State’s new virus goal puts more of us at risk

THE standout feature of Grant Agnew’s letter (TB, 29/5), is how inconsistent is his data.

All the locked up states are not doing better. The most locked up state, Tasmania, has the most deaths per infection. Victoria, with no border closure is doing quite well. WA is on par with NSW.

This death rate per infection data is about as convincing as saying we should all stay locked up indoors indefinitely.

It has never been the goal of the National Cabinet to eliminate the virus. All the medical experts agree this is as impossible as trying to eliminate the flu.

Even with a vaccine, only 40 per cent of us bother to get the shots, so it kills over a thousand every year. That’s acceptable and there are no lockdowns.

Suppression, so we can control outbreaks and minimise deaths is the only way we can live with the new COVID reality. The impact on our health and wellbeing of a destroyed economy caused by border closure vastly outweighs any risk from the suppressed virus.

Suicides are predicted to rise by 50 per cent, increased DV, diagnosis and treatment of diseases like cancer are greatly reduced already.

Queensland’s foolish new goal of elimination by border closure, possibly to Christmas, could kill more than are at risk from the suppressed COVID.

Travel to NZ and Fiji is likely by July, while Queensland will fester away in its own private bubble.

Come September, when Jobseeker ends and thousands are destitute due to this crazy policy, the Tweed, NZ and Fiji will be celebrating the southern business and jobs we could have had.

SHANE NEWELL, Airlie Beach.