We need to go back to basics to protect ourselves against infection.
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It’s funny how quickly we trade caution for comfort. Not long ago, the sight of a hand sanitiser station or a masked face in a grocery aisle was our collective security blanket.
Today, most of those stations sit empty and dusty, and the masks have been shoved to the back of the junk drawer.
But as the South African winter begins to bite, nature is handing us a very loud wake-up call.
If you’ve been scrolling through the news lately, you’ve likely seen the headlines about the MV Hondius.
What started as a leisurely dream cruise through the South Atlantic turned into a nightmare when a cluster of severe respiratory illnesses broke out on board.
The culprit? Hantavirus.
Hand sanitiser stations used to be everywhere.
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While health officials are quick to point out that this isn't the next COVID-19, mostly because this specific strain usually requires very close contact, the scare has been enough to make everyone sit up.
With a high fatality rate and symptoms that mirror a bad flu before attacking the lungs, it’s a sobering reminder that our invincibility is a bit of a myth.
I’ll be the first to admit I got complacent. Last week, I attended a large event. The space was packed, the air was still, and I remember looking at the crowd and making a distinct mental note: “I really should have worn a mask.”
The very next morning, I woke up with that unmistakable, painful scratch in the back of my throat.
By the evening, I was shivering under the blankets, battling a flu that knocked me down.
It wasn't Hantavirus, and it wasn't COVID, but it was entirely preventable. I had the tools, I had the knowledge, and I simply chose not to use them.
We don't need a new set of rules for 2026; we just need to remember the ones we already mastered.
As we head into the peak of viral season, here is the protection 101 refresher we all seem to need
Mask up: If you walk into a space and it feels like people are just too close to each other, put that mask on. It’s a physical barrier against that person who just sneezed all over you or the one who’s been coughing in the office.
Scrub your hands: We’ve stopped singing the Birthday Song while we wash our hands, and it shows. Use warm water and plenty of soap. Don't forget your thumbs and the backs of your hands.
Washing your hands is a necessity.
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Sanitise on the go: Keep a small bottle of high-alcohol sanitiser in your car or bag. Use it immediately after touching high-traffic surfaces like an ATM or door handles.
Ventilation is vital: Even when it’s cold, crack open a window. Stagnant, recycled air is a playground for germs. Fresh air flow is one of the easiest ways to dilute the viral particles in a room.
Hands off your face: It’s the hardest habit to break, but your eyes, nose, and mouth are the main entry points. If you haven't washed your hands, do not touch your face.
Stay home: If you feel a tickle in your throat or a sudden wave of fatigue, don't "push through it." Rest is the best medicine for you, and your absence is the best gift for everyone else.
Sanitise on the go.
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The MV Hondius situation is a tragedy and a warning, but my sore throat was just a lapse in judgment.
We spent years learning how to protect ourselves; let’s not let that hard-earned wisdom go to waste just because we’re tired of the effort.
Stay warm, stay clean, and keep that mask handy.