Jetro Gonese, a Zimbabwean immigrant in South Africa, says lockdown has deprived the blind of their compass. “Touch is what we call th...
Jetro Gonese, a Zimbabwean immigrant in South Africa, says
lockdown has deprived the blind of their compass.
“Touch is what we call the queen sense. It enables us to
recognise and identify most things... the texture of surfaces, your skin or
your hand. It is very central in our lives.”
“It is dangerous for us to shake hands or touch any
surfaces because you might contract the disease,” Gonese said, adding that
police enforcing lockdown rules had chased him home the few times he ventured
outdoors.
“So communication has been very difficult for us... because
we are afraid to touch things.”
Another Zimbabwean, Enok Mukanhairi said he went back to
his usual begging spot last week, encouraged by a gradual easing of lockdown
restrictions since the start of May.
He struggled to find his bearings around people who spoke
through face masks and kept a distance.
“If you are putting a mask at times we cannot hear your
voice properly. Some of them cannot even release the voice tune which we are
used to,” he added. “So it affects how quickly I can identify (a person).”
Mukanhairi said fewer drivers rolled down their car windows
as he stood by the traffic light.
“I am very worried about catching coronavirus, but not as
much as getting food.”
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