I am disappointed to read how many people want the Qld border open.
Do you people not realize that we are at war. Not with fighting people but fighting an unseen enemy. I t is like having snipers out there somewhere waiting to shoot you.
This has nothing to do with politics, it is about saving your life.
In all wars there is loss of income for business as well as loss of life. An unfortunate fact. These poor people going broke will at least be alive to try and start again, better than the alternative.
If the border was opened we would have an influx of southerners coming here bringing the virus with them. You would be singing a different tune then.
I have never had much time for the Qld Premier before, but now I will give her credit for standing strong and keeping us safe.
Keep the border shut.
Barry
Gundog said
10:18 AM Jun 21, 2020
Hi Angie
Sorry there is no quote button when I post from my tablet.
SouthernComfort said
10:19 AM Jun 21, 2020
Warren-Pat_01 wrote:
We all have our opinions on the current Qld Govt - mostly not so good but with the latest news from Victoria on the outbreaks of COVID19, Anna is doing the right thing - keeping us safe.
Yes, I feel sorry for those in the tourism business - especially the Gold Coast, Whitsundays, Cairns & Pt Douglas where tourism is their only industry, BUT how many people will die if the new outbreaks are not curtailed?
Shame on the Victorian idiots who have been seen to ignore the social distancing rules, going to meetings, work when they are COVID19 positive (mentioned by their Premier, this evening). I have quite a few relatives in Victoria but with the situation as it is, Victoria can be shifted south of Tasmania!
For us in large regional cities the thing that is going to sink this government is crime - youth crime! It took the deaths of four "kiddy crims" here recently to get the three local (Labor) MPs to wake up & take notice to what we've been saying for over four years!!
Hi Warren,
The tourism businesses you are feeling for are, or were, all employers. No one will reveal the real stats on the increased incidence of depression, anxiety and suicide in families resulting from the demise of business and the inability of their employees to earn a living and meet their commitments since the outbreak - includes everywhere, not just Qld. That condition directly relates to health. I relation to Qld, unbelievably someone else in here lauded dear old Anna for putting "health before wealth". Nice as a catchy rhyme, but it's trite and meaningless. Business keeps the world going round, the health of employees and the prosperity of the businesses they work for are inextricably linked. The need to keep business going has nothing to do with creating wealth in the context of greed, most businesses in the tourism industry work to very modest returns, they run on the smallest margins of any industry and that is a fact.
As for the "idiots" in Victoria, well they were all gathered in one place to hold their anarchistic protest march - 30,000 of them in Melbourne. And guess what? Then they went home! THAT's how the bug is spread in homes. The Vic premier did nothing, didn't even fine them. Yes, we live in a state that's as badly managed as yours, probably worse.
bgt said
11:32 AM Jun 21, 2020
There is a constant referral to the tourism industry. Yes the tourism industry is being smashed in Qld. But what about other businesses? For every tourist business there is support business. Petrol stations are missing out on tourists. Do you dismiss them as the 'tourism' industry? What about taxi drivers? Store owners at/in the airports? Cleaners who clean units and motel rooms? And for every dollar they don't make they don't spend at Woolies, Coles, Harvey Norman etc. And their employees don't get the money to spend. And on and on it goes. The plumber who maintains the units, is he a part of the tourism industry? What about business conferences? Business travel? There is a very blinkered, and may I say, very selfish, attitude among those who want borders closed. I'll bet those promoting the continual closure of the borders are sitting pretty not being affected. Probably never run a business. If they are so worried about the virus then stay home. Self isolate. Don't impose your fear and paranoia on others. There hasn't been a covid-19 death in Australia for a month. 95% of cases are mild. Only 2 are in ICU. This all needs to be kept in perspective.
And if we are so worried about people drying unavoidably how about putting the same effort into banning smoking? How many Australians have died of smoking related issues since the covid-19 virus came to Australia? And it's avoidable. We have banned smoking in many places because we know it causes health issues for others. Yet folks want to lock up the country because of something that is doing less harm.
I say to those who fear so much for their health to look after you own well being and let others get on with their lives.
FWIW I'm a high risk person. I have real health issues. If anyone is prone to covid-19 it's me. But I'm not going to kick and scream because others have their own lives to live. I'll manage my life and all I ask is for those promoting border closures is to let others live their lives as well as they see fit. Manage your own risk and don't rely on politicians to manage your life for you.
