We’ll remain in their debt

IT’S hard not to feel a bit emotional when reading the Talking Point in today’s Mercury (page 17) by Colin Riley, the president of the Police Association of Tasmania. He describes the moment a member of the association went to a shop recently in his police uniform, and how he could sense people’s suspicions and distrust.

The policeman said he was more accustomed to enjoying banter with locals and feeling part of the community he served. But these are different times. The coronavirus crisis has seen draconian regulations forced upon the general public and the police are charged with enforcing the law.

COVID-19 has heightened people’s anxieties. No matter how much we sugar-coat it, social distancing ultimately makes us feel as though other people are a threat. We worry about others doing the wrong thing, we worry we’re doing the wrong thing — have we inadvertently moved too close to an elderly lady in the tinned vegetable aisle?

Having to enforce rules like we’ve never experienced before would undoubtedly be challenging and, at times, lonely.

And we can’t forget either that frontline workers like the police are sometimes forced to put themselves at risk for our protection. As the column goes on to say, an older woman stopped this officer and thanked him for all that he had done.

THAT THEY CONTINUE TO TURN UP TO WORK TO LOOK AFTER US, REGARDLESS, IS REALLY QUITE AMAZING.

She had seen the horror that unfolded when four Victoria Police officers were killed in one of the most horrific tragedies the force in that state has seen.

These four officers, four ordinary human beings with ordinary families, were going about their jobs when their lives were taken away in a brutal crash.

It’s a shocking reminder of how fragile life is, and just how dangerous those sorts of jobs can be.

In recent weeks, the Mercury has highlighted the work of our frontline workers, and asked people to show their appreciation — because without them, the battle against COVID-19 would be impossible to win.

Their work comes with enormous personal sacrifice and risk.

Today is International Nurses Day, and it’s important to acknowledge the work done by healthcare professionals. In recent weeks, we’ve been most troubled to hear that some healthcare workers have been the subject of verbal abuse or have had rumours spread about them or have been shunned by some in the community.

Amid the forced lockdown, rumours of an illegal party among some hospital staff aired by Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy attracted online attacks, making staff feel even worse.

That they continue to turn up to work to look after us, regardless, is really quite amazing.

They are essential workers who don’t have the option to self-isolate. They are the people who are constantly in contact with others — increasing their risk of infection.

Well before this killer virus was unleashed on the planet, the World Health Organisation designated 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife.

Ordinarily quiet achievers, the care, compassion and sacrifice these professionals pour into their work deserve recognition for what they do to keep us safe.

Responsibility for all editorial comment is taken by the Editor, Jenna Cairney, Level 1, 2 Salamanca Square, Hobart, TAS, 7000