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Health24.com | Covid-19 continues to strike men harder than women

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New research adds to a growing body of evidence that suggests men are far more vulnerable to severe Covid-19 than women are.

Although both genders fall ill in the same numbers, men are 2.5 times more likely to get severe disease and die, the study from China showed.

The finding comes as scientists in New York and California are starting to test a novel hypothesis that sex hormones might play a part in disease severity.

Last week, doctors on Long Island started treating Covid-19 patients with oestrogen to boost their immune systems, The New York Times reported. And beginning next week, physicians in Los Angeles will start treating male patients with progesterone, a hormone that is predominantly found in women. Progesterone has anti-inflammatory properties and might prevent the immune system from overreacting, the researchers explained.

Hormones may not be the answer

“There’s a striking difference between the number of men and women in the intensive care unit, and men are clearly doing worse,” Dr Sara Ghandehari, a pulmonologist and intensive care physician at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, told the Times. She is the principal investigator for the progesterone study.

But experts who study sex differences in immunity warned that hormones may not be the answer. Even elderly women with Covid-19 are outliving their male peers, despite drastic reductions in levels of hormones for women after menopause, they noted.

In the study from China, published on 29 April in the journal Frontiers in Public Health, the differences between men and women showed up early in the coronavirus pandemic.

“Early in January, we noticed that the number of men dying from Covid-19 appeared to be higher than the number of women,” explained researcher Dr Jin-Kui Yang, a physician at Beijing Tongren Hospital.

“This raised a question: Are men more susceptible to getting or dying from Covid-19? We found that no one had measured gender differences in Covid-19 patients, and so began investigating,” Yang said in a journal news release.

More research needed

Included in the study were 43 patients treated by Yang’s team, plus data on an additional 1 000 Covid-19 patients. The researchers also looked at the records of 524 SARS patients from 2003.

According to one large Covid-19 dataset, more than 70% of the patients who died were male, which meant that men had 2.5 times the death rate of women.

Being a man was also a risk factor for more severe illness, regardless of age.

Men who had SARS were also more likely to die, compared with women, Yang’s team noted. Also, men had higher levels of the ACE2 protein involved in both sicknesses, which may be an explanation.

Although more research is needed, Yang recommended that “additional supportive care and prompt access to the intensive care unit may be necessary for older male patients”.

READ | Researchers caution on effects of coronavirus on male fertility

READ | Lots of drugs are being tested against Covid-19 – but will any work?

READ | The new coronavirus is striking men and older people at a greater rate

Image credit: Getty Images

Sport24.co.za | SA Super Rugby DUDS: Our terrible trio

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Rob Houwing – Sport24 chief writer

There have been some glaring stragglers in Super Rugby down the years.

In recent times, think the Kings, now shifted into the different terrain of the PRO14 and not exactly setting that alight either … or the Sunwolves, officially binned from next season.

Register your interest for the British & Irish Lions tickets in South Africa 2021

Certain, generally stronger outfits have had their grim years, too: the Sharks may have been leading the 2020 pack and playing a sparkling brand of rugby before the coronavirus-linked suspension a few weeks ago, but in both 2000 and 2005, for example, they were 12th and last.

And yes, even the best team historically by a country mile for title successes, the Crusaders, know all about wooden spoons – they had that dubious status in the first year of Super Rugby-proper, 1996.

But here is our choice of three South African sides to have plumbed the depths the most conspicuously in specific years …

Bulls 2002

Here was proof, if you ever needed it, of a coach learning the hard way, gritting his teeth … and bouncing back a few years later to take the same outfit to maiden SA title glory in 2007.

That coach, of course, was Heyneke Meyer, later also to become a Springbok mastermind with a very decent, almost 67 percent win record.

But in 2002, a competitive Bulls side in Super Rugby wasn’t even a twinkle in anyone’s eye: instead they became the first instance in the tournament of a team losing every single fixture: all 11 ordinary-season games were surrendered, with a solitary log point to show.

Meyer was an unusually young 34 for a head coach at the time, and had even had a prior spell in the Loftus hotseat as a more callow individual in 2000, so he certainly got healthily accustomed to the school of hard knocks early, while admirably not losing his self-belief at the job.

His charges leaked exactly 500 points that season, clearly indicating defensive shortcomings, while posting 232 for a points differential of minus-268: the overseas tour was especially depressing as they lost 49-15 to the Crusaders, 48-12 to the Reds, 65-24 to the Blues and 53-24 to the Chiefs.

