The Effects Of COVID-19 On First Time Mom

For the past couple of days the world as we know it has changed leaving us locked-up indoors for our own protection. The National Coronavirus Command Council has decided to enforce a nation-wide lock-down for 21 days with effect from midnight on Thursday 26 March, ending on April 16th, 2020 but what what does that really mean for a third world country.

A majority of South Africans live on and below the breadline and thus being severely affected by the country being on lock-down. What does this mean for employed and unemployed/self-employed South Africans who’s services are considered non-essential services? It means that they will have to pull a rabbit out the hat to not only pay their bills but find food to eat. If you listen to you local talk radio station, every other caller who still has airtime to call in ask for fellow listeners to assist as the are drowning with no means to float to the shore. Arguably so, Covid-19 is a serious virus which has kills thousands but as a third world country – are we going to bounce back once everything normalizes?

Here are some of the key point mentioned in the presidents nation address.

1.From midnight on Thursday 26 March until midnight on Thursday 16 April, all South Africans will have to stay at home.
2.The categories of people who will be exempted from this lockdown are the following: health workers in the public and private sectors, emergency personnel, those in security services – such as the police, traffic officers, military medical personnel, soldiers – and other persons necessary for our response to the pandemic.
3.It will also include those involved in the production, distribution and supply of food and basic goods, essential banking services, the maintenance of power, water and telecommunications services, laboratory services, and the provision of medical and hygiene products.

4.All shops and businesses will be closed, except for pharmacies, laboratories, banks, essential financial and payment services, including the JSE, supermarkets, petrol stations and health care providers.
5.Firms that are able to continue their operations remotely should do so.

The reality is that some people after the 16th of April wont have a job to get back. We are yet to find out if provisions will be made for those individuals.

Dannywired had a chat with a first time mom who resides in the West Rand of Johannesburg. Kgabiso Moledi aged 29 gave birth just days before the country was locked and we wanted to find out how this lock-down has effected her as a first time mother.

How has the lock-down affect you mentally?
Oh wow, where do i even begin. The country being on lock-down took my anxiety to the next level and made me super paranoid and scared not only for me but my baby too who is oblivious to what’s happening around him.

What concerns did you have when you were going to give birth?
That nobody at the clinic has contracted Covid 19 but the pain was so much that forgot about all that till I gave birth.

Did you feel the hospital was safe space for you when you were going to give birth?
Yes it was, not once did I feel out place . What I liked was the fact that it wasn’t full and the nurses gave us their full attention.

The government has said some items are non-essentials, as a new mother with a growing new born, what things are essential for you and your baby which the government has prohibited you from buying?
OMG! Baby Clothes. They didn’t think this one through I think they forgot that moms who are about to give birth or who given birth need clothes for their babies and as you imagine these little humans grow quickly and now are stuck without clothes to wear till the end of the lock-down.

How could the government assist you as a first time mother?
By opening up the stores so I can stock up clothes for my baby and myself. I’m not the same size as i was when i was pregnant also and now that nothing fits i’m stuck in a night gown.

As serious as Covid-19 is, do you feel the panic the government has played a role in your anxiety?
Yes definitely. Being a first time mom i already have anxiety about whether or not i’m doing things right and i’m blessed that i have my mother who is around to help me with some of the stuff but it doesn’t fully eliminate all my anxiety, i full under stand why women fall into postnatal depression. Every time I need to leave to go get essentials my anxiety flares up because I don’t know who I might be in contact with and especially because I have a new born. I worry constantly as a result I have everyone in my family sanitizing before the pick him up and No Kissing of the baby.

What is the first thing you are going to do when the country is “unlocked”?
Get a drink “chuckles” just kidding probably get all the stuff I couldn’t get and give myself a little TLC.

Keep up with Dannywired as we give you developments of COVID-19