our family friend Dr Willie van Tonder, passed away from Covid 19 in bloemfontein today. all my love and thoughts with his family, Chrisella, Lelani, Chris and all his grandchildren. i can’t imagine what they going through. they were at his bedside and with him at the end. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="♥️" title="Heart suit" aria-label="Emoji: Heart suit">

from the facts coming out this is what we know: Willie picked it up like many others at a prayer meeting in Bloem on 10 March. 5 overseas visitors had it, but were not showing symptoms yet. subsequent tested positive and isolated.

Willie himself only showed signs much later.

he was at the coast when symptoms began. phoned his son also a doctor and went straight back to Bloem. his son met them half way on the road and on arrival he was intubated and not breathing by himself. he fought a long battle , but it was not meant to be.

he was a doctor, his son a doctor, and he received best possible treatment from host of concerned and dedicated colleagues in the excellent Freestate health system. they could but save him. they are saying to us with crystal clarity “this is not just a normal flu”.

ignore the conspiracy lovers.

- it is a more dangerous illness
- it is more contagious
- it will hide away inside you with no symptoms while you spread it

and most of all we still do not know all the information about it.

now is not a time to spread stupid little stories and to undermine the seriousness of Covid

do not put yourself above medical professionals here and around the world who at the coal face , and who know.

now is a time to listen, to act smart, and to stay safe https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😔" title="Pensive face" aria-label="Emoji: Pensive face"> take care guys