Whose advice was this? The pollsters? Did economists outnumber epidemiologists?
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The Australian Medical Association participated. Victorian President Dr. Roderick McRae said too much weight had been given to the business lobby. He said sarcastically that it was “brave” on the part of the government to ignore accurate and precise medical advice in the midst of a pandemic.
Cases are on the rise. COVID is now the leading cause of death in the country. The hospitals are impressive. Elective surgery should be reduced. And it’s faster to get to the hospital by Uber than by ambulance.
But still Victoria is ruled by a fog of twisting, evasion and manipulation of social media designed to dodge the need for details or questioning.
Common sense could not penetrate the fog on Tuesday. Acting Prime Minister Jacinta Allan and Health Minister Mary-Ann Thomas used the words carefully without saying anything.
This from his press release:
“The minister also calls on employers to consider work-from-home arrangements that are best suited for their workplace and employees based on individual requirements.”
What? Do you want us to work from home or not?
At least the use of masks inside was “strongly recommended,” but it was weeks late.
Perhaps the Prime Minister believes that there has been such harsh brutality in Victoria through this pandemic that people will no longer be told what to do.
Perhaps the government is too focused on political danger to run the risk of making a decision.
If mandates are left behind, we must take responsibility for ourselves and those around us.
In return, the government must be honest and clear.
They must explain why masks are needed and unequivocally defend their use. Same with work from home. There is a balance between keeping the country afloat and protecting the vulnerable. Explain it and endorse it. Enough words of weasel.
And stop the evasion. On Tuesday, the minister refused to disclose case modeling figures for the winter. Because? He said they were speculations. True, yes, but in the last two years many serious decisions have been made about this speculation.
The state opposition does not help much. They call for a return to the blockades when no one suggests it.
A crisis needs strong leadership. It requires determination and ideas.
So let’s try this:
First, get out of politics. Put people first.
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Two, trust us. No more twists.
Three, let’s talk about ideas. What works?
Yes, encourage vaccination and sensible social prudence.
But think sideways. In the US there has been a long debate about targeted protection. It is a new wave and a new era. Could it work here?
Doctors say those most at risk are over 70 years old. Aim for them. Give them free N95 masks. Teach them to use them correctly.
Ask supermarkets to deliver it free of charge to anyone over the age of 70 to avoid exposure. Send messages explaining antivirals. Deliver reinforcements to your door.
None of this should be mandatory. But it could allow those at lower risk to make their living with relative freedom and security, while those at higher risk receive specific help and protection.
Months ago there should have been a winter plan. It wasn’t because we wanted to pretend the pandemic was gone, and governments at both levels were too shamelessly political to remind voters otherwise.
In particular, Daniel Andrews, in his eagerness to hide the past, has threatened the future.