Editorial: Do the right thing, dob in a dodger

Hindsight can be a wonderful thing. But in the case of the coronavirus pandemic, it will be too little too late for families with loved ones struck down, hospitalised or killed by the disease during this global health crisis.

Hindsight can be a wonderful thing. But in the case of the coronavirus pandemic, it will be too little too late for families with loved ones struck down, hospitalised or killed by the disease during this global health crisis.

New South Wales Health’s now admitted mistake of releasing thousands of cruise ships passengers back into communities across the country unchecked is, at best, an embarrassing and extraordinary oversight.

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It has put the entire country at the mercy of infected passengers carrying the virus into every state and territory, initially without us even knowing.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week announced a 30-day ban on all foreign cruise ships docking in Australia, but the federal government made an exemption for four ships which were already on their way, including those with Tasmanians on-board.

The ships — Ovation of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Ruby Princess and Celebrity Solstice — docked at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Circular Quay in the past fortnight and passengers were allowed to leave unchecked. Each ship has now been found to have harboured coronavirus.

Fifty-four Tasmanians were on-board the Ruby Princess with at least three of those are now confirmed to have the potentially deadly COVID — 19. Two came back into the state and became confirmed cases, while another woman is still receiving treatment in NSW.

Alarmingly, we now know more of those 54 Tasmanians who have since returned home are showing symptoms and are anxiously awaiting test results, due in coming days, with two others unaccounted for to health officials as of yesterday afternoon.

WARNING TO THOSE FLOUTING ISOLATION DIRECTIVE

In response to the communication breakdown, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the government would double down on its commitment to work together closely with the states to avoid similar oversights.

To the Gutwein government’s credit, Tasmania last week introduced the toughest border measures of any state in the country, with other states now looking at similar moves as even tighter lockdowns and shutdowns are considered.

The strict border controls should offer us some level of comfort, but the cruise ship debacle illustrates we are still very vulnerable. Especially with reports of more people flouting self-isolation requirements.

Fines of up to $16,800 and six months in prison can apply but the greater cost will be to our healthcare system, the economy and the number of lives lost.

So if you have been asked to self-isolate due to close contact with a case or if you are in quarantine, you must stay home.

If you are not impacted, and have to go out, protect yourself to protect others.

Nothing will be as strong as taking personal responsibility to protect you and your family

It will get tougher before it gets easier.

We know we can do better so let’s do all we can to protect and support ourselves and each other and report others doing the wrong thing.