Lifting of restrictions makes no sense
“The lifting of the final declaration [of Covid restrictions] at midnight on Thursday came as the state government reported another day of increased Covid infections” (Mercury, July 1).
This is outrageous. Can we have a change to a sensible and responsible government please?
John Biggs Mt Nelson
HOPES BEING DASHED
By dropping all sensible restrictions, particularly masks indoors, the state and federal governments have done a good job of persuading Australians that the pandemic is over – and most are now complacent about the risks. The third wave is almost upon us. So why are they surprised that the uptake of the third or fourth booster is disappointingly low? People don’t think it’s necessary.
Here in Hobart, just when there seemed to be a glimmer of hope in perhaps getting out of the backyard after spending two summers at home, (Premier Jeremy) Rockcliff opens the door to cruise ships – plenty of them.
Infections are on the rise again in Tasmania. Would it have been that hard to keep these floating apartment blocks away for another season? And pray tell, what will be the requirement for ships with Covid on board?
Yvonne Stark Battery Point
THE TRUTH ABOUT MASKS
A comprehensive study in 2020 of 10 million citizens from overseas, found that masks do not reduce viral infection rates, even in institutional settings like hospitals and surgical theatres, let alone outside in an uncontrolled environment.
All studies available on NIH (USA) website. Furthermore, peer reviewed studies attribute mask wearing to a
grim retinue of harms, including respiratory and immune system illnesses, dermatological, dental, gastrointestinal and psychological injuries.
There are no well conducted studies that justify accepting the harms associated with mask wearing. They are purely to promote fear and compliance.
Mandates have done nothing to stop this virus, as no matter what your vax status, you can still contract and transmit, you can also be hospitalised or worse.
What they have done is ruin peoples’ careers, livelihoods, families, businesses and human rights.
The gaslighting of those who have adverse events and injuries, after doing what they thought was the right thing by giving up their body autonomy, is abhorrent, by people that took an oath “to do no harm”.
The truth will be revealed in time. I still have faith in those that have held the line at great cost, not succumbed, given up most of what they held dear,
have been put in financial distress, for their right to refuse an experimental medical procedure, with dubious safety or efficacy.
Gail Sorbian West Hobart
EXTEND THE DEADLINE
The state government could be well advised to extend their free influenza vaccines after the July 6 deadline.
With winter upon us, influenza strains are no longer being retarded due to masking and distancing prevention measures for Covid.
One must be cognised of the deaths due to influenza and pneumonia prior to Covid in Australia.
The deaths recorded in Australia for influenza and pneumonia as per figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics are for 2017 – 4269; 2018 – 3102 and 2019 – 4124. Could be a good idea to follow up on the flu jab, free or not.
Les Young Austins Ferry
NO NEED FOR STADIUM
I’ve followed footy in Tasmania for over 60 years and wish to forward some views on the topic of the moment.
Do we need a multimillion (sorry billion dollar) stadium at Macquarie Point with a roof? I don’t think so.
Will the onwards $50,000,000 costs be sustainable in future years? I don’t think so.
If we really have to have a worthy stadium, it’s obvious the TCA Ground is by far the better value. There is heaps of room for traffic parking and access from north, south, east and west.
There have been grand plans at HCC for 25 years to upgrade this area for a multi-purpose venue. It’s now or never.
As light rail appears out of the question, what about building colourful minibuses to transport commuters around to main venues around the city and close suburbs. It is very popular and successful in other cities.
I don’t always agree with Richard Flanagan on main issues in recent times, but his letter (June 25) is pretty much right on the mark.
Ken Beck Bellerive
GET PRIORITIES RIGHT
Maybe those people who are barracking for a sports stadium on the waterfront, costing tens of millions of dollars, might like to consider the needs of people like B. Sullivan, (Mercury, July 2) who has been forced to wait (in pain) approximately three years for neurosurgery at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
It seems that the government and the sports fans need to get their priorities right before pushing for funding for a new stadium, which compared to the urgent medical needs for those in pain, serves for nothing more than amusement.
P. Lambert Lindisfarne