Herd immunity is not feasible

With the public being bombarded almost daily by a plethora of views on how to handle the pandemic, from the extreme herd immunity strategy to unrealistic total elimination, it was refreshing to read yesterday that the states (with the possible exception of Victoria), the Northern Territory as well as the leading business organisations are behind the Prime Minister and the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee in agreeing that the suppression strategy is the most effective way forward (“Eliminating virus not a viable option”, 16/7).

As the AHPPC stated, with ongoing international trade and returning travellers it’s impossible to seal the borders of any country completely and without a vaccine true elimination is unrealistic. It’s now widely accepted that elimination would not have worked in Victoria anyway because cases leaked out from quarantine.

As epidemiologist Raina MacIntyre points out (“If we let up, virus toll will just spiral”, 16/7), research indicates that immunity in any event will not be permanent, so we’re clearly in this for the long haul. The takehome message is to focus on keeping healthy and for authorities to double down on efforts to reduce the comorbidity factors that make the virus so lethal, especially heart disease and diabetes.

Ron Hobba, Camberwell, Vic

Politics without chaos

What an irony it is that the republican movement in Australia and the conspiracy delusion that goes with it started on Remembrance Day 1975 and ended on Bastille Day 2020.

The French overthrew their monarchy on Bastille Day and look where it got them: Napoleon, terror, wars (none of which they won) and chaos.

In contrast, we have the best possible form of government devised by man: constitutional monarchy with Australian characteristics. We have parliamentary democracy and an independent sovereign who is above the fray of politics. The Palace letters confirm it and no amount of bandana-waving can deny it.

Why on earth would we want to change it? Unless we wanted President Rudd.

Neil Brown QC, Melbourne, Vic

Paul Kelly (“Inept anti-monarchists have royally lost the plot”, 16/7) is correct when he describes the Australian Republican Movement’s antics this week. As someone who is pro-republic, I nevertheless opposed the referendum in 1999 because of the divisions within the ARM between a minimalist model and a more radical model that favours a popularly elected president. I would never support the latter model as it would result in structural changes to our body politic and Westminster system and set up a rival source of power to the PM.

As Kelly argues, the ARM needs to realise that attacking the monarchy is detrimental to its cause.

John McLeod, Maroochydore, Qld

Back on the beat

The vision of newly installed police commissioner in Victoria Shane Patton will be music to the ears of many in that state (“New top cop’s vision unveiled”, 16/7)

There is a level of unease in Victoria that has evolved over the past few years, with the actions of youth gangs and others committing crimes ranging from vicious assaults to home invasions and the apparent leniency of the courts in such matters.

Patton has talked about a back-to-basics approach and no more so-called free kicks to repeat offenders.

However, while Patton might deliver that approach, it will be up to the courts to put the icing on the cake. The final part of the justice process has provided little comfort to the public (and police) for many years, allowing criminals the opportunity to practise their occupation through lenient, non-custodial sentences that could involve anything from community service to a bond.

Tim Sauer, Brighton East, Vic