Forum –
Australia announced its first COVID case on January 25, 2020.
The World Health Organisation declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020.
The WHO declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020.
Australian borders were closed to all non-residents on March 20, 2020.
Social distancing rules were imposed on March 21, 2020.
State and territory governments started to close non-essential services the same day.
We muddled through. each of us doing our part to help stem the virus.
We changed our lives; people lost jobs and far more importantly lost loved ones.
We were all devastated.
Then, as predicted, the second wave hit in May, 2020.
By now most of us had begun to listen to and take on board the predictions being made by trusted and reliable authorities in the field of virology.
It was indisputable that things would get far, far worse.
And indisputable that this pandemic was (predictable) but unprecedented.
The world went into a meltdown.
It was going to be tough for everyone, especially the vulnerable and disadvantaged (as is always the case).
Island nations like Australia and New Zealand et al had a distinct advantage over the rest of the world.
Did we take full advantage of that?
Did any of us (our governments included) fully comprehend the severity, complications and longevity of this virus?
We can argue – shoulda, woulda, coulda but the horse has bolted so it’s now history.
But we all know by now that this is an extremely serious situation.
This virus is not going away; on the contrary it is becoming more serious.
The PM officially launched Australia’s vaccination program on February 22, 2021.
The first people to receive the vaccines would be priority groups who are at higher risk of COVID-19.
The PM announced only yesterday that it would be mandatory for aged care workers to be vaccinated – expecting (them) “to have their first does by mid-September”.
That horse shouldn’t have been let out of the paddock, let alone be allowed to bolt.
Regardless of your politics, (it) is beyond irresponsible to have left this mandate this late.
And why are our indigenous people (some of the most vulnerable in our community) still without adequate health care in this situation?
It’s gone beyond my rational thinking.
I’ve tried to stay positive and supportive of our government’s decisions.
I had my first vaccination shot as soon as I could get it.
I wear a mask and adhere to social distancing.
I log in wherever I go and my business is now closed and I am in lockdown at home.
I believe I’ve done everything that was expected/required of me to help this extraordinary situation – personally, locally, regionally and globally.
But I’m now seriously angry that our Federal Government has let us down so entirely.
We need a national strategy for a national crisis – immediately.
Email, Jun 30
Jody Deamer, Killcare