Remember Sweden - They treated the virus as no big deal...

[StarSong]

No difficulty with anyone giving them credit, but to lobour the point, it is too early to be sure Sweden not following them is going to fare worse in a years time, if no successful vaccine, or other treatment is found. .

Good point.

 

[JimBob1952]

The Swedish response vs. the rest of Europe brings to mind the differences in the U.S. between political parties. For some reason, the Democrats seem to be much more alarmed by the disease, and much more careful about masks, social distancing, etc. Why is that?

It's easy to give one reason: the importance of the business economy to each party. How willing are they to sacrifice a given number of lives (or people's health, as it appears the disease can have lifelong effects), in order to restore the economy and ward off a 1930's style depression?

Or are there other reasons for the differences between the political factions in this country? This is the first time I've ever heard of a disease being perceived so differently, depending on where on the political spectrum you are?

Getting back to the Swedes, they seem to have reacted more along conservative lines on this.

Many, many more Democrats live in crowded urban environments, so more legitimate fear. Many more Democrats are civil servants who get paychecks no matter what happens in the private sector.

The Democrats I know really love the idea of an all-powerful, all-knowing government telling them what to do. And it's even better when the same health care experts who tell them "just stay home" tell them "it's ok to go out and protest!"

 

[Warrigal]

Graham, you are correct about our favourable conditions in Australia. We don't call ourselves the Lucky Country for nothing.

Eradication is not the goal, however. We are now aiming for elimination of virus spread by means of a vigorous testing program and effective contact tracing. This is taking place while restrictions are being gradually lifted. The numbers of people/customers etc in various venues have been increased and more increases are planned.

The big discussion is now about wages. Should the next round of minimum wage increases planned for July be postponed until January to allow small businesses a chance to rebuild? There are good arguments for and against because unless people have money to spend and are confident that they are going to be OK in the future, the businesses will have less customers. A real chicken and egg conundrum.

Our state government mooted a wage cut for public servants but reducing the wages of nurses, paramedics, teachers, police and firefighters was anathema to the public, given what these front line workers have gone through with the pandemic and the bushfires.