#Coronavirus #Pandemic: J&J Covid-19 Vaccine paused due to blood clot scare

 

USA calls for pause of J&J Covid-19 vaccine administration over rare blood clots.

 

Another blood clot scare like we had before with AstraZeneca:

 

On Tuesday April 13 2021 the USA release a joint Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) statement on the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 Vaccine:

“As of April 12, more than 6.8 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine have been administered in the U.S. CDC and FDA are reviewing data involving six reported U.S. cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the J&J vaccine.”

 

This prompts Johnson & Johnson to announce that it would delay the rollout of its vaccine in Europe:

“We are aware of an extremely rare disorder involving people with blood clots in combination with low platelets in a small number of individuals who have received our COVID-19 vaccine,” the pharma giant announced in a statement, adding the company has been “reviewing these cases with European health authorities.”

 

At 7pm SA’s Health Minister Dr Zwelini Mkhize addresses the media on South Africa’s response to voluntarily suspend the J&J rollout until the causal relationship between the development of clots and the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is sufficiently interrogated:

 

Happening Now | @HealthZA Minister @DrZweliMkhize briefs media on the temporary suspension of the Johnson and Johnson Vaccine #COVID19#VacciNation#VaccineRolloutSA https://t.co/IejxZa7ljl

— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) April 13, 2021

 

In South Africa, we have not had any reports of clots that have formed after vaccination, and this is after having inoculated 289 787 health care workers under the Sisonke Protocol. pic.twitter.com/mrQ54W9RWr

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) April 13, 2021

 

In the extremely unlikely event that Johnson and Johnson rollout is completely halted, we will not have any impediment to proceed with phase two of the rollout with Pfizer. pic.twitter.com/0gGe06t4kl

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) April 13, 2021

 

With the Covid-19 vaccination looking less like a quick solution to get the Coronavirus pandemic under control, it is imperative that we don’t let our guard down:

 

The best Covid-19 intervention is still social distancing.

If that’s not possible it’s imperative that we adhere to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI) to limit the rate of transmission.

 

So let’s do everything we can: It’s up to us to stop the spread.

#Coronavirus: #HeroesWearMasks!

#BeAMasketeer and save lives!

Stay Home.

Stay Distant.

Wash Your Hands.

Don’t touch your face.

Wear a mask.

 

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#LocalisationFail: Facebook Auto Translation gets it wrong

 

My 20 years of translation experience taught me that:

1. Translation does not work, it is localisation that is required.
2. Automatic translation never works.

 

Of course, having some kind of translation is better than none.

But we must always remember that this so called Artificial Intelligence is extremely limited and easily gets it wrong.

 

Like in this case, where Facebook translates the most important point of the message by repeating the same words: “a beautiful face or a beautiful face”

 

Facebook Auto Translation does not get the difference between “una bella faccia o una faccia bella”.

 

Obviously this is a pun on words, which no auto translation tool can pick up:

“una bella faccia o una faccia bella” means something like “a good face or a pretty facade”.

It is these subtle nuances that only a native speaker knows how to translate.

And that we miss out on, because we’re presented with generic same-same mass communication content.

 

#DarkPatterns

 

#Good #Practice #Advice brought to you by Yours * TrulyJuly *.

Learn more Content Marketing tips by following Content Coach on Facebook.

 

#Coronavirus #Pandemic: It took a global pandemic to realise we need to #Care4Care

 

We need to #Care4Care!

 

It took us a global pandemic to realise that we depend on care.

But despite all the clapping for health care workers, they continue to work in precarious and vulnerable conditions.

In the EU, carers earn only 65% of the national average employee income.

70% of health and social carers are women. Women suffer from a severe lack of recognition of their paid and unpaid care work.

Most care work is not even paid at all. The essential everyday tasks in our homes, performed by an overwhelming majority of women, remain unacknowledged.

Our economies, our lives, cannot go on forgetting that paid and unpaid caregivers are the ones that cover our most basic needs. We need to move away from a profit-driven model of growth to a care-driven model.

It’s time for a care revolution! We need to #Care4Care.

 

 

With the Covid-19 vaccination looking less like a quick solution to get the Coronavirus pandemic under control, it is imperative that we don’t let our guard down:

 

The best Covid-19 intervention is still social distancing.

If that’s not possible it’s imperative that we adhere to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI) to limit the rate of transmission.

 

So let’s do everything we can: It’s up to us to stop the spread.

#Coronavirus: #HeroesWearMasks!

#BeAMasketeer and save lives!

Stay Home.

Stay Distant.

Wash Your Hands.

Don’t touch your face.

Wear a mask.

 

#Recipe #Tip: How to bake Beer Bread in a Braai Potjie

 

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A post shared by Yours *TrulyJuly* (@yours_trulyjuly)

 

Beer Bread Ingredients

1kg Flour

1 750ml bottle Beer

Pinch of Salt

 

Beer Bread Dough

Mix and put on hot fire right away.

The dough has little rising power, so rather spread wide and thin.

Keep lid on and bake for about 1 hour.

 

Beer Bread Taste

The bread itself doesn’t taste of beer, but has the fullness of it.

In consistency similar to chiabatta bread.

Like dunked in soup, except it wasn’t. It felt moist but also well baked through.

 

Beer Bread Result

Very satisfying. Cut thin slices, so it’s not too heavy.

Yummy fresh from the pot with olive oil or simple butter.

Goes well with hard cheeses, cold meats and preserved veggies.

 

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Recipe Tip brought to you by Yours * TrulyJuly *.

Read more healthy and nutritious foodies recipes.

 

#Coronavirus #Pandemic: Germany to produce its own CureVac Covid-19 vaccine

 

With Vaccine Shortage leaving the EU behind in the vaccine race, it is great news that Germany is set to produce its own Covid-19 vaccine.

 

CureVac reaffirms an expected output capacity of its broad European manufacturing network of up to 300 million Covid-19 vaccine doses in 2021.

 

CureVac is a global biopharmaceutical company in the field of messenger RNA (mRNA) technology.  It is headquartered in Tübingen, Germany, with offices in Frankfurt and Boston.

CureVac began development of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine candidates in January 2020. The vaccine candidate chosen for first clinical development, CVnCoV, is an optimised, non-chemically modified mRNA.

Unlike vaccines by BioNTech and Pfizer, which currently have to be kept at an ultra-cold -70C while being shipped, and Moderna’s product, which must be kept at -20C, CureVac’s candidate is able to survive in standard fridge temperatures for at least three months, making it much easier to deliver to the developing world.

Additionally, at 12 micrograms per dose, it requires the smallest amount of active ingredient among the mRNA vaccines, enabling more efficient distribution.

On 12th February this year CureVac had begun submitting data to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) as part of the rolling review of its COVID-19 vaccine.Preclinical data demonstrates that CVnCoV protects against challenge infections with the SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern B.1.351 (also referred to as the “South African” variant).

CureVac entered a partnership with Celonic, which will manufacture more than 100 million doses of CVnCoV at its commercial manufacturing facility for biologics and advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) in Heidelberg, Germany.

More than 50 million doses are expected to be produced by Celonic before the end of 2021.

 

Even with these impressive numbers, reaching herd immunity will still take months, therefore it is imperative that we don’t let our guard down:

 

The best Covid-19 intervention is still social distancing.

If that’s not possible it’s imperative that we adhere to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI) to limit the rate of transmission.

 

So let’s do everything we can: It’s up to us to stop the spread.

#Coronavirus: #HeroesWearMasks!

#BeAMasketeer and save lives!

Stay Home.

Stay Distant.

Wash Your Hands.

Don’t touch your face.

Wear a mask.

 

3 years on and nothing is better

 

Time heals no wounds, it just covers up the sorrow with other stuff.

Life does not go on, it just overwhelms with a never-ending to do list.

Grief divided is not lighter, it just saddens that everyone suffers.

 

It’s not possible to get over this, like a big block it hinders all.

There is no moving on, with you taken away all has stopped.

The memory does not just live on, it is haunting every day.

 

There is no gratefulness for what we had, because it was meant to go on.

Death is not equal, some deaths are unfair, a wrong turn of fate.

It was not your time, you were ripped out of our lives for no reason.

 

You are not in a better place, your place is still by our side.

This was not meant to happen, insanity turned life meaningless.

Nothing better comes from this, it’s eternal hell.

 

You’re not gone, you’re still with us, every step of the way.

 

Good Practice Tip: Let your users know when they enter the wrong password

 

It can happen to the best of us: We forget or mistype our password.

Instead of reconsidering, we just keep on entering the password over and over again until we get locked out completely. Most logins give you a couple of tries, but after a certain amount of failed attempts, login gets disabled completely and you have to wait or create a new password.

 

Why so complicated?

 

Prompt your users when they enter a wrong password

 

For security reasons, it is often required to enter the password again. At least this site prompts when the password is not correct before submitting it.

 

Instead of letting users fail miserably when they entered an incorrect password, let them know as soon as they got their password wrong.

A simple pop-up prompt advising the user that the entered password is not correct, helps them get it right before submitting it.

 

Facilitating the login process by prompting when the password is wrong is very Good Practice.

 

#Good #Practice #Tip brought to you by Yours * TrulyJuly *.

Learn more Content Marketing tips by following Content Coach on Facebook.

 

#Coronavirus #Pandemic: Covid vaccination doses administered globally over 16 million a day

 

Despite Vaccine Shortage and Vaccine Inequality, the world is pushing ahead getting vaccinated:

The biggest vaccination campaign in history is underway. More than 658 million doses have been administered across 151 countries.

The latest rate of daily doses administered globally was roughly 16.5 million.

 

What an incredible feat!

 

Of course, the race to vaccinate is lead by the richest countries of the world:

Top countries’ daily COVID-19 vaccine doses administered.

 

China leads with administering an average of 5 million doses a day,

followed by the USA which just recently topped 4 million vaccine doses administered a day,

and India administered at least 3.6 million Covid-19 vaccine doses last Thursday.

 

Even with these impressive numbers, reaching herd immunity will still take months.

 

With the Covid-19 vaccination looking less like a quick solution to get the Coronavirus pandemic under control, and yet, a 3rd Coronavirus wave coming, we know the drill.

