Manage risk, said Ross:
“What are we going to do when we get COVID-25 and COVID-29? Shut everyone away every couple of years? If governments can no longer accurately risk assess we’re in trouble. If they won’t accept any risk we’re doomed. Game over.”
Don’t be silly, said Sally:
“But the government HAS assessed risk and that’s why we are shutdown! Without the shutdown there would have been horrendous loss of life. This is not like the flu. You cannot ignore the facts because you feel they inconvenience you!”
Mark was ready to take one for the team:
“I am not so young anymore, but very fit and healthy. I am ready to go and get it, so I can get better and get back into the community. I am sure if we called for volunteers we would get heaps; likely heaps from the Centrelink queue who have nothing better to do!
“I am sure it’s bad, as per the descriptions coming out of Europe and New York; but it would be better if we started to ‘manage’ it’s transmission through the healthy community, rather than cower in the corner while we watch it’s inevitable slow march through Australia. My dad is the same as (Steve Waterson’s); he would rather take the hit then see his legacy to his grandchildren destroyed in a matter of weeks!”
Stephen was certain:
“This is the best article on this situation I have ever read. Well done.”
AnthonyR reflected:
“I’ve just finished my 14-day self-isolation stint, and got out and had a taste of the way the real world is operating. Still. Such a relief to see most people going about their lives largely as normal, as much as they can. Very different from the view filtered through the media. Thankfully, my world isn’t filtered through social media as well, otherwise I possibly would be certifiably insane after 14 days of it.”
Matt prophesied:
“The COVID crisis is the great awakening. People are opening their eyes and wondering how they were blinded by the madness of consumption. You say this period is one in which people ‘sacrifice or cripple themselves, their livelihoods, their children’s future’. I think this period is one in which people will re-asses, revalue and save these things.”
Trevor warned:
“The problem with allowing the infection to run rampant through the populace is that by definition everyone gets it including all health workers, all hospital workers, all carers, all cleaners, all delivery workers. And they get it very quickly with this highly contagious virus. “That means that mothers giving birth, cancer kids, accident victims, people with heart conditions and diabetes and chronic diseases, and of course all old people in care and sick in their homes will be exposed and large swathes will die. To knowingly wipe out all our weak and vulnerable — kids and adults and oldies — is eugenics; it is not the sort of society we want. Certainly not the sort of society I want.”
Malcolm took issue:
“A rather callous article. (The writer) focuses on Sweden whom he says is just letting the virus take its course. Sweden has over 6000 cases reported of which only 106 have recovered and 351 have died already and Covid19 continues on its unabated way so what will their ultimate score in deaths and misery be?
“Sweden already has double Australia’s cases and 10 times the deaths. And deaths do not only occur amongst the elderly. If the Australian medical system was swamped there would be no way any other patients of other diseases would get treatment.”
From Just Wondering:
“Slowing the infection rate prolongs the effectiveness of our health system and lives of health workers. Failure to protect that limited resource will not only lead to more COVID deaths, but it will also lead to limited service to every other health condition. The triage decisions needed when the health system is on its knees are (too awful to) contemplate.”
Sze-Ming was sure:
“Yes, we have deferred to the government and the specialists as to the best way forward, and it looks like it’s working. I for one am happy to isolate my family for a relatively short time compared to the mass deaths shown in other countries.”
Rob45 was resigned:
“I am over 75, have 3 co-morbidities (HT, AF & severe emphysema), not to mention being overweight and markedly unfit. My chances of surviving COVID-19, should I contract it, are obviously far below average.
“While I agree with the Prime Minister’s recent statement that all Australian lives matter, I don’t believe it follows that therefore all lives are of equal value; at least not to the benefit of society in any practical sense.
“To wreck the economy, and thus the future of our children and grandchildren, to gain a few years of extra life for those like myself who are nearing the end of theirs is, to my mind, irrational and inexcusable. When there is not enough room in the lifeboat for everyone you’ll sink the boat unless some are kept out. Should this be the old or the young?”
–
A $1652 fine for a 17-year-old getting a driving lesson from her mum sparked furious debate over heavy-handed enforcement of social distancing and the resulting furore saw Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton step in to withdraw the fine.
Patrick was unimpressed:
“Total madness; they are in the same family so don’t need to adhere to social distancing rules. Secondly, they are inside a car; if it is just a drive, what an earth is the problem?”
Centsworth was cross:
“On the other hand it is a 70 km round trip. They could challenge the fine but somehow contacting the media to get some publicity to use as a means of excusing themselves breaking the rules does not impress me.”
Beware Big Brother, said GeoffB:
“But when the police make decisions that do not sit comfortably with the basic intent of the law, it is difficult to maintain confidence. After all, how does one person sitting on a park bench spread the virus? Or a mother and daughter (who cohabit) enclosed in a car break the intent of the Prime Minister’s objective to not spread the virus? Power has gone to the head of some officers.”
Michael mooted:
“The police have also been given substantial discretion in how they enforce these laws, with directives from the top that they be pragmatic. Smacks of junior officer getting excited about the power of the badge.”
High drama from Jim:
“This is how and why revolutions start. Stupid beyond belief.”
Only in Danistan, said Allen:
“The blame for this fiasco sits squarely at the top with Daniel Andrews and his leadership style. Have you noticed that every pronouncement he makes is justified by the words ‘this is designed to save lives’? This attitude sets a tone for the parliament and the public service.”
Jason was jaundiced:
“It hasn’t even started. Let’s see how chipper the ‘rules are rules’ crowd are when this has been going on for three or four months and there’s no end in sight.”
Enough, said Neville:
“Will you stop with this story. It was made clear that going for a drive for tuition purposes was inconsistent with the stay at home policy. The warning was out there.”
Last word to Ilana, by way of Offenbach:
“If gentlemen should seek to riot
and break each others’ heads at night,
We’re quite disposed to keep it quiet
provided that they make it right.
But if they do not seem to see us
or give to us our proper terms,
We run them in, we run them in,
we run them in, we run them in,
We show them we’re the beaux gendarmes.”
–
Each Friday the cream of your views on the news rises and we honour the voices that made the debate great. To boost your chances of being featured, please be pertinent, pithy and preferably make a point. Solid arguments, original ideas, sparkling prose, rapier wit and rhetorical flourishes may count in your favour. Civility is essential. Comments may be edited for length.
Biggest drag on our nation is ineptitude of government
After my experience of governments for more almost four decades, having always tried to work with government from the non-government side, I have to confess to being an unbeliever.
Sorry, Lord, there’s no way I’m loving my old neighbours
Right now, we live in a strata of six. It is a world of sympathy, co-operation and bonhomie. But you can move from having good neighbours to the entire cast of homicidal maniacs inhabiting Shakespeare’s plays.
Welcome to the column where you provide the content. Steve Waterson sparked a debate that divided readers across the nation with his assertion that our response to the coronavirus outbreak has been panicked, illogical, absurd and sinister.