COVID-19 The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

Thanks to the onslaught of the obviously highly contagious coronavirus, people are now living their lives in an entirely changed and unusual environment, where isolation is the new norm.

COVID-19 – The Good

All major grocery stores here in Australia have suspended normal deliveries but one major grocery store, namely Woolworths, has introduced a system whereby any elderly or disabled folk are still eligible to receive home deliveries. An extremely thoughtful innovation.

I’ve been critical of our Government over the handling of this pandemic, mainly that they have been largely reactive rather than proactive– waiting until a situation evolves before implementing measures, rather than anticipating these situations and implementing measures to prevent them from happening in the first place. Rather like shutting the stable door after the horse has already bolted. That said, these are extremely unusual and unique circumstances, with no historical precedents to go by and, at least, they have been doing their best. Our Government has, in fact, put in place several very sensible and helpful measures.

These are the times when the infrastructure of family and friends comes into its own and I feel so much empathy for those unfortunate souls who find themselves alone and lonely in these dire circumstances. I implore everyone to reach out, either over the phone or via email/text message, to any elderly folk among their circle of acquaintances, and especially any folk they know who are alone.

COVID-19 – The Bad

It has recently come to light here that, well after the start of the outbreak and just before serious restrictions were legally imposed, a large group of people gathered from all over Australia to attend a 50th birthday party at a well-known restaurant/bar on the Gold Coast. As it has turned out, at least one of these people was infected with the coronavirus. Following the party, this group then dispersed, traveling back to their respective home towns all over Australia potentially carrying the coronavirus with them. All this, despite constant warnings to the contrary. To make matters worse, four of the restaurant’s staff members, who were obviously on duty the night of the party, contracted the disease and continued to work on for several more days potentially infecting even more people.

Wow, just wow. Sometimes I despair at the thoughtlessness, irresponsibility, selfishness, and just downright stupidity of some people. For goodness sake, what part of stay at home are they not understanding?

COVID-19 – The Downright Ugly

It has also come to notice that, after news of the outbreak first broke, some Asian Australians have been accumulating huge amounts of local products — predominantly toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and baby formula — packing it all up in containers and shipping it back to their home countries. Some even paying a bounty on these products to third-parties who have collected on their behalf. This is not only a disgustingly grubby act but also totally anti-Australian. Even if they are Australian citizens, we should revoke their citizenship and send them packing. Unfortunately, this would not be legal under our current laws. So, change the law! The people who have done this obviously don’t give a damn about Australia or Australians and do not deserve to be here.

Of course, it’s not only Asian Australians who need a wrap over the knuckles– the rampant panic buying and hoarding of goods that has been going on by all people have shown an ugly side of the human race that does them no credit at all. The selfishness and self-centered attitude of these people is difficult to believe, or indeed, comprehend. These scumbag hoarders generally have much more than they will ever need while many elderly and/or infirm Australians are in dire need. Shame, shame, shame. There can be, indeed, a very ugly side to humanity.

On a positive note– ISIS has announced that it’s reluctantly laying off suicide bombers due to the lack of crowds. Haha.

Seriously, it seems to me that the most dangerous aspect of COVID-19 is its extreme contagiousness. Staying home and self-isolating is the most effective way we, the people, can help contain the spread and subsequently reduce the numbers of infected and potentially tragic outcomes.

Stay home, stay safe, and stay well mes amis.

Cheers… Jim

—