YOUR VIEWS

WITH all the negativity shown in the press and media at this sensitive time, it would appear people have closed their eyes to look for the good in others and open themselves to real opportunities, especially work opportunities currently available.

Yes, they may find it difficult at first, or in other or distant locations. It may be hard work , physically or mentally at first, however they do exist.

As examples, Telstra has sought an increase in staff in their Australian offices; private and smaller companies are seeking property and maintenance workers .

As another excellent example, a Bowen farmer (one of the largest growers in Australia) has a need for substantial workers as backpackers are no longer available.

Even some supermarkets, food traders, distributors and transport companies are in need of extra dedicated staff. And there are many more across Queensland – seek and you will find.

With the government now offering additional money to existing unemployed and new non-employed persons, instead of doing nothing other than taking taxpayer dollars, how about people learn to give of their time and abilities?

They could benefit themselves, mentally and physically, and the country by working on fire and drought-affected rural properties.

Instead we have generous, kindhearted international people, giving of themselves for free, assisting in such things as replacing miles of boundary fences and repairs to aiding the wildlife centres across the country .

“Respect and Responsibility” also appear to be forgotten by some readers, suggesting the government or education system and teachers take care of their children at this difficult time. I was raised that, as a parent, that was my responsibility?

Also being involved with notfor-profit organisations and support groups over three generations, we are encouraged to act in a way to think of others, not ourselves. To be relieved of fear, anxiety, negativity which leads to depression, which is taking place.

It is time we as a nation learnt to stand on our own two feet, particularly with our own state political leaders showing evidence of lack of understanding or direction.

Dear readers, in difficult times, remember these comforting words: We fall; we break; we fail. But then,

We rise; we heal; we overcome. Let us grow together as a people and nation for the good of all.

KELVIN NICKALLS, PARADISE POINT

RE: Ken Johnson (GCB, 25/3). I commend your short letter which was straight to the point and it gave me a good laugh ( $500 for two cartons beer!).

On a more serious note, one thing is certain in this current period of uncertainty, we will see the “normal suspects” thrive. By that I mean immoral behaviour/acts such as price gouging greed, police impersonators, fraudsters and sheer daylight robbery.

This vulture-like behaviour almost always goes hand-in-hand and unfortunately marries well for the dishonest and greedy populous which are out there waiting to pounce upon the vulnerable (likened to looters).

We are all struggling to get through this tragic time but it is important to be aware of the dark side of people willing to take advantage of the sick, elderly and most vulnerable at this time.

This is the fact as these immoral beings have also stooped as low as stealing touchless thermometers

(GCB, 25/3) from our local medical clinics. As if the majority of us haven’t enough worries at the moment.

I do not want to sugar-coat the message here but all of us need to remain aware of the “bogeyman” at this time because he/she is real! Without alarming anyone, it may be an idea to introduce a bit of the old neighbourhood watch from a safe social distance to help protect any disabled or elderly neighbours against any scammers as this will be a secondary issue that we can nip in the bud before it prevails.

PAM DELAHUNTY-HUNTER, BIGGERA WATERS

FOOD for thought; $189 billion stimulus could’ve built 189 new hospitals as a parallel health system devoted to COVID-19.

Or it could’ve bought thousands of now-closed hotels to convert into COVID-19 care centres, isolating all sufferers with their own oxygen bottles, malaria tablets and vitamin C drips.

We could’ve deployed ADF field hospitals in now-empty football stadiums to separate COVID-19 patients from existing hospital patients.

We could’ve turned around just one plane and one ship and all airlines and cruiselines would’ve realised we were serious about keeping COVID-19 out.

We could’ve prevented the supermarket rush by stopping “daigou” personal shoppers plundering retail stocks to export to you-know-where.

We could be reducing infection spread by banning reusable fabric shopping bags and mandating sterile, single-use plastic shopping bags.

We could’ve closed schools to prevent virus-resistant children spreading COVID-19 to families which include frail elderly people.

But, nah, we’ll just destroy the economy in a blundering mess of ignorance and confusion. They say you get what you vote for, but no Aussie voted for this monumental stuff-up.

PETER CAMPION, TOLGA

JUST a thought, face masks are impossible to get, so if men and women still exist that know how to sew with a needle and thread, would it not be a sensible humane idea if they all could sew up some masks to give out to family, friends and to whoever may need one?

ANGELO CATALANO, BIGGERA WATERS