Letters to the Editor, April 8, 2020

In your Letters to the Editor today: Staying confined within our own municipality, searching for humans on the phones and the new normal.

People surfing at Clifton Beach despite signs advising that Parks and Wildlife has closed the beach due to COVID-19. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

In your Letters to the Editor today: Staying confined within our own municipality, searching for humans on the phones and the new normal.

STICK TO YOUR OWN SUBURBS

I UNDERSTAND the reasoning behind the closure of Clifton Beach and other beaches in our national parks and reserves, but given the explicit “stay at home conditions” that we are currently living under, this closure will only give cause for some local and nearby residents to deliberately disobey this edict and drive to other surf spots, such as Dodges Ferry, Carlton Beach and Nubeena.

As mentioned by Acting Deputy Commissioner Jonathan Higgins, motorists should expect to be pulled over and quizzed about why they aren’t at home and perhaps fined. Not something that anyone wants to see happen. This is a time to not only stay in your home, but by doing so, stay in your suburb.

Andrew Verrier, Dodges Ferry

Immune system

END-of-life planning (Letters, April 1) is all very well, but one can also plan to remain alive! Older people are more susceptible to COVID-19 because of an immune system that is not as vigilant as that of a younger person. Statistically biological age is sometimes different from chronological age. In New Scientist there are suggestions as to what can be done to boost this system. Attention to diet, sleep, weight control, avoidance of alcohol, non-smoking and last but not least exercise. Oh … Yes! We all must die, but passivity is not to be encouraged. To a certain extent we are masters of our fate.

Margaret Nicol-Smith, Blackmans Bay

No free pass

I AM angry and frustrated once again over comments made by travellers returning to Tasmania about government-mandated isolation complaining about being faced with two weeks of “virtual imprisonment” when arriving in Australia then two more weeks when arriving in Tasmania (Mercury, April 7). As a state we have been self-isolating for two weeks so why should anyone returning be given a pass. Thank you Premier Gutwein for implementing these restrictions.

Cherryl Goss, Moonah

Glenorchy walks

I AGREE with reader Peter Hoult regarding access to parks and reserves (Letters, April 6). As he mentioned, Glenorchy is an example. After I contacted the council, it was explained to me that there was a problem in some areas with people congregating. I understand that small areas, such as playgrounds and skate parks, could be an issue. But if people ignore the physical distances in places like Tolosa Reserve and the Berriedale foreshore and Wilkinsons Point locations, get the police to sort them out.

I regularly visit Poimena Reserve and the Weston/Shoobridge Parks complex in Austins Ferry. In Poimena I seldom see anyone else apart from the odd disc golfer in the distance. Absolutely zilch chance of trading viruses there. Similarly the Weston/Shoobridge Park area. OK, dog walkers and some others — but we avoid each other like the plague. Instead I’m forced to walk in the street, thereby having to walk relatively close to others, and step onto the bike paths and risk being hit by a bike! I honestly think this is an over-reaction.

Bob Holderness-Roddam, Austins Ferry

End ex-PM perks

WITH the coronavirus crisis in such a state, now would be a good time to stop all the perks being given to all the ex-prime ministers. With all the perks they receive, wouldn’t it be better going towards all the people that are now becoming unemployed. Surely no ex-prime minister would disagree with this proposal, being that Australians stick together and help each other out. That is the Australian way. These perks must stop, live off your own money like all Australians.

Brian Ayers, Warrane

Credit where it’s due

WELL done to reader Alan Leitch regarding our leadership at the present time (Mercury, April 3). He very much reflects common observations shared by many people about how fortunate we are with the performance of current leaders, both state and federal. Unfortunately we still have to put up with fringe politicians trying to score political points. They still have the luxury of obtaining a disproportionate level of exposure to that which they are entitled. Appreciate what we have in strong leadership, and support them.

Michael Mazengarb, Lindisfarne

Shovelling money

I WONDER if the virus emergency will last long enough to make Prime Minister Scott Morrison realise how much more useful, both to people and the economy, is using money to help people in need rather than shovelling it out to those who are doing very nicely thank you.

Will he ever admit that capitalism, and with it underpaying employers, unprotected gig workers, irresponsible banks etc, etc, will always need controls and some socialistic underpinning? Or would the virus have to go on until hell freezes over to begin to enlighten him?

Jim Heys, South nipaluna/Hobart

AH, FOR THE DULCET TONES OF A REAL PERSON

RECENTLY I spent a lot of time on my phone trying to sort out a simple problem. In a long ago world before the onslaught of information technology the problem would have been resolved in less than five minutes. It used to be easy to contact the relevant person.

In these technologically enlightened times it is sometimes impossible to speak to a fellow human being. You are instead confronted with a maze of buttons to navigate. Eventually after pressing buttons 3, 4 and 5 you get a robotic voice which says “We’re sorry your call cannot be answered right now” etc. A common occurrence even if you call just after opening time.

After listening to digital music, back comes robo-speak with: Thanks for waiting, your call is important to us etc, then back to Muzak.

Thank goodness for home landlines. Mobiles have gone flat while poor victims of the cyber age have waited patiently. At last I hear a voice on the loudspeaker and it’s human I think. I gulp down the last of my Irish coffee and race across the room, tripping on the cat as I do so (another victim).

“Can I help you?”— the dulcet tones of a real person. After giving my details and the nature of my query I am transferred to another number. This time I am cut off. Back to square one. Sigh!

