Letters to the Editor, April 1, 2020

In your Letters to the Editor today: Keeping our primitive nature in check at the shops; struggling with so many power outages; and pandemic fallout in Tasmania.

ESSENTIALS: People left out by buy-ups use a dedicated shopping hour. Picture: AAP

In your Letters to the Editor today: Keeping our primitive nature in check at the shops; struggling with so many power outages; and pandemic fallout in Tasmania.

KEEP PRIMITIVE NATURE IN CHECK

TODAY politicians make difficult decisions — economic production and lives lost or isolation and dole queues. A countryside burnt not so long ago and now missing its workers heads towards recession. Medical staff, who work tirelessly and under perilous conditions, campaign for isolation aware that tragic choices will have to be made if the curve cannot be flattened. We members of communities of strangers, face problems too, not tragic nor momentous but difficult nonetheless.

Unlike normal times, the decision now to take two or more of an item, when only one, or none at all would be normally taken, imposes waste on emergency staff, and the elderly who end up queuing forlornly outside empty supermarkets.

The disposition to collect and gather when stuff is in short supply served an evolutionary role and is deeply ingrained in our psyche. But if awareness of the gross waste imposed on others does not defeat our return to foraging man, then what is to be done? Rationing? Not a solution without its own set of problems. Perhaps supermarkets ought to require we strangers to turn over empty cans or the inserts of eight toilet rolls should we seek another purchase. It too is not without costs, but it would serve to keep in check somewhat the primitive disposition to hoard.

Michael Brooks, Blackmans Bay and Bruce Felmingham, Blackmans Bay

Aurora Australis worry

AURORA Australia is back in Hobart after her last scheduled trip. Nuyina’s arrival is delayed so an alternative ship, presumably foreign, will be brought in for at least 90 days (Mercury, March 28). Does this mean that Aurora is no longer fit for service, or does it mean that her future has already been decided, and it precludes any further Antarctic Division work? Seems there is something we are not being told.

John Solomon, Taroona

Generalising and wrong

CHARLES Wooley’s article about so-called Baby Boomers was insulting, inaccurate and unhelpful in this time of uncertainty (Mercury, March 28). As I’ve grown older I’ve grown cautious about sweeping generalisations. Media concepts like Baby Boomers or Millennials stereotype large groups who in the real world are a complex mix of characteristics and experiences. My parents like many of the 1950s and 1960s of British heritage were strict in their approach to child-rearing and never thought about Dr Spock. Many children of that generation including myself and friends and colleagues, who wanted to save the world in the 1960s and 1970s continued to do so and still do, despite being derided as bleeding hearts or politically correct. Many worked for the common good, helping to establish a universal health system, legal aid and human rights standards, environmental protection, advances in medical science and the internet.

It has been 30 to 40 years of neoliberal economics and aggressive global capitalism that has eroded these systems and made Australians more unequal than they were back then. Many of my generation have contributed greatly in a voluntary capacity to Australia’s GDP even though it has not been officially counted.

Yes some of my generation hopped on the neoliberal gravy train and became obscenely rich at the expense of others, but I don’t know them. The crisis is a wake-up call to us all, young and old. Many in my generation predicted we would get to this point, but were ignored.

We need caring, constructive, intelligent communication not more smart-alec journalism. We need well-resourced public services and government that puts the needs of its people first.

Anne Collins, West Hobart

End-of-life planning

YES. Timing is everything. “Test of our humanity” (Letters, March 30) highlights the importance of the need for everyone to have an end of life plan in place. Put simply, in a medical situation requiring the decision whether to resuscitate or not your wishes are known. This would assist families and medical teams. Such a plan is distinctly different to an assisted dying choice. Therefore the “gift of life” as referred is not being arbitrarily denied. Unfortunately it is a sad fact older Australians are more susceptible to COVID-19 and that ventilators are limited.

Lee-Anne Spinks, Bellerive

Cop it sweet

READER Mike Dimond wants the Premier to make an exception and allow trout fishermen to continue despite national parks being closed (Letters, March 31). This ruling is for the greater good. My little grandson isn’t able to visit our shack (also remote), play on the beach or go squid fishing. I, like many grandparents can’t hold, hug or smother my grandchildren in kisses. Stay home and cop it sweet.

Deb Hunt, Moonah

HARD BEING A GOOD SOLDIER WITHOUT POWER

IN response to the chief executive of TasNetworks (“Focus on secure energy,” Letters, March 30), I know this pandemic is difficult for everyone and my heart aches to see the impact of the shutdowns and lockdowns. I am more fortunate than most and I am determined to get through this without a complaint. So I have gone into war mode; I anticipate, plan and follow the rules.

But when someone makes life more difficult, I feel I have something to say, or ask, “Was it really necessary?” Today (Tuesday) I experienced my third power outage for the month of March, with notices stating 8.30am to 4pm. I understand that the upgrade of condemned power poles is important, but now, at the beginning of a pandemic? I mean, it’s not as if TasNetworks needs to spend their money before June 30 because budgets have been suspended. The CEO’s letter explained how they were doing all they could for Tasmanians in a time of need.

I know it’s like a war and all I have to do for my country is sit on the couch like a good soldier, but it’s not easy to sit around for hours on end without power (three times in 18 days) devoid of anxiety, with no computer, phone, streaming or even a kettle, with lockdowns coming in thick and fast. So I decided to take the dogs for a long walk; I’m still allowed to exercise on my own, right? No, TasNetworks blocked off the street. Mind you, I would not have batted an eyelid if the government put troops in the neighbourhood but I cannot understand the thinking of TasNetworks. Are they in some sort of Abilene Paradox? Have they forgotten their raison d’etre? Is not electricity even more essential in the time of a national crisis with lockdowns?

