A Hout Bay senior citizen has become a human billboard to tell those not wearing masks and flouting other Covid-19 regulations to get with the programme.
Peter Spykerman has turned his anti-germ suit into what he calls a “walking, talking human message”, that says: “Western Cape is the epicentre. Do I need to state more! Stay safe!”
He said he was concerned by what he felt was people’s “almost total disregard” for the Covid-19 crisis.
“The number of infections per day is alarming, and all I wanted to do is create a billboard effect and hopefully some will take notice and create more very needed face-to- face aware-
ness.”
As of Tuesday, there were 35 812 cases in the country with 755 deaths. The Western Cape accounts for two thirds of the national
total and as at 1pm on Wednesday had 24 564 cases and 601 deaths.
The 81-year old said he hoped his suit would, in a respectful
way, change the attitudes of
those flouting Covid-19 regulations.
“I am a senior citizen, and I intend to enjoy the years I have ahead in this most blessed part of our planet,” he said.
Mr Spykerman is the chairman of Probus Hout Bay, an international brotherhood open to all retired men.
“We are a very active local club, hosting one business meeting a month. Apart from discussing club business, the club invites a speaker of interest… it’s never too late to continue the thirst for know-
ledge.”
While he has no plans to sell anti-germ suits bearing his
message, Mr Spykerman said he hoped others would join him and drive home the need to take basic precautions to stop Covid-19 spreading.
“There are no requirements to become a volunteer, only that they do want to try and make their fellow South Africans aware of the seriousness of what we are facing going for-
ward.”
