South Africa’s battle with COVID-19, what has happened and what is next

The COVID-19 pandemic is global, highly infectious, and deadly. The crisis is largely unprecedented, at least in living memory and most governments, including the South African government, have been caught woefully unprepared. South Africa is in a state of lockdown, which has already been extended once at the time of writing (21 April 2020). The South African response has been commendable, and the data seem to show that the lockdown has reduced the spread of the virus. This is a positive first step, and we should take heart from it, but it is hardly the end. The COVID-19 pandemic is a problem with many moving parts, and in a globalised world, South Africa cannot move them alone. What is next for South Africa?

A scenario analysis for COVID-19 in South Africa

COVID-19, better known as the coronavirus, is a highly infectious and deadly disease. It is spreading rapidly across the world, taking its toll on the global economy and leaving thousands dead. The pandemic has spread to South Africa, but what does this mean for the country? What can we expect from the virus going forward? Can we contain it and why should we try? By looking at the virus’ spread across the globe, we try to provide some answers.

Why climate change marketing, not climate change policy, will save the world

For decades, climate change strategies have focused on demonstrating the reality and threat of a warming planet. Those concerned with climate change have assumed that scientific proof of the existence and danger of climate change would be sufficient to spur us into climate-conscious behaviour. This assumption was incomplete. Governments have historically focused on the economic or political factors behind climate change, neglecting the more psychological aspects of the issue. Incentives, beliefs, social norms and cognitive processes play important roles in understanding and influencing behaviour. Integrating these factors into public and economic policy is crucial in formulating an effective response to climate change. Pivoting on current climate change policy towards climate change marketing could help to accelerate urgent action.

Overcoming the limits of human rationality

The world is filled with noise, distractions, making it difficult or impossible to make a truly informed decision. Even when that information does exist, we behave consistently irrationally. For example, if I give you a warm cup of coffee, you are more likely to like me than if I give you a cold glass of water. This is a predictable deviation from the expected outcome – namely that the beverage I provide should not be related to your opinion of me. So, if we aren’t as rational as we might believe, how do we make decisions?