Now fire away.
SouthernComfort said
12:28 PM Jun 21, 2020
bgt wrote:
There is a constant referral to the tourism industry. Yes the tourism industry is being smashed in Qld. But what about other businesses? For every tourist business there is support business. Petrol stations are missing out on tourists. Do you dismiss them as the 'tourism' industry? What about taxi drivers? Store owners at/in the airports? Cleaners who clean units and motel rooms? And for every dollar they don't make they don't spend at Woolies, Coles, Harvey Norman etc. And their employees don't get the money to spend. And on and on it goes. The plumber who maintains the units, is he a part of the tourism industry? What about business conferences? Business travel? There is a very blinkered, and may I say, very selfish, attitude among those who want borders closed. I'll bet those promoting the continual closure of the borders are sitting pretty not being affected. Probably never run a business. If they are so worried about the virus then stay home. Self isolate. Don't impose your fear and paranoia on others. There hasn't been a covid-19 death in Australia for a month. 95% of cases are mild. Only 2 are in ICU. This all needs to be kept in perspective.
And if we are so worried about people drying unavoidably how about putting the same effort into banning smoking? How many Australians have died of smoking related issues since the covid-19 virus came to Australia? And it's avoidable. We have banned smoking in many places because we know it causes health issues for others. Yet folks want to lock up the country because of something that is doing less harm.
I say to those who fear so much for their health to look after you own well being and let others get on with their lives.
FWIW I'm a high risk person. I have real health issues. If anyone is prone to covid-19 it's me. But I'm not going to kick and scream because others have their own lives to live. I'll manage my life and all I ask is for those promoting border closures is to let others live their lives as well as they see fit. Manage your own risk and don't rely on politicians to manage your life for you.
Now fire away.
bgt, We're definitely on the same page, once again your commentary is very sound.
The level of paranoia has become such that hysteria is replacing reason. We have to learn to live with Covid19, and possibly other versions of Covid that may follow in the future, and there are many. To imagine we can all remain closed up until Covid is eradicated is ridiculous, our economy and our very existences will surely implode well before then if we don't learn to live with and manage the risk at the same time.
I've referred a few times to the tourism industry, in my mind I've done so in the broadest context to include all the peripheral businesses such as those you mention. However your point is fair, I suggest it would be more appropriate to refer to the tourism market which would better describe the situation i.e. the loss of income from the large market of visitors/tourists on which many businesses and occupations are substantially dependant. The situation is magnified in Qld of course since tourism is their lifeblood, but other states are also substantially affected by decline in their inbound tourism markets.
Dougwe said
12:28 PM Jun 21, 2020
bjt, Phew! Thank goodness you didn't mention WDH or Weights
Izabarack said
01:23 PM Jun 21, 2020
So, Vic has open borders and has had a big spike and has reimposed some restrictions. Seems like they are not doing a good job down there. Then, we see Qld has locked borders and is doing really really really well thanks to a Premier who is listening to the advice of her health experts and is keeping the border closed. The re-imposition of restrictions in Vic will hurt the businesses there, bad. The Victorian people are now back to living in the threat. Again the contrast - Qld business have something to look forward to, that is, some sort of return to normality without fear of ending up dead because they caught the virus. I'm in the same place the business owners are. I want a return to something like it was before but I am not willing to risk my life because someone wants to make a dollar.
Iza
Izabarack said
01:28 PM Jun 21, 2020
mixo wrote:
All states have thousands of beds(hospital) waiting for people to catch covid, .....
Fat lot of good a hospital bed is to a dead person. I simply don't want to get infected and hope that access to a specialist bed will be sufficient for me to survive. Shades of Trump in that logic including the expectation that some sort of magic will save you.