 

If we want to evade a 3rd wave, it is imperative that we don’t let our guard down:

 

The best Covid-19 intervention is still social distancing.

If that’s not possible it’s imperative that we adhere to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI) to limit the rate of transmission.

 

So let’s do everything we can: It’s up to us to stop the spread.

#Coronavirus: #HeroesWearMasks!

#BeAMasketeer and save lives!

Stay Home.

Stay Distant.

Wash Your Hands.

Don’t touch your face.

Wear a mask.

 

Happy Easter: Chestnuts as Easter Eggs

 

Happy Easter!

 

Christianity did not really think this through when they tied their festive holidays to the actual calendar.

Already with Christmas this is not working out on the other side of the planet – in the South we’re celebrating Christmas in summer instead of the winter solstice.

Same with Easter: Resurrection, new beginnings, that speaks for Spring, but in the Southern hemisphere, it’s Autumn.

 

Accordingly, Easter traditions should be adapted to the local surroundings and seasons:

Therefore, my Easter eggs look very different, but were equally difficult to find, as they’re very well disguised in the forest: Chestnuts!

 

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Chestnuts are relatively low FODMAP and make for a healthy snack when roasted.

Naturally gluten-free, roasted chestnuts can be ground into flour and baked into delicious cookies:

Naturally Gluten-free Homemade Chestnut Crumble Cookies

Vegan Gluten-free Homemade Chestnut Crumble Cookies

Homemade Gluten-free Chocolate Chestnut Crumble Cookies

 

Frohe Ostern: Esskastanien als Ostereier

 

Frohe Ostern!

 

Das Christentum hat das nicht so richtig durchdacht, als sie ihren Festtagen ein tatsächliches Kalenderdatum gaben.

Schon mit Weihnachten funktioniert das nicht auf der anderen Seite des Planeten: Im Süden feiern wir Weihnachten im Sommer, anstatt zur Wintersonnenwende.

Das gleiche mit Ostern: Auferstehung, neuer Anfang, das passt gut zum Frühling, aber in der südlichen Hemisphäre ist jetzt Herbst.

 

Dementsprechend sollten diese Ostertraditionen ein Makeover bekommen, um zur Örtlichkeit und Jahreszeit zu passen.

Daher sehen meine Ostereier zwar doch sehr anders aus, waren aber ebenso schwierig zu finden, da sie gut getarnt im Wald versteckt waren: Esskastanien!

 

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Esskastanien sind relativ low FODMAP und somit ein gesunder Snack, lecker geröstet.

Natürlich glutenfrei können geröstete Esskastanien auch gemahlen und zum Backen verwendet werden, für leckere und gut bekömmliche Plätzchen:

Naturally Gluten-free Homemade Chestnut Crumble Cookies

Vegan Gluten-free Homemade Chestnut Crumble Cookies

Homemade Gluten-free Chocolate Chestnut Crumble Cookies

 

#Coronavirus #Pandemic: Sign Amnesty’s Petition against Vaccine Inequality

 

High-income countries currently have enough vaccine doses to cover more than twice their adult populations (245% see Figure 2a). Meanwhile, LMICs (Low- and Middle-Income Countries) currently only have enough vaccine doses to reach approximately one-third of their populations.

 

Director-General the World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom was not the first to put the spotlight on Vaccine Inequality when he stated it becoming more grotesque every day.

 

Amnesty International launched the global campaign ‘A Fair Shot’, calling for universal access to vaccines:

Rich countries have bought up over half of the world’s vaccine supply, even though they represent just 16 per cent of the world’s population. The same countries have administered over 60% of the world’s doses so far, while over 100 countries are yet to vaccinate a single person.

 

The Kaiser Family Foundation compared the share of doses purchased by country income group to their share of the global adult population:

While enough vaccine doses have been purchased to cover more than 80% of the adult population, high-income countries own enough doses to vaccinate more than twice their populations while LMICs can only cover one-third.

 

The New York Times is tracking Coronavirus vaccinations around the world:

Across the global south, health workers are being sickened and killed by a virus from which doctors and nurses in many rich countries are now largely protected.
That is just the most visible cost of a rich-poor divide that has deepened in the second year of the pandemic. Of the vaccine doses given globally, roughly three-quarters have gone to only 10 countries. At least 30 countries have not yet injected a single person.

 

Fortune warns that unless the “Global South” gets vaccinated soon, the pandemic will drag on for everyone:

In an unequal world, it is not surprising that COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out in an unequal way. Rich countries are well into the process of inoculating their populaces, while poorer countries are still on the starting blocks. For example, Germany aims to have all its citizens vaccinated by the end of the summer, but countries such as Mali and Sudan will probably only achieve significant coverage in 2024.

 

Sign the petition: Tell pharmaceutical companies to give us all a fair shot.

If pharmaceutical companies share their knowledge and technology, other companies can produce COVID-19 vaccines, and we can end the pandemic with no one left behind. Take action now, and call on pharma to play ball so that everyone has a fair shot at a COVID-19 vaccine.

Join the global movement now and tell pharmaceutical companies to give everyone a fair shot.

 

With the Covid-19 vaccination looking less like a quick solution to get the Coronavirus pandemic under control, and yet, a 3rd Coronavirus wave coming, we know the drill.

 

If we want to evade a 3rd wave, it is imperative that we don’t let our guard down:

 

The best Covid-19 intervention is still social distancing.

If that’s not possible it’s imperative that we adhere to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI) to limit the rate of transmission.

 

So let’s do everything we can: It’s up to us to stop the spread.

#Coronavirus: #HeroesWearMasks!

#BeAMasketeer and save lives!

Stay Home.

Stay Distant.

Wash Your Hands.

Don’t touch your face.

Wear a mask.

 

#GoodPractice #Tip: Show cute images to distract from error message

 

Even a 404 Page Not Found Error is less annoying with a cute picture.

 

This display of the Error 404 Code actually borders on a fail, as there is very little help provided.

At least, the bare information is there, a sorry and a search box, but this page is missing a great opportunity to bond with the visitor by offering other interesting content.

If it weren’t for that cute little rattie mousie picture!

To the trained eye of course, a pet rat owner for over 20 years, this clearly are 2 ratties, checking you out curiously.

But for those with rat phobia this probably resembles rather 2 mice.

Either way, a picture tells a 1000 words and in this case, I find it so cute, I don’t mind the annoying 404 Page Not Found error.

 

#Good #Practice #Tip brought to you by Yours * TrulyJuly *.

Learn more Content Marketing tips by following Content Coach on Facebook.

 

#Coronavirus #Pandemic: Global vaccine shortage and the 3rd wave is coming

 

COVID-19 vaccine doses administered per 100 people, Mar 28, 2021

 

No-one wants to admit it:

India said it would expand its vaccination campaign from April 1 to include everyone above 45, and denied there was any shortage as a second surge in infections drives up demand.

Drugs giants Pfizer and AstraZeneca have rejected an NHS claim that the UK is facing a COVID-19 vaccine shortage, insisting there is no threat to supplies.

 

Yet, the vaccine shortage is very real:

Canadian vaccine shortage threatens border reopening.

Covid vaccine supply shortage to paralyse UK rollout.

 

And if it’s not the vaccine itself, it is the materials that are in demand:

Push to make Covid vaccines causes US drug shortages.

SA warned of possible syringe shortage that could halt Covid-19 vaccination.

 

The reasons for this appear to be political, with countries starting to ban exports of Covid vaccines to serve their own first:

President Biden says he will help finance vaccine manufacturing capacity but is still resisting exports of doses.

The European Union will curb exports for the next six weeks of Covid-19 vaccines manufactured in the bloc.

 

What does all this mean for us?

Well, the coronavirus pandemic is long not over.

A 3rd Coronavirus wave is already sweeping across Europe.

With vaccine shortages and vaccine inequality impacting the vaccine rollout, reaching herd immunity is being further delayed.

 

For South Africa this means “reaching the threshold of herd immunity by the end of this year is probably a bit too optimistic“, according to Doctor Ridhwaan Suliman from the CSIR.

 

So, we’ll have to continue fighting the Covid-19 pandemic:

The best Covid-19 intervention is still social distancing.

If that’s not possible it’s imperative that we adhere to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI) to limit the rate of transmission.

So let’s do everything we can: It’s up to us to stop the spread.

#Coronavirus: #HeroesWearMasks!

#BeAMasketeer and save lives!

Stay Home.

Stay Distant.

Wash Your Hands.

Don’t touch your face.

Wear a mask.

 

#Beach #Walk with the dogs: So soothing on the soul

 

When I want to take a break from walking with the dogs along the beach, I go to one of my favourite spots, the stairs that sink into the sands.

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Luckily I always have some entertainment presented to me, if I want it or not.

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The view of Table Mountain is just pure bliss.

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And there’s always going to be a dog somewhere in the picture.

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#LoveCapeTown

#AdoptDontShop

 

A gas grill can be cool, even in South Africa

 

If you think sausages and charcoal when you hear ‘barbecue’, you’ve got to try a proper South African braai.

 

South Africans take a braai very seriously:

Only the best aromatic wood is chosen, which first needs to be burnt down for best quality charcoal.

In the meantime, chicken, fish or meat, which includes often includes game, are marinating in a sauce of exotic spices and fresh herbs.

The fire is guarded carefully, mostly by men who socialise around the braai to catch up on the latest stories, while the women prep veggies and salads to add something healthy to the feast.

Everyone takes pride in their own secret recipe and likes to surprise their friends with some inspiring combinations of ingredients.

 

Needless to say, a gas grill is rather ridiculed in South Africa.

 

Until now! Because this song is so cool, it makes gas braaing cool, too:

 

Producer Brad sings ‘Gas Braaier‘ to the tune of Imagine Dragon’s Bad Liar.

 

Producer Brad is not ashamed to be a ‘Gas Braaier’.

 

#Coronavirus #Pandemic: Vaccine inequality grows ‘more grotesque every day’

 

When South Africa celebrated Human Rights Day, the World Health Organisation (WHO) hosted a COVID-19 Virtual Press Conference, where Director-General Tedros Adhanom made some heavy opening remarks:

“The gap between the number of vaccines administered in rich countries and the number of vaccines administered through COVAX is growing every single day and becoming more grotesque every day.

