Message from the Publisher #13

Dear Readers,

On 9 October, Victoria recorded the tenth consecutive “donut day” which means zero new infection and zero death. If the trend continues for another 4 days, Covid-19 can be said to have been eliminated in Victoria. This is a great success of the Victorians through their compliance with the strictest lockdown restrictions. This is a result unseen among other states and one of the most enviable results internationally. No country has ever achieved this result with a peak of over 700 cases a day.
With 112 days in lockdown, people are free to move around now, but still with restriction of home visits and other social interactions, and with limited business activities. Even the Victorian government has not anticipated this strong suppression strategy will result in a possible total elimination of the virus. The imposed lockdown restriction was too severe and incurred much harm to the economy of Victoria. Victorians who suffered or had their businesses collapsed have a right to question whether they have been fairly treated or not.
There are three measures, in hindsight will explain why we have achieved this result.

The compulsory wearing of a mask has never been imposed in other states and western countries. But it worked. The experience in Hong Kong and Taiwan suggest that wearing masks helps to prevent the spread of the virus. Even a mask does not prevent the virus from entering your body, it does prevent droplets from infected persons to affect others. Yes, compulsory wearing of masks takes away the freedom of people but it does protect others.
The policy in testing and isolating those contacting the contacts of a confirmed case and has it done fast, deters the spread of the virus. Yes, such a policy is only possible with occurences of very few cases, much effort and a lot of documentation of contacts in the society. But it worked. Victorians complying to this strict rules found themselves protected.
Also, by closing the border and quarantining everybody coming in, prevent the virus from coming outside. Since June, Victoria is practically a closed community.
As a result, we are now enjoying a Covid-clean state that is not comparable by even many other states.
Yes, Victorian is now going to a new Covid-normal. Let us work together to keep Victoria safe and re-develop our economy from here onwards.

Regards,

Raymond Chow
Publisher, BlessingCALD

9 November 2020