Daniel Andrews schooled in COVID strategy by NSW
Virus scaremongers silenced after NSW lead way on COVID strategy and show other state leaders are jumping at shadows.
Rita Panahi
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Where did all the doomsayers go?
What happened to the “expert class” of lockdown enthusiasts who said NSW was headed for disaster because Premier Gladys Berejiklian refused to implement tough Victorian-style restrictions and a statewide mask mandate?
Those who screamed the loudest for draconian, economy-destroying measures are oddly quiet now NSW has suppressed the spike in infections without subjecting its citizens to an illiberal lockdown.
Who can forget the “Sydney is facing a super-spreading disaster” scaremongering from the media and its preferred dial-a-quote experts who predicted that by early January, NSW would be reeling from thousands of cases of community transmission?
The ABC’s Norman Swan, who has been on the public payroll for almost 40 years, was among those who chastised the NSW approach: “It is very frustrating to see that the lessons from Victoria have not been learned by NSW. Half measures fail. Act fast,” he tweeted, adding: “NSW’s incremental approach doesn’t work.”
Only it does. And has consistently throughout this pandemic.
While bed-wetting premiers across the country jump at shadows, closing borders, muzzling citizens and causing havoc in people’s lives, Gladys Berejiklian has shown there is a better way. The state that has done the heaviest lifting in taking the greatest number of overseas arrivals has set the standard in managing the health risks while protecting people’s livelihoods and liberties.
On Friday NSW will lift mandatory mask requirements for retail businesses including supermarkets.
After just 10 consecutive days of zero community transmission, Premier Berejiklian announced easing of restrictions as NSW again showed the rest of the country how to keep the community safe without destroying your economy.
“We look forward to starting off the working year and the school year in a positive light by easing these restrictions ensuring that we’re COVID safe, but also using the lessons of last year, as we deal with a pandemic moving forward,” Berejiklian said.
Contrast that with Victoria, the state with the worst COVID response in the country, characterised by panic, inconsistency and a per capita death rate that’s more than 32 times the national average.
Even after 22 days of zero community transmission Victorian Premier Dan Andrews does not feel confident lifting the statewide mask mandate for department stores, shopping centres, supermarkets and other large retail spaces.
Why? What medical advice is he receiving and why is at odds with the NSW model?
It seems the Victorian government, after overseeing the greatest public policy disaster in the country’s history, believes the only way to suppress the virus is to appear tough with restrictions, never mind NSW has shown you can achieve zero community transmission by having a proportional, targeted response.
After a pre-Christmas spike in infections that was labelled a “second wave”, NSW did not panic and shut down its economy, institute crippling state wide restrictions or blame its citizens for behaving recklessly. Instead, it relied on its contact-tracing team to again contain the virus, with only limited restrictions imposed on the most impacted geographical areas.
It took a nuanced approach despite hysteria from the media and other premiers demanding far “tougher” action. Throughout this pandemic Berejiklian has been conscious of the cure not being worse than the disease.
She has learnt from her early mistakes and set the benchmark in keeping people safe while protecting their liberties, including the right to earn a living. For employing this sensible strategy, Berejiklian has been continuously attacked by lockdown advocates and members of the Dan cult.
Of course, the most ardent supporters of lockdowns tend to be those with no skin in the game; it’s easy to push for such measures when it’s not your job or business on the line.
One wonders what shape would Victoria be in if we had competent leadership and contact tracing during the disastrous second wave. We’d certainly not have destroyed so many lives and livelihoods with a 112-day lockdown.
It beggars belief Victoria requires its own residents to seek permission to enter their home state.
With the exception of Berejiklian the premiers, both Labor and Liberal, have shown a disturbing willingness to play politics during this pandemic.
It’s high time for the Prime Minister to assert his leadership and demand state borders not be shut at the whim of premiers with an eye on the latest opinion poll.
We are, after all, meant to be “one and free”.
IN SHORT
It’s time to call out the divisive “always was, always will be” mantra. Never mind the vacuous grandstanding, the statement is inherently anti-migrant. It’s a PC way of saying “go back to where you came from”. Every citizen is entitled to call this land theirs.
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