Mkhuseli Sizani
Surviving a deadly struggle against the corona virus is enough to make anybody take Covid-19 seriously, and Patrick Bayini is no different.
Patrick lives in the Sarah Baartman District in the Eastern Cape, one of the identified hotspots around the country, where the virus is rampant, and is devoting himself to playing his part in defeating the virus.
He is fighting hard against the deadly virus although it nearly took his life.
The 54-year-old Nehawu shop steward was fired from the Life Esidimeni Psychiatric Hospital in Kirkwood in June for being part of the protest for PPEs when the hospital experienced a spike.
“I tested positive for Covid-19. My family was always home during lockdown and I believe that I infected my wife and daughter,” he told Scrolla.Africa.
“I had to leave my home and quarantine at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.”
When Patrick recovered he knew he had to continue the fight against the invisible enemy.
“I know how deadly this virus is. I couldn’t fold my arms and watch my community being killed by it.”
Patrick volunteered at the Sundays River Collaboration that specialises in pest control and fumigation.
“We fumigate various government departments and I also go to shopping malls with a loudhailer and educate people. People in the Sundays River Valley Municipality are not adhering to Covid-19 precautionary measures. There are no awareness campaigns here although we are a hotspot,” he said.
“I know how deadly this virus is. I could not fold my arms and watch my community being killed by it.”
He said when friends and relatives in Port Elizabeth lose family members due to the virus he goes there to help and support them.
“We can beat this virus. We just need us to exercise precautionary measures and be united against it,” Patrick said.