With Victor Matfield in only his second season at Loftus and Danie Rossouw and Bakkies Botha first-year novices (no sign yet of Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies or Bryan Habana, either), the Bulls lacked genuinely big names in their midst … although they did fight back notably in the domestic Currie Cup that year to hint at better times ahead, thumping neighbours the Golden Lions 31-7 in the final.

Cats 2004

Wing legend of the 1995 World Cup triumph he may have been, and usually the wearer of an infectious smile, but (the late) Chester Williams didn’t always have it so easy as a franchise-level coach.

He was at the strategic helm in this awful year for the Cats, although an instant defence would be that the strange alliance between the Golden Lions and Free State was never a marriage made in heaven.

They brought up the rear, with only one win – a tight 23-21 Ellis Park outcome against the Chiefs – to show, and that despite some formidable enough names in their ranks like Os du Randt, CJ van der Linde, Ricky Januarie, Andre Pretorius and emerging other future Test stars like Juan Smith and Jaque Fourie.

Their heaviest reverse was in conceding 10 tries to eventual champions the Brumbies in Canberra, where the final score was 68-28.

Lions 2010

This having been the era of an already expanding, 14-team competition, the Lions remain dubious holders of the record – based on this disastrous season – of worst year statistically for a “duck” team in the results column, with nought from 13.

Under a short-lived coaching tenure by Dick Muir, the cerebral former Springbok and popular Sharks midfielder, these Lions never left the blocks.

Then under Eugene Eloff, they’d finished a humdrum enough 12th out of 14 in the previous season, but had at least registered four victories.

But the year of the momentous soccer World Cup on these shores only proved an enduring nightmare for the 2010 Lions crew, the points differential of a scary minus-315 saying plenty; they also ended as many as 14 log points adrift of the next worst Western Force.

A season in which imports like Carlos Spencer and Todd Clever couldn’t make a massive difference to Jo’burg fortunes, perhaps the one very minor “positive” was their contribution to a record-breaking, quite remarkable nine-tries-all spectacle at home against the Chiefs – who nevertheless still won the breathless affair 72-65.

*Follow our chief writer on Twitter: @RobHouwing …

30 April 2020 – Trade Statistics for March 2020

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SARS releases trade statistics for March 2020

Pretoria, 30 April 2020 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for March 2020 recording a trade surplus of R24.25 billion. These statistics include trade data with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN). The year-to-date (01 January to 31 March 2020) trade surplus of R34.93 billion is an improvement from the R5.28 billion deficit for the comparable period in 2019. Exports increased by 13.3% year-on-year whilst imports declined by 6.2% over the same period.

Social Media Lead (Durban)

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Job description

Social media lead

Oliver South Africa is looking for a talented and highly-skilled social media lead to be based at a client site in the northern suburbs of Durban.

Employment type: 12-months fixed term contract.
Start date: 15 May 2020
Location: Durban (North suburbs)

We are looking for a strategic social media lead to be based in-house at a global FMCG powerhouse in Durban. The role is tasked with inspiring and supporting a team of Community Managers whose role is to drive conversation and excitement around famous FMCG brands online. Our ideal candidate blends operational rigour and client management with strategic and social expertise has prior experience managing a small team, and enjoys getting their hands dirty across social media, video, imagery, strategy, data analytics, and marketing campaigns.

You will lead a team deploying social content and responses, oversee campaigns that include but are not limited to: support campaigns and social calendars and create reactive/proactive content managing and maintaining client’s social media platforms and developing client’s social media personality, audience research, plan campaigns and engaging content creation across multiple platforms, execution, manage social interactions and communities, conduct competitor analysis, performance monitoring and reporting. Knowledge of some SEO best practices is also helpful but not a requirement.

You’ll be client-facing, working closely with internal/external digital teams, strategists, designers, and copywriters.

This role is right for you if…

You are a reliable and professional manager who lives and breathes social culture, with your finger on the pulse of the latest and emerging trends as well an understanding of storytelling in social. You think about platforms and audiences. You will be ambitious and engaged with brands and consumers; interested in what makes them tick. Additionally, experience working in a large corporate with multiple stakeholders will be beneficial.

Most importantly, this role requires a steady, courteous, and proactive individual with great people skills. We value hard work, and we want to have fun doing it. The successful candidate will have a strong background of working with digital and social agencies and must excel in planning and producing engaging and creative social media and digital work.

What you will be doing 

Personnel management:

  • Reviewing the work
  • Training and mentoring
  • Feedback from the perspective of social media discipline
  • Setting expectations, goals and KPIs
  • Able to spot social opportunities in client’s niches
  • Work closely with our account management teams to develop new social media opportunities for revenue growth.

