“If it’s politically appropriate to say the pandemic is over, it’s hard, until things get out of their control completely, to say something different,” he said.
“We are talking about it being endemic, but it always comes in waves. We need to have frank debates about what happens when we move into the growth phases of these waves. “
Industry Minister Ben Carroll has admitted that there is more work to be done around communications. Credit: Wayne Taylor
A Labor minister in office, speaking anonymously to speak frankly about government policy, said Australian governments were reluctant to make COVID mitigation a dominant part of their narrative because it invoked memories of voter blockades.
“We are not the only ones in this basket, but there are elections around the corner [in November] it’s obviously a factor for the prime minister because the opposition jumps hysterically on anything we say on this front, “he said.”[Messaging] it may need to be increased soon “.
Speaking about the impending wave, reinforcements and flu shots on Friday, Industry Minister Ben Carroll admitted: “We need to work a little more around communications, which we will do.” He ruled out an inside mask and blockade warrant, which no expert or politician defends.
But one MP said it was appropriate for the government to consider reintroducing rules, such as visitor limits on nursing homes and hospitals.
Another said he was “distressed” by the number of people dying.
“Everyone has taken their foot off the pedal and it would be valuable, even if these things are voluntary, to strongly promote the things we are used to: distancing, ventilation, the use of masks, and vaccination.”
“The use of the mask is so spectacularly inadequate on public transport. I often see tram drivers not wearing them. If we can’t get workers to wear them, how can we get passengers to do that?”
Deakin University epidemiologist Catherine Bennett said the Victorian government had not gone from top-down messages at the beginning of the pandemic to information that empowers the community about tools to manage risk.
Loading
Professor Bennett, who has often criticized the setting of Victoria’s COVID-19 policy, said the Victoria Department of Health should do things like present data on the effectiveness of masks in preventing infection.
“We have to be creative in terms of commitment. We did it with vaccination and outbreak control. We have to do it again to understand what communities need to get them to continue wearing masks and doing other things,” he said. to say.
“Yes, it would help the prime minister to lead by example, but now we need more than that. Should it be positive? Yes. We need to move away from fear. Public health messages should not be about fear. “It’s about giving people the information they need to feel they can control risk.”
A spokeswoman for the state government said the Andrews government continued to protect public health, “including simple, common-sense restrictions,” by spending $ 2 million since the start of winter on campaigns. of information, even in reinforcements and management of COVID-19 at home.
The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the most important and interesting stories, analysis and knowledge of the day. Register here.