The Reality of Living in Australia and Covid

[Caleb_Grey]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Oh, and don't forget the mobs of jet skis, travelling in groups of 30+ ripping about, or the paraglider boats who believe they have "right of way" over everyone when they have a tourist up, or the thrill ride boats doing spin-out turns next to anchored boats.

Yes, there's so much to love about the area, especially the Southport part. Yeah, I know, that's not really Moreton Bay... but they are joined at the hip!

Jim

Go back to leafland

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Caleb_Grey

Go back to leafland

???

Could you explain this pithy statement, please? It sounds kinda unfriendly... but perhaps it just is outside my understanding.

Jim

[Wotname]

^^ I thought it was only me who didn't understand!

Even google failed me https://www.google.com/search?q=what...4dUDCAw&uact=5

[jimbunyard]

Perhaps it's a slur against a perceived 'tree-hugger' leaning, by an ego-bruised 'personal*' watercraft aficianado?

*Apostrophes because the way many people use such watercraft they're far from 'personal'.

[Seaworthy Lass]

An article from today’s issue of The Australian gives food for thought:

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/inq...7d7923186e7d57

This is not the Australia that I knew and loved.

SWL

[HeinSdL]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

An article from today’s issue of The Australian gives food for thought:

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/inq...7d7923186e7d57

This is not the Australia that I knew and loved.

SWL

In Switzerland they're more or less moving in this direction. And the politicians are not shy in saying that they will start making life difficult for those who do not get vaccinated. Nice. Germany, Netherlands, France, same.

The reason often given (for taking the vaccine, in informal discussions) is that that is the price of taking part in society. Now I am OK with putting a price on taking part in society but then I demand society to be as it was 30 years ago, characterized as follows:

1. Affordable housing
2. Meaningful jobs
3. Meaningful, in-depth education
4. Interesting extra curricular activities
5. Decent pension plans
6. Savings in bank = interest earned
7. One earner per household is sufficient

All these were perfectly normal 30 years ago. Now, each and every one of these is only a dream for the vast majority who participate in society. So why bother participating? And is this trend going to be reversed the next 30 years? Of course not, hollowing out of society will continue, enabled by unquestioning blind obedience of the populace.

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

An article from today’s issue of The Australian gives food for thought:

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/inq...7d7923186e7d57

This is not the Australia that I knew and loved.

SWL

That link is behind a paywall.
Try this
https://www.theage.com.au/national/v....html#comments

With a bit of luck we can get back to the Australia of two years ago.

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

That link is behind a paywall.
Try this
https://www.theage.com.au/national/v....html#comments

With a bit of luck we can get back to the Australia of two years ago.

I don’t pay a subscription, but maybe access is limited in some countries?

SWL

[Cadence]

Am I wrong? I had always thought of Australia as a country with less restrictive government, has it dramatically changed in general or is it only COVID driven.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by Cadence

Am I wrong? I had always thought of Australia as a country with less restrictive government, has it dramatically changed in general or is it only COVID driven.

They don't want the rat licking conspiracy theorists running amok like they have in others parts of the world.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Cadence

Am I wrong? I had always thought of Australia as a country with less restrictive government, has it dramatically changed in general or is it only COVID driven.

I would say that not a lot has changed in terms restrictiveness, it’s just that up to now there was rarely such a significant conflict between the desires of the government and the desires of the population. (Historically there have been such misalignments but they are not all that frequent.)

It’s worth noting that the vast majority of Australians are stoically putting up with the restrictions as they are on board with the concept that this is probably the best of a bad set of choices.

But a vocal minority are creating waves in some states and the media reports this,as they should, giving a sense of serious dissent.

There’s no real excitement in a story that displays families gritting their teeth and getting on with living in a way that protects the lives of their fellow citizens. Of course there will be a wave of damage to people’s mental well-being, and I am already seeing it in my Melbourne family and friends. Whether this price was worth paying will always be up for debate.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

They don't want the rat licking conspiracy theorists running amok like they have in others parts of the world.

You may have to explain that. Maybe I'm just not familiar with the term rat licking.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by Cadence

You may have to explain that. Maybe I'm just not familiar with the term rat licking.

Here you go

rat-licker
A person who refuses to wear a mask, or take any of the basic precautions to help society prevent an air born illness during an epidemic.

( In reference to the bubonic plague being spread by rats. )

https://www.urbandictionary.com/defi...m=rat%20licker

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by Cadence

Am I wrong? I had always thought of Australia as a country with less restrictive government, has it dramatically changed in general or is it only COVID driven.

Despite the notion that Aussies are free spirited individuals, we tend to be law abiding citizens and do not chafe at the bit too much. Regulations have gradually been getting more restrictive though. I notice this each time I return home. Italy, Greece, the Netherlands and UK have all seemed dramatically more relaxed to me.

I have been surprised though just how much support there has been for the lockdowns and closed borders, both internal and external. I think GILow is correct in stating that “the vast majority of Australians are stoically putting up with the restrictions”.

The reports of people informing on those breaking covid restrictions, even minor ones has disturbed me as have images of armed police and even the military roaming streets. This is like nothing I have ever experienced before in Australia.

Around half of Australia’s population is under stay-at-home lockdown with some outdoor activities relaxing this past week and curfews only just being lifted (Melbourne has now had 230+ days in total of these restrictions). This segment is being threatened that if unvaccinated, not only will they will not be able to visit restaurants or entertainment venues, etc, but they will not be able to participate in society at all including socialising privately with family and friends. Vaccination has even been mandated for numerous jobs, eg construction workers.

In Australia it seems to me that COVID-19 has mutated into COVID-1984.

SWL

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

I don’t pay a subscription, but maybe access is limited in some countries?

SWL

I think all Murdoch 'print media' is behind a paywall if you are in Australia.

Must ask Raymond.

The Age, SMH, etc have a limit of free articles per month ( 30?) but all Covid coverage is 'free to ether'.

We have a family sub which covers extended family from Canberra to Melbourne.