We have been experiencing the flow and ebb of COVID-19 contagion, a gush then a trickle. Comparisons are made with the plight of other nations. The world coroner will later judge what role timely preparedness or ignorant delay played in their respective fortunes. 6,359 cases now for Australia, 46 new overnight and 61 deaths. There have been 362,000 tests for the virus. NSW had 9 new cases added for 2,863 cases and 26 deaths. It seems America the Great will finish first in deaths.
UK PM Boris Johnson is out of hospital and apparently very grateful for his care. US President Donald seems inclined to sack his government’s top infectious diseases advisor Dr Anthony Fauci (after all, he knows how to do “you’re fired!” from TV’s The Apprentice). Apparently Dr Fauci was foolish enough to suggest that many lives may not have been wasted if the Commander-in-Chief hadn’t been so slow to respond while he was busy denying.
Government initiatives have today focused on support for research institutes. A grim warning was also issued for NSW about going to work sick, especially workers in aged care. Tasmania has closed two hospitals in the north-west. Queensland schools will be contactless for the first 5 weeks of term two. We all stayed home over Easter. Staying home and social distancing seems to be effective.
Writing in the March 2020 issue of The Monthly, Shane Danielsen quoted Bertrand Russell’s observation about how the staunchest advocates for capitalism always harp on about liberty, yet ultimately that belief boils down to a single proposition: “The fortunate must not be restrained in the exercise of tyranny over the unfortunate.” Will the distribution of power change in the post-pandemic world we create?
Awesomely Astute 