Easing out of the pandemic makes many people happy, but getting back to normal is a long way off . . .
Looking at the infection and death numbers, it’s clear that Australia has dealt responsibly and swiftly with the threat of the COVID-19 contagion.
Yet, there are some, usually with self interest to the fore, who suggest our leaders over-reacted to the perceived danger.
They’re saying our economy has taken a mighty, perhaps unnecessary, hit due to the tough Draconian measures.
But the lethal US and Italy scenarios have shown that poor decision-making leads to bad outcomes.
Given so little was known about CV-19, most smart Australians were pleased and relieved to see the Federal and state governments initiate early strong measures.
Now, with the infection curve flattened, our leaders are slowly relaxing the limits, allowing some socialising — while still emphasising the need to maintain social distancing.
Some twats missed the last bit.
At Coles and Bunnings, and on suburban footpaths, the slow learners amble along indifferently, heads often buried in their phones, oblivious to the reality of a highly contagious epidemic which though receding is still in our midst.
Though never one to endorse more rules and regulations, I’d like to see people using their phone while moving about in public areas cop a sobering fine.
This might help fine-tune their awareness of others.
The shocking deadly outbreaks at the nursing home in Penrith and spot virus fires elsewhere are reminders we still have a long way to go before we can resume normality.
I’m happy to endure a bit more home detention in order to reduce the possibility of spreading the infection.
Try telling this to many of the under 30s (many who demand freedom to be stupid) and corporate titans and the Murdoch media (who want nothing to stand in the way of capitalism and their bottom line).
A return to something like life as we knew it prior to 2020 seems a long way off.
For starters we need a vaccine.
The worlds’ brightest minds are working to exhaustion to produce a fix.
The time frame for this varies depending on who is doing the talking.
That renowned epidemiologist Donald J Trump predicts the end of this year. Hopefully, for once, he is right.
Pre COVID-19, and across the Pacific in the US, old mate Trumpie looked to be waltzing towards another term thanks to a booming economy, low unemployment and a rabble opposition.
But the frightening, out-of-control virus death toll and the old tweeter’s crazy mixed messages on how he is handling the pandemic has many swinging voters heading to the Dems.
What a grand choice the American voters have between presidential candidates, a delusional incumbent who struggles to talk about anyone other than himself, and a challenger who can’t always remember what day it is.
Deaths in the US have raced way past 60,000 – more than the number of Americans killed in the Vietnam war.
Yet the Fox gibberers and indeed the president himself continue to trumpet what an outstanding job The Donald is doing.
This is truly delusional. The Big Orange and the GOP heavies must be hoping like hell that forgetful, alleged fondler Joe Biden remains the Democrat nominee when the polls open.
Joe is Trump’s greatest weapon.
One important piece of pandemic modelling favoured by the White House has recently doubled its prediction of just how many Americans will die from the virus by August.
The prime cause, because states are reopening too soon with accompanying relaxation of social distancing.
The University of Washington’s School of Medicine has upped its forecast from a previous prediction of 72,000, to 134,000.
Factoring in the scientists’ margin of error, the new prediction ranges from 95,000 to 243,000.
Even Trumpie would understand that’s a lot of American voters.
It doesn’t help that many youthful Americans selfishly demand their lives return to normal.
Some laughingly refer to COVID-19 as the Boomer Remover, a kick in the teeth for the vulnerable oldies the pandemic is hitting hard.
Here in Oz, this fear of a COVID-19 rebound scares our health officials (though perhaps not the ever-preaching Andrew Bolt and the crazy coiffed, arms-flapping Rowan Deane).
Striking a balance between restoring social normality and pumping life back into the shattered economy, while simultaneously keeping Australians healthy and safe will be a massively difficult act to manage.
I don’t know whether to be sorry or envious of the last couple stranded at a ritzy resort in the Maldives, young honeymooners from South Africa.
When I last checked, they were living regally though anxious to get home without incurring an air charter bill that would choke a rhino.
Closed borders seem likely to remain for some time.
Maybe two years and then only with newly imposed contactless check-in procedures which could take four hours of purgatory, all the time observing the distancing regulations.
This will extend to aircraft seating, only 30 per cent of capacity to be used, meaning of course fares will zoom.
Globally, about 16,500 aircraft are presently grounded and the airlines are rushing to restyle their business models. Survival is at stake.
Our approach to tourism has already been turned on its ear. Travel is in chaos with planned 2020 holidays crashing down to earth or maybe hitting an iceberg.
A bubble including Australia and New Zealand seems our best hope.
The cruising industry will suffer most.
Those dirty, polluting floating hotels have an image problem that won’t go away in my lifetime.
The Ruby Princess is destined to become a modern-day Marie Celeste.
Surely it won’t continue in service without a name change?
Given its dodgy history, maybe cruising could become the newest extreme sport.
Lots of people I know have reset their approach to holidays, planning now to see more of our wide and wonderful brown land.
Please god this doesn’t mean they buy a caravan . . .
CHECKOUT: ‘Sorry, love’ just won’t cut it in isolation
CHECKOUT: Here-and-now and the post-pandemic future