In these times of need, we must embrace democracy

We have enough to contend with at this time of lockdowns and anxiety without self-appointed custodians of “correct think” such as Jane Buncle (“Infodemic will ensure virus locks us down longer”, 26/7) condemning the exchange of global information via the internet about Covid, vaccines and lockdowns.

There is undoubtedly a good deal of nonsense on social media, which includes conspiracy scenarios involving prominent international identities. But there is also valid and important debates and discussions between eminent virologists and epidemiologists, including those who have worked on vaccines for international pharmaceutical companies. They have important viewpoints to communicate that often don’t reach the mainstream media.

In this fraught age in which we live, it is certainly not the time to call for censorship of free speech. It would be a tragic irony that a virus originating in a communist state deprives us of the very democratic rights that we cherish most.

Vicki Sanderson, Cremorne, NSW

Jennifer Oriel is right that it’s important for governments to provide us with greater certainty when we can resume normal life (“Freedom’s a long shot thanks to sick sense of entitlement”, 26/7). So if not a national ID card with a fully vaccinated stamp, then some alternative is vital to allow those who’ve done their bit to move freely within our nation.

Anthony Bergin, Reid, ACT

From I to we. The anti-vax movement, the entitlement to freedom to choose to have or not to have a jab among the younger generation, reflects their privilege of growing up in an individualistic culture where I have rights, I can choose. The challenge of the pandemic is that we need to shift from the individual to the collective, to the community. What is good for the community is a new way of thinking that is imperative for all of us. We are a village and need to think of the survival of our village.

Dasia Black, Bellevue Hill, NSW

I recently sought advice for an eye operation where the doctor said the risk of an adverse outcome was less than one in 1000, nothing to worry about. Likewise, I needed a CT for a non-essential investigation and signed a consent where the risk was cited as one in 20,000, nothing to worry about said the medical person. I quipped it would be safer to have an AstraZeneca vaccine than the procedure. These anecdotes highlight the folly of the current situation where on advice, many people are choosing not to protect themselves against Covid-19 by using the AstraZeneca vaccine but rather to wait until Pfizer is available. How is it possible that Dr Sarah Gilbert, a co-creator of the AZ vaccine, can be given a standing ovation at Wimbledon for saving thousands of lives in Britain while Dr Jeannette Young, the Queensland chief health officer, be allowed to reject the vaccine on the basis of the possibility of one Queenslander death. The medical fear of one death when in the Indian summer of our Covid bubble has proven not to be sustainable. I, like others, am apprehensive about the risk of AstraZeneca but my sense is the risk is well worth taking.

James Stanger, Largs, NSW

Two days and two contrasting faces of Australia, one of shame and the other of euphoric Olympic fame. Those who choose to shame our nation should have a hard look at how focus, teamwork and dedication can take you to a much better place. That, too, goes to some of our premiers who are leading us to shame by defying the Greek storyteller Aesop’s warning “united we stand, divided we fall”.

Ian C. Murray, Cremorne Point, NSW

Where have we gone wrong? It used to be in Australia that when we came across someone in trouble, most would have jumped in to offer assistance. Now NSW is in serious trouble with Covid infections and has requested assistance with accelerated allocation of mRNA vaccine doses from the other state/territory allocations, and they have been denied by the respective premiers. Where is the leadership from the federal government to reallocate shipments from across our nation where there is immediate need? Failure in NSW to contain this outbreak will inevitably spill over to the rest of the country. This lack of leadership will ultimately be a disaster for us all. We are Australians, not members of tribal states and territories.

Dr Peter Bundesen, Fig Tree Pocket, Qld