YOUR VIEWS

AS we struggle to deal with the impact of COVID-19, it’s interesting to see the knock-on effect on local and global activities.

One of the most obvious, apart from social distancing, is the reduction in all kinds of travel and the output of many industries. This had led to one of the few “silver linings” in this dark cloud – a huge reduction in air pollution.

If anyone ever needed evidence that man-made emissions created much if not all of our pollution, this could be it. The difference in air quality can be seen from space – murky-looking clouds over certain industrialised cities early in the pandemic, and barely a trace of them now.

Some say the race to control the virus has lessons for how we should deal with climate change. It’s all about a rapid response, knowing that the effects of what’s done now won’t be seen for some time.

The big difference is speed – COVID-19 moves a lot faster than climate change but unlike the climate, more people can see the horrifying effects and need less convincing by the scientists.

Despite this, there are some COVID “sceptics” but thankfully they don’t seem a very vocal group.

Thinking of sceptics, however, a short letter appeared in the Bulletin on March 24 by RW of Surfers Paradise. He said: “A lot of climate alarmists don’t appear to think the rules around the coronavirus apply to them.”

What a ridiculous thing to say. Where’s evidence that people causing problems with panic buying or social distancing have any views to do with climate?

Sadly, some people can’t resist having a go at people they don’t agree with, even though given the current situation, we need to be working together more than ever.

YVETTE DEMPSEY, CARRARA

AS I vegetate in self-isolation, two things are happening.

I’m getting older and wider as eating has become an even more desirable pastime.

Nothing is going to waste yet everything is going to waist!

KEN JOHNSTON, ROCHEDALE STH

WHAT a pleasure it was to vote on Saturday without having to run the gauntlet of all the political pests and hecklers.

Let’s ban them for good.

TREVOR MAXWELL, GOLD COAST

REMEMBER the Queensland floods where our Premier Anna Bligh said: “We are Queenslanders. We are the ones they knock down, and we get up again.”

Every night she was on TV encouraging us, bringing us the latest information on the floods and letting us know what her government’s response was.

We now have another crisis. But where’s Annastacia? I’m right up to date with the Federal Government’s response as ScoMo is on TV every day. I know what’s happening in Victoria and NSW as their premiers give daily updates. But where’s Annastacia?

I certainly haven’t seen her justify her politically expedient decision to expose voters to risk at the polling booths. And I certainly haven’t seen her on the nightly local TV news.

Perhaps she’s practising self-isolation, because compared to other leaders she’s certainly been missing in action.

ROB GROVER, GOLD COAST

HOPE all the bodies corporate and their committee members are working together like our closely knit unit complex to contain this serious and annoying coronavirus from ground zero (home)!

With so many people self-isolating and working from home, it is important to convey messages and connect to all residents via social media and public noticeboards.

I am so proud of the manner our complex is handling the current COVID-19 crisis threat and constantly updating/informing all who live here re: social distancing and introducing lift restrictions.

I sincerely hope that other residential complexes have been following suit.

As with any group of people living close to one another, some unit dwellers have the odd “barney” with each other but at the end of the day, we are all human and let us demonstrate our Aussie camaraderie and please don’t sweat the small stuff. Let us all work together for the common goal and it starts from home.

PS. Also, a big “shout out” to all the unit cleaners/maintenance staff who put themselves at the frontline every day to keep our common areas clean and sanitised.

PAM DELAHUNTY-HUNTER, BIGGERA WATERS

IT was often postulated that the only survivors of a nuclear war would be the cockroaches.

Well hats off to them in the current planetary crisis.

They deserve a respect often denied if they are the only survivors, and should be given due, if delayed, respect.

DAVID HALL, COOMBABAH

HERE are two suggestions to assist us with getting through this period of dread with the coronavirus.

The Queensland Premier has offered rebates on electricity bills.

Perhaps the Mayor could give us additional help by giving us perhaps a $100 rebate on our water bills (which have just arrived in the mail) given that we are all washing our hands one heck of a lot more to maintain some protection against this viral blight.

To ease congestion and to maintain safe distances from each other perhaps the supermarkets should make all of the aisles one way and place adhesive stickers on the floor of each aisle designating the direction shoppers should travel and no-entry signs at the aisles where appropriate.

Things are going to get a lot harder once full lockdown is directed by the Government.

PETER JOHNSON, ROBINA

A LOCKDOWN, great if everyone stayed at home, but unfortunately those who are at most risk to us won’t.

ROD WATSON, SURFERS PARADISE