NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian (pictured) has announced the State Government could potentially ease the strict social distancing measures designed to limit the spread of the coronavirus as early as 1 May – just over three weeks away.
“If the advice in a couple of weeks is that there might be a couple of aspects that we can tweak to provide relief to our citizens, well then, we’ll take that advice,” she said.
Newspapers are reporting that some NSW MPs are pushing for the restrictions to be lifted because of the impact on the economy – arguing that exposing healthy Australians to the virus will lift immunity rates.
They say schools are the most likely area to begin increasing ‘herd immunity’ for the community.
But similar strategies in other countries have not been successful so far.
In Sweden – where the Government implemented a “mitigation” strategy which encouraged those at highest risk to stay at home while most of the population continued to go to school, work and restaurants – the death toll is now 591.
Compare this to nearby Norway – where communities were subject to strict lockdowns – which has recorded 89 deaths.
The argument seems to be: people need to get sick for the virus to pass and life – and the economy – to get back to normal.
But consider this. Aged care operators say that the ban on family and friends visiting homes – while a tough decision to make – has been the most effective strategy in protecting vulnerable older Australians.
Many aged care staff have children however, and if the virus is allowed to spread unchecked in the community, it is likely many children – and their parents – will be infected.
The potential for putting the elderly people that they support at risk is high – and many staff would have to choose between looking after their residents or keeping their families safe.
How many aged care staff will want to self-isolate from their children? Not many, we think which will potentially leave homes short-staffed.
The Premier has acknowledged the risk of easing the restrictions.
“I need to be very upfront about at that. Every time you relax a restriction, more people will get sick. More people will die,” she said during a press conference on Wednesday.
We hope all the States and Territories consider what lifting restrictions early could mean.
We all want to be able to move around freely – and to be able to visit our Mums and Dads again – but we need to think about their safety.
What is more important – their health or money?
Discussion1 Comment
Hi,
Thank you for keeping us well informed during this uncertain time. I also would like to thank everyone who works in the aged care system.
Whilst we can not make contact with our loved ones rhat are un care, how can we.be assured that the care they are receiving is if the same high standard as prior to the pandemic