Client management:

  • Receiving any requests on brand portfolio and recommending the necessary changes that result, partnering with account management to assess the commercial impact
  • Receiving team feedback from clients and using this to steer the correct course of action, be that an internal promotion or guidance on performance, etc.
  • Directly accountable for client results.

Social media leadership:

  • Setting and optimising the team’s perspective on social media
  • Key point of contact for management, as well as a liaison to the clients.
  • Oversight on Community team activities and any strategy or major callouts
  • Leverage depth of insight across the team of CMs for FMCG brands
  • Expertise in community management and creative best practices
  • Oversee final deliverables (content calendar, social snapshot, other reporting, etc.)
  • Attending client presentations with the CMs as needed

Requirements

What will you need to be successful in this role

  • Five+ years of experience working on social in agencies or brands
  • Have a strong understanding of social platforms including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, and more.
  • Able to work to tight deadlines and be able to handle multiple projects at any given time.
  • Two+ years’ experience with demonstrated strength in people management
  • Three+ years’ experience working with an enterprise social media management tool, eg, Brandwatch, Hootsuite, Sprout
  • Excellent verbal communication and written skills
  • Proven work experience as a community manager
  • Highly organised with a proactive attitude
  • Culturally attuned to South Africa happenings
  • High proficiency in the English language
  • Social metrics aware and social content savvy
  • On the pulse of platform innovations and their applications to brands
  • Prior experience presenting findings and ideas to clients, confidence to explain decisions

What experience will help you be successful 

  • Has delivered to a high standard across paid, owned and earned
  • Has managed teams working across paid, owned and earned
  • Has worked closely with demanding clients on FMCG (or other B2C)
  • Well connected to social platforms in South Africa

Applications close: 15 May 2020

To apply click on “Apply now”, or email your updated CV to 

labolg.erom@tnemtiurcer

.

About us

Oliver, part of the global Inside Ideas Group (Oliver, AdjustYourSet, DARE, etc.), is a rapidly expanding creative services agency with a twist – we provide our clients with bespoke dedicated agencies that operate from within their offices. It’s a dynamic fast-paced solutions-focused start-up environment that brings clients and agency closer together to create more creative and effective work.

Website: www.oliver.agency
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18178061/

Posted on 30 Apr 12:33

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Sarisha Govender
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Joint Communication 3 of 2020 in respect of the proposed implementation dates for specific joint regulatory frameworks

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Publish Date: 2020-04-30
Category: PA Public Awareness

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Attachments:

Shift Setters

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Shift Setters in Pinetown | Manufacturing Production | Job Mail | 4592871

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Leading national manufacturer requires semi-skilled candidates with experience in manufacturing (preferably FMCG / plastics) for Setter role in Pinetown. Will do first line maintenance, set and run machines, do changeovers, oversee quality control of product etc. Shift position. Own transport advantageous. N4 minimum qualification. Pinetown. Call Scott 0117041302

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Liquor Sales Representative

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A well-established organisation in the Gauteng is seeking a Sales Representatives to join their team within the Liquor Trade Industry. Salary is Market Related. PLEASE NOTE: Should you apply for this vacancy and your skills and experience DO NOT match the inherent REQUIREMENTS of this position, YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE IMMEDIATELY DELETED. Please ensure that you READ and understand this advertised position BEFORE sending your CV to us, or otherwise you will just be wasting YOUR time and ours. Application Process: To apply for this position kindly e-mail your updated CV in MS Word format to admin3@whmrecruitment.co.za, and indicate the Position name in the Subject Line
Duties & Responsibilities Be adaptable to new situations and environments Must be an independent individual Need to make own decisions Can handle pressure Plan and execute Be able to handle conflict Desired Experience & Qualification 1-2 Years’ Experience in sales & promotions (liquor sales will be an advantage) Own vehicle and a valid Driver’s License Fluent in English Willing to work overtime & weekends as required by the company Be able to be vigilant and work in Townships Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted. Therefore, if you have not received any correspondence within two weeks of your application, you have been unsuccessful Package & Remuneration Market Related

PA Communication 2 of 2020: Proposed implementation dates of specific regulatory frameworks as a result of COVID-19

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Publish Date: 2020-04-30
Category: PA Public Awareness

  

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Project Manager (Johannesburg)

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Remuneration: negotiable 
Location: Johannesburg, Sandhurst
Job level: Management Jnr-Mid
Type: Permanent
Company: Wunderman Thompson