Iza
Gundog said
02:55 PM Jun 21, 2020
SouthernComfort wrote:
bgt wrote:
There is a constant referral to the tourism industry. Yes the tourism industry is being smashed in Qld. But what about other businesses? For every tourist business there is support business. Petrol stations are missing out on tourists. Do you dismiss them as the 'tourism' industry? What about taxi drivers? Store owners at/in the airports? Cleaners who clean units and motel rooms? And for every dollar they don't make they don't spend at Woolies, Coles, Harvey Norman etc. And their employees don't get the money to spend. And on and on it goes. The plumber who maintains the units, is he a part of the tourism industry? What about business conferences? Business travel? There is a very blinkered, and may I say, very selfish, attitude among those who want borders closed. I'll bet those promoting the continual closure of the borders are sitting pretty not being affected. Probably never run a business. If they are so worried about the virus then stay home. Self isolate. Don't impose your fear and paranoia on others. There hasn't been a covid-19 death in Australia for a month. 95% of cases are mild. Only 2 are in ICU. This all needs to be kept in perspective.
And if we are so worried about people drying unavoidably how about putting the same effort into banning smoking? How many Australians have died of smoking related issues since the covid-19 virus came to Australia? And it's avoidable. We have banned smoking in many places because we know it causes health issues for others. Yet folks want to lock up the country because of something that is doing less harm.
I say to those who fear so much for their health to look after you own well being and let others get on with their lives.
FWIW I'm a high risk person. I have real health issues. If anyone is prone to covid-19 it's me. But I'm not going to kick and scream because others have their own lives to live. I'll manage my life and all I ask is for those promoting border closures is to let others live their lives as well as they see fit. Manage your own risk and don't rely on politicians to manage your life for you.
Now fire away.
bgt, We're definitely on the same page, once again your commentary is very sound.
The level of paranoia has become such that hysteria is replacing reason. We have to learn to live with Covid19, and possibly other versions of Covid that may follow in the future, and there are many. To imagine we can all remain closed up until Covid is eradicated is ridiculous, our economy and our very existences will surely implode well before then if we don't learn to live with and manage the risk at the same time.
I've referred a few times to the tourism industry, in my mind I've done so in the broadest context to include all the peripheral businesses such as those you mention. However your point is fair, I suggest it would be more appropriate to refer to the tourism market which would better describe the situation i.e. the loss of income from the large market of visitors/tourists on which many businesses and occupations are substantially dependant. The situation is magnified in Qld of course since tourism is their lifeblood, but other states are also substantially affected by decline in their inbound tourism markets.
100% correct, I have said from day one the level of fear generated by the media and governments has been unwarrented, the evidence is as plain as the nose on your face, the level of infection has hit less 0.002% of the population, irrational decision making has been made using the what if factor and overseas figures which have totally different enviromental factors. In comparision more people die each day from cancer, heart attacks, the common cold.
Rob Driver said
03:02 PM Jun 21, 2020
We in Qld have all gone through closed schools, not being able to pay respect to our loved ones at their funeral, not having rellies or friends visit each other, not being able to visit my mum in a nursing home, closed businesses that arent an essential service, weddings cancelled, travel and borders closed and now due to good management we, in Qld are now enjoying the restrictions being lifted or eased.
But some selfish people want us to go backward again by accepting travellers that are from areas that have not been in control when they should have been.
Well, and then there are some that think because we have empty beds in hospitals that we should not be concerned when this virus spreads and the beds fill up. They have no thought or concern for health workers doctors and nurses who will tend these people.
Bazza44 likens this to war and he is correct.
If we were defending our shores by combat you would not be flying into the Whitsundays to have your week away from work.
People who would be displaced from employment may be required to help with support for the cause rather than sitting at home complaining.
While I feel sorry for people that have lost their jobs or had their earnings affected it just maybe a valuable lesson to live within their means. Their problem of over committing really relates back to poor parenting as I believe sound advice from parents would help at least a percentage of the younger generation to be less dependent on handouts or overspend their earnings so that they may just keep up with the Joneses.
Compared to other countries we have one of the most supportive welfare systems in this country that we all pay for and these benefits apply no matter what state you live in.
In the long term, if we all, as a country dont harden up and stop ALL people from coming in to the country and then work on controlling this pandemic first up, area by area, then state by state, and then by the effort of having GENUINE CLOSED INTERNATIONAL BORDERS
then we all may enjoy the freedom of travel within our country.
This is achievable if we can all put in the effort, but while we have a vocal group mainly driven by the media that want our borders opened up so that all and sundry can bring into Qld and other states, the pandemic, then it just wont work.
