The coronavirus has killed at least 2,800 people worldwide. 84,000 people all over the globe exhibit symptoms. The outbreak has raised several questions for nation-state leaders and scientists all over the world. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned that the coronavirus will turn into a "national crisis" and its impact will be "huge". "It will have a huge impact on a number of things... travel... our economy. It is already showing signs of a negative impact on tourism.”
His warning came after the first case of the coronavirus was detected in South Africa. This brings the number of coronavirus cases reported in Africa to 27. Algeria is worst-affected, with 17 cases, 16 in the same family.
"The effect will be big. South Africans will need to be prepared,” said Ramaphosa.
For now, South Africa is portraying its detection of the country's first Covid-19 patient as a sign of success - as proof that the public health systems of the continent's most developed and sophisticated economy are working as planned.
Let’s not be panic-stricken. There’s no need to be afraid. You just need to be careful and take the necessary precautions that reduce this virus’s impact as much as possible.
How can this outbreak impact higher education?
Distance learning allows you to study from home and at your own pace. This is a great advantage at a time like this as the coronavirus outbreak is spreading around the world and putting a pause on all the everyday activities that involve crowded places and contact with people.
Universities and colleges are highly crowded places and, in the case of an outbreak, South Africans need to be prepared to combat the situation in a way that impedes the virus to put a complete pause on their lives.
What are the implications for online degree programmes and distance learning?
If you have been considering pursuing a career through distance learning but you haven’t decided yet, this is what it will take to make up your mind. Distance learning holds the key to going on with your life even when such an outbreak takes place and disrupts so many everyday aspects.
Colleges and universities are already taking into consideration the implementation of some measures to reduce the impact on education as much as possible.
Thanks to online learning, you will be able to keep studying and improving your knowledge so that, when this outbreak goes away, you are prepared to keep going as normally as possible.
Even though the coronavirus outbreak in South Africa is not even close to China’s, local colleges and universities must begin considering preparing themselves for every possible outcome. Were the situation to worsen, online learning programmes can be the key to impede a catastrophe.
