The covid pandemic is fading out of the discussion by the public, but the virus is still here. Most importantly, the infection cycle keeps running even though most of us are vaccinated. Fortunately for the fully vaccinated, even though the virus still mutated into different subvariants, the symptoms of those infected are becoming milder.

As Australia moves into winter and the flu season starts, our public health system is under great stress because of the rise in the number of people being infected by flu and Covid. As a result, the voluntary use of masks in the public area is encouraged by many medical professionals.

To protect the economy and proper operation of the society, Australia cannot afford another complete lockdown or shutting down of all daily life activities. But to give protection to those who cannot be vaccinated, or are severely immunocompromised, Australians have no choice but to change their lifestyles by incorporating various protective measures into public lives. For example, the use of masks in public areas should be promoted and constantly reminding the use of sanitiser. In a crowded area, keeping social distancing is also important. To keep these new measures of protection, education programs and promotion should be made by the various level of government.

To build in the new elements of protection in social environments is not just because of the threat of being infected but a show of care and respect for others. We must slow down the transmission of viruses so that our health system can cope with them.

More funding from the government should be given to promote these new life rules. From the bitter experiences we have learned through the pandemic, the CALD communities should not be left behind. The government must learn how different needs of people from different backgrounds be addressed differently.

Now few people are wearing masks in public areas, even in Victoria, you still have to do so using public transport and hospitals or other high-risk locations. It is clear that most people feel that the Covid pandemic is over. However, epidemiologists keep on reminding everybody that Covid is still here.

Up to now, 8470 persons have died in Covid with over 6000 dying in the first five months of 2022. The total number of the infected case has passed 7.24 million with most of them happening in the past 5 months. Every day, we are still having about 50,000 infections. With winter coming, and the outbreak of flu infections, the hospital and healthcare workers are under great pressure.

The Australia Medical Association has urged the voluntary use of masks in the public area in order to slow down the spread of the virus. NSW, Queensland, Western Australia, and Victorian governments are now providing the free flu vaccine to all people and promoting both vaccinations of Covid booster with the flu vaccine in order to give greater protection hoping to lower the pressure in our hospital system.

Yes, Omicron is mild and causes fewer deaths. But its high infection power has led to great causality. I believe that we should try our best not just to forget that Covid is still there and also give greater effort to help society to face the challenge in this coming winter.

Parents can also help to get their children vaccinated. At this moment only about 40% of 5-11 years old are double vaccinated. We all want to protect our loved kids and parents should be reminded that their kids will be in a better situation if they are double vaccinated.

Be prepared to face the Covid challenge this coming winter.

Raymond Chow

Publisher, BlessingCALD

It is quite clear that with booster vaccinations and the Northern hemisphere entering summer, the Covid-19 infection in Asia, Europe and America is subdued. Australians on the other hand are trying to go back to normal leaving Covid-19 in the past, have greater movement and practically no restriction and slackening of public protective measures, together with the coming of winter, is seeing a surge in infected cases. Last week, we recorded the highest per capita infection in the whole world.

Epidemiologists warned that the Covid virus is still active in Australia. The recent increase in the number of Covid deaths is alarming and reminds society that freedom has a price. Those aged and infected still were dying, even though they might have been vaccinated. Those over 65, they should prepare for the winter by taking the fourth dose of the Covid vaccine together with the flu vaccine to give the greatest protection.

Yes, we do not want restrictions in our daily lives Our high vaccination rate together with the mild symptom of Omicron has made people complacent. Some will fail to observe the routine protective measures including wearing masks in high-risk areas or use of sanitisers in public areas. We have forgotten that over 4000 Covid deaths have happened in the first four months of 2022 which was more than the total Covid deaths in 2020 and 2021 together. The message is very clear: Covid threat is still there.

The government should continue to promote public health and protection among the communities. Wearing a mask should not be discriminated against. We should respect others’ choice of wearing masks. There may be family members who are severely immunocompromised and cannot be protected by vaccines. Many people reported that they are stigmatised for wearing a mask in a public area. This is not acceptable.

We want more freedom but to protect others in society, we should be up-to-date vaccinated and have appropriate protective measures when needed to protect others.