Even if all Australians came to Qld to have a holiday the tourism industry would still be crying poor and lobbying for international travellers to be permitted to come in. These businesses will only survive with international travellers as this is where the numbers come from each season for those businesses to maintain a profit.
In any case while we have a decision made to let a footballer go to Ireland during a world wide pandemic and then let him back into the country then we really all need to take a good hard look at ourselves. By saying this I will refer you all back to my first sentence in this post. The sacrifices we have all had to endure have been wasted by a selfish few.
Wealth before Health is not the way to go, regardless of what some of you think.
Regards
Angie
And Shut the Gate internationally until we are all on top of this pandemic.
msg said
03:25 PM Jun 21, 2020
Good one Angie
mus429 said
03:38 PM Jun 21, 2020
Angie If your statements are based on 'facts' then I wouldn't trust them. Your comment on the footballer in Melbourne who went back to Ireland has been back in australia for over 5 weeks and has been quarantined and tested 5 times since he returned all with negative results untll last Saturday. So any reference by you in relation to his returning home was risky then i have to say you haven't a clue. Check your facts first.
mus429 said
03:42 PM Jun 21, 2020
I believe over 2,000 people flew into Australia last week. Yes some of them Queenslanders now having a 14 day break in a Melbourne or Sydney hotel before they go back to Queensland. Shutting the gate is not an option to 'Australian' residents.
SouthernComfort said
05:22 PM Jun 21, 2020
Oh dear Angie. You're entitled to your interpretation of course, but this is a clear case of closed borders, closed minds, closed to the facts. Still, never let the real facts get in the way of emotion!
msg said
05:59 PM Jun 21, 2020
Angie, no matter what you say they will ridicule you. Boys club
bgt said
06:09 PM Jun 21, 2020
MSG that's a very sexist presumption!
msg said
08:21 PM Jun 21, 2020
really?
Cupie said
02:20 PM Jun 22, 2020
JayDee wrote:
""Queensland: People can travel freely within Queensland. The border is closed, but scheduled to re-open on July 10""
I cannot for the life of me can not understand as to why the Queensland Premier... Anna Pluckachuck has our borders closed.
If she thinks this policy will guarantee the party she leads a landslide victory at the next election in October, I think that she and her mated are in for one hell of a shock.
One has to wonder why she does not want our tourism industry to get back into doing business as usual.
Queensland Beautiful one day. (Pre Co-vid)
Closed to visitors the next day. (Today)
Jay & Dee
Both born and bred and life in Queensland.
A disappointing post that brought out all of the expected responses from the usual candidates.
From a fellow born & bred Queensland resident .. Just a few Km north of Jay & Dee
Dougwe said
04:50 PM Jun 22, 2020
As an old retired Indian chief and a Mexican address and had to do an about face from NSW mid March, I agree with the border closure. I have, like many others, missed out on heading North and in my case Townsville this year. Instead of nice mid 20c during the day I am sitting in 10c as we speak, cold, foggy and damp under foot HOWEVER, still think the NSW/QLD border should stay closed. I do feel badly for the small business's that have closed and especially those that have gone down permanently.
The way things are heading here in VIC we might even find the VIC/NSW border closed soon along with no VIC's crossing into SA either.
A very hard and sad time we all live in as we speak. I don't trust this CV19 one little bit. IT'S REAL!
Keep Safe out there everyone.
Izabarack said
06:14 PM Jun 22, 2020
Closed borders are the outcome of advice from Public Health experts, professional people who have access to a lot more information than the casual commentator. Rants from self-accredited amateurs using all sorts of dodgy logic do not get a second glance from me. Anna said just today that she will not be rushed keeping Queenslanders safe. Good one Anna!
I see the WA premier is on TV right now saying just the same thing as Anna.
Iza
straitened out said
07:00 PM Jun 22, 2020
It's a tough one. However, it would be interesting to hear from others who, like me, have actually had a family member suffer from the virus. My son ran a half marathon only recently and was as fit as a scrub bull until he got it. Let me tell you IT IS ONE VERY SCARY VIRUS. You do NOT want to get it, no matter how young/fit etc you are. Thankfully, he made it out again and is now donating platelets for use in other sufferers but I can't emphasise enough the danger of Covid 19.
