It appears that the easing of COVID restrictions coming into effect today (Monday) is based on economics rather than evidence.
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In particular, while a number of businesses, including those providing close contact, are able to reopen, and gambling can recommence, the only concession for community sport is allowing up to 100 spectators.
The major beneficiaries of this change will be the top levels of major sports, some of whom charge admission - certainly most community sport will not challenge this limit.
Therefore the rest of us will continue to spend additional hours at venues to allow for groups of participants to move through without interacting, and take additional time setting up to divide sporting venues into zones to maximise participation, despite the fact that the risk of transmission in this context is extremely low.
The major sources of transmission in New South Wales have been restaurants, pubs and clubs.
And, while that state has a limit of 500 for attendees at outside community activities, this has not been identified as the source of any cases.
This is consistent with experience around the world suggesting that the possibility of transmission in outdoor settings is almost non-existent.
However, the Chief Minister says he is particularly concerned about the risks associated with large gatherings.
If there is any evidence of this, it would be good to know.
Otherwise those of us volunteering our time to keep community sport up and running will continue to believe that we are being ignored because of our lack of financial clout, rather than any realistic assessment of risk.
Carol Ey, Weston
Are we safe?
From today (Monday) onwards who will be monitoring how many carloads of mask-free NSW revellers enter and move around the ACT for a good time, especially on weekends.
And which locations and aspects of their behaviour might be putting the health of Canberra workers and residents at greater risk ("Coronavirus restrictions to ease from Monday", canberratimes.com.au, August 6)?
Sue Dyer, Downer
A great effort
Last Tuesday afternoon I attended the Crace COVID-19 Testing Clinlc with some apprehension as I had mild symptoms of a cold.
Other members of my family were similarly affected.
The professionalism and empathy of the attending doctor was, in my opinion, exceptional and the test was nowhere near as intrusive as I had imagined.
If anybody has qualms about being tested, I would say, "bite the bullet" and have it done.
No matter what the result, you will feel better mentally for doing so.
Thankfully, the result of my test came back clear.
This gives me peace of mind and allows me to get on with life within the current COVID-19 protocols.
Ron Egle, Ngunnawal
Poor conduct
Mario Stivala (Letters, August 6) berates the government for the apparent failure of the hotel quarantine supervision in Melbourne.
Why was it necessary to have any supervision in the first place under the circumstances? Would Mario expect strict supervision to stop him escaping if he was in quarantine?
It is often said that we deserve the politicians we get, but sometimes the politicians do not deserve the constituents they get.
John Simsons, Holt
And China says?
Dan Tehan has ordered a review of free speech in our universities. Has he cleared this with the Chinese Communist Party?
B Murray, Kambah
Vaping dangerous
There has been controversy about the safety of vaping as an alternative to smoking. An article in The Medical Journal of Australia should dispel any doubts. The conclusion was that "Vaping THC oil contaminated with Vitamin E acetate is linked with severe lung injury and death. With more than 2800 cases reported and 68 deaths e-cigarettes are definitely not risk-free".
Dr Alan Shroot, Canberra ASH
It's a mystery
Maybe I'm naive but can someone tell me, with diagrams perhaps, how social distancing works in a brothel?
Anne Waight, Macquarie
Bring back Jeff
The Victorian economy is being brought to its knees. It will need strong leadership to turn things around. What are you doing now, Jeff Kennett?
Ian Morison, Manuka
Remarkable oversight
It is shocking that the ACT government is not investing enough in infrastructure and construction, and not creating jobs by fast tracking all critical infrastructure and construction projects. One such is the Nudurr Drive Extension which has been pending for more than 10 years. The detailed design was completed a decade ago and it is shovel ready.
This is a relatively simple, but very beneficial, 1.5 km extension that must be completed urgently to relieve traffic congestion in Gungahlin.
Also pending is New South Wales's long awaited Barton Highway duplication.
Dan Williams, Palmerston
Remarks unwarranted
I am glad Gina Pinkas (Letters, August 4) commented on the letter from Denis Callaghan (Letters, July 30) which tried to draw the euthanasia debate into the current conversation about COVID-19. She is right.
His comments were an irrelevant throwaway line. COVID-19 is caused by a ferocious virus that affects the population as a whole. It kills some and causes others to suffer terribly, sometimes with lasting disability. Certainly, the aged and people with other diseases do worse.
The quest to legalise voluntary euthanasia is for the sake of people who are already suffering from a disease with no hope of recovery.
That is a completely different issue. Anyone who sees a link between these issues is not thinking very clearly.