Countries that are now vaccinating younger, healthy people at low risk of disease are doing so at the cost of the lives of health workers, older people and other at-risk groups in other countries. The world’s poorest countries wonder whether rich countries really mean what they say when they talk about solidarity.

The inequitable distribution of vaccines is not just a moral outrage. It’s also economically and epidemiologically self-defeating. Some countries are racing to vaccinate their entire populations while other countries have nothing. This may buy short-term security but it is a false sense of security.

The more transmission the more variants and the more variants that emerge the more likely it is that they will evade vaccines. As long as the virus continues to circulate anywhere people will continue to die, trade and travel will continue to be disrupted and the economic recovery will be further delayed.”

 

How Rich Countries Are ‘Hoarding’ The World’s Vaccines.

 

Already back in December data showed that “almost 10 billion doses have been reserved,” according to Andrea Taylor from the Duke Global Health Innovation Center. “And the majority of those doses have been purchased by high-income countries.”

Low-risk people in the U.S. will likely be immunized before many high-risk people in poor countries.

“Part of the reason is that rich countries are hoarding the vaccine supply,” Niko Lusiani from Oxfam stated.

 

Once again, it appears that it is politics that hinders equal distribution.

So hoping for the vaccine as a quick solution to get the Coronavirus pandemic under control is not enough.

 

And yet, a 3rd Coronavirus wave is coming.

 

If we want to evade a 3rd wave, it is imperative that we don’t let our guard down:

 

The best Covid-19 intervention is still social distancing.

If that’s not possible it’s imperative that we adhere to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI) to limit the rate of transmission.

 

So let’s do everything we can: It’s up to us to stop the spread.

#Coronavirus: #HeroesWearMasks!

#BeAMasketeer and save lives!

Stay Home.

Stay Distant.

Wash Your Hands.

Don’t touch your face.

Wear a mask.

 

#TechTip: How to create an Automatic Table of Contents in Word

 

If you are working on a big document with lots of header and subheaders, or
in case you write a summary with passages that some of the readers might want to skip over, or
when you put together meeting outlines and want to insert an agenda, or
you simply want to show an overview of topics, or
whether you want to sum up your elaborations in a concise list,
there are many reasons to insert an Automatic Table of Contents in Word.

 

How to insert an Automatic Table of Contents in Word

 

1) Format your Word document with Headings

An Automatic Table of Contents uses Styles to keep track of page numbers, headers and section titles for you automatically.

This requires you to make use of these Styles, mainly Headings.

So instead of formatting text in bold or with an underline, go to ‘Styles’ and apply Heading 1 and if you have subheaders, continue with Heading 2 and Heading 3 and so forth.

You can modify the look of each Heading to your liking and will probably find that it’s quicker to apply the Heading Style than each of the formatting steps repetitively.

 

2) Create the Automatic Table of Contents

Under ‘References’ click on ‘Table of Contents’ and select ‘Customs Table of Contents’.

Edit the look o the Table of Contents how you like.

You can define how many levels of Heading Styles you want to show, if you want to show page numbers and how they should be aligned.

Click on ‘OK’ and voila, your Table of Contents appears.
Double check that you applied the correct Styles and remember to ‘Update Table’ when you make any changes in the copy.

 

#TechTip by #YoursTrulyJuly: How to create an Automatic Table of Contents in Word.

 

#Tech #Tip brought to you by #YoursTrulyJuly.

 

Happy South African #HumanRightsDay!

 

In South Africa, Human Rights Day is celebrated on 21 March, in remembrance of the Sharpeville massacre which took place on 21 March 1960.

 

South African Human Rights Day is a public holiday that gets moved to Monday if it falls on a Sunday. Hence, we can still celebrate it on the 22nd of March this year.

 

On such a meaningful day it’s important to remember its cause.

 

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948. It states the basic rights and freedoms to which all people are entitled.

 

The Sustainable Development Goals are set of 17 goals and 169 targets agreed by all UN member states with the aim to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all by 2030.

 

What are the basic human rights? The most preeminent rights are: Right to life, Right to education, Right to profess religion, Right to dignity, Right to privacy, Right to a fair trial, Protection from unlawful detention, Protection from child labor and slavery, Freedom of expression, Right of employment.

 

Chapter 2 of the South African constitution. #HumanRightsDay pic.twitter.com/syQ8Dg6jKg

— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) March 19, 2021

 

#HumanRightsDay #Equality #Dignity #RightToLife #Freedom #SocialSecurity #Privacy #FreedomOfExpression #FreedomOfAssociation #Education #Health #FoodSecurity #CleanWater #CleanEnergy #Community #Family #RightToTravel #RightToReligion #FairWage #RightToEmpoyment #Leisure #Language #Culture #Gender #Assembly #InnocentUntilProveGuilty #Protection #Asylum #Peace #Justice #StandardOfLiving #Housing #AccessToInformation #Governance

 

#RattieTreat: Rattie Noons licks the jar with chia seed pudding clean

 

We eat very healthy, it comes with having IBS.

So most of our leftovers can go to our ratties.

 

We often make a chia seed pudding to thicken healthy amasi.

As a rattie treat our ratties get to lick the jar clean.

 

Sometimes they can do a bit of work for their treat. 😉

But Noons took this to a new level, being so very thorough!

She’s doing such a great job, we don’t need a dishwasher anymore. 😉

 

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A post shared by Rats Make Great Pets ❤️ (@ratsmakegreatpets)

 

I love watching her being so diligent. Her little tongue is so cute!

And even though it takes ages with her miniature tongue, she just keeps on going until the jar is clean.

 

Noons is such a Foodie!

 

#RattieTreat

#RatsMakeGreatPets

#RattieSitting

 

Follow Rats Make Great Pets on Facebook and Instagram.

#RattieTip brought to you by #YoursTrulyJuly.

 

No, #SABCsport, German pride is NOT always the best motivation!

 

SABC Sport is advertising the Bundesliga hailing German excellence.

 

As a native German I don’t enjoy this type of propaganda.

As the Hitler aftermath generation, listening to the horrors this maniac is responsible for when interviewing my Grandma for an oral history project, seeing the effects of this unjust World War II traumatise an entire generation,  learning how German efficency systematically wiped out entire families,  I’m not a fan of ‘German excellence’.

 

But SABC Sport goes even further by stating: “German pride is always the best motivation!”

German pride is always the best motivation! Catch @VfL_Wolfsburg vs @s04 @ 16h00 LIVE on @SABC3 & https://t.co/G1kGsU01yc#GermanExcellenceMeetsMzansiPassion pic.twitter.com/lbiY9gjUBI

— SABC Sport (@SPORTATSABC) March 13, 2021

 

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Well, no SABC Sport, really not:

 

To quote Hitler on ‘Pride’:

“Pride in one’s own race – and that does not imply contempt for other races – is also a normal and healthy sentiment. I have never regarded the Chinese or the Japanese as being inferior to ourselves. They belong to ancient civilizations, and I admit freely that their past history is superior to our own. They have the right to be proud of their past, just as we have the right to be proud of the civilization to which we belong. Indeed, I believe the more steadfast the Chinese and the Japanese remain in their pride of race, the easier I shall find it to get on with them.”

 

To showcase vintage Nazi propaganda:

“Given the presence and notoriety of the SS, one of the outcomes of the Ingroup Bias was the creation of a Herd Instinct or Bandwagon Effect. This meant that those who felt differently about Hitler’s policies stayed silent and adopted the behaviors of the majority to avoid conflict for their safety, as seen in Artifact 31, which states, “Deutscher – Sei Stolz Und Schweige”, or “German – Be Proud and Silent”.”

Nazi propaganda poster: “Deutscher – Sei Stolz Und Schweige”, or “German – Be Proud and Silent”.

 

To repeat the Anti-Defamation League which defines “Proud’ as part of Hate Slogans/Slang Terms:

“It is common for white supremacists in the United States and elsewhere to use German words or phrases, or to create German-like equivalents of English words and phrases. This is most common among neo-Nazis and racist skinheads, but can be seen to some degree across all white supremacist movements. Some of the terms derive from the the Third Reich, while others are more modern in origin. Common examples include phrases such as “Weiss Macht” or “Weisser Macht” (White Power), “Weiss Junge” or “Weisser Junge” (White Youth), “Blut und Ehre” (Blood and Honor), “Meine Ehre Heisst Treue” (My Honor is Loyalty), “Blut und Boden” (Blood and Soil), and various combinations of words such as “Stolz” (Proud), “Macht” (Power), “Kraft” (Strength), “Treue” (Loyal), “Sieg” (Victory), “Krieg” (War), “Landser” (Soldier), “Mut” (Bravery), “Stark” (“Strong”), “Blut” (Blood), “Weiss” (White), and so forth.”

 

German pride has caused a lot of evil and is definitely NOT always the best motivation.

 

#Coronavirus #Pandemic: AstraZeneca debacle just down to politics?

 

When South Africa rejected the AstraZeneca vaccine, South Africans were slagging off Ramaphosa.

 

Now several countries have suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine:

Countries that have stopped using the AstraZeneca vaccine.

 

But the reason appears a bit dubious. Blod-clotting as a side effect is being blamed, however statistics do not confirm this.

 

AstraZeneca have published an update on the safety of their Covid-19 vaccine, stating that “a careful review of all available safety data of more than 17 million people vaccinated in the European Union (EU) and UK with COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca has shown no evidence of an increased risk of pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or thrombocytopenia, in any defined age group, gender, batch or in any particular country.”

 

In the meantime this suspension has dented vaccination confidence and uptake in Europe. And yet, a 3rd Coronavirus wave is sweeping across Europe.

Luckily this has not led to vaccine hesitancy in South Africa. We need to reach herd immunity quickly if we want to evade a 3rd wave.

 

There has been a vaccine feud between Europe and AstraZeneca and somehow this whole debacle feels like it’s coming down to politics.

 

It is imperative that we don’t let our guard down.

 

The best Covid-19 intervention is still social distancing.

If that’s not possible it’s imperative that we adhere to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI) to limit the rate of transmission.