S.O.
dorian said
05:30 AM Jun 23, 2020
I wish that NSW would close its borders, especially now that Victoria has started to fall apart, but we are doomed to stay open because it would be hypocritical for Berejiklian to close the border in light of her whining about the closures of others.
The Belmont Bear said
09:20 AM Jun 23, 2020
dorian wrote:
I wish that NSW would close its borders, especially now that Victoria has started to fall apart, but we are doomed to stay open because it would be hypocritical for Berejiklian to close the border in light of her whining about the closures of others.
Problem with that Dorian is that there are in excess of 50 border crossings between the 2 most populous states and there are a lot of towns and regional centers with large populations that straddle the border. I personally am quite happy to stay in NSW and travel the north coast, south coast or out west I dont really feel a pressing need to go to the other states.. Maybe while the borders are closed compensation could be paid to each state by getting back 100% of the GST that they pay - WA, NSW and Vic would probably want to keep them closed forever .
Cheers
BB
Greg 1 said
10:33 AM Jun 23, 2020
For those who are arguing that closed borders are a nonsense, just take a good hard look at the USA. That's what happens if you don't control this thing.
It's Trumpesque to even suggest that it's all rubbish.
The reason we have such low numbers is because of the policies that were put in place and Victoria is now an example of what happens when a foolish Government takes it's foot off the gas. The SA Premier must be killing himself laughing, if it wasn't so serious, after Andrew's snid remarks about travel to SA.
I am very glad that I live in WA with a Premier who has his head screwed on.
Victoria's problem is now community transmission, not international travellers.
Oh and by the way, WA has had it's fair share of people landing here from overseas and being placed in quarantine before being allowed to travel to their homes in another state, often NSW or Victoria, so they don't just come in via Sydney or Melbourne. In fact we have had very little community transmission, it's all been travel related. Until the other states all get their houses in order, I for one am more than happy for the WA border to remain firmly shut, despite not being able to visit my grandkids in NSW.
mixo said
12:07 PM Jun 23, 2020
You cannot compare USA to Australia.. they have thousands of transmission per day.
In VIC the worst state we have under 20 per day during the outbreak.
Is the USA really trying to control like we are, I cannot see it.
Waiting to see if we have a second wave, I bet we don't.
Hospital are overwhelmed? I don't see that either.
Let keep things in perspective. We will be with covid for a long time till the cure/vaccine comes.
Has to be a balance between staying under the doona and having the wheels of the economy turning over.
I still believe the time has come to open borders.
mixo
Izabarack said
03:12 PM Jun 23, 2020
dorian wrote:
I wish that NSW would close its borders, ........................ it would be hypocritical for Berejiklian to close the border in light of her whining about the closures of others.
Gladys would/could save face if she acknowledges that the circumstances have changed since she first held that attitude. It is the people who stick to a position, despite new information coming out, that have a problem with credibility.
Iza
SouthernComfort said
06:12 PM Jun 23, 2020
mixo wrote:
You cannot compare USA to Australia.. they have thousands of transmission per day. In VIC the worst state we have under 20 per day during the outbreak.
Is the USA really trying to control like we are, I cannot see it.
Waiting to see if we have a second wave, I bet we don't.
Hospital are overwhelmed? I don't see that either.
Let keep things in perspective. We will be with covid for a long time till the cure/vaccine comes.
Has to be a balance between staying under the doona and having the wheels of the economy turning over.
I still believe the time has come to open borders.
mixo
Yes, and it still makes sense. I'm done with debating it, those who hold the opposite view will never be convinced, just as we don't accept their counter argument, so it's a waste of energy when all that results is a battle to achieve one upmanship.
It all depends on how the brain is wired (or maybe on a certain political persuasion) as to which way an individual sees the logic and how certain stats (often not facts) are selectively deployed to bolster ones 'case'. I believe each is entitled to their own view and neither may be wholly right or wrong, but unfortunately the narrative does get a bit offensive at times.
Me, last in Qld 10 yrs ago on business, no urge to visit. WA not even on the radar. Many people I've spoken to feel the same and have decided to support our locals in Vic, and we know a welcome is assured. If we we ever get soft enough to crave warmer winter temps we will do as we've done several times in the past, NSW central and North coasts are lovely.
