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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) is a recently discovered respiratory disease that has caused a widespread global pandemic after its initial discovery on 31 December 2019. According to Chinese authorities, some of the earliest known cases of this disease have been linked to a wholesale food market in Wuhan, while others took place elsewhere. With over 4 100 000 cases and 280 000 deaths worldwide within a five-month period it has become one of the most rapidly contagious and deadly diseases known to humankind.

The sudden surge of death and illness created by this disease has brought chaos and turmoil to people in over 200 countries and continues to claim more lives on a daily basis. These large numbers of deaths and infections around the world have forced many countries into extreme quarantine and social distancing regulations as well as stringent hygiene practices in order to curb the spread of the disease.

These extreme measures were necessary as the virus is transmitted primarily through respiratory droplets via direct contact with those who have been infected as well as contact with surfaces and objects that have been contaminated by these droplets. Moreover, in attempting to curb the spread of the disease, all public gatherings had to be dismissed under the aforementioned quarantine restrictions. This includes all socio-economic activity that drives the economies of the countries within which many have been infected.

In South Africa a national lockdown was imposed by the government on 26 March 2020. According to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, in a statement made on 23 April 2020, the lockdown has been effective in reducing the numbers of infections that would have taken place had the country not entered into a nation-wide lockdown.

Although this has helped the country in terms of slowing down the progression of the pandemic as well as by not overwhelming South Africa’s healthcare system with an increase in people requiring treatment for a severe respiratory illness, it has not been a sustainable manner in which to survive for most South Africans. The president has, therefore, announced that "a gradual and phased recovery of economic activity” is to take place beginning in May 2020. A national Coronavirus Command Council is said to be responsible for the determination of the alert level for this resuming of economic activity which will be based on the capacity of the country's health care system to provide care to those who need it.

This recovery of the economy is necessary due to the fact that the sudden halt in economic activity has pushed more people into extreme poverty as household incomes have been dramatically reduced in some cases and completely lost in others. According to a BusinessTech survey, 79% of South African household incomes have been negatively impacted by the pandemic, while 10% of the affected respondents have already lost their jobs.

The cost of this global disease on the local economy depends on the nature of South Africa’s private and public responses, although deep recession is said to be expected amidst the pandemic as stated by Finance Minister, Tito Mboweni in an article from the Africa Report. Moreover, a decline in the GDP of the country has taken place, while the repo rate set by the Reserve Bank has been decreased in order to assist those in debt, according to Direct Axis Financial Services. Another important facet of the economy that has been impacted is fuel consumption, which has been dramatically reduced, resulting in an oversupply and low demand. This has led to a decrease in fuel prices.

Additionally, in response to the aforementioned rise in poverty, the Department of Social Development in partnership with the Solidarity Fund and nongovernment organisations, as well as community-based organizations, has attempted to distribute 250 000 food parcels across the country to those living under dire conditions. The Solidarity Fund is a mechanism through which the general public, civil society and the public and private sectors can contribute to the funding of various initiatives in order to assist those in need. President Cyril Ramaphosa also announced that a R500-billion Covid-19 relief package would be provided in order to combat the effects of the pandemic. This funding is said to be used for the provision of services by municipalities, the creation of jobs, tax relief for distressed businesses, the increment of social grants, assistance to small businesses, a loan guarantee scheme for businesses that qualify as well as healthcare, to which R20-billion has been allocated. Furthermore, a business rescue procedure has been introduced in order to provide assistance to struggling businesses.

These plans to alleviate poverty in millions of households are especially necessary as the rate of poverty has increased massively since the beginning of the pandemic, along with many businesses now being at a high risk of closing down. However, it is still unclear how these funds are to be allocated. According to a News24 article, experts have warned that this lack of clarity in the allocation and distribution of the funds creates a great opportunity for corruption.

An example of this can be seen in the frequent cases of food parcel theft which have been taking place in townships across the country such as Alexandra and Booysens, in Johannesburg, Mitchell's Plain in Cape Town, Leerkans in Northern Cape as well as Gcilima, a rural area in KwaZulu-Natal. According to eNCA,some of the perpetrators of this are allegedly ANC leaders. In response to this, President Cyril Ramaphosa has stated that those involved and found guilty of corruption will face the full might of the law.

All of this indicates the world's desperation to bring Covid-19 to an end. This can be seen in the many efforts to find a cure, not only by the World Health Organisation, but by world leaders as well as the general public indifferent countries. Recently, the president of Madagascar, Andry Nirina Rajoelina has claimed to have discovered a natural remedy that can be used to treat patients suffering from the disease. This remedy is a herbal tea made with extracts from an intriguing plant known as Artemisia annua. This plant is said to be used to cure many ailments including but not limited to coughs, colds, influenza, fevers, headaches, malaria fevers, intestinal worms etc. According to President Andry Nirina Rajoelina, the herbal tea has led 60 Covid-19 patients to recovery without any side effects or deaths.

The plant is also popular around other African countries as well as some Asian countries.In South Africa, it is known as "Lengana"in the Sotho languages and "Umhlonyane"in isiZulu. Moreover, a Chinese doctor by the name of Tu Youyou won Nobel prize in medicine after using extracts from the plant to create antimalarial medication 5 years ago.

However, the National Academy of Medicine of Madagascar has warned against the usage of insufficiently tested remedies. The World Health Organisation has, therefore, agreed to place the plant under investigation for clinical trial and testing as African remedies are to be tested in line with international standards, following strict research protocols. They are also working with different countries to ensure safe and effective traditional medical development, while providing financial resources and technical support to this development.

Furthermore, the World Health Organisation regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti has spoken of her concern about the impact that Covid-19 may have on the ability of African countries to progress toward universal health coverage. She has also stated that the World Health Organization will collaborate with Madagascar in the clinical trials for this remedy.

Written by Tasia Matlala, a University of Johannesburg Communication Science graduate