So let’s do everything we can: It’s up to us to stop the spread.

#Coronavirus: #HeroesWearMasks!

#BeAMasketeer and save lives!

Stay Home.

Stay Distant.

Wash Your Hands.

Don’t touch your face.

Wear a mask.

 

#UsabilityFail: Tech promo shows lascivious female body

 

Scrolling through Instagram this ad about machine learning pops up.

 

What do you see in this machine learning promo? 

Is it just me or does this abstract wave look a whole lot like a female body?

 

This is meant to be advertising about a machine learning project. 

And yet, the main eyecatcher is a lascivious woman. 

 

It shows that once again sex is used to sell. 

 

 #UsabilityFail 

 

#Coronavirus #ThirdWave: We might be over the pandemic, but the pandemic is not over

 

There are predictions and already signs of a 3rd Coronavirus wave:

The countries in orange show more cases reported and the countries in red show more than twice as many Covid-19 positive cases.

What is the current COVID-19 trend? Based on the newly reported case numbers — which can reflect local outbreaks as well as countrywide spread — in the past 28 days, countries and territories classify as: Twice as many new cases; More new cases; Same number of new cases; Fewer new cases; Less than half as many new cases; Zero new cases. – March 12, 2021

 

Pandemic Fatigue

It’s like a deja-vu. We have been warned before: Fatigue Will Be the Carrier of the Second Coronavirus Wave.

Even with the vaccination rollout on the go, it is pandemic fatigue that could threaten global health.

The World Health Organization (WHO) published a PDF guide on Pandemic Fatigue: Reinvigorating the public to prevent COVID-19.

 

It is imperative that we don’t let our guard down.

 

The best Covid-19 intervention is still social distancing.

If that’s not possible it’s imperative that we adhere to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI) to limit the rate of transmission.

So let’s do everything we can: It’s up to us to stop the spread.

#Coronavirus: #HeroesWearMasks!

#BeAMasketeer and save lives!

Stay Home.

Stay Distant.

Wash Your Hands.

Don’t touch your face.

Wear a mask.

 

#RattieTreat: Rattie Noons enjoys freshly picked dandelion

 

Dandelion leaves are a great snack for pet rats.

 

Rattie Noons is really into her greens and happily snatches the dandelion away from any potential challenger.

 

I pick the young dandelion plants from our urban garden where they grow where they shouldn’t, like in my pot plants.

 

For Noons this is a welcomed rattie treat:

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Only a little scratch interrupts her from munching away the dandelion:

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Leaf by leaf she devours the plant:

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#RattieTreat

#RatsMakeGreatPets

#RattieSitting

 

Follow Rats Make Great Pets on Facebook and Instagram.

#RattieTip brought to you by #YoursTrulyJuly.

 

#ILoveMyHood: Cutting edge parking

 

I truly enjoy watching the garbage truck driver manoeuvring such huge machinery around the narrow streets and tight corners of Woodstock.

 

It’s always such spectacle, with centimeters to spare.

 

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The garbage truck is neatly parked opposite the supermarket, off the street to not disturb traffic.

 

They don’t have to do this. They could also simply block the road, like it happens so many times.

 

But just as often, they do make the effort to stay out of the way.

It’s just that we don’t always notice it.

 

#ILoveMyHood  #HoodUplift

Facebook: HoodUplift

Instagram: HoodUplift.

 

#Sign the #Petition: #GreenNewEskom

 

The Green New Eskom campaign is a project of the Climate Justice Coalition. 

 

The Climate Justice Coalition is working to transform the largest climate polluter on the continent – South Africa’s national utility, Eskom. 

 

We are calling for a #GreenNewEskom 

 

The #GreenNewEskom campaign is demanding a rapid and just transition to a more socially owned, renewable energy powered economy, providing clean, safe, and affordable energy for all, with no worker and community left behind in the transition.

Join us in calling on the South African government and Eskom to urgently deliver on the promise of renewable energy and a more socially and ecologically just future. 

Get involved & demand a Green New Eskom at: GreenNewEskom.org.

 

Imagining a Just Recovery in South Africa: For many climate justice advocates, the trajectory of the COVID 19 pandemic is unsurprising, as it mirrors the very systems and structures that underpin the climate crisis. We need a Just Recovery from COVID 19.

 

#ChooseToRefuse  #Reduce  #Reuse  #Upcycle  #Recycle 

 

I Cycle to Commute: Already logged 150km

 

I cycle to commute. 

Not for exercise or sport or competition, just to get from A to B.

Recently I started tracking my cycling.

 

I’ve had the Huawei Health App running since 2018, but it has only been this year that I properly started using it.

By which I mean actively remembering to switch it on.

That is still the most challenging, as it’s like picking up a new habit: Before I move, I have to remember to switch on the health tracker. Similarly, it’s just as important to switch it off.

 

But when I get it right, it’s worth it:

I get a feeling for distance and how long it actually takes me to cover it, either on foot or on bicycle.

I find it funny to see my walking pattern and how it’s never straight, but all over the place.

I learn when I was the fastest, how long my stride is, and most importantly: How it all adds up.

 

Tracking every single cycle results in an overall accomplishment of 150km cycled this year already.

 

Because just from commuting to Cape Town’s City Bowl by bicycle, I already cycled 150km this year.

I simply wasn’t aware that I could cover such a distance by bicycle.

 

While I don’t necessarily see this as an achievement, because it was not something I was striving for, it’s just a side effect of commuting by bicycle, this health app does work well as a motivator.

It does silly things like congratulating me on how many times I cycled, when also that is not really an achievement as I use the bicycle as my main means of transport.

But simply seeing your average speed, your top speed and how your kilometers add up easily entices to do better next time.

 

And as it goes with exercise, it only gets better. That’s why it’s so rewarding.

 

#Coronavirus #Pandemic: The 3rd wave is coming

 

Me hoping for a normal Year. But: Covid third wave.

 

South Africa looks like over the 2nd wave, lockdown regulations are down to level 1. And yet, we got to focus on what’s ahead of us:

If South Africa follows the trends of Europe like it has so far, we’ll be facing a 3rd wave.

 

Some parts of Europe are seeing a worrying rise in new coronavirus infections as authorities grapple with outbreaks and the spread of more infectious variants of the virus.

It has prompted fears of a “third wave” of Covid cases, despite the number of new coronavirus infections falling dramatically in some parts of the region.

Portugal, Spain and the U.K. and have seen infections decline in recent weeks, but this contrasts sharply with countries including France, Germany and Greece which are all seeing rises in weekly cases.

 

World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has warned that there could be third and even fourth waves of coronavirus.

Addressing, the WHO COVID-19 briefing on Friday, Ghebreyesus says it is a mistake to think that falling death rates in some countries mean that the pandemic is over.

 

“Because of (variants), we are entering a new phase of the pandemic, from which a third wave may emerge,” Merkel said. “So we must proceed wisely and carefully so that a third wave does not necessitate a new complete shutdown throughout Germany.”

 

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says it’s important to delay the third COVID-19 wave for as long as possible.

“We need to intensify the use of masks and distancing so we can delay, as much as possible, the next wave. We need to vaccinate as many people as possible. This wave can come quicker or later, depending on how we behave.”

 

The best Covid-19 intervention is still social distancing.

If that’s not possible it’s imperative that we adhere to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI) to limit the rate of transmission.

So let’s do everything we can: It’s up to us to stop the spread.

#Coronavirus: #HeroesWearMasks!

#BeAMasketeer and save lives!

Stay Home.

Stay Distant.

Wash Your Hands.

Don’t touch your face.

Wear a mask.

 

First Thursdays at Gallery One11

 

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#LoveCapeTown

 

 

 

 

 

 

#UrbanGardening: Sexy Bell Pepper

 

Somehow there’s a trend of using negative words to describe something good.

For example: Food Porn.

 

Generally I’m a fan of speaking positively only.

 

But I must admit, looking at this perfectly beautiful bell pepper, I caught myself thinking:

This is one hell of a sexy paprika.

 

 

#FoodPorn

 

Nature is not only generous, but also incredibly beautiful.

 

#UrbanGardening

 

#GoodPracticeTip: Always Proofread Your Developer

 

Having worked for 20+ years in the media industry doing everything content, I have learned that it’s a good idea to proofread your Developer. 

 

Every industry has its own specific jargon.

Tech lingo is an extreme example, because developers do not only talk nerd amongst each other, they even talk to computers.

And it is all too easy that some of that coding language seeps through to the end user, especially when it comes to error messages.

 

Putting in the wrong password results in this crazy cryptic error message.

 

This is why it’s so important that you proofread your developer. 

And because life never goes smoothly this needs to be done in real life scenarios, where it’s possible to see the copy in context. 

When it comes to proofreading apps, rather try and break it at any given point. Because the user should not be the first one to see such a cryptic error message! 

“Error while creating merchant : message: Validation of Merchant failed. summary: The following errors were found: Password must contain special character resolution: Try persisting the document with valid data or remove the validations.” 

This is a simple login, but tech lingo turns me into a ‘merchant’ and login into ‘validations’. 
I especially like the last sentence, isn’t that what we all do: Persist on typing in all the passwords we can remember in the hope that one of them is the ‘valid data’.

 

Another example why you must always proofread before publishing.

#ProofreadFail   #UsabilityFail

 

#Good #Practice #Tip brought to you by Yours * TrulyJuly *.

Learn more Content Marketing tips by following Content Coach on Facebook. 

 

#Coronavirus #Pandemic: South Africa eases restrictions to lockdown level 1

 

Coronavirus Response: South Africa is on Alert Level 1.

 

South Africa is over the 2nd wave, the vaccination roll-out is under way, schools have opened and the president announces ease of lockdown regulations to level 1. So business can get back to usual.

 

The return to Alert Level 1 means that most of the remaining restrictions on economic activity have been removed.
 
