Tough state of mind is tempered by disaster
AUSTRALIA’S states continue to go it alone on what rules apply in lockdowns, but one medical expert has suggested Queensland’s experience with natural disasters has helped the Sunshine State pull through with few disruptions.
There are now lockdowns in part or all of NSW, Victoria, the ACT and the Northern Territory, while Queensland has recently ended its own lockdown with some restrictions remaining.
Each state has had different rules with regards to when and how hard to shut down in the event of an outbreak, with varying degrees of success.
Queensland’s efforts have so far been highly successful, with this month’s Delta outbreak contained with an eightday lockdown.
In NSW, by comparison, the outbreak has entered into its seventh week with varying rules in different local government areas.
While images of people at beaches in Sydney have drawn criticism, 70 per cent of the Covid-19 cases in the current outbreak have been spread in households, according to NSW health data.
Australian Medical Association Queensland president professor Chris Perry said Queenslanders had demonstrated they understood the risks of the virus and obeyed the rules.
“As a state, we experience extreme weather events each year, such as cyclones and floods, so we are somewhat used to following orders to keep our communities safe,” he said.
“We should be very grateful to our ‘lockdown legends’, particularly those who are still in quarantine, for their sacrifice.”
He said police infringement notices being given out in NSW and parties being organised, as well as anecdotal evidence in the media, suggested people were not fully cooperating with the rules, which made the lockdowns less effective.