Bill Perry, Kingston

HOT TOPIC: THE NEW NORMAL

How will we ever go back?

WE are getting deeper into this odd new reality, we are modifying our homes to be more comfortable and less busy, we are ordering food online, using Amazon for everything else and grocery shopping online is fast becoming a thing as well.

We are only a few weeks into coronavirus and already the transition to online living has begun to create a new normal. The supermarkets will make it easier to shop online and are building a larger delivery force. We are being trained to a new style of living where stuff comes to us simply by clicking on it. Are we going to want to roll this back? Are we going to want to go to crowded supermarkets and wait in lines? Will we want to walk through crowded malls or try items of clothing, shoes, jewellery that could have been tried by others?

What about all the produce that is handled by whoever is there before you, not to mention items thoughtlessly put back on shelves by indecisive members of the public? Will we want to go back to the old ways of doing things, will we even want to go back to our 9 to 5 lives once we get used to the peace and quiet of a home-based fulfilled life? The home can be a terrible trap for some but it has the potential to become the castle again for most, I believe.

Robin Evans, Lenah Valley

Routine virus care

THERE is reason to be optimistic in these dark days. Sooner or later, management of the COVID-19 virus will become routine, just as with many contagious diseases. Some of these are now a dim memory. In March 1968, the Health Inspector was able to report to the Kingborough Commissioners: “Immunisation: during the last session 24 sabin, 64 T.A., 4 Combined Diphtheria and Tetanus and 9 Smallpox injections had been given, a total of 101. He considered this to be very satisfactory” (Minute # 213/68).

Kees Wierenga, Kingston

Common sense lacking

WE all need to exercise outdoors and connect with nature or each other at the same time as adhering to new laws. Reader Peter Hoult’s comments are pertinent (Letters, April 6). When challenged with some of the anomalies, I heard Peter Gutwein say, ultimately we should apply common sense.

There is not much common sense in the fact we can go by car to a golf club and play golf. We may use a boat ramp in our own area. This would entail towing the boat with a car. Go shooting, I imagine this requires a car drive. Yet we cannot enter the wonderful parks and reserves around our city, in many cases even if we can walk to them from our home. The areas still available are overcrowded with families walking together (lovely to see), children on bikes, skateboards and scooters, dogs and people. Please can parks and reserves around Hobart be reconsidered especially the walks on the slopes of Mt Wellington.

Rosanna Cameron, Sandy Bay

Towns missing supplies

FOR nearly a month, two vital products, sanitisers and toilet paper, have been undelivered to rural towns or available in Hobart supermarkets or chemists.

City deliveries are snapped up by city hogs and it is impossible for regional residents to drive 250km on the odd chance of finding anything. Woolworths says it is against policy to even put a parcel aside for a country buyer but will deliver locally. Where is reasonable support for regional towns at this time?

Ian Wallace, Swansea

Working together

IT is so good to see all political parties working together in Tasmania at present, to protect our people and our state. Peter, Rebecca, Cassy, Sue and Madeleine, thank you all! Especially Peter. If only this could be the way of the future for Tasmania.

H. Donaldson, Westbury

QUICK VIEWS

Don’t breach the moat

THE AFL won’t give Tasmania its own team but want to kick start the COVID-19 football year by using Launceston and Hobart to host teams and play here (Mercury, April 7). Premier Gutwein keep the moat intact and get David Walsh handling the bargaining chips.

M. Ross, New Town

Way clear for roadworks

WHILE airport activity and road traffic is at an unprecedented low, now is an opportune time for the government to fulfil election promises to upgrade the Tasman Highway from Sorell to the Tasman Bridge, adding an extra lane across the causeways, removing the airport roundabout and building a flyover to Holyman Avenue and completing landscaping of the Eastern Shore Tasman Bridge upgrade.

Monica Antel, Cambridge

Absurd footy pitch

IF Eddie McGuire’s patently absurd proposal to restart the AFL season in WA, SA and Tasmania gets the green light that will prove what I have always believed about Tasmania — the lunatics are running the asylum.

Phil Whitham, Howrah

Tick and cross confusion

I AM somewhat confused by the Tasmanian Government’s two-page advisory (Mercury, April 4). On the line with green ticks we are informed that it is OK to leave the house for exercise. On the line of red crosses underneath, we are told it is not OK to go to beaches or other public spaces. I went for a walk on the beach with my family. Please explain.

Paul Clemens, Lenah Valley

Failure to monitor airports

GOVERNMENTS and health departments, state and federal, have been critical of people not doing the right thing (rightly so), but they continually fail to monitor airports and docks throughout Australia with people flying from state to state and not being checked for any signs of the virus when they leave or after they land, then walk out the door to travel wherever they choose. What a joke.

Geoff Kennedy, Claremont

If you’re not buying, don’t touch

WHILE shopping during the seniors hour I noted another shopper handling at least a dozen apples before selecting a few to purchase. The staff have enough to do without the need to supervise customers who fail to use common sense or consideration towards other shoppers. If you are not buying it, don’t touch it and this policy should apply at all times and not just during an international pandemic.

Randall Corney, Acton Park

Light entertainment

BRING back Family Feud. Kids don’t want to watch the news, nor do adults under saturation from COVID. Light relief is the go, and puts us round the table being ourselves

Pete Giffard, Lauderdale

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