We expect this to lead to higher consumption spending, bolstered by the steady recovery in employment.https://t.co/YAc8A9h2Jt

— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 #StaySafe (@CyrilRamaphosa) February 28, 2021

 

New regulations under the level 1 lockdown

 

• The hours of the curfew will now be from 12 midnight to 4am.
• Gatherings will be permitted, subject to limitations on size, adherence to social distancing and other health protocols.
• The maximum number of people allowed at any gathering is 100 people indoors or 250 people outdoors.
• No more than 50 per cent of the capacity of a venue may be used.
• Night vigils or other gatherings before or after funerals are still not permitted.
• Nightclubs will remain closed.
• The sale of alcohol will be permitted, according to normal licence provisions. However, no alcohol may be sold during the hours of curfew.
• The wearing of masks in public places is still mandatory, and failure to wear a mask when required remains a criminal offence.
• The 33 land border posts that have been closed throughout this period will remain closed, while the other 20 will remain open.
• Only five airports will be open for international travel with standard infection control measures. These are OR Tambo, Cape Town, King Shaka, Kruger Mpumalanga and Lanseria airports.

 

Ramaphosa warned: “The easing of restrictions should not be viewed as a reason to abandon precautions. The threat of a third wave is constantly present, as is the threat of yet more new variants.”

 

South Africa is down to Alert Level 1: What you can do to prevent a resurgence of the virus.

 

The best Covid-19 intervention is still social distancing.

If that’s not possible it’s imperative that we adhere to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI) to limit the rate of transmission.

 

So let’s do everything we can: It’s up to us to stop the spread.

#Coronavirus: #HeroesWearMasks!

#BeAMasketeer and save lives!

Stay Home.

Stay Distant.

Wash Your Hands.

Don’t touch your face.

Wear a mask.

 

#MoopSwoop: Full Circle

 

Doing a MOOP Swoop is rather tricky when it’s windy.

 

Your efforts feel right away like Sisyphus work, because where you just cleaned up is now a new heap of rubbish flying around the neighbourhood.

 

Wang Zhiyuan’s 37-Foot-Tall Trash Tornado Spirals Into the Sky

 

But you can also use the wind to your advantage. All it takes is a little patience.

Because also the wind comes in patterns. Once you watched the plastic bag dance around the stoep, you know how it’s going.

The wind quasi sweeps the rubbish together and it only needs to be picked up.

Now all you got to do is stand in the right place to collect the rubbish.

 

Be the change you want to see

The only way to keep our neighbourhood clean is if every single one of us cleans up after themselves.

Or even better, let’s not produce rubbish in the first place:
#NoPlastic #ChooseToRefuse #Reduce #Reuse #Recycle #Upcycle

 

#UrbanGardening: It seems Length trumps Girth – for Bell Peppers

 

Nature is so generous!

 

In an effort to test out ways to make it possible for everyone to experience the bliss of urban gardening and growing food, I’m experimenting with upcycling plastic bottles for different  plant pot sizes.

 

Chilli Peppers are pretty easy even in small plant pots, where they still produce a great size, both physically as well as in harvest, of fruit.

 

Bell Peppers, not so much. They do produce peppers, but tiny once, like Bonsai versions.

 

So, I wondered what is the minimum size plant pot a Bell Pepper needs to grow big sized paprikas.

 

And here is the result: Length trumps Girth.

 

 

Obviously not all bell peppers react in the same way to their surroundings. There are many different factors besides the size of the plant pot that influence the growth of the fruit. But I’ll continue experimenting.

 

All these bell peppers were grown on a 0 budget. If I can manage to grow more paprika like the beautiful red one in the middle, I think it’s worth it!

 

#UrbanGardening

 

#Budget2021: Protests over massive CCMA budget cuts

 

As the 2021 Budget Speech draws closer, protests are erupting in Cape Town.

At the the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), a  statutory body for aggrieved employees, women are protesting against massive budget cuts.

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One of the CCMA’s most important functions is to conciliate workplace disputes.

Already in November, the CCMA announced it will no longer be able to operate at full capacity as a result of its upcoming R617m budget cut.

Unions say the CCMA budget cut will hurt workers who will now have to wait longer for cases to resolve or be pushed into settling quickly for less.

 

It is especially vulnerable workers with no access to legal or union representation who are at disadvantage.

Therefore the Ubuntu Rural Women and Youth Movement, a vehicle for rural women’s voices to be heard, staged a protest in front of the CCMA.

 

The women are singing in protest “We Are The Women”:

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More activists arrive, joining the protest:

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The protest spans over the Main Road of Darling Street:

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The activists join forces and sing and dance together in protest:

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Good Practice Tip – How to ease the Sign Up process: Assist with password choice

 

For security reasons a lot of websites are requesting a complicated password for login.

 

But what does that mean?

Before you start listing all the criteria that make a password safe, take a look at this smooth password creation help via pop-up instructions.

 

Take your online visitors through the password criteria step by step:

 

A crisp Sign Up form invites to quickly fill in the details:

A neat and clean sign-up screen.

 

First it detects my online identity associated with my email address and automatically grabs my profile image:

When typing in my email address, my associated online identity is displayed.

 

Then it guides through the password choice by listing bullet points of what needs to be fulfilled for a valid login:

Typing the password shows advice for a secure password choice.

 

The criteria are highlighted in the traffic light colours. As I type the criteria fulfilled changes from red to green.

This colour coordination makes it easy for me to detect still outstanding criteria:

Continue typing the password shows in white when conditions are met.

 

Once I fulfilled all criteria, the help guidelines disappear:

Fulfilling the password criteria makes the pop-up guidelines disappear.

 

Pretty much fool-proof.

 

Facilitating the login process by help guidelines popping up is very Good Practice.

 

#Good #Practice #Tip brought to you by Yours * TrulyJuly *.

Learn more Content Marketing tips by following Content Coach on Facebook.

 

#CapeTownForFree: Short&Sweet Short Film Festival

 

If you want to give Drive-In Movies a try, or if you want to give Short Films a try, the Short&Sweet Short Film Festival at the Go Drive-In is the perfect opportunity.

 

The Go Drive-In venue offers a nice vibe with Food Trucks and outdoor seating, very chilled, where it’s easy to stay safe and socialise.

 

Short&Sweet offers an inspiring mix of short films, all impactful and emotive, be it funny, sad, incredible, bizzarre, eye-opening or simply entertaining, you’ll be taken on a rolleroaster of feelings:

 

Short&Sweet Short Films 18th February 2021

 

1) A New Man (2014)

A funny story about the joy of giving in to coincidences.

 

2) Procrastination (2007)

An ode to procrastination in form of an animation. Which is everything but procrastination. So what is procrastination again? This short movie tries to explain. But first, let’s get a cup of tea.

 

3) Music Video “Birthplace” (2018)

Beautiful under water imagery that turns sad when the ocean pollution takes over.

 

4) Mute (2015)

On a very thin line to grotesque. Even though it’s just an animation there is an element of violence in there that made me cringe. And the odd part: For the characters of the film it was liberating, making it a real strange experience of having to combine two opposite reactions in one reflective moment.

 

5) Finn (2019)

Writer/director Tim Leibbrandt was there in person at the screening!

A nice piece of science fiction comedy. It’s amazing how one fun idea can make a whole short movie if executed well.

 

6) La paix intérieure (2019)

For an excursion into French humour, watch this movie. It’s borderline absurd combined with slapstick and the patience to show great attention to detail. The acting is amazing! The best looking guy has a ridiculous lisp that makes his French just hilarious to listen to. And the main character out of the three protagonists portrays a transition from puzzled to angry on a Close-up that is just magnificent.

 

7) Goodbye to the Normals (2006)

Quite a well-known short movie, it’s a classic for the expected but then followed by the unexpected twist at the end.

 

8) All Your Favorite Shows! (2015)

For any movie buff this short will pose a serious challenge: Can you name all the movies that are referenced? Even in just micro snippets?
For anyone who has edited footage before: Here is some crafty excellence to watch for inspiration.
This one you can watch over and over again and still see something you hadn’t noticed before.

 

9) My First Crush (2007)

I knew that one and laughed at it heartily, as I had before but now with the remembrance of having laughed out loud before.
It’s people’s account of their first crush  on the back drop of some hilarious animation in doodling and scribbling style. It’s funny how the accompanying image does actually influence our perception of the narrator.

 

This is a cinema experience extraordinaire, so take the opportunity to enjoy this short movie night, every Thursday!

 

 

#LoveCapeTown

 

#LoveCapeTown: My first Drive-In Movie Theatre experience!

 

Thanks to the Coronavirus Pandemic, we’re all learning the Covid-19 New Normal, for example by moving events outside.

Drive-In Movie Theatres are making a comeback and one is in the vibey neighbourhood of Salt River.

 

I never experienced a Drive-In Movie Night and when the Go Drive-In Movie Theatre offered a freebie thanks to the Short&Sweet Short Film Festival, it was a great opportunity to get this off my bucket list.

 

I must admit, I’m not a cinema fan.

I’ve done my fair share when I worked for a company with their own private cinema and watched a lot of movies for free.

Since then it’s simply not so special for me anymore, plus it really bugs me that I can’t hit pause when I need to go to the loo.

 

But a Drive-In Movie Theatre experience is really something else, and especially at a venue as personal as the Go Drive-In.

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The host Tyrone really watches out for everything, even if you left your car lights on.

All your needs are catered for: Food Trucks, outdoor seating space, a gaming arcade, proper toilet facilities and awesome people.

Doors open at 6pm, giving everyone a good 2 hours to arrive, test out the drinks and food on offer and socialise in a pandemic-safe way before heading back to the car and enjoying a movie in the comfort of your own vehicle.

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The Free Thursday Movie Night is special as it features short movies by Short&Sweet.

 

Because I must admit, I’m not such a movie fan either.

Movies take so long and all the Hollywood stuff is so predictable and dramatic for nothing.

 

Short movies are impactful, eye-opening, diverse, clever and subtle.

Each story takes you on a journey way out of your comfort zone and you might love it or you might hate it, but it’s highly touching.

We watched 9 short movies that took up the length of a feature film, but no movie could’ve brought on such variety of perspectives, twists and inspiration.

We laughed, we cried, we held our eyes shut in anticipation, we realised profound truths and we enjoyed every moment.

Even tough we could go through the rollercoaster of emotions in the privacy of our own car, we managed to reach out to everyone by flashing our lights in appreciation of the art work.

The curator Julia kept us all connected by giving some background of each film maker. She even surprised us by introducing one of the film makers live at the Drive-In: Tim Leibbrandt.

