We’ve done so well in Australia, flattening the curve and avoiding the thousands of deaths otherwise suffered.
This has come at significant cost to the economy. However it’s worth realising the economic cost will likely have been much greater if we didn’t put social restrictions in place.
Those countires which acted aggressively and early have benefitted most in terms of avoiding deaths and minimising economic damage.
It’s important we start to lift social restrictions and get back to work. However, given we haven’t eradicated coronavirus from Australia, this comes at huge risk – the social restrictions which minimise community spread are gradually being removed.
Flattening the curve so well may have also come with a hidden issue – a decreased ability to identify outbreaks.
Coming off a low base prevalence of cases and given the incubation period of coronavirus it may take several weeks before the impact of lifting social restrictions today becomes apparent – measures carried out at the end of May perhaps not obvious until July. Because of this it’s vital that we dont lift restrictions too quickly so we can observe the effect and act accordingly.
Within the first week of reopening public schools (on 25th May) we’ve already identified cases within 4 different schools requiring their closure. Not only do these infections risk the health of others but also the consequent closure of schools and businesses occurs at significant economic detriment.
Perhaps the best way to minimise the rate of spread of coronavirus as we lift social restrictions lies in the use of facial coverings. Home made cotton masks have been shown to reduce droplet spread (the main means of coronavirus transmission) by around 90%.
Facial covering is a tried, tested, scientific and evidence based initiative serving those countries which have adopted it extremely well. Many cases of coronavirus transmission occur from people who are either asymptomatic or presymptomatic.
Numerous studies have shown face coverings reduce the likelihood of spread from those with coronavirus – many of whom may not realise they have the disease.
Taiwan (a country with a population similar to Australia) was able to open their schools at the end of February and their workplaces are pretty much running as normal. The only thing they’re doing differently is promoting the use of facial coverings.
Australia is one of the last countries worldwide to promote facial coverings.
New Zealand does not promote face coverings however they do this in a situation where they may have eradicated coronavirus. This required extremely gallant measures very early on – going into full lock down when they only had 6 reported cases. Australia’s most aggresive restrictions were only brought in after siginifciant community spread – we certainly haven’t eradicated it.
Australia should at least be promoting face coverings in public in areas with relatively high prevalence of coronavirus.
Face coverings when leaving the house should be promoted in
A – All indoor areas (hospitals, supermarkets etc)
T – on public Transport (buses, trains, taxis).
The time to ACT is now.
My mask protects you, your mask protects me.