Warren-Pat_01 said
09:18 PM Jun 23, 2020
Hi Tony (SouthernComfort),
You are not preaching to the unconverted.
I live in Townsville - a city that for the past few years has had the highest unemployment of any major town/city in Qld & as well it is now well known for youth/kid crime.
First there was the mining bust, then our dear friend Mr Palmer & the Yabulu refinery/Clive Palmer's election fiascos where the refinery was used to fund his election attempts, then the floods in February last year. The only disaster we haven't had is a cyclone!
However, yes we do need business to be able to generate jobs & with no cases in NQ for well over a month, the Govt should have opened our area up for more than 10, 20 people in a premises - it should have been 50 or a 100! But as we are governed by the "Kingdom of the Great SE", we are all treated as equals!
When they "let us drive 50kms" - where did that get us? Just over half way to Ayr, less than half way to Charters Towers, not even to Frosty Mango to the north! Magnetic Island was the only place BUT we had to come home that day.
Dougwe said
09:28 PM Jun 23, 2020
What! No Frosty Mango! That's a disaster near cyclonic proportions, Warren.
SouthernComfort said
10:22 PM Jun 23, 2020
Warren-Pat_01 wrote:
Hi Tony (SouthernComfort), You are not preaching to the unconverted. I live in Townsville - a city that for the past few years has had the highest unemployment of any major town/city in Qld & as well it is now well known for youth/kid crime.
First there was the mining bust, then our dear friend Mr Palmer & the Yabulu refinery/Clive Palmer's election fiascos where the refinery was used to fund his election attempts, then the floods in February last year. The only disaster we haven't had is a cyclone!
However, yes we do need business to be able to generate jobs & with no cases in NQ for well over a month, the Govt should have opened our area up for more than 10, 20 people in a premises - it should have been 50 or a 100! But as we are governed by the "Kingdom of the Great SE", we are all treated as equals! When they "let us drive 50kms" - where did that get us? Just over half way to Ayr, less than half way to Charters Towers, not even to Frosty Mango to the north! Magnetic Island was the only place BUT we had to come home that day.
Feel for you up there Warren. One of many examples of the lunacy at play. All states are befalling the same fate I'm afraid, down here the current situation is blown out of all proportion. We know where the tiny hotspots in Melbourne are yet 99.999% of Vic is totally unaffected. Seemingly though, we're all tainted. Would be a joke if the narrative were not so damaging.
Do you people not realize that we are at war. Not with fighting people but fighting an unseen enemy. I t is like having snipers out there somewhere waiting to shoot you.
This has nothing to do with politics, it is about saving your life.
In all wars there is loss of income for business as well as loss of life. An unfortunate fact. These poor people going broke will at least be alive to try and start again, better than the alternative.
If the border was opened we would have an influx of southerners coming here bringing the virus with them. You would be singing a different tune then.
I have never had much time for the Qld Premier before, but now I will give her credit for standing strong and keeping us safe.
Keep the border shut.
Barry
Hi Warren,
The tourism businesses you are feeling for are, or were, all employers. No one will reveal the real stats on the increased incidence of depression, anxiety and suicide in families resulting from the demise of business and the inability of their employees to earn a living and meet their commitments since the outbreak - includes everywhere, not just Qld. That condition directly relates to health. I relation to Qld, unbelievably someone else in here lauded dear old Anna for putting "health before wealth". Nice as a catchy rhyme, but it's trite and meaningless. Business keeps the world going round, the health of employees and the prosperity of the businesses they work for are inextricably linked. The need to keep business going has nothing to do with creating wealth in the context of greed, most businesses in the tourism industry work to very modest returns, they run on the smallest margins of any industry and that is a fact.
As for the "idiots" in Victoria, well they were all gathered in one place to hold their anarchistic protest march - 30,000 of them in Melbourne. And guess what? Then they went home! THAT's how the bug is spread in homes. The Vic premier did nothing, didn't even fine them. Yes, we live in a state that's as badly managed as yours, probably worse.
And if we are so worried about people drying unavoidably how about putting the same effort into banning smoking? How many Australians have died of smoking related issues since the covid-19 virus came to Australia? And it's avoidable. We have banned smoking in many places because we know it causes health issues for others. Yet folks want to lock up the country because of something that is doing less harm.
