Tasmanians reveal their biggest COVID fears

A Mercury survey has uncovered the biggest fears Tasmanians have about the pandemic, as more than a thousand readers share their views on border closures, essential workers and if our economy can survive a second wave. SEE THE RESULTS

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MOST Tasmanians agree keeping the borders closed until December 1 is a good move, with a second wave rated as one of the biggest fears people have about the COVID-19 pandemic.

But a majority believe restrictions should be lifted within our island state as we continue to strike a balance between public safety and getting a head start on economic recovery.

A survey by the Mercury has revealed the biggest worries of Tasmanian residents, as readers also answer questions about the state’s health and aged care systems and their thoughts on how our government is handling the pandemic.

A second wave and “opening the borders too early” were two of the biggest worries of those who completed the survey, with many fearing Tasmania could follow in the footsteps of Melbourne with a second — and even more intense — lockdown if community transmission were to occur.

“As an older Tasmanian I am fearful of a second outbreak,” one reader said.

“People are calling for the state to be opened up but if the virus reappears, we are back in lockdown. That is devastating.”

But on the flip side, many were concerned the continued closure of the state’s borders would mean an irreversible effect on Tasmania’s tourism industry and many small businesses.

“Having to go into severe, hard lockdown if there is a second outbreak will cause much more damage to Tasmania than riding out the existing outbreaks in Victoria and New South Wales,” one reader said.

Among those worried for the state’s economy, the idea of a travel bubble with safe states was one favoured by many readers.

“If we don’t start to open up to travel to states that have good disease control (WA, NT, SA, QLD) in some limited but progressive way we will have a very weakened economy and fearful community that becomes too paranoid about COVID,” one respondent said.

The plight of Tasmanian-based FIFO workers rated highly with many respondents, with 55% saying they should be given the same freedoms as essential workers when transiting through state borders.

Tasmanians’ mental health — both short and long term — was another major concern for readers.

“Our young people are killing themselves in droves due to the flow-on effects,” one Tasmanian parent said.

“My children will not have a future here if we bankrupt the state and turn it into a welfare state.”

Being separated from family members indefinitely was just one factor many listed as taking an emotional toll on residents.

“(My biggest worry is) people’s mental health as a lot of us are being separated from immediate family members who are on the mainland. Also the tourism industry is getting hit hard.”

When asked if they thought the Tasmanian Government had been communicating well during the COVID-19 pandemic, 65% said yes, 13% said no and 22% thought they could communicate better.

SURVEY RESULTS

26% of readers are still working from home

1.5% are still home schooling their children

54% agree with the decision to keep the borders shut until December 1

46% disagree with the decision to keep the borders shut until December 1

55% believe Tasmanian-based FIFO workers should be given the same freedoms as essential workers

55% think restrictions should be eased further within Tasmania

66% think Tasmania’s aged care sector is adequately prepared if there was a second wave

78% think Tasmania’s health system (ie hospitals) is adequately prepared if there was a second wave

65% think the Tasmanian Government has been communicating well during the COVID-19 pandemic, 22% thought they could communicate better and 13% thought they were communicating poorly.

[Total number of survey respondents = 1101]

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