 

This is a cinema experience extraordinaire and I recommend it full-heartedly.

 

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to do something out of the ordinary.

The good news: You’ll get plenty of chances to enjoy this short movie night, every Thursday!

 

#LoveCapeTown

 

#Coronavirus #Pandemic: SA President Cyril Ramaphosa got vaccinated against Covid-19

 

A lot of ugly voices have called for this, and President Cyril Ramaphosa is making a strong statement with it:

Ramaphosa and Mkhize were first in line to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

“To demonstrate our confidence in this vaccine and help allay any fears that people may have, the Minister of Health and I will join the first health care workers to receive the vaccine in Khayelitsha.” Ramaphosa said.

 

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa leads by example and gets vaccinated against Covid-19. He tweets: “Just took the vaccine! #WeChooseVaccination”

 

Taking the vaccine was quick, easy and not so painful. I urge all our healthcare workers to register to receive their vaccinations as they are our first line of defence against the coronavirus pandemic. #WeChooseVacciNation #VaccineforSouthAfrica 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/11tyl1f9Xs

— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 #StaySafe (@CyrilRamaphosa) February 17, 2021

 

To follow news about the vaccination process around the world, there is a Coronavirus vaccine tracker.

 

Until we’re all vaccinated, we need to adhere to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI) to limit the rate of transmission.

 

In the meantime:     Stay safe.         Stay healthy.          Stay sane.

 

#PreparedNotScared         #FlattenTheCurve         #StopTheSpread

 

#Coronavirus: #HeroesWearMasks!

#BeAMasketeer and save lives!

Stay Home.

Stay Distant.

Wash Your Hands.

Don’t touch your face.

Wear a mask.

 

#UrbanGardening: Giant Beetroot – from leftover offcut

 

I am absolutely amazed how generous nature is.

 

I have never seen a beetroot this big: And it comes from my own garden!

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A post shared by Yours *TrulyJuly* (@yours_trulyjuly)

 

I didn’t do anything to deserve this. Well, besides planting it.

 

I didn’t particularly water it, and if of course only with grey water.

I didn’t fertilise it, besides the dirt from the grey water.

All in all I didn’t really look after it.

 

I guess the only thing I did was give it a chance.

 

And this beetroot did not grow from a seed or a seedling bought at a garden shop.

On top of all of it, this comes from an offcut: The top part we usually cut off, because greens are sprouting from it.

 

The internet says, just like with carrots, beetroots wouldn’t regrow from offcuts, only the green leaves.

This picture says otherwise: You can still see the flat bit at the bottom that was the offcut.

 

This giant beetroot regrew from a leftover offcut of a previous beetroot.

 

I didn’t make a fuss about the offcut either: I stuck the discarded top bit of the beetroot straight into the earth.

That was during winter when it was raining a lot and the offcut got good water to start regrowing.

 

Half a year later I’m rewarded with a giant beetroot. Which, by the way, tasted delicious. Quite sweet and wholesome.

I boiled it for 45 minutes and still the inside was juicy and fresh like straight from the garden, yet tender and steamed through.

 

Growing food is so rewarding! It is so easy and it’s so affordable.

It’s also very reassuring: When you grow food from dirt, you experience first hand that living in harmony with mother nature is not only very well possible but also the better choice, for the sake of all of us.

 

#UsabilityFail: Google answers its own search suggestion wrong

 

Learning that Merkel is stepping down as chancellor of Germany, I wondered for how long she had served.

 

Googling this presented me with a surprising result:

Googling “how many years is angela merkel chancellor”, results in a surprising answer by Google: 66 years.

 

For some it might feel like 66 years, but of course that’s her age.

 

Not only does Google seem to take into account bad English, as in ‘how many years is Merkel old’, it presents me with this silly answer after it suggested the question itself:

Google presents me with a suggestion to ask “how many years is angela merkel chancellor”.

 

Yet, as an answer Angela Merkel’s age comes up as a special feature together with other politians’ age.

 

AI gone wrong.

 

#UsabilityFail

 

#Coronavirus #Pandemic: SA reopens 20 land border crossings

 

After South Africa made it through the 2nd wave of the coronavirus pandemic and seems on track with their vaccination rollout, it sounds like good news that South Africa is reopening 20 land border crossings.

 

South Africa’s land borders have been closed since 11 January after large traveller volumes caused massive bottlenecks, particularly at the Beitbridge border with Zimbabwe and Lebombo post with Mozambique. These quickly developed into “super-spreader” events, with more than 100 confirmed Covid-19 cases recorded at Beitbridge border alone.

 

On Saturday cabinet decided to reopen these 20 land borders to ordinary travel :

South Africa repoens 20 land border ports on 15 February 2021.

 

But is this indeed good news for South Africa’s surrounding countries?

South Africa’s more aggressive coronavirus variant 501Y.V2 caused a steep 2nd wave, prompting Zimbabwe Doctors for Human Rights (ZDHR) to advise the government not to open land borders with SA.

 

We need to remain diligent and adhere to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI) to limit the rate of transmission.

 

So let’s do everything we can: It’s up to us to stop the spread.

#Coronavirus: #HeroesWearMasks!

#BeAMasketeer and save lives!

Stay Home.

Stay Distant.

Wash Your Hands.

Don’t touch your face.

Wear a mask.

 

Frohes Neues Chinesisches Jahr des Ochsen!

 

Frohes Neues Chinesisches Jahr des Ochsen!

 

Wegen der Coronavirus Pandemie wurde Silvester 2020 ja gemäß #Covid19NewNormal gefeiert: Kerzen anstatt Feuerwerk, zuhause anstatt draussen, online anstatt in Person.

 

Aber es gibt ja mehr Neujahre als nur das des Gregorischen Kalenders: Zum Beispiel das Chinesische!

 

Doch gleiches Protokoll ist auch für die Feierlichkeiten in das Jahr des Büffels angesagt:

 

Frohes Neues Jahr des Ochsen: Bleib zuhause und feier 2021.

 

Bis wir alle gegen Covid-19 geimpft sind, müssen wir uns weiterhin vor dem Coronavirus schützen.

 

#BleibZuhause.         #BleibSicher.         #BleibGesund.

 

#PreparedNotScared         #FlattenTheCurve         #StopTheSpread

#Coronavirus: #HeroesWearMasks!

#BeAMasketeer and save lives!

Stay Home.

Stay Distant.

Wash Your Hands.

Don’t touch your face.

Wear a mask.

 

Happy Chinese New Year of the Ox!

 

Because of the coronavirus pandemic New Year’s Eve 2020 was celebreated in the spirit of #Covid19NewNormal around the world.

But there’s more than just the Gregorian calendar, for example how about Chinese New Year?

Well, it seems it’s similar protocol for celebrating the beginning of the Year of the Ox:

 

Happy New Year Of The Ox: Stay Home and Celebrate 2021.

 

Until vaccination protects us from the coronavirus, we’ll have to adhere to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI) to limit the rate of transmission.

 

It can feel like we’re encapsulated in stagnation with all the lockdowns, alcohol bans and even beach bans.

 

The Year of the Ox might change just that:

The ox act slowly but have a strong will and are industrious. No matter how terrible the surroundings are and what other people say, they usually go forward to do things step by step and finish finally.

So hopefully, things are going to get finally moving. Even if slowly, as long as we’re moving forward.

 

#Coronavirus: #HeroesWearMasks!

#BeAMasketeer and save lives!

Stay Home.

Stay Distant.

Wash Your Hands.

Don’t touch your face.

Wear a mask.

 

#GoGreen: Everything about this plant is upcycled

 

 

Everything about this plant is upcycled:

 

The seed is from our own Birds Eye Chilli Pepper Plant.

The earth comes from compost and excess turf from the abandoned plot next door.

The water was collected from rain or the kitchen sink.

The plant pot is a cut to size plastic bottle.

The water tray is a takeaway food packaging leftover.

The Ranzani Ueberpot is a powder coated food can.

 

#ChooseToRefuse   #Reduce   #Reuse   #Upcycle   #Recycle

 

Circular Economy: Leave No Trace

 

I learned what ‘Leave No Trace’ really means at my first AfrikaBurn back in 2013.

Since then I’ve adopted the habit to remove Matter Out Of Place (MOOP) in our neighbourhood by doing a MOOP Swoop every bin day.

Wondering who in the end is responsible for the creation of so much single use plastic pollution has led me to the concept of Circular Economy, where business aims to eliminate waste.

 

The regenerative approach of circular economy is in contrast to the traditional linear economy, which has a “take, make, dispose” model of production.

 

It is easy, as currently practiced in the capitalist system, to create products, and alongside waste.

Often the product itself is actually just waste, as it has such a short lifecycle for a quicker turnaround of stock and such more profit.
Single use plastic bags are a good, or well, really bad example.

 

So, here’s a challenge: How can we create products that leave no trace?

 

Well, one way to tackle this is simple: By starting off with waste.

By upcycling or recycling we reduce landfill and are already doing good. And the fun part: These resources come free.

So when you make something, take a moment to think how you can make it without creating waste or even better by reducing waste.

 

#ChooseToRefuse   #Reduce   #Reuse   #Upcycle   #Recycle

 

#UsabilityFail: SMS renders electricity token into musical note

 

I don’t understand how this can even happen?

 

When I purchase this ridiculous prepaid electricity top-up, I get a token that renders a musical note in between the numbers. Great.

I can’t tell what my Electricity Token is, as somehow some characters got rendered into a musical note.

 

At least, it’s only 1 number that is missing, and that means in the worst case scenario 10 times giving it a try to get it right.

 

Because how do you search for the solution?

This is not a Unicode, this is a shortcut that this particular SMS display programme misread to replace with an image of 2 Beamed Eighth Notes.

 

Luckily ‘Eighth Notes’ is the clue, as it turns out to be -8, which was replaced.

 

#UsabilityFail

 

#Coronavirus #Pandemic: SA halts AstraZeneca vaccine rollout

 

On Saturday night an article in the UK’s Financial Times leaked that the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab fails to prevent mild and moderate Covid-19 from the South African strain.