Job description

• Project setup and reporting in relative tools (Jira, Confluence etc.)
• Proven people skills to communicate effectively with customers and colleagues
• Managing resource schedules and availability
• Managing project scope
• Measure project performance
• Manage and report on project progress to management and client, able to present reports to senior stakeholders
• Manage customer expectations in terms of deliverables, timescales, deadlines and costs within constraints of limited resources and uncertainty in effort estimation
• Plan new requirements for projects as well as planning for change requests and ongoing support requirements
• Responsible for all project related administration
• Developing a detailed project plan
• Facilitate Scrums, Planning sessions and Retrospectives
• Follow process and project governance guidelines
• Ensure that the team is productive, assist in removing impediments from team, shield team from external interferences, and resolve team conflict.
• Ensure that all client requirements are understood by the development team.
• Design and document processes relating to the systems being developed.
• Delivers exceptional projects that exceed customers’ expectations through proactive, innovative and appropriate solutions
• Drive and motivate your team to deliver high-quality projects within sprints.
• Identify and address software quality issues as soon as they arise
• Perform and execute ad hoc administrative requirements
• Proactively contribute ideas for new features and easily identify areas for improvement
• Manage project costs according to the allocated budget and raise change requests to get approval for increased scope and costs.
• Make decisions and solve problems involving varied levels of complexity, ambiguity and risk.
• Facilitate collaboration to improve team productivity while promoting continuous improvement.
• Assist the product owner with backlog grooming.
• Actively contribute to the company’s agile culture.
• Maintain relevant metrics that help the team see how they are doing.
• Be a subject matter expert in work item tracking and project tracking software
• Act as ScrumMaster for two to four scrum teams, focused on helping the teams perform at their highest levels.
• Liaise between the development teams and product management. Foster better communication between the disciplines
• Guiding and performing strategic analysis for the project
• Assembling and coordinating project team members; assigning individual responsibilities
• Organising and managing all phases of the project to ensure on-time completion
• Adapt to learning skills not listed in this document to deliver a project.

Requirements

• Excellent communications skills, written and verbal
• In-depth knowledge of software development processes, especially Agile software development
• In depth knowledge of iterative development and continuous delivery
• Experience working with and managing distributed teams, working in multiple time zones will be advantageous
• Experience delivering complex development projects, especially managing external dependencies
• Experience working in Scrum
• Solid experience in Jira and Confluence
• Managing and communicating directly with multiple, high-level stakeholders
• Strong administration, attention to detail, ability to prioritise and manage time effectively
• Able to clearly communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences

Qualifications:

• Certified Scrum Master, or 2 years’ experience working as a Scrum Master
• 4+ years’ experience as an IT professional

Posted on 30 Apr 11:07

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Molline Ngwenya
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BI Developer (Pretoria)

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Remuneration: R520000 – R620000 per year Cost to company 
Location: Pretoria, Centurion
Type: Contract
Reference: #KB49095
Company: E-Merge IT Recruitment

Job description

If you have a desire to challenge the status quo, this one-year contract at a Data analytics EdTech company for a client that is South Africa’s leading telecommunications provider would be the next step in your career.

You will lead the BI CoE team reporting to the executive managers in supporting effective implementation of performance management, information management, BI and analytics.

This project has a high-value flow through their dashboards and spend cubes. Jump on board and discover this opportunity with us.

Reference number for this position is KB49095 which is a Contract position based in Centurion offering a cost to company salary of R520k– R620k Per Annum based on experience and ability. Contact Kavisha Bissessar on

az.oc.egrem-e@bahsivak>b<</span>

Are you ready for a change of scenery? E-Merge IT Recruitment is a specialist niche recruitment agency. We offer our candidates options so that we can successfully place the right developers with the right companies in the right roles. Check out the e-Merge website www.e-merge.co.za for more great positions.

Do you have a friend who is a developer or technology specialist? We pay cash for successful referrals!

https://www.e-merge.co.za/careers/referralprogramme/

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems management, engineering or related field
  • Four+ years’ experience.
  • MS stack (SSIS, SSRS, SSAS), Power BI, SQL,
  • Strong ETL experience
  • Lead experience is advantageous

Responsibilities:

  • Design, develop and manage the framework
  • Using your solid BI developer abilities to build dashboards for the client
  • Write business login into KPIS
  • Focus on implementing advanced analytics solutions
  • Save money through data management initiatives
  • Support database management

Posted on 30 Apr 10:20

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Kavisha Bissessar
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