No discrimination for freedom in a Covid normal society

The Covid normal societies in Victoria and NSW are clearly different.

When 90% of people in the two societies are vaccinated, the unvaccinated ones in NSW will enjoy similar freedom as the others but unvaccinated Victorians will be deprived of normal basic participation in society until 2023. This should be of great concern to all Australians.

If NSW proves to be right, that is, the unvaccinated ones in a 90% vaccinated community are already protected and cause little harm to the society, there is no reason for them to be “punished” simply because they refuse to get vaccinated. The government cannot use limiting the freedom of a person to force them to get vaccinated.

The decision by the Victorian Premier should be based on scientific evidence that this measure is really needed. Daniel Andrews should wait and study the situation in NSW before he should make a decision. A few weeks ago, the Victorian government has proposed very harsh opening strategies when the vaccinated percentage reached 70% and 80% respectively. These plans have now been modified.

About the use of the check-in app, it is clear to everyone that the linking up of myGov account with personal Medicare account and the digital vaccination certificate is difficult for many people especially for those who are not using a lot of mobile technology in their daily lives. More support should be given to them in order that their freedom in moving around and attending events in society will not be hindered by the failure to link up.

There is no reason for policy to be set to allow only those who are familiar with mobile technology to enjoy the hard-won freedom from Covid-19.  CALD communities who are usually not familiar with the government operations of the society should be given extra help to get connected and use the technology to enjoy this freedom.

It is discrimination to the unvaccinated, and also those who are unaccustomed to mobile technology if they can only enjoy less freedom than the others.

Raymond Chow

Publisher, BlessingCALD