Shimornay Dean, from Beacon Valley
The doctor told us my dad, Stanley Sedgwick, would never make it because his lungs were filled with Covid-19, which caused pneumonia.
He is diabetic and has hypertension, which almost put him in a coma.
But we had faith in God and my dad was discharged on Thursday July 2. Praise our miracle-working God.
My mom, Marshilene Segwick, had a slight heart condition and the doctors said if she had not gone into hospital she would have died, but, praise God, she was discharged on Sunday July 5, on which we share a birthday.
I was also infected with Covid-19, but I fought for my life and stood up every day even though my body was numb. My heart would pound as if it wanted to beat out of my chest.
I was under so much stress having to focus on healing and having to worry about my parents, who were also fighting for their lives.
I also had to take care of my twin brothers, which I enjoyed, and I’m glad I could spend a couple of weeks with them.
My parents, my pregnant sister, Monique Hess, and I were in contact with one of our family members, who had died of the virus. May his soul rest in peace.
Seeing him die shocked our family because we thought we could be next. We were filled with sadness, worry and fear.
Every night before going to sleep it feels as if you are closing your eyes forever. You feel light headed and you just repent from sin.
Some nights you are too scared to even sleep because you fear you might not wake up the next morning.
Yet you wake up the next morning and can only thank God for waking you.
Today my parents, my sister and I are healed.
God is great. If you put your faith and trust in Him, He will move mountains for you.
I thank everyone for being there, for praying and for never giving up hope.
This virus is real and it is a situation of life or death. So stay safe. Stay sanitised and always wear your mask. God bless.
Danny Christians, Ward 81 councillor
I became a Covid-19 statistic last month.
Winter months always bring about all kinds of illnesses.
It is for this reason that I gave very little attention to the signs of Covid-19.
The fact that many residents came to my offices and house during the national Covid-19 lockdown to seek advice on municipal and personal issues brought the virus to me.
In early June, I began losing my appetite and had severe body aches.
I lost all interest in life as I have been pinned inside my house.
I found it very difficult to move around with almost no energy in my body.
With my temperature well over 38°C, I finally found the courage to go to Melomed Hospital, in Eastridge on Friday June 19.
After waiting for almost five hours for the medical staff to attend to me they finally took a sample from my mouth.
I was then released from hospital.
It took another 48-hours before it was confirmed that I had Covid19.
With guidance and medication from my doctor, I overcame the severity of the virus. The virus has also infected my life partner.
This experience has taught me to wear my mask at all times, keep my physical distance from those in search of help and apply the preventative instructions and not to spread the disease.
To do all of this, we must be in the right frame of mind and accept that Covid-19 is real and here to stay for the ensuing months.
Most Mitchell’s Plain residents appear to be arrogant about the virus, which has led to people being exposed to it.
Not wearing face masks, not keeping your distance from others and not washing your hands regularly only increases the spread of Covid-19.
Staying at home means protecting your family, your community and others.
We are weak in taking responsibility. Everybody must understand their responsibilities. If not, they will get infected – do not blame the state.
Stopping Covid-19 does not lie in the amount of hospital beds and field hospitals. This virus will only be stopped by our own actions – each of us and all of us pulling together.
Do the right thing by not endangering the lives of others.
We are infecting each other by not adhering to lockdown regulations.
As it stands, positive cases are on the increase.
Testing, tracing, ventilation and quarantining are important to prevent the spread of the virus.
The City of Cape Town and the provincial government must be complimented for their tireless efforts to stop the spread of the virus.
It is predicted that Covid-19 cases will reach 300 000 by the end of August. I implore all residents to adhere to the lockdown regulations and not to become a statistic.
I am truly thankful that I am a survivor of this dreadful disease.
I mourn for the families, who have lost loved ones due to Covid19 and wish those infected a speedy recovery.
All three my offices will remain closed until further notice.