Susie O’Brien: We need calm reaction to emergence of Omicron strain

In the wake of the emergence of Omicron, decisions must be guided by science, not short-term political expediency or a grab for power.

Let’s hope Premier Daniel Andrews doesn’t draw inspiration from the fact that an anagram of Omicron is moronic.

He needs to stop treating us like idiots.

The emergence of Omicron, a new strain of the Covid virus, must not be met with his government’s signature kneejerk over-reaction.

This weaker, less serious strain should not be used to rush this state into more lockouts, mandates, restrictions or lockdowns.

Victoria must push ahead with the further easing of restrictions as promised, targeting any measures specifically to address only those directly affected.

Omicron must also not be used by Andrews as justification for the government’s draconian pandemic powers Bill given that there’s still time for the current powers to be extended.

The Premier has been warned.

The 20,000-plus people who marched peacefully through the streets of Melbourne on the weekend will swell to 10 times that number if our newfound freedom is put in jeopardy.

The people of this state are weary of endless lockdowns and social manipulation from this power-hungry mob.

Many are switching off, sick of alarmist predictions and scare-mongering from politicians trying to sure up their own positions.

Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, makes an announcement at Box Hill Institute, Box Hill. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Matray

Any response to Omicron must be proportionate and balanced, particularly because there are signs that those affected by the strain are only unwell for a couple of days and experience only muscle aches and tiredness.

There is no evidence the new strain is more deadly than the Delta variant or less resistant to vaccines.

Decisions must be guided by science, not short-term political expediency or a grab for power. For instance, leading public health expert Dr Nick Coatsworth is even suggesting that the spread of a milder strain of the virus could be a good thing.

“If this is milder than Delta, you actually want it to spread within your community,” he said on Monday.

“You want it to outcompete Delta and become the predominant circulating virus.”

We must not flinch now that the new strain has emerged, but continue to live with the virus in all of its variations.

While scientists around the world continue to understand its impacts and effects, we must act with caution.

Victorians over 12 are now 90 per cent vaccinated, which puts us in an excellent position to continue opening up our state.

While some of the events unfolding in South Africa are of concern, we must remember the country has a vaccination rate of just 24 per cent.

It’s also important to note that our country’s Omicron cases so far are both asymptomatic and fully vaccinated. No doubt there will be more. Bans will help slow the spread of this virus, but will not stop it altogether.

At this point Australia is barring entry to anyone who is not a citizen who has been in the relevant African countries in the past fortnight.

As an additional precaution, all vaccinated travellers arriving here must isolate for 72 hours on arrival.

There is no need for our Premier to follow the lead of the New York governor and declare a state of emergency.

We also do not need bans on the entry of all foreigners, a return to compulsory mask-wearing or more lockdowns.

Victorians have been told there will be no more lockdowns and this is a promise that must be kept.

On October 22, Andrews said: “We’re not having statewide lockdowns, we’re not having citywide lockdowns, because people have gone and done what we’ve asked them to do.”

Keeping this promise is more important than ever.

However, the ongoing treatment of unvaccinated children aged 12 to 15 shows the wiliness of the government to change the rules without warning. The government’s own advice to schools and parents states that vaccination of 12-year-olds is not mandatory, and yet unvaccinated children are now locked out of many key sporting, community and social events.

Rather than see this as a devastating blow, let’s see Omicron as a challenge to provide a circumspect, effective and co-ordinated response between states and the federal government.

This includes ensuring vaccinations are reconfigured if necessary to respond to the new strain and boosters are brought forward if needed.

Any response must be targeted to minimise the impact on business, jobs, the individuals and the economy.

Let’s not forget this is the fifth strain of Covid to be identified as a variant of concern by the World Health Organisation.

There will be more, particularly from countries with lower vaccination rates. This underscores the importance of wealthy countries like Australia playing a role in helping to boost vaccination rates in poorer countries.

And in the meantime, we need to strongly resist unnecessary Covid control measures that will further restrict our freedom and stop our state from being united and productive.