Susie O’Brien: We don’t deserve to be subjected to meaningless rules

Victorians don’t deserve to be subject to meaningless rules when we’re doing the things that really matter: getting vaccinated, wearing masks and getting tested.

Stick to the plan, Dan. The Premier must keep his promise of reopening on the basis of vaccination rates, not Covid case numbers.

Higher case numbers – particularly when they include young people and those who are vaccinated, or partially vaccinated – shouldn’t be the driving force for determining when we reopen.

Four days of new Covid cases in Victoria past 1000 has led to much threatening and finger-wagging by Premier Daniel Andrews and his health honchos. But they need to remember that one third of the state’s new infections has had at least one vaccination dose.

Vaccinated people still get Covid, but they generally don’t get sick and most don’t die unless they are old or have compromised immunity.

It’s the same with people aged under 40, who made up nearly 70 per cent of new cases on the weekend. It sounds alarming, but it’s not, because the vast majority won’t get very sick.

National Department of Health data shows only one teenager with Covid has died, seven in their 20s and nine in their 30s.

Having promised that we would vaccinate our way out of Covid, Andrews is now suggesting the road map could be modified or paused because of a jump in cases.

He wants to punish “hundreds of thousands” of people he says flouted restrictions because of “poor choices” like having a mate over to watch the AFL grand final.

Instead of staying calm and keeping rising case numbers in perspective, Andrews is blaming ordinary Victorians for the failures of his government.

Such fraternisation has been labelled lawless, illegal and avoidable.

Premier Daniel Andrews. Picture : NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

I call it a sensible way to stay sane and avoid broader, mass gatherings like street protests.

The problem isn’t us, it’s the rules requiring us to meet our friends in the park, or measure the kilometres we’re travelling to go for a walk, or be home by 9pm.

The Victorian public don’t deserve to be subject to such meaningless rules when we’re doing all the things that really matter: getting vaccinated, wearing masks, getting tested and using QR codes.

If the health system can’t cope, it’s not because we watched the grand final with two friends. It’s because the government hasn’t taken enough precautions to protect hardworking healthcare workers.

And it’s because Victoria’s vaccination rollout is one of the slowest in the country, which is not helped by our high number of rabid anti-vaxxers.

Why doesn’t Andrews have a go at those who refuse to get vaccinated for no good reason rather than attack those who have a few mates over?

It’s no wonder that a growing number of Victorians have lost faith in Andrews to make decisions that are in our best interests.

We’re sensible, mature double-vaccinated adults who are taking managed, calculated risks to stay sane after enduring the longest lockdown in the world.

Let’s call it slippage – we are bending or ignoring rules we think are stupid and pointless.

And yet instead of offering sympathy to locked-down Victorians – now subject to the longest home detention in the world- all we’re getting is more catastrophising from our leaders.

Andrews is not a premier, he’s a school principal railing at us like naughty schoolkids.

If the road map for release depends on people doing the right thing and following every rule to the letter, then we’ll never get out. It’s not because we are selfish, socialisers or lawless thugs.

It’s because we’re tired, desperate, sad and lonely. So are our kids, many of whom now face another four agonising weeks of home schooling.

We can’t see why double vaccinated people who have been working from home and obeying all the rules shouldn’t socialise together. Surely the focus should be on driving up the vaccination rate, not obsessing about kids’ sleepovers or vaccinated adults having a mate or two over?

In any case, at this point it’s not up to us.

It’s up to the Premier to continue to ease restrictions so people feel like we’re getting somewhere.

To work with the federal government to ensure we’ve got all the vaccines we need, and to bring the vaccines to those who won’t turn up to clinics or hubs.

To ensure the health system has all the safeguards in place so people get the care they need.

Frankly, whatever it takes to get us out of this mess sooner than October 26 or November 5.

Hectoring, threatening, belittling weary people who are doing their best shouldn’t come into it.