Australia's Chief Medical & Health Officers failed to take advantage of Australia's low population density, and instead continue to impose hugely expensive lockdowns- Kerry Chant and her ilk must learn from Singapore , not Malaysia ; manage COVID contagion, not COVID optics

 by Ganesh Sahathevan 

+11

NSW CHO seems more concerned with the optics 

Australia has the advantage of low population density, one of the lowest in the world. Despite this NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant and other Australian CHOs have been unable to control COVID contagion without resorting to job destroying lockdowns.

Singapore on the other hand is one of the most densely populated countries in the world but has used lockdowns sparingly, ensuring  that small businesses are given every opportunity to continue trading, so that jobs and livelihoods are protected as well. 

It is clear that Chant and her ilk are unable to manage COVID contagion without resorting to stay at home orders,and their consequent shutting of national and international borders,  that  can give the impression that something is being done, but for which little evidence has been provided. 

Australians have yet to see the evidence of how during a lockdown, all persons capable of infecting the community are identified, isolated, and treated so that when released, they are no longer a threat to the community. Subsequently there has been no real evidence that can demonstrate how Zero COVID could ever be achieved.

Chant and other health and medical officers need to take lessons from Singapore, At present their conduct has more in common with that of Malaysian politicians who, like Chant are not managing the COVID contagion but rather the optics.

TO BE READ WITH

Friday, May 28, 2021

Singapore is 14 times smaller than Melbourne, it has a WuhanCovid contagion problem, it is not in lockdown, infection rates are falling, and damage to livelihoods limited - meanwhile in Victoria the "envy of the world" , the"gold standard" in contagion control, methods used to protect livestock continue to be applied to humans, at great cost.

 by Ganesh Sahathevan 

                                              Melbourne (Australia) is 14 times as big as Singapore

The image above puts matters in perspective. Readers are reminded that Singapore is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Close to 5.9 million people live on the island, compared to about 5 million in Melbourne.
Consequently Singapore's current population density is 8,201.23 people per square km, while Melbourne's is 453 people per square km.


Like Melbourne Singapore also has had a recent WuhanCovid contagion problem, but it is not in lockdown, or at least not locked down like Victoria.
Singapore saw a sudden spike in WuhanCovid infection three weeks ago, and the numbers are in excess of what is being experienced in Victoria.
However, infection rates are falling, and damage to livelihoods limited.
Readers are also reminded that population density is one of the main factors affecting WuhanCovid contagion. 

Meanwhile in Victoria the "envy of the world" , the"gold standard" in contagion control, a 4th lockdown in just over a year has been legislated, due to a spike in cases, well below that seen in Singapore:
Victoria has recorded five new locally acquired Covid-19 cases overnight, bringing the Melbourne cluster to 35.

It ought to be clear that the Government Of Singapore is managing the risk, while that of Victoria (and most other states in Australia, including the Commonwealth Government)are only pretending to do so by pursuing a policy of eradication. Australia's isolation from the rest of the world has kept its crops and livestock relatively free of diseases found elsewhere in the world. It does appear as if its state and Commonwealth Governments are trying to do the same with their humans.

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