I say to those who fear so much for their health to look after you own well being and let others get on with their lives.
FWIW I'm a high risk person. I have real health issues. If anyone is prone to covid-19 it's me. But I'm not going to kick and scream because others have their own lives to live. I'll manage my life and all I ask is for those promoting border closures is to let others live their lives as well as they see fit. Manage your own risk and don't rely on politicians to manage your life for you.
Now fire away.
bgt, We're definitely on the same page, once again your commentary is very sound.
The level of paranoia has become such that hysteria is replacing reason. We have to learn to live with Covid19, and possibly other versions of Covid that may follow in the future, and there are many. To imagine we can all remain closed up until Covid is eradicated is ridiculous, our economy and our very existences will surely implode well before then if we don't learn to live with and manage the risk at the same time.
I've referred a few times to the tourism industry, in my mind I've done so in the broadest context to include all the peripheral businesses such as those you mention. However your point is fair, I suggest it would be more appropriate to refer to the tourism market which would better describe the situation i.e. the loss of income from the large market of visitors/tourists on which many businesses and occupations are substantially dependant. The situation is magnified in Qld of course since tourism is their lifeblood, but other states are also substantially affected by decline in their inbound tourism markets.
bjt, Phew! Thank goodness you didn't mention WDH or Weights
Iza
Fat lot of good a hospital bed is to a dead person. I simply don't want to get infected and hope that access to a specialist bed will be sufficient for me to survive. Shades of Trump in that logic including the expectation that some sort of magic will save you.
Iza
100% correct, I have said from day one the level of fear generated by the media and governments has been unwarrented, the evidence is as plain as the nose on your face, the level of infection has hit less 0.002% of the population, irrational decision making has been made using the what if factor and overseas figures which have totally different enviromental factors. In comparision more people die each day from cancer, heart attacks, the common cold.
We in Qld have all gone through closed schools, not being able to pay respect to our loved ones at their funeral, not having rellies or friends visit each other, not being able to visit my mum in a nursing home, closed businesses that arent an essential service, weddings cancelled, travel and borders closed and now due to good management we, in Qld are now enjoying the restrictions being lifted or eased.
But some selfish people want us to go backward again by accepting travellers that are from areas that have not been in control when they should have been.
Well, and then there are some that think because we have empty beds in hospitals that we should not be concerned when this virus spreads and the beds fill up. They have no thought or concern for health workers doctors and nurses who will tend these people.
Bazza44 likens this to war and he is correct.
If we were defending our shores by combat you would not be flying into the Whitsundays to have your week away from work.
People who would be displaced from employment may be required to help with support for the cause rather than sitting at home complaining.
While I feel sorry for people that have lost their jobs or had their earnings affected it just maybe a valuable lesson to live within their means. Their problem of over committing really relates back to poor parenting as I believe sound advice from parents would help at least a percentage of the younger generation to be less dependent on handouts or overspend their earnings so that they may just keep up with the Joneses.
Compared to other countries we have one of the most supportive welfare systems in this country that we all pay for and these benefits apply no matter what state you live in.
In the long term, if we all, as a country dont harden up and stop ALL people from coming in to the country and then work on controlling this pandemic first up, area by area, then state by state, and then by the effort of having GENUINE CLOSED INTERNATIONAL BORDERS
then we all may enjoy the freedom of travel within our country.
This is achievable if we can all put in the effort, but while we have a vocal group mainly driven by the media that want our borders opened up so that all and sundry can bring into Qld and other states, the pandemic, then it just wont work.
Even if all Australians came to Qld to have a holiday the tourism industry would still be crying poor and lobbying for international travellers to be permitted to come in. These businesses will only survive with international travellers as this is where the numbers come from each season for those businesses to maintain a profit.
In any case while we have a decision made to let a footballer go to Ireland during a world wide pandemic and then let him back into the country then we really all need to take a good hard look at ourselves. By saying this I will refer you all back to my first sentence in this post. The sacrifices we have all had to endure have been wasted by a selfish few.
Wealth before Health is not the way to go, regardless of what some of you think.
Regards
Angie
And Shut the Gate internationally until we are all on top of this pandemic.
