4IR (4th Industrial Religion) - One of my 6* tips for beating Covid-19
With President Cyril Ramaphosa's Covid-19 National Disaster declaration, I have 6* tips for the South African public and private sector:
- Retailers should dedicate specific times and stores for only the elderly and high-risk people to shop do their shopping. Ideally the first hour of the day after properly cleaning stores (e.g. high-touch sections) the night before;
- Pay points where old age pensions are paid must be prepared in advance, deep cleaned, have seating that's sufficiently distanced and give easy access to hand sanitisers and hand washing facilities. Banks and ATMs that pensioners frequent should ensure high-touch areas are cleaned;
- Mobile operators should give free access to some data for pensioners and social grant beneficiaries for the duration of the National Disaster. If necessary, the cost of providing this can be subsidised by first requiring anyone accessing free data to view public-interest and Covid-19 related videos;
- Public transport, especially buses and trains, should have sections that are dedicated to pensioners and high-risk people, with those sections, especially high-touch areas, being cleaned regularly and consistently throughout the day; and
- What would a post like this be without bringing in #4IR? By this I mean 4th Industrial Religion (not Revolution). At times like this, many seek solace and inspiration from a Higher Power/s. With restrictions on gatherings, Churches, Mosques, Synagogues and Temples should be encouraged to stream their sermons. Pensioners can use their free data to take part from home.
- *This 6th tip comes courtesy of Dr William Mapham, and it is to support the health workers on the front line. Here is a crowd fund where everyone can play a role: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/coronavirus-support
So, to all the mobile operators, banks, retailers and government agencies: can I get an Amen?
Passionate about improving rural healthcare
4 年Hi Lucien, please add a 6th tip: support the health workers on the front line. Here is a crowd fund where everyone can play a role: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/coronavirus-support
Lawyer: Telecoms, Information Technology, Data Privacy & Fintech
4 年?
Digital and AI Governance | Founder - AIfrica Conversations | Editorial Advisory Board - AJIC (PhD, LLM, LLB, PG Dip) | Philanthropist - Melody Musoni Foundation | 35 under 35 Emerging European Tech Policy Experts
4 年Lucien Pierce, point 3 raises a lot of issues that digital rights activists have been saying all along. There is a huge digital divide in the telecoms ecosystem and the responsibility falls on both government and service providers. If social and economic transformation laws like the BBBEE makes it mandatory to provide opportunities to previously disadvantaged people, why can't we have similar laws for the provision of internet access and internet usage. Access without affordability is not enough. We should have minimum core requirements for mobile data provision just as the same way that everyone is entitled to at least 25litres of water per day.