Admit it, system needs fixing
DON’T get me wrong, I have thoroughly appreciated Mr Gut we in’ s leadership and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he and all the politicians from all parties need to admit openly what has been blindingly obvious to Tasmanians for years.
Our health system needs fixing as a matterofpriority.
Take heed from what unfolded in Victoria and NSW and how they were able to cope or not. The economy and the health system are not independent of each other. Don’t have an inquiry, you already know what is wrong. Get onwithit.
HeatherMackay NorthHobart
VIRUS COMPLACENCY
WITH people in Tasmania becoming increasingly complacent about the virus, I feel we will be info ra severe second wave similar to Victoria if we don’t shake them out of it. At a supermarket I asked a chap to keep his distance when he crowded up at the checkout in defiance of the advice on display. He said there was no virus here and it did not matter. The other instance was a woman obviously distressed, coughing and eyes streaming going to the counter to be served. It appeared that at best she had a bad flu or at worst the virus.
When I spoke to an assistant at the counter and suggested this person should have been asked to leave and perhaps be tested, I was told the virus does not exist in Tasmania. With this level of ridiculous apathy how can we
expect to stop a second wave? This is not the time to relax, we must obey the guidelines and be vigilant at all times. ScottWhite
Sorell
INSURANCEBODYBLOW
HEALTH fund premiums are rising again while people’s income stays the same (“Health funds’ sneaky rise,” Mercury, September 30). Maybe the unfair private medical insurance system needs another look. Is it not unfair that the insurance for the human body is treated worse than the house or car insurance?
Why does one have to choose and tick endless questions of which part of the body one wants to insure, not knowing in advance which body part might need attention one day. Why has everybody part a separate price? House and car insurance does not insure every window, door or other parts separately. Is the body not made as a whole? How many parts of our body could live on their own without the other?
Could the Medicare levy be increased to help with bulk billing, because private medical insurance as it is is too expensive and unfair, complicated and without value for money. H.Stevenson
Lauderdale
MERSEYA POISONED CHALICE
STEVE Martin criticises Health Minister Sarah Courtney (Mercury, September 28). Minister Courtney has been given the poisoned chalice with the Mersey Hospital, bequeathed by a Labor government against advice of the then health minister. It was built over two electorates, Wilmot and Braddon. The minister at the time wanted it at Ulverstone, a base hospital similar to Launceston. The predicted problems have bedevilled the North-West and federal and state governments for decades. Having campuses at Burnie and Devonport meant not being able to attract specialist doctors. BrianP.Khan
Bridport
TASSIEGUINEAPIGPLEA
TASMANIA has an ideal population size for testing medical and other innovative developments. The government should seriously look into providing a cohort of volunteers to test the recently announced virus prevention nasal spray currently being developed by Australian researchers (“Blow for viruses ,” Mercury, September 28). This amazing medical development has already proven to be effective at activating the immune system to prevent the development of major respiratory viruses including influenza, rhinovirus, respiratory syncy ti alviru sand coronavirus. What are we waiting for? MonicaAntel
Cambridge
COVID PAYMENT WARNING
WHEN COVID-19 was first identified in Australia, federal and state governments put severe measure in place to counter this insidious virus. They included lockdowns, border closures, business and school closures, basically anything to keep us as safe as possible.
To help businesses and individuals affected, all three tiers of government implemented financial packages. It was advised there would be a termination date for them. Before COVID, many were receiving welfare payments. They had payments increased and were better off than before C OVID.
Due to the second wave of COVID in Victoria, many of these packages have been extended past their termination dates, some reduced rather than ceasing completely. Billions of dollars across all tiers of government have been spent supporting the community. Hopefully by the time this support finally stops, the country is in a better place and can support itself rather than relying on government, which doesn’t have a bottom less pit of financial aid.