Voices Of Victoria: Your say on the handling of Victoria’s latest Covid-19 wave
With fears of another Covid-19 wave and the state election looming, how do locals rate the major parties’ ability to keep the virus under control?
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Covid-19 continues to be a concern across Victoria with fears of a fresh wave of the virus which could see a return to some restrictions or a change in mask rules.
Since July 17, there’s been 82,468 new cases of the virus recorded throughout Victoria this week, and almost 200 people have died, according to Covid Live.
With the state election looming in late November, Leader reporters hit the streets this week to see if locals believe the major parties have the ability to keep the virus under control.
See if you can spot anyone you know, and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Peter Edwards, Albury
“I think it’s (the government’s response) lackadaisical,” Mr Edwards said.
“I don’t think there’s enough education here to help the people that need it.
“The mask is just a mask, it just covers the mouth but it doesn’t help stop the outbreak. There’s always someone that doesn’t abide.”
Evelyn Wilson, Ballarat
“I wish we could just come and say, ‘Make masks mandatory.’ Just make it clear for everyone.
“I was with a group today, my age group, and they all said, I wish they would just make it clear.
“We all said, ‘Why don’t they just make it mandatory? It’d be simple for everyone to understand.”
Loretta T, Reservoir
“I’m not at all confident. I think they’re (the major parties) catering to wanting to be elected more than anything else.
“People should be wearing masks and just being a little bit more careful and I think they’re (the major parties) not listening to what should be happening.
“I think at the moment, most political parties are out for what they can get out of the system, they’re all being paid wonderfully well, and unfortunately the rest of us are just suffering the consequences.
“Things are starting to change where I work, and for family members that work in different hospitality areas, they’ll be the ones suffering again and stuck at home.”
Bernie Cosgriff and Heather Urquhart, Forest Hill
Heather: “I’m not sure. Labor has a huge majority, but I will probably vote Liberal, I’m just sick of Dan Andrews.
“I think the emphasis has gone off the pandemic – you never really hear much about it anymore. Our GP said almost everyone would end up getting Covid, and we have both had it.
“The numbers (of people getting Covid) are still alarming.”
Bernie: “I will weigh it up, I may vote Labor again.”
Emily Carlson, Bass Coast
“I think Dan Andrews and the Labor party, over the past few years, have done the best job they can and I think with more time in government and more resources they could continue to do that.
“I don’t think the Liberal party would have as much success because they didn’t experience being in power when the state was in full crisis, lockdown mode, last time.
“They could adapt but it wouldn’t be as easy to learn those processes and gain that trust from scratch.
“It would be like learning to drive a manual after only driving an auto, you could do it but it’s just going to take time, that we don’t really have and it won’t really be the same.
“It’s easy to call shots from the sidelines but being in the thick of the management would be very different I imagine.”
Alex De Castello, Sassafras
“I’m unsure at the moment. At the start, the government were doing the best they could, but then they got very authoritarian (with lockdowns).
“It’s seems like they’re moving forwards towards more control of the situation but also balancing everyone’s needs to get out and about.
“At the start they (restrictions) were needed, but it dragged on a bit too long, and the needs for us to go out to work and attend funerals outweighed the safety benefits.
“At the moment there’s no need for lockdowns, people should still isolate if they get Covid and the testing facilities should still be open, but there’s no need to lock down everything.
“I’m not sure if the Liberals could do a better job.”
Jacquie Pratt, Blackburn
(no photo)
“I’m very happy with how it’s (the pandemic) all being treated at the moment.
“I think people really have to make their own minds up (if they want to wear a mask).
“They don’t have to mandate it, they can highly recommend it.
“(I’m happy) with how the state Labor Government is handling it at the moment.”
Barbara Brown, Blackburn
(no photo)
“I trust (Daniel) Andrews (to handle the pandemic) more (than Liberal).
“I’m a Labor girl – my father would kill me if I voted Liberal. I think Daniel Andrews has done an incredible job. I think he’s amazing.”
Mady Carter, Cranbourne
(no photo)
“Regardless of whichever party gets in, I don’t think it will make a difference.
“Neither party can effectively control an outbreak, because it relies entirely on public compliance. That is something that will never be 100 per cent.”
Troy Harmon, Yarraville
(no photo)
“I’m happy with how things are being handled now, we’re being given the choice to make our own decisions.”
“I think it’s right that rather than mandates, our medical professionals are saying: ‘you should do this’, but I guess that’s my opinion based on how tired I was about all the protesting and arguing.”
“I’d trust our current government more than the libs, just because I think they’ve done the best they could so far.”
“Honestly though I feel like our news has begun to treat Covid as a non-issue, there’s not much being reported on the current situation.”
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