Don’t lose our humanity

Spare a thought for those people who have an obligation to work in these difficult times. Without the healthcare and age care workers, nurses, doctors, teachers etc. we would not be able to cope and the virus would spread far more quickly.

Many of these people are in the front line, have little resources to protect themselves and those in their care. Yet they turn up and do their jobs without complaint.

There is a shortage of appropriate masks and sanitising lotion that is needed. Some of these people are in the high-risk groups who will suffer more severely should they catch the virus. They may have children or grandchildren to look after, particularly during the school holidays, but for the community’s sake they can’t leave their jobs.

We may complain about the blatantly stupid, mass-panic induced depletion of items on our supermarket shelves.

We may complain that financially we will suffer because of this virus. However, if you stood in the shoes of these selfless workers for even a few minutes, you would and should feel humbled by what they are doing on our behalf.

We did that for the volunteer firies and emergency workers during the bushfires. We sang their praises. We could see the devastation that the fires caused.

This insidious virus is invisible and so we feel even more threatened. Our healthcare and aged care workers, doctors, nurses and teachers too need your support. The pandemic is a threat to humanity, but we can’t afford to lose our own humanity in the process.

Greg Tuck, Warragul

1. Only allow Australian citizens to enter Australia like they do in Canada.

2. Quarantine in hotels like they do in China or hostels under medical supervision. When clear release into population track everyone that comes in and follow up rather than scattering all over Australia which will get out of control if left unsupervised.

What a joke. I’m no politician but this seems an easy and simple fix to me. Or are the true facts being hidden from us.

Phillip Wratten, Heath Hill

The extra roads money is allocated in the 2020/2021 budget.

The Aged Care sector is predominantly a Federal Government issue. As a result of changes by the Federal Government, Council was forced to review its Aged Care services. As a result, Council is exiting three direct care services. Domestic Support, Personal Care and Respite care. These services will be picked up by other providers. And Council, similar, to when the NDIS changeover occurred has said that no person will be left stranded.

We have consistently said that services such as Meals on Wheels, Community Transport, Carer Support, Volunteer programs etc will remain as is. It is therefore misleading for Ruth McDonald to use the Meals on Wheels as an analogy.

Bouquets to the Warragul Woolworths woman who offered me toilet rolls late Wednesday morning, which I graciously accepted and also thanked The Lord. Then she offered me a box of tissues. These items had been confiscated from people who had over purchased. Thank you Woolworths for employing such lovely thoughtful staff.

Thank you to the person who paid for my papers and milk when I couldn’t find my card at Horizon last Tuesday. It was much appreciated but also very embarassing. Eventually found my card on the kitchen table. It’s good to see there are still lovely people out there in this crazy world of today.

Big bouquets to our great neighbours in Kensington Square, Drouin for their support over the last week while my husband and myself were in isolation. They drop off food, tissues and whatever we need and support us. Great job to you all . We all need the look after each other, well done

Congratulations Baw Baw Shire for sending three animal renewals in three different envelopes. A waste of postage and paper again.

Huge bricks to panic buyers who have been bulk-buying necessities such as toilet paper, soap, hand sanitiser, etc. with nary a thought for anyone else, all because coronavirus has turned them into a bunch of panicking sheep. How greedy, selfish and ignorant can you get?

Load of bricks to people who walk their “friendly” dogs off lead in the residential streets of Drouin. You are not only breaking local laws but also endangering other dogs, walkers and drivers.

In any case any savings to Councils Budget from Aged Care will be in the 2023/2024 Financial year. Three years from now.

So, to link funding of a new Roads Maintenance Contract in a few months to an Aged Care savings in a Budget three years from now is a furphy.

As an aside, during the current Budget process Council has demanded, and received, efficiency gains from the Organisation. It is simply incorrect to assert that Council has not heavily scrutinised its expenditure Budget.

When the Draft Budget is released for public comment I look forward to a submission from Ms McDonald about what other Council services she suggests may be cut.

Danny Goss, mayor

Bouquet to Brad at Warragul Woolworths on Friday afternoon splitting large packs of toilet paper and handing out two rolls per customer free of charge. A very welcome gesture of goodwill when the shelves are empty and folks are in need. Good on ’yer Woollies.

Well done Coles, Drouin manager for escorting an abusive man from the store on Thursday. Staff do not deserve that.

Armfuls of bouquets to Karen P, group fitness, at the Warragul Leisure Centre for 25 years of interesting, solid workouts, riotous humor and personal care.

To Lynne who took pity on this 85-year-old codger in Coles who missed out on toilet paper. The good Samaritan insisted on delivering to my home, free of charge, not only toilet paper but a bag of provisions. Such kindness restores faith in humanity and brings a lump to the throat.

Bricks to the young mum who allowed her children to play with and waste many doses of hand sanitiser in the hospital cafeteria. Rubbing it on the floor is not what it’s meant for.

Big bouquet to the lovely woman who came to my home with a bottle of sauce and dish detergent (from her own pantry). I could not get to the supermaket. Such kindness is overwhelming. To say thank you does not seem enough.

To the families in Canawindi Drive, Warragul and others offering to help us and keeping in touch.

All submissions must include a full name and address and daytime contact number, however, contributors will not be identified in print.

Please send your submissions to editorial@warragulgazette.com.au or use our website www.thegazette.com.au or our mobile phone: 0458 923 429.