Stewart Bath, Isabella Plains
Well said James
Bravo James Grenfell for 'What do we value?' (Letters, August 5). Yes, "We have an opportunity to return to government for all the people; not just the privileged, the large corporations, and other vested interests". But, realistically, what chance do we have of realising that when our treasurer is spruiking Reaganism, Thatcherism, and discredited "trickle-down economics".
We need leaders who value their own integrity; who have empathy for, and are prepared to stand by, all of us, not just their "mates". As James intimates, it's the values of our leaders that are more in need of an upgrade than those of the people.
Ed Highley, Kambah
Fire in the hole
Matthew Higgins rightly claims the greatest driving force behind Trump's America becoming a divided nation on the brink of another civil war, is the belief in the God-given promise of a "manifest destiny" ("Trump's America is a powder keg waiting to be lit", canberratimes.com.au, August 5).
When the pilgrim fathers set sail, America was to be the new Israel, destined to fulfil God's promise of raising a nation that would be a beacon of light and salvation to humanity. Trump's evangelical Christian supporters believe he was chosen by God for this very purpose. If Trump were to lose the upcoming presidential election those supporters could rise up to fulfil America's "manifest destiny" through the barrel of a gun.
Dr Vincent Zankin, Rivett
An independent vision
The Chief Minister says it's time to "start talking about what the next four years will look like" ('Labor puts cap on solar, battery loan scheme', August 4, p7).
The Labor/Green coalition won't change much. We'll continue to see increases in rates and taxes; cosy relationships with developers and construction companies, dubious land swaps, issues over the quality of building work; and endless "spin".
It is time to rein in the government's absolute power so the ACT has an affordable, equitable, and sustainable future. I am standing as an Independent. My overall policy is to be "socially progressive, but financially responsible". The community needs to pay sufficient rates and taxes to support public services, particularly for people in need; however rates and taxes need to be affordable.
I support freezing all rates and taxes (including rates for businesses) until July 2022, reviewing budget spending to get better value for our money, and maintaining the ACT's progressive social and environmental policies. I want to see less spin and more facts put before the public before the Legislative Assembly votes on big issues.
Bruce Paine, independent candidate
for Kurrajong, Red Hill
TO THE POINT
WHO'S TO BLAME?
It seems ironic and hypocritical that Labor is lashing out over the "bungled" submarine program given their responsibility for commissioning the current Collins Class submarines. I consider these to be the most expensive and least capable submarines in maritime history.
John Coochey, Chisholm
HERE'S A THOUGHT
Could universities be paid to undertake mass screening for COVID-19? Assuming universities have the testing equipment, we could have teams of workers collecting sewerage samples from every suburb or even blocks in outbreak areas. Similarly universities could be employed to test pooled saliva samples.
Andrew Roberts, Kambah
DO THE RIGHT THING
If COVID-19 comes to the ACT again, I sincerely hope every single one of my fellow Canberrans has more wit than to behave like the crazy minority in Victoria. All our lives depend on it.
John Howarth, Weston
SOVEREIGN OR STUPID?
Sovereign citizens or Stupid citizens? With a capital S!
Mokhles k Sidden, Strathfield, NSW
BAN THE GANGS
Having just heard of another bout of bikie gang-related violence in what should be the almost deserted centre of Civic, perhaps some thought should be given to denying these individuals the right to congregate in the ACT. We're talking about public safety here. Law-abiding citizens should have some say in the matter.
Patricia Watson, Red HIll
GIVE ME ROOM
Re: "New study launched on public housing" (August 5, p2). Hasn't the pandemic shown us that high density housing and urban infill is not the answer? Green open space is required for a healthy and happy population.
Sue Wigley, Reid
PUNCTUATE OR PERISH
Regarding recent letters about punctuation. Punctuation saved my marriage. I was reported as saying "Ray said Maureen is stupid". I quickly responded by putting in two commas. "Ray, said Maureen, is stupid." It made a difference.
Ray Blackmore, Kambah
SAME OLD SONG
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is facing trial for corruption. And, there is mass public protest demanding he step down. So what does Netanyahu do? He blames the media for the protests. That has an all too familiar ring. Leaders blaming the media when they themselves stuff up.
Rajend Naidu, Sydney
UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE
One side benefit of the coronavirus curfew in Victoria is that the drunks will be forced to stay home instead of causing trouble in entertainment venues and on the street. It's back to the civilised 1960's and this is a good thing.
Adrian Jackson, Middle Park, Vic
THANKS, BUT NO THANKS
I agree with Jim Coats (Letters, August 6). We had booked flights, and a holiday on the Gold Coast. That was going to happen until one person broke the rules and caused the ACT to be included in the Queensland border ban. Thank you so much that.
Vic Robertson, Page
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