President Ramaphosa’s unimaginative speech, in which he announced level 3 lockdown measures, makes it clear that prevention and effective early treatment of COVID-19 with the help of repurposed medicines are not yet on government’s agenda. This despite overwhelming scientific evidence that infections can be prevented and lives be saved this way – very cost-effectively.
“The data shows that lockdowns that destroy businesses and jobs do not have a significant impact on the spread of COVID-19 infection. The time has come for government to also implement other solutions to curb the COVID-19 pandemic. Prevention and early treatment with a combination of medicines, including ivermectin, can prevent infection, prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed and can also save lives. We must take different steps simultaneously to fight COVID-19, also with the aim of preventing negative consequences for the economy,” says Barend Uys, Head of Research at AfriForum.