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WHO declared coronavirus outbreak a pandemic on March 11th. On March 6th, residents of our block convened a meeting to voice local issues. Two of 25 residents attending were wearing face masks. A few days later, our Strata Manager cautioned we should consider deferring all face-to-face meetings in the rapidly escalating pandemic.
This meeting was held on the day Australia confirmed its 100th coronavirus case. The Prime Minister announced closure of border with China after a Chinese national who flew into Melbourne on January 19th tested positive.
By, coronavirus infection exploded to more than 2,000 confirmed cases – most have recovered. To reduce the risk of imported infections, Australia acted fast and quickly closed international borders on March 20th .
On March 19th, I watched the Ruby Princess dock at Sydney’s Circular Quay, with 2,700 passengers and crew disembarking . By April 22, there were nearly 700 confirmed cases and 20 deaths linked to Ruby Princess. The months of March and April experienced the height of the pandemic - deadliest pandemic in a century.
Restrictions began to ease in NSW in late May. I began to wonder whether our recollection of the public outcry over the Ruby Princess debacle was still so daunting, and whether we had learnt the lessons, when thousands rallied on June 6th for “Black Lives Matter” protest in Sydney. Any outbreaks related to these rallies would be evident the following week.
Rally banners echoed the last words of George Floyd and also perhaps that of ailing COVID-19 