Already in Qld our premier is talking strongly reminding us what to do, warning pubs and clubs to follow the rules, and “if you can’t socially distance in a shopping centre, then leave.” It’s not rocket science stuff, but people need to be told very clearly what they must do. And it needs to come from our leaders.
1 Like
Me either thankfully, and I worked full time through the worst in Qld. And my workplace has around 1000 people. Count myself as very lucky.
…and no colds this year either… an added bonus!
Good to see that Brad Hazzard wore a mask on the way to the press conference, then took it off to speak. I’m not sure why Gladys isn’t following suit. Have we actually ever seen Gladys wearing a mask in public?
5 Likes
Funny you mention that, my family was talking about how we’ve never seen Gladys wear a mask, nor the NSW Health officer (don’t know her name).
We were saying Brad mustn’t be used to the mask though as he didn’t have it on straight. The nose piece wasn’t on his nose correctly lol
3 Likes
Don’t get me wrong. The UK and The EU are a total mess with this. Watching Boris fumble through this infuriates me. And it doesn’t get reported in AU so much, but what is incredible is every country got it under control in the summer. The UK had around 500 cases a day for 3 months. Down from 20,000. Italy fared even better, around 200. Spain also. Greece was barely impacted. For June July aug and sept things were really good. Then they lost control completely (when cold weather moved peoples lives inside) and now it’s exploded. It’s a total disaster.
But the extreme measures Australia has resorted Don’t sit well with me. I moved to Europe because I love all the countries and cultures and our ability to move anoint so easily. Leave london at 5pm and be in Barcelona, Lisbon, Mallorca, Paris or Geneva 2 hours later. That’s something I value greatly in life, and in Australia that’s been taken away with no end in sight.
That’s why I would rather be here. But yes, the way it’s been handled here is a complete joke. No arguments there.
2 Likes
I agree with this. Last summer was really good in Europe. Cases were very low (in context for us) this summer with the vaccine abs some herd, should be even better. We are at our low now.
Heading into winter Australia becomes more vulnerable and the vaccine seems a way off there.
Serious question. Why were flights out of Sydney allowed today? And the past 4 days for that matter?
“Getting out before it’s too late.” Wasn’t it already too late?
1 Like
And the other states wouldn’t have to impose border controls if Gladys simply told greater Sydney they couldn’t travel out!
1 Like
Yes seriously. Like I said, the way the euro governments got control so well and then lost it again is a joke. That we are still this mess 10 months in boggles my mind. There is NOTHING positive to say about the UKs response to this at all. It’s been one cock up after another.
That said, as I said, the tactics Australia has resorted to Don’t sit well with me. Australia is the only democracy in the world that has banned citizens from leaving. Even NZ does not do that, and there death and infection rate is far below AU. North Korea is another country that bans citizens from leaving. That’s a blight on Australia’s history to me. For 2-3-4 months in March, I understand. But coming up on 12 months and possibly for 2 years. That actually breaks international laws with the UN. There has been quite a bit of coverage on that. It also shows Australia’s inability to get systems in place to manage the flow of people and manage Covid with rapid testing, trace and track and the like. If you’re whole response lies on banning citizens from leaving and forcing 50,000 others a 6 month weight to enter the country - I’m not sure the system is not without faults.
The New York Times called the 50,000 Australians stranded overseas a humanitarian crisis. But aussie media is more interested in calling 28 cases a Crisis. Im ok. Im fine. But there are thousands of Aussies who have lost jobs, have no money no healthcare and expired visas who are now illegal in foreign countries. The Australian embassy here in london is reported to have told people to seek beds at homeless shelters
This does not sit well with me. This is un-Australian. Australia has mounted efforts to get huge amounts of Australians home before in times of crisis. They can do it again. But they chose not to. 10s of thousands of Aussies have been abandoned by our country - so Queensland can maintain its 28 day streak.
The measures are somewhat draconian to me. And the amount of vitoral and hate i see from Australians towards those stranded overseas (I’ve experienced it ) is disgusting. The mentality that’s been whipped up is that of a very insular hermit country.
Some of the tactics of the government, and the hate I’ve seen towards Australians stuck overseas makes me glad I’m in Europe.
Australia’s done incredible. Covid is not even a top 20 killer in Australia. More Australians die from suicide every year. The number one cause of deaths of Aussies 16-45 is suicide. Australian’s statistically are extremely safe from covid. Incredibly safe.
The tactics I’ve seen don’t sit well with me. But each to their own. Every one has a different opinion on this that’s for sure. Australia has a tarnished history with borders: boat people, narau, and now this. I think it plays to the slightly racist and xenophobic nature of the voters - and no doubt it will score the government an election win.
Ñot every move is designed to save your life. Many of the moves are designed to win political points. And it’s worked.
3 Likes
The government probably should be doing more to ensure that Australians overseas who want to return home, can. But what reason is there for anyone currently in Australia (aside from health care workers and the like) to go overseas at the present time?
Because they have family living or working there?
3 Likes
Friends, family, husbands, wives, children, boyfriends, girlfriends, holidays, vacations, weddings, funerals, work, reunions, milestones, sick loved ones, birthdays… all the same reasons that have always existed.
2 Likes
The travel ban isn’t as challenging to circumvent as you might think or as the media / government might imply - a friend of mine got approval to go to the US to see his girlfriend on compassionate / mental health grounds without much effort.
1 Like
Reading the lists of the Prohibited LGAs for ACT and QLD. They both list Wollongong LGA as their residents being banned from entering those areas but not Shellharbour or Kiama (Despite those two LGAs also being part of the Illawarra Region)
The negative commentary on the lockdowns from Sunrise this morning is really terrible.
1 Like
What we have in Sydney and the northern beaches isn’t even a lockdown. These people are nuts. The fact is everyone in Sydney could be in a harsher lockdown on Friday for Xmas.
They should’ve done a full on northern beaches lock down for 5 days in norther beaches. Ring of steel. Only leave you home to exercise 1 hour a day and 1 person can shop. That’s it. But it’s too soft and the fears are growing that this is rampant and they’ll extend the lockdowns from Wednesday to all over Sydney indefinitely.
Where are these “fears” growing from? The latest advice is that there is no seeding outside the Northern Beaches. Don’t fall for the fear mongering.
1 Like
I have heard this too, it is frustrating, according to that article i linked above 95,000 people got an exemption to leave after the total travel ban until November. I doubt that many people had compelling compassionate grounds. I hope they all signed a waiver that they acknowledge that they could be stranded indefinitely and will be de-prioritised to return.
I saw. I don’t get it either as the entire Illawarra hasn’t had any locations listed nor any cases and is 1.5+ hours from Northern Beaches at its closest point.
I’m still deliberating turning around and heading back to Melbourne - more for fear and anxiety over having to get stuck in another lockdown.