This is no normal enemy, so it’s lucky Tasmanians are tough
We’re freaked out — but we can keep our nerve while washing our hands, says Jacqui Lambie
IF you’re feeling freaked out by all the coronavirus news, I totally get it. A lot of people are feeling pretty nervous, and frankly I’m one of them. The coronavirus isn’t a normal enemy like we’ve ever faced before. It could strike at anytime, anywhere. Not knowing what’s to come is weighing on all of our minds.
Our anxiety is heightened because we’ve lost our routines — our lives just aren’t following normal patterns. We’ve all learned new words and phrases: “social distancing”, “self-isolation”, and “panic buying”. We’re trying to remember not to shake hands (does the elbow thing really work?) and to stop touching our faces.
Now we can’t go to big public gatherings. The footy, weddings and country shows are all out! Public access to aged-care facilities is also being cut back to protect the residents.
The Prime Minister says that disruptions to our daily lives will continue for at least six months.
It’s scary, and it’s hard on all of us. But let me reassure you. I know how strong you Tasmanians are, and I know we can get through this together. We’ve survived for decades on very little. Tasmanians are tough and resilient.
The fact our Premier was brave enough to close off our borders will help a lot. Hopefully we can stop this thing in its tracks as quickly as possible.
In the meantime, do what you do best. Look after each other. Be careful of coming in contact with the elderly, but check in with your neighbours — perhaps with a note in their letterbox — to let them know you can deliver groceries if they need to self-isolate. Or be prepared to donate a few rolls of loo paper, lord knows they’re as good as gold these days. If you’re feeling well and aren’t required to self-isolate, think about whether you can volunteer at your local charity. A lot of the volunteers at Vinnies and the Salvos are elderly and may not be able to work any more. We’re going to need all hands on deck in the coming months.
Make sure you follow the most up-to-date medical advice, especially if you feel sick or you might have been in contact with someone who has the virus. Get obsessive about washing your hands.
And for goodness sake please settle down in the grocery stores. The Prime Minister is right. The behaviour has been appalling.
Hoarders need to calm down. Australia won’t run out of groceries. The shops will stay open. The only thing panic buying achieves is to make everyone else even more scared, and it’s completely unnecessary. Please be kind to the staff at your local shop. I have seen shoppers having a go at the kids working in Coles and Woolies who are simply doing their jobs. Come on you guys. They’re trying their best under really tough circumstances. The rude behaviour just isn’t the way we do things here, and I know you’re all better than that.
The virus isn’t just a health problem, it’s an economic one too. Financial support is in place and more will be coming. The Tasmanian Government will give one-off payments to casuals and low-income families who have to selfisolate. Individuals will get $250, and families will get $1000. It will help people keep their heads above water.
If you’re on Centrelink payments or get Family Tax Benefits, you’ll also get $750 from the Federal Government, whether or not you’re sick or in isolation. There’s also support to help businesses keep employees on the books, and start buying new assets if they can.
Things are moving fast, and it’s pretty clear the Federal Government needs to do more. I’m particularly worried about those who aren’t lucky enough to have secure work. I’ve heard from many sole traders and self-employed people that they’re really going to struggle if they have to shut up shop. Casuals are scared they’ll lose their jobs.
The Government says they will do more. When they do, I’ll make sure they hear about you guys. You can trust the people making decisions about the next stage of the response plan will know what your needs are.
Now’s not the time to get political, but I will say one thing. This virus has exposed how millions of casuals and self-employed people have no fallback option if they have to stop working. A lot of you are paying so much rent, or have so much debt, that copping a two-week gap in your pay just isn’t possible.
That’s why the unbelievably low rate of Newstart is making people even more frightened. We don’t have a proper safety net in our society if people who lose their jobs have to live below the poverty line. Without proper support for unemployed people, our economy and our society are extremely vulnerable to shocks like this one. I hope the Government will see that now.
That’s all from me. Stay safe Tasmania. Wash your hands, quit touching your face, and look out for each other. We’ll come through stronger on the other side.