Day 6 Friday 27th March
Today our nation has 3,166 confirmed cases of COVID-19, a daily rise of 367 cases. We have had 183,834 tests (1.66% positives). NSW reported another 186 for a total of 1,405. World figures have passed 500,000 with over 23,000 deaths. When we reach the point of reporting in hindsight the Ruby Princess fiasco of releasing known contaminants into the community will receive the severest criticism.
For the US, perhaps more will acknowledge their president for the ignorant buffoon he is, dispensing dangerous pharmaceutical advice and demanding an end to special economic provisions by Easter (because it’s a really nice time) as the tally rises. To Trump this virus is an annoying irritant.
It is intriguing in the current context that political leaders show great respect for the 10,000 hours plus of medical training of health experts but have another, contrary view of the expertise of climate change scientists. Our parliament plans not to meet until August and the real potential of bi-partisanship remains untapped.
If you are not a psychopath lacking empathy, consider that some of our Australian citizens may have suffered the four plagues of fire, flood, joblessness and contraction of the virus since Christmas. If such a citizen is also disabled they have probably stepped into the Old Testament book of Job.
While we are trying to flatten the curve of contagion we should pause to think again about the merits of flattening the curve of wealth distribution for a fairer and more sustainable society. More of us should become familiar with the Gini coefficient and say it should not be so. Wealthy people will also die and that is as it should be. Is it not right that we should question the integrity, equity and ethics of our economic model? Why do we passively accept the complicity and duplicity of the Murdoch press?
Channel 7 is currently airing a promotion for a story about Ben Cousins. His story of self-inflicted tragedy seems trivial beside the ongoing story of Corona. The market is behaving contrarily as it has risen for four days amid rapidly rising unemployment and business closures.
Self-isolation constrains one towards reflection. A clear mind is by definition less opaque. I think I like myself more for regarding what is important in life. We might all rediscover conversation free of invective. We are also re-framing for ourselves what we regard as essential.
Awesomely Astute 