Panic spread among 25 Zimbabweans in mandatory quarantine at Belvedere Teachers’ College after the health ministry announced on Wednesday night that two members of the group had tested positive for the coronavirus – before the results were communicated to the detainees.
By 9AM on Thursday, health officials had still not given the group their results from samples collected on Monday shortly after their arrival onboard a special Ethiopian Airlines flight.
“We are just reading on Twitter and online that our results are out and two of us have tested positive. As I speak right now, we still have not been told what our individual results are. The government is causing unnecessary anxiety on so simple a matter like this,” a member of the group told ZimLive by phone on Thursday.
The initial announcement of the positive results was made late Tuesday, when the ministry of health reported three new cases but provided no further details.
Further information was provided late Wednesday when the ministry said two of those positive results were from the group at Belvedere, and a third was that of an 82-year-old Mhondoro woman who died at the West End Hospital on Tuesday night.
The Belvedere detainees told ZimLive they had sought an urgent meeting with City of Harare’s head of epidemiology and disease control Dr Kudzai Masunda.
Meanwhile, the detainees said they were shocked on Wednesday night when they saw social welfare minister Paul Mavima on ZBC news being shown rooms at the college with better beds and running water.
“Instead of assessing rooms where the returnees live, they went to a hostel where none of us has access and presented the rooms there as the ones we have been saying are uninhabitable,” one of the detainees said.
“Our assumption is that the authorities cajoled the administration here to prepare some rooms for a public relations stunt. It’s Thursday today and I can tell the nation that we still don’t have running water. There is nothing we would like more than shifting to the rooms we saw on ZBC.”
The returnees feel the government has been on a mission to turn the public against them. When they initially refused to stay at Belvedere after finding there was no water and they would be made to share communal bathrooms, a government spokesman claimed the group was demanding to be put up at a hotel on the taxpayer’s account. Members of the group accused the government of lying.
Government spokesman Nick Mangwana also appeared to suggest all the members of the group were from the United Kingdom, and also got their number wrong when he said they are 65.
ZimLive has established that there are 25 returnees at Belvedere, and they came from several countries including the United Kingdom and the United States of America. A large number of the group was working on a cruise ship.
ZimLive first went online in August 2018, and it has grown exponentially in readership and influence thanks to you, our readers.
We set out to create a current, authoritative, clarifying and vital news service. We believe we have had partial success, but to achieve our full ambitions, we need more financial resources to invest in more journalists, and journalism tools to deliver a richer digital mix of news, tapping into the progress in graphics, audio and video in particular.
Zimbabwe, our main market, has a virtually non-existent advertising industry owing to a tough economic environment, and the international digital display advertising market is currently weak – threats which imperil the future of online publishing. Distinctive, original, quality and expert reporting that expands our readers’ understanding of current affairs and helps them navigate it consumes a lot of money and takes time to produce, but despite the hardships, we want to keep going and do more to tell the complete Zimbabwean story, because at the heart of our commitment is the belief that our perspective matters.
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Best Life Insurance Policy for Families: Term vs. Whole Life Explained
Life insurance is one of the most important financial protections a family can consider. If someone depends on your income, life insurance can help provide money for bills, mortgage payments, childcare, education costs, and everyday expenses if you pass away.
The two common types of life insurance are term life and whole life. Term life insurance provides coverage for a specific period, such as 10, 20, or 30 years. If the insured person dies during that term, the policy pays a death benefit to the beneficiary. If the term ends and the policy is not renewed, coverage usually expires.
Whole life insurance is permanent coverage designed to last for the insured person’s lifetime, as long as premiums are paid. It also includes a cash value component that may grow over time. Because of this, whole life insurance usually costs more than term life insurance.
For many families, term life insurance is attractive because it can provide a larger amount of coverage at a lower monthly cost. This can be helpful during the years when a family has a mortgage, children at home, car payments, and other major financial responsibilities.
Whole life insurance may appeal to people who want lifetime coverage, estate planning benefits, or a policy with cash value. However, because premiums are higher, it is important to understand whether the extra cost fits your budget and long-term goals.
When choosing a life insurance policy, start by estimating how much coverage your family may need. A common approach is to consider income replacement, debt, funeral costs, future education expenses, and the number of years your family would need financial support.
You should also compare quotes from multiple companies. Life insurance premiums can vary based on age, health, tobacco use, occupation, lifestyle, family medical history, and coverage amount. Buying earlier in life often results in lower premiums because age and health are major pricing factors.
Before applying, review the company’s financial strength and customer service reputation. Life insurance is a long-term product, so you want a provider that is stable and reliable.
The best life insurance policy depends on your family’s needs. Term life may be better for affordable income protection. Whole life may be better for permanent coverage and long-term planning. Some families use both.
Always read the policy details carefully before purchasing. This article is for general education and should not replace advice from a licensed insurance professional.
Best Credit Card for Travel Rewards
A travel rewards credit card can be a smart choice if you spend regularly on flights, hotels, and everyday purchases. The right card can help you earn points or miles that reduce the cost of future trips.
Not every travel card is worth the annual fee, so it is important to compare the full value of the rewards. Some cards offer strong sign-up bonuses, while others are better for long-term spending. The best option depends on how often you travel and how you usually spend money.
You should also look at redemption options. Some cards are flexible and let you use points for flights, hotel stays, cash back, or statement credits. Others limit how you can use rewards, which can reduce their value if you do not travel in the right way.
Another thing to review is the foreign transaction fee. If you travel internationally, a card with no foreign transaction fees can save you money. Travel insurance, baggage protection, and airport lounge access may also add value if you use those benefits.
If you rarely travel, a simpler cash back card may be a better fit. But if you take several trips each year, a travel rewards card can become a useful tool for lowering your travel costs.
The best travel rewards credit card is the one that matches your spending habits, fits your travel style, and gives you benefits you will actually use.