Oh dear Angie. You're entitled to your interpretation of course, but this is a clear case of closed borders, closed minds, closed to the facts. Still, never let the real facts get in the way of emotion!
A disappointing post that brought out all of the expected responses from the usual candidates.
From a fellow born & bred Queensland resident .. Just a few Km north of Jay & Dee
The way things are heading here in VIC we might even find the VIC/NSW border closed soon along with no VIC's crossing into SA either.
A very hard and sad time we all live in as we speak. I don't trust this CV19 one little bit. IT'S REAL!
Keep Safe out there everyone.
I see the WA premier is on TV right now saying just the same thing as Anna.
Iza
It's a tough one. However, it would be interesting to hear from others who, like me, have actually had a family member suffer from the virus. My son ran a half marathon only recently and was as fit as a scrub bull until he got it. Let me tell you IT IS ONE VERY SCARY VIRUS. You do NOT want to get it, no matter how young/fit etc you are. Thankfully, he made it out again and is now donating platelets for use in other sufferers but I can't emphasise enough the danger of Covid 19.
S.O.
I wish that NSW would close its borders, especially now that Victoria has started to fall apart, but we are doomed to stay open because it would be hypocritical for Berejiklian to close the border in light of her whining about the closures of others.
Problem with that Dorian is that there are in excess of 50 border crossings between the 2 most populous states and there are a lot of towns and regional centers with large populations that straddle the border. I personally am quite happy to stay in NSW and travel the north coast, south coast or out west I dont really feel a pressing need to go to the other states.. Maybe while the borders are closed compensation could be paid to each state by getting back 100% of the GST that they pay - WA, NSW and Vic would probably want to keep them closed forever
.
Cheers
BB
In VIC the worst state we have under 20 per day during the outbreak.
Is the USA really trying to control like we are, I cannot see it.
Waiting to see if we have a second wave, I bet we don't.
Hospital are overwhelmed? I don't see that either.
Let keep things in perspective. We will be with covid for a long time till the cure/vaccine comes.
Has to be a balance between staying under the doona and having the wheels of the economy turning over.
I still believe the time has come to open borders.
mixo
Gladys would/could save face if she acknowledges that the circumstances have changed since she first held that attitude. It is the people who stick to a position, despite new information coming out, that have a problem with credibility.
Iza
Yes, and it still makes sense. I'm done with debating it, those who hold the opposite view will never be convinced, just as we don't accept their counter argument, so it's a waste of energy when all that results is a battle to achieve one upmanship.
It all depends on how the brain is wired (or maybe on a certain political persuasion) as to which way an individual sees the logic and how certain stats (often not facts) are selectively deployed to bolster ones 'case'. I believe each is entitled to their own view and neither may be wholly right or wrong, but unfortunately the narrative does get a bit offensive at times.
Me, last in Qld 10 yrs ago on business, no urge to visit. WA not even on the radar. Many people I've spoken to feel the same and have decided to support our locals in Vic, and we know a welcome is assured. If we we ever get soft enough to crave warmer winter temps we will do as we've done several times in the past, NSW central and North coasts are lovely.
You are not preaching to the unconverted.
I live in Townsville - a city that for the past few years has had the highest unemployment of any major town/city in Qld & as well it is now well known for youth/kid crime.
First there was the mining bust, then our dear friend Mr Palmer & the Yabulu refinery/Clive Palmer's election fiascos where the refinery was used to fund his election attempts, then the floods in February last year. The only disaster we haven't had is a cyclone!
However, yes we do need business to be able to generate jobs & with no cases in NQ for well over a month, the Govt should have opened our area up for more than 10, 20 people in a premises - it should have been 50 or a 100! But as we are governed by the "Kingdom of the Great SE", we are all treated as equals!
When they "let us drive 50kms" - where did that get us? Just over half way to Ayr, less than half way to Charters Towers, not even to Frosty Mango to the north! Magnetic Island was the only place BUT we had to come home that day.
Feel for you up there Warren. One of many examples of the lunacy at play. All states are befalling the same fate I'm afraid, down here the current situation is blown out of all proportion. We know where the tiny hotspots in Melbourne are yet 99.999% of Vic is totally unaffected. Seemingly though, we're all tainted. Would be a joke if the narrative were not so damaging.