Rethink the Bag, Covid Stories and please support our Fundraiser.......

Monday 31st August 

From our President

Dear fellow Rotarians and friends,

 Life can be so interesting – always something for everyone to be amazed by. There have been so many clips and videos circulated during the time of COVID 19, depending on how many groups you belong to and your contacts, it takes some time to watch them all and decide which ones are worth sharing – so creating incoming messages for more people!! Beautiful scenery, beautiful music and voices, the abundance and brutality of nature and carelessness and stupidity of people (cringe-worthy at times) – politics, jokes, rhymes and riddles. There are clever and innovative people out there for sure.

There has been no shortage of news both good and bad over all this time. I have been able to go to church, book club, movies, shows, Pilates, buy groceries and clothes – all from the comfort of my home – who would have thought?? But things are on the move…..

The parks are now full of walkers and picnicking families – the streets have cyclists and runners – while we anxiously await that “curve” – up or down??

Cannot wait to catch a plane somewhere and walk some foreign streets!!

Meantime – have a good week, find some friends to attend our fundraiser and raise a glass to life!!

 

Yours in Rotary,

Ann

Last Week

Again, a great turn-out for our weekly meeting and a pleasure for Juanette to have invited PP and Governor nominee for 2022/23 Hans-Guenther Gellersen from RC Bad Bederkesa in Germany.

It was fitting that Hans-Guenther attended this week's meeting as the topic of discussion, plastic pollution is very close to his heart, and  he is championing  # End Plastic Soup Now, one of the major Rotary campaigns in Europe, which is now finding traction all over the world.

Hayley McLellan is a pint-sized dynamo who has made it her life's  purpose to fight the scourge of plastic in our oceans.

 Her impassioned and hard hitting presentation had one pivotal message: Plastic is Forever.

She shared some heartbreaking photos of marine life harmed by plastics pollution.It is her contention that 8 billion plastic bags, half of which are for single use, are produced a year and that 300 million tons of plastic end up in our oceans and that unless something drastic is done, by the year 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

Hayley works as an environmental campaigner at the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town, and advocates various environmental projects that  everyone should and could get involved with:

1) Straws Suck

Plastic straws are often ingested by turtles and other marine life and can cause the demise of these gentle creatures

  

2) Cut a Loop

Before discarding plastic that could potentially strangle a seal or a sea bird, cut a loop and save a life.

3) Balloon Busters

Conservation work with turtles has shown first hand the impact of balloons and associated string or ribbon on marine animals, which is why Two Oceans aquarium have banned them.

4) Bin the Butts

Did you know that one cigarette butt can contaminate a liter of water so badly that fish cannot survive in the water. Cigarette butts account for 28% of litter on beaches worldwide, and can be lethal to fish, crustaceans and other aquatic animals.

5) Rethink the Bag

The total banning of plastic shopping bags is hands down Hayley's most pressing mission, and it is a feather in her cap that plastic shopping bags have been completely banned from the V & A Waterfront Precinct. 

Baby steps, but what an achievement.

Supporting the environment has become a new area of focus for Rotary and as such Hayley's plea is aligned with what we would like to ultimately achieve.

Covid Stories

Shortly after the beginning of the South African lock-down Juanette and Reiner returned to Hamburg, and Juanette graciously shares her perspective of how they are experiencing the pandemic on their side of the World.

Firstly it was a relief to be here because we could go out and enjoy the fresh air at any time of the day, without a mask. 

However, they are extremely strict in shops and restaurants,you have to wear a mask in the shop, and in restaurants until seated or if going to the WC.

 Many companies have closed here too, they just could not withstand the loss of income. 

 Schools are a huge debate as each Bundesland decides what they want to do. My neighbour is a teacher and she has gone back to work, but she said there is no plan as to what happens when a child or a teacher in the school gets Covid. 

 We have just been to Frankfurt to visit the grandchildren and some friends, but the social distancing was not really adhered to, sadly.

 Mallorca and Spain and other areas were open for the holiday season and the spike in cases with the return of these travellers is huge. It is back up to +/- 1,500 cases per day. Fortunately, Hamburg somehow is not really affected, when I say this, there are 10 new cases per day (if that) here, this does not mean it cannot change. 

I go to gym daily, but have to make an appointment, as only 4 people are allowed in at one time.

Yes, for sure there has been job losses, reduction in hours and so forth, but because of the strong social system Harz 4, we don't see people on the streets dying of hunger. 

The German government has injected huge amounts of money into the economy to keep it on its feet. For example housing prices are still going up. Why? I think because the banks are offering 100% loans to those who qualify. Who qualifies, I cannot say. There are credit institutions offering loans for renovations of one's house, and if I understand correctly with no interest. These institutions I imagine are backed by the government. However, although this all seems positive, I read an article in Welt am Sonntag this week about the increasing cases of depression in Germany. Although Germany has of the best clinical facilities in the world, to get a place in one, you are on a waiting list for years, or if you try commit suicide I believe you are admitted immediately. 

 So although things are bad here, one cannot in any way compare it to the third world countries where there is no social system to support the unemployed, or small businesses. Up until now there has been a lot of freedom of movement, and tolerance of those not following the rules. For example, there was a huge demonstration of over 20,000 people 3 weeks ago in Berlin, the reason: they are fighting for their right not to wear masks????????? I mean really. After the recent increase in cases, these types of demonstrations are being restricted (I believe). I mean how stupid can you be... I know it is my right whether I wear a mask or not, however, I choose to in order to protect those around me.

 Hotels, restaurants etc are open, but not to capacity, they are not allowed to occupy all rooms or tables, social distancing is in place. On public transport you have to wear masks and social distance, but naturally you get obnoxious or maybe uneducated people who want to argue with the bus driver, or wait to see if a conductor is coming before they put the mask on..... all very silly considering. 

Rob Caskie's Tales - Wednesday 9th September

We have pulled out all the stops to make this a night to remember, but we need each and every member to firstly attend and then to invite friends and family.