On Sunday vaccine trials conducted by the University of the Witwatersrand confirmed that the efficacy of AstraZeneca vaccine against the South African B.1.351 coronavirus variant were substantially reduced when compared with the ‘original’ strain of the coronavirus.

The same evening Health Minister Zweli Mkhize invited to a media briefing:

 

After South Africa finally made it through the 2nd wave and celebrated the milestone together with receiving the first batch of Covid-19 vaccines, this comes as a shock.

 

AstraZeneca says its vaccine appears to offer only limited protection against mild disease caused by the SA variant of Covid-19.

 

But there is no need to lose hope:

First of all, the vaccine must stay in quarantine for 14 days. This is plenty of time for further tests and to come up with a plan B.

Secondly, the AstraZeneca vaccine still prevents death and hospitalisation, it is only less effective against mild or moderate infection.

Thirdly, South Africa has already secured 20 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, which neutralises also SARS-CoV-2 with key mutations present in the UK and SA variants.

 

However, a delay like this might forebode that the world could be facing a longer and more expensive game of Covid cat and mouse to battle mutations in the virus.

 

It is therefore understandable that we’re still on lockdown level 3.

We need to get used to the #Covid19NewNormal and adhere to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI) to limit the rate of transmission.

 

So let’s do everything we can: It’s up to us to stop the spread.

#Coronavirus: #HeroesWearMasks!

#BeAMasketeer and save lives!

Stay Home.

Stay Distant.

Wash Your Hands.

Don’t touch your face.

Wear a mask.

 

Wenn das Leben Geschichten schreibt: Froschgesang

 

In der Abenddämmerung beginnen die Frösche zu singen.

 

 

Und, wie war der Urlaub?

Ach, fürchterlich! Wir waren in diesem Sumpf und überall waren Kreaturen und Käfer. Jede Nacht haben die Frösche gequakt, bis weit nach der Abenddämmerung.

 

 

Und, wie war der Urlaub?

Super! Wir haben im Naturschutzgebiet gecampt und überall waren Wildtiere und Insekten. Jede Nacht haben die Frösche gequakt, Froschgesang als Untermalung der Abenddämmerung.

 

 

 

 

When life writes stories: Frog Chorus

 

At sundown the frogs start singing.

 

 

So, how was your holiday?

Ah, terrible! We went to this swamp and it was full of creatures and bugs. Every night the frogs would start their ribbiting and it went on until late.

 

 

So, how was your holiday?

Wonderful! We camped in a nature reserve full of wild life and insects. Every night the frogs would start singing, like a frog chorus to the perfect sundown.

 

 

 

 

A great recipe: Rats on Basil

 

#RattieSitting: Pet rats Milka, Cinnamonkey and April on basil

 

When I prune our basil bush free from all its flowers, I use the offcuts as air freshener in the rattie cage.

 

It gives my pet rats the opportunity to nibble off the small basil leaves and take on the aromatic sweet scent of the basil herb.

 

Rats naturally have a lovely scent, but they also easily take on the smells of their surroundings for disguise against predators.

 

Already putting basil into the rattie cage puts a refreshing fragrance into the air, but it’s a double win when the ratties start to carry it around and smell even more cuddly!

 

So yeah, Rats on Basil is a great recipe for Air Fresheners. 😉

 

#RatsMakeGreatPets

 

Follow Rats Make Great Pets on Facebook and Instagram.

Rattie post brought to you by #YoursTrulyJuly.

 

#Coronavirus #Pandemic: South Africa’s Covid vaccine Shantivax

 

When I first saw the news about a South African vaccine called Shantivax I wasn’t so sure how to take it.

All the other vaccines have such complicated names and here is a vaccine that centers around ‘peace’, the meaning of shanti in Sanskrit.

There is very little information on Google, but maybe that is to be expected with new ground-breaking bio- and nanotechnology. After all, this is worth gazillions.

 

This would be an interesting scenario: Not only is South Africa coping better with the Coronavirus than the world expected, now they are putting a serious vaccination contender onto the playing field.

 

Apparently Shantivax does not only elicit antibodies, but also T-cells. Thanks to nanotechnology this immune reaction is being triggered where it’s needed: In the lungs.

How the Shantivax vaccine works with the development of antibodies and T-cells. Figure by Genlab.

 

Trials will still take ten months and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) has not received any communication or applications for the vaccine .

 

Still: As the developing world faces disparities in vaccine distribution and availability, the development of Shantivax, Africa’s first COVID-19 vaccine could be a game-changer, according to the CEO of Genlab, Kamsellin Chetty.

 

Until then we need to get used to the #Covid19NewNormal and adhere to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI) to limit the rate of transmission.

 

So let’s do everything we can: It’s up to us to stop the spread.

#Coronavirus: #HeroesWearMasks!

#BeAMasketeer and save lives!

Stay Home.

Stay Distant.

Wash Your Hands.

Don’t touch your face.

Wear a mask.

 

Finally the #Coronavirus #BeachBan is over!

 

Hurray! The beach ban is over!

 

At last South Africa is over the 2nd coronavirus wave and lockdown level 3 regulations have eased: We’re allowed back at the beach!

 

How I missed this view, just the vastness of the neverending beach:

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A post shared by TrulyJuly (@creativecommunications)

 

Table Mountain looks so grand across the ocean:

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A post shared by TrulyJuly (@creativecommunications)

 

The dogs had such a jol! They couldn’t believe their luck when they were finally allowed back at the beach!

Even our puppies needed a moment to take in the wonderful atmosphere at the beach:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TrulyJuly (@creativecommunications)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TrulyJuly (@creativecommunications)

 

Taking a break from the excitement at one of our favourite spots, by the stairs that sink in the sands:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TrulyJuly (@creativecommunications)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TrulyJuly (@creativecommunications)

 

Well, it’s crazy times and still painful to get used to the #Covid19NewNormal.

Hopefully getting vaccinated against Covid-19 will make a difference and we manage to beat this pandemic.

 

In the meantime we still need to adhere to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI) to limit the rate of transmission.

 

So let’s do everything we can: It’s up to us to stop the spread.

#Coronavirus: #HeroesWearMasks!

#BeAMasketeer and save lives!

Stay Home.

Stay Distant.

Wash Your Hands.

Don’t touch your face.

Wear a mask.

 

Recipe Tip: #HowTo make homemade Sauerkraut

 

Lacto-fermented sauerkraut improves symptoms in IBS patients.

Oddly though, while white cabbage is low, sauerkraut is high in FODMAPs. Still, the health benefits might outweigh the FODMAP intake.

 

Sauerkraut Ingredients:

Per 1kg White Cabbage add 20g (2%) Sea Salt.

 

It’s important to get the salt ratio right: Too little salt can cause the sauerkraut to get mushy or mouldy and too much will slow the fermentation down.

Salt is favourable for the good lactobacillus bacteria and kills mould. Salt also helps keep your ferments crisp. Too much salt can kill off the saline-tolerant beneficial microbes, leading to a failed ferment.

 

 

 

How to ferment Sauerkraut

 

Use the right container

Stoneware crocks, stainless steel pots, food-grade plastic buckets, glass jars can be used.

Metals like cast-iron, copper, aluminium, and tin can react with the acids in fermented food and give it a strange flavour or cause a colour change. These metals can also leach into the food.

 

Grate the cabbage finely

Greater surface results in better fermentation. For even fermentation the threads need to be uniformly thin. If some bits are cut thicker, they will be tougher to chew. Those threads that are cut thinner will become too soft and mushy.

Shredding veggies also speeds up the fermentation process.

 

Knead the juice out of the cabbage

The salt needs to be well intermixed, as it withdraws the water from the cabbage. This water is needed to make a natural brine.

You can manually get the juices flowing by packing, kneading or pounding the cabbage.

Or you can simply put weight on it: A plate pushed down by a kg packet of salt, or another heavy pot or a 1 litre jar filled with water. As soon as the brine covers the sauerkraut, remove the construction.

 

Always keep the sauerkraut submerged

Ideally you ferment at room temperature for 2 weeks, which poses the threat of spoilage.

If you keep every bit of the sauerkraut covered with brine at all time, it won’t go off.

After 2 weeks the sauerkraut should have settled nicely into the brine and can be transferred into glass jars to keep in the fridge where it can last a long time – just check every time you open it.

 

 

 

Recipe Tip brought to you by Yours * TrulyJuly *.

Read more healthy and nutritious foodies recipes.

 

 

#Coronavirus #Pandemic: SA has passed the peak of the 2nd wave

 

Finally we made it through the 2nd wave!

And South Africa received the first batch of Covid-19 vaccines.

 

These are 2 amazing milestones the president Cyril Ramaphosa addressed in a speech to the nation:

 

We’re still on lockdown level 3, but at last the beach– and yes also the alcohol ban were lifted.

Beaches, dams, rivers, parks and swimming pools are open subject to social distancing.

President @CyrilRamaphosa: Restrictions on the sale of alcohol will be eased. The sale of alcohol by licensed premises for off-site consumption will be permitted from Mondays to Thursdays, from 10am to 6pm. pic.twitter.com/Ln2xBTctlD

— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) February 1, 2021

 

This does not mean we can get lax again:

President Cyril Ramaphosa: “It remains compulsory for every person to wear a mask in a public space.”

 

We need to get used to the #Covid19NewNormal and adhere to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI) to limit the rate of transmission.

 

So let’s do everything we can: It’s up to us to stop the spread.

#Coronavirus: #HeroesWearMasks!

#BeAMasketeer and save lives!

Stay Home.

Stay Distant.

Wash Your Hands.

Don’t touch your face.

Wear a mask.

 

#Coronavirus #Pandemic: Tightened security at hospitals due to Covid-19

 

After I saw a video on WhatsApp of a guy walking through Groote Schuur Hospital going all conspiracy theory: “Where is the pandemic?”, which is indeed difficult to spot if you are nowhere near the Covid ward, I wanted to see for myself.

 

I had the opportunity when I had an appointment – or rather an appointment to make an appointment like how public healthcare works – and had to go to Groote Schuur Hospital.

I reminded myself to watch out if I see any signs of the 2nd wave.

 

But before I could do that, I was stopped by security: “Where is your appointment card?”