Cheryl Dow-Sainter, Montrose

HOT TOPIC: PANDEMIC FALLOUT

Give hard workers stable hours

THE JobKeeper payment will ensure those who have lost their job can continue after the six months is finished, a great initiative, similarly, the jobseeker payment for those looking for work. However, I feel for employees who work two shifts of five permanent hours a week for two major supermarket chains. The other hours are often difficult to accrue because the employee is often given little notice to work three or four hour daily shifts.

Therefore these workers need to work six days to equal a jobseeker payment! For all the hard work, not being able to make appointments because of loss of income.

Shouldn’t these workers at least be offered stability of hours weekly so they can equal a jobseeker wage and live a more predictable life for all their hard work.

Andrea Brown, Blackmans Bay

Ask what you can do

I RETURNED home from Singapore at the very start of March, wearing a face mask. I was astonished at the easygoing attitude of most locals to the risks of viral transmission, something that has fortunately changed. But along with the rise in awareness there has been a rise in complaints. Why didn’t ScoMo do this, why didn’t the hospital planners do that, why doesn’t Centrelink get its act together; why can’t the authorities get their messages straight?

I suggest that instead of complaining about “them” not getting it right we all assume a responsibility to make it difficult for the virus to spread. It isn’t that hard and it will make the jobs of the people we all depend on, truckies, posties, shopworkers, doctors, much easier if they know we are thinking of them first, not just carrying on with our old potentially lethal habits. Instead of “why don’t they”, maybe we could instead start asking “why don’t I?”

Jeremy Torr, Sandy Bay

Cruise ship conditions

WILL there be any inquiry as to why cruise ships played such a large part in the spread of COVID-19?

Could it have something to do with the fact every cruise ship involved is registered in Liberia, Panama, the Bahamas or some other tax haven which puts them outside the accountability to Western nations’ laws when it comes to things such as employment terms (some crew members earn less than $1.50 an hour) and training in hygiene (the need to change personal protective gear between different cabins is critical to prevent spread of infection).

Daryl Chugg, Claremont

Brilliant move

ABSOLUTELY brilliant is all I can say about the Prime Minister and Treasurer rolling out the latest offer of $1500 a fortnight for workers who have lost their jobs, we are all guilty of having a crack at politicians most of the time, but I am one of the lucky ones because as a community in-home support worker we are required to care for our clients no matter what. We are extremely fortunate to have employment so Mr Morrison and Mr Frydenberg thank you for helping millions of Aussies without employment for the period of uncertainty we face. Locally Premier Gutwein you are doing a great job along with Dr Mark Veitch and your team in keeping everyone informed as it happens.

Daniel Webb, Glenorchy

Local park exceptions

LIKE many Kingborough residents I was deeply saddened by closure of local Parks and Wildlife-managed reserves. Closure of larger national parks and reserves with their tourist facilities, huts, campgrounds, toilets and picnic areas is clearly absolutely necessary in the bid to keep us safe. Small local reserves with no such facilities are primarily used by locals for personal exercise, walking, cycling, running etc. Exercise in a natural environment has been shown to maintain physical and mental wellbeing. It seem shortsighted not to consider a carefully chosen list of exceptions.

Sue Jones, Kingston

QUICK VIEWS

Drop six-monthly rego fee

DURING a time of financial hardship for many it is time to remove the excessive charge on vehicle rego for paying six monthly, about $50 a year. They no longer have to produce and post extra stickers. This fee hits the most vulnerable.

Sally Burnaby, Howrah

Random testing

THERE seems increasing concern about how real the apparent lack of community transmission is in Tasmania. It must be said (again) “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence”. Assuming we can’t test everyone why isn’t there randomised community testing (with consent of course).

Nick Mooney, Richmond

Better distancing on Wellington

SO Wellington Park is closed for recreation but suburban walking tracks are open. Pretty sure there would be fewer walkers with more social distancing on the Mountain. Needs a rethink!

L. Marszalek, Snug

Stay home

I HAVE to question the gripes about national parks and reserves being closed. Are we not supposed to be staying home? I don’t see how one can take a walk (albeit by themselves or in their family group) if we are staying at home?

Katrina Morris, Derwent Bridge

Dying laws important

WHAT an excellent letter by Margaret Sing on Mike Gaffney’s proposed voluntary assisted dying laws (Letters, March 29). Keep fighting and telling the truth Margaret. It’s doubtful, but you never know, you might even convince the religious Liberal politicians to pass these important laws.

Mick Leppard, Invermay

Casuals second-class

SECOND-class citizens. Are casuals deemed less worthy than other staff? It appears so given the new Jobkeeper scheme excludes casuals who have been employed for less than 12 months. Oh well just join the queue at Centrelink for JobSeeker payments and live the high life.

Peter Ontatzis, Old Beach

How times change, for banks

I HEAR the banks will be giving a helping hand to landlords who do the right thing by clients. Two things: how quickly banks have become the arbiters of ethical behaviour, and what a pity there was no such active watchman when banks had a rather different attitude to doing the right thing.

Jim Heys, South nipaluna/Hobart

Going solo

PRETTY soon the State Government will edict for a gathering of one person. That translates to a lot of card games of Patience.

Hank Dikkenberg, Glenorchy

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