The Idler, Thursday, March 19, 2020

Garam marsala –

a counter

to Covid-19?

MY FELLOW-COLUMNIST Yogin Devan makes some fascinating points in our sister newspaper, Post, this week.

He notes that in India the prevalence of the Covid-19 virus is much lower (so far) than elsewhere. Also that Indian communities - including here in Durban - have long believed that the spices in curry dishes have anti-viral properties.

He says in places like Phoenix and Chatsworth there's currently high demand for turmeric powder, garlic, ginger, curry powder and black pepper.

"At the time of writing, more than 120 000 confirmed Covid-19 cases and at least 4 500 deaths have been reported in 114 countries globally.

"Yet India, which at 1.37 billion citizens is the second most populated country after China, had reported 70 confirmed cases by last Thursday (March 12)."

Of course, one has to be very careful with this. It could be that India, for reasons unknown, is still behind the curve in the graph of coronavirus cases. It could yet explode into nightmarish statistics given India's vast, over-crowded population and its creaking health services.

But back to the current situation. As Yogin says, at the first onset of flu symptoms our local Indian communities have always doubled the quantity in their food of garam masala - which contains pungent spices like cloves, cinnamon and cardamom - and curry powder, which has turmeric, chilli powder, ground coriander, ground cumin, ground ginger and pepper.

If it helps against ordfinary flu, could they be on to something in the case of Covid-19? It's an intriguing thought.

Yogin also points out that, unlike westerners, Indians do not shake hands, hug or kiss on greeting. Instead they greet with both hands folded and smilingly say "namaste" or "namaskar" which means "I bow to the godliness inside you". Quite apart from the courtliness of it, the "no touch" rules being introduced here have been part of Indian life since time immemorial. Could this be part of the low (so far) infection rate?

Can spicy food really have a role to play in fighting Covid-19? So far it's supposition, nothing scientifically proven. But then is India not a place of mysticism?

Whatever, what's wrong with a good curry? Chuck in the cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, chilli powder, ground coriander, ground cumin, ground ginger and pepper!

Victoria Street Market, here we come! Namaste!

 

 

 

 

Gig postponed

 

ALAS, another victim of the shutdown to ward off Covid-19 – local band Salty Dog have had to temporarily call off their charity gig in aid of Project Bene, which raises funds for people needing prosthetic limbs.

It was to have been at Musketeers, 7 Barham Road, Westville, on Saturday, March 28, but would obviously have fallen foul of the ban on gatherings of 100 people or more. The prospect of the opportunity to dance cheek to cheek with band personality Smelly Fellows would in itself have brought the female attendance into the thousands.

Smelly says the gig will be on as soon as the All Clear is given. Meanwhile, people wanting to donate prizes for the raffles can still do so by contacting Maureen at 073-572414.

 

 

Tailpiece

 

THIS FELLOW walks into a library and orders an incredibly hot curry.

"This is a library", says the librarian.
"Oh, sorry", he drops to a whisper. "I'd like to order an incredibly hot curry please."

 

Last word

 

Why shouldn't things be largely absurd, futile, and transitory? They are so, and we are so, and they and we go very well together. - George Santayana