I didn’t have one, as the appointment was made telephonically.

Security was not perturbed: “Show me the SMS confirmation.”

I had not received one.

I could show however the call log of when they had contacted me to inform me about the appointment.

That seemed to work as proof, because the security guard nodded: “You can go over there to check if you can go through.”

 

A 2nd checkpoint: Same questions, same desperation to provide proof.

Finally the nod of approval: “Wait here while I call them and check if you can go through.”

No-one picked up the phone on the other end and I was allowed to go through and check in person if my appointment was actually happening.

Because after this double check of credentials it was definitely clear that visits to the hospital that are not essential are not welcomed.

 

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A post shared by Neighbourhood Uplift (@hooduplift)

 

And indeed: The clinic where I had my appointment had closed early.

I even got a written note, explaining that due to Covid-19 non-urgent patients won’t be seen:

“Dear Doctor, Due to Covid-19 restrictions, we are not seeing ‘non-urgent’ new patients at this stage. When things ‘settle down’, please re-refer the patient using the Vula App. Regards.”

 

So if you receive content that somehow doubts if there is a pandemic or that health workers are risking their lives and the lives of their families to do their work, please, just delete it.

The misinformation must stop, and it stops with you and me and everyone who does not indulge in conspiracy theories, but chooses to stay strong and keep a clear mind.

 

In light of the recent shocking numbers we can understand why lockdowns, beach- and alcohol bans of level 3 regulations are essential.

We need to get used to the #Covid19NewNormal and adhere to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI) to limit the rate of transmission.

 

So let’s do everything we can: It’s up to us to stop the spread.

#Coronavirus: #HeroesWearMasks!

#BeAMasketeer and save lives!

Stay Home.

Stay Distant.

Wash Your Hands.

Don’t touch your face.

Wear a mask.

Wenn das Leben Geschichten schreibt: Coronavirus Zeitgefühl

 

Hey, ich hab dich ja schon Jahre nicht mehr gesehen!
Man, so gut, dich in person zu sehen.
Wann haben wir uns zuletzt getroffen? War das vor oder nach dem Lockdown?

Ja, toll dich zu sehen. Ja, ich glaube das war nach der 1. Welle?

Ja genau, richtig! Man, das ist ja lange her!

 

#BleibZuhause.         #BleibSicher.         #BleibGesund.

 

#PreparedNotScared         #FlattenTheCurve         #StopTheSpread

#Coronavirus: #HeroesWearMasks!

#BeAMasketeer and save lives!

Stay Home.

Stay Distant.

Wash Your Hands.

Don’t touch your face.

Wear a mask.

 

#WhenLifeWritesStories: Coronavirus track of time

 

Hey I haven’t seen you in ages!
So good to see you in person.
When was it that I last saw you, like during lockdown level 3 back then?

Yeay, great to see you, yes, I think it was just after the 1st wave?

Yeah, true! Man! Long time ago!

 

#Coronavirus: #HeroesWearMasks!

#BeAMasketeer and save lives!

Stay Home.

Stay Distant.

Wash Your Hands.

Don’t touch your face.

Wear a mask.

#UrbanGardening: Butternut flower looks like made from butter

 

Nature is so generous! This butternut plant just grew out of nowhere.

 

Our garden is quite barren, consisting of clay soil intermixed with building rubble.

So any given corner is used as a compost heap, as adding organic matter improves the earth.

 

Little did I think that any of this would result in greenery, but the seeds left in our food waste started to sprout and thrive.

During lockdown, when garden shops were closed, I was faced with plenty plenty seedlings that could not stay in our garden, because they were lemon or apple trees and various pepper plants that grew too close together.

I came up with a concept of gardening on a 0 budget by upcycling all necessary ingredients to start a nursery: pots, soil, water.

I ended up with 35 citrus trees, 7 bell peppers,  32 chilli peppers, and more.

 

In between all of this, some discarded butternut seeds quietly took over one of the 5 litre upcycled plastic bottle plant pots.

And to my surprise I’m blessed with bright yellow butternut flowers:

 

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A post shared by Yours *TrulyJuly* (@yours_trulyjuly)

 

Such intense colour!

As if someone sculpted this flower out of butter and then brushed it with egg yolk.

Yet, it is mere mother nature who is behind such excellent craftwork.

 

Plants don’t need much, but they reward us in abundance.

Every flower is like a gift.

 

#UrbanGardening

 

#Coronavirus #Pandemic: World coronavirus cases surpass 100 million, doubling in less than 3 months

 

We need to understand that if the coronavirus spreads, it spreads exponentially.

So any increase of cases should always worry us:

 

Various trackers of coronavirus cases worldwide, including that of Johns Hopkins University, had ticked past 100 million by today morning.

The milestone was reached on Tuesday, almost exactly one year after the United States confirmed its first case of the coronavirus, and a little over a year since the initial outbreak in Wuhan, China.

 

Global coronavirus cases topped 25 million August 28th, more than 8 months after the virus was first detected in Wuhan, China. By 6th November they had doubled to 50 million. It took less than 3 months for confirmed cases to double again.

Almost 1.3% of the world’s population has now been infected with COVID-19.
1 person has been infected every 7.7 seconds, on average, since the start of this year.

 

How COVID-19 spread across the world: Cumulative count of confirmed cases as of January 26 with a total of 100,210,507.

 

With over 25 million cases, the United States has 25% of all reported COVID cases although it accounts for just 4% of the world’s population. The United States leads the world in the daily average number of new deaths reported, accounting for one in every five deaths reported worldwide each day. With just under 425,00 fatalities, the United States has reported almost twice as many deaths as Brazil, which has the second-highest death toll in the world.

As the worst-affected region in the world, Europe is currently reporting a million new infections about every four days and has reported nearly 30 million since the pandemic began. Britain on Tuesday reached 100,000 deaths.

The Eastern European region, including countries like Russia, Poland and Ukraine, contribute to nearly 10% of all global COVID-19 cases.

 

7 of the 10 countries most affected by the virus are in Europe, where Russia, the United Kingdom, and France have each confirmed more than three million COVID-19 cases. Spain, Italy, Turkey, and Germany are the other European countries in the top ten, each reporting more than 2 million cases of the virus.

 

In light of these shocking numbers we can understand why lockdowns, beach- and alcohol bans of level 3 regulations are essential.

We need to get used to the #Covid19NewNormal and adhere to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI) to limit the rate of transmission.

 

So let’s do everything we can: It’s up to us to stop the spread.

#Coronavirus: #HeroesWearMasks!

#BeAMasketeer and save lives!

Stay Home.

Stay Distant.

Wash Your Hands.

Don’t touch your face.

Wear a mask.

#Good #Practice #Tip: Invite your Audience to be part of the Change with Public Beta Testing

 

Part of the development of a new website should also be Customer Personas, Customer Journey and Customer Experience.

But researching all of these theoretical scenarios can cost a lot of money..

With new Design Thinking principles such as the Growth Driven Design process it is allowed to Fail Forward Fast and do so together with your audience.

 

Regulations.gov Beta provides clear information about their Beta Site Work In Progress.

 

Only going live with your new website after extensive in-house testing bears quite a risk:
All this time it was mostly guesswork what your online target group expects.

Don’t wait until you go live to find out what your audience really wants.
Instead, take your customers with you on the journey of change.

 

According to the Growth Driven Design Process, save time and money by launching with the Minimum Viable Product and inviting your website visitors to play an active part of your development work.

Ensure that you explain what the beta testing involves and what it means for online consumers, so you can take them on board for the upcoming updates.

Be prepared to receive feedback and have resources in place to handle the response.

 

This way you’ll learn quickly what works and what doesn’t and you can make improvements accordingly.

Don’t be afraid to fail forward fast.
Make the select users who were part of the learning curve feel special by keeping them exclusively updated and rewarding them with incentives.

 

#Good #Practice #Tip brought to you by Yours * TrulyJuly *.

Learn more Content Marketing tips by following Content Coach on Facebook.

 

#Coronavirus #BeachBan: How SA surfers circumvent the lockdown

 

It might just be a gag, since it was published on 9GAG, but it sounds like surfers might have found a perfectly legal way to surf during the beach ban of lockdown level 3 regulations:

Sout African Government: No beaches during lockdown. Surfers: No problem.

 

This of course sounds very elaborate for a simple surf.

But it’s about principle, as many criticise Police Minister Bheki Cele for his “skewed priorities”.of arresting surfers for breaking lockdown rules when the police should rather go after real criminals.

After peaceful protesters got arrested for demonstrating against the surfing ban, maybe this is to prove a point.

 

Well, it’s crazy times and still painful to get used to the #Covid19NewNormal.

 

With lockdowns, beach- and alcohol bans we are reminded that this is serious.

We need to adhere to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI) to limit the rate of transmission.

 

So let’s do everything we can: It’s up to us to stop the spread.

#Coronavirus: #HeroesWearMasks!

#BeAMasketeer and save lives!

Stay Home.

Stay Distant.

Wash Your Hands.

Don’t touch your face.

Wear a mask.

 

Wenn das Leben Geschichten schreibt: Frikadellen

 

Du sag mal, wann werden die Frikadellen denn endlich braun.

 

Wieso, die hast du doch schon lange auf dem Herd, bestimmt bereits 10 Minuten.

 

Sie sind aber immer noch roh.

 

Was? Lass mich mal sehen.
Ja! Du musst sie ja auch umdrehen!

 

When life writes stories: Frikadelle

 

So tell me, when do the meat balls start browning?

 

Why, you have them on the fire for a while now, at least 10 minutes.

 

Yes, but they’re still pink.

 

How come? Let me see.
What? Well, you need to turn them over!

 

#UrbanGardening: Rather big tomatoes

 

Nature is so generous!

 

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A post shared by Yours *TrulyJuly* (@yours_trulyjuly)

 

Our urban garden gifted us such a big tomato, it fills my entire hand.

And it tasted delicious, not at all watery as such a big size could indicate, but very intense, so full of flavour it needed no salt.

 

This tomato plant grew from discarded seeds by itself, and only got a bit of grey water every now and then.

Plants don’t need much, yet they reward us in abundance.

Every fruit is like a present.

 

#UrbanGardening