time (note I did not say to be productive). The mystery is what are you going to do between 4 and 6 in the morning that will be any different to what happens after 6 in the morning except for making it more exasperating for the many that use public transport and taxis to get to work. Please do tell – I am dumbfounded because there is no logic.
I continue with a lovely story I read recently – fake or not it was a good read and light hearted – of how this elderly gentleman was returning from an extended holiday and was stopped by the local law enforcement officers in a small town in the Western Cape. He could not find his driver’s licence so this triggers a wave of suspicion. A search finds some alcohol he had not finished while on holiday. As we all know to transport alcohol is an offence these days and he was whisked off to the charge office. A life-long struggle with painful back problems and despite a brace 24/7 to keep him upright and as comfortable as possible, he had turned to something more. His stash was also found but this is no longer an offence. After a long and arduous time filling in paperwork, he is now in doubt of reaching his next destination because of the curfew.
To cut a long story short, he is fined for not having his licence on him and transporting alcohol, which he can collect at a later stage, and sent on his way. In his haste he unfortunately forgets his stash in the charge office but for not wanting to attract attention he gets on his way.
To his surprise he gets a call from the police: “Stop where you are Sir, you forgot your dagga here. We’ll bring it to you, we’ll be there in four minutes.”
As the writer said: “Now I ask you, you can’t drive home after your holidays with the leftover booze but the police are quite prepared to drive after you with blue lights flashing to return your dope, which you forgot in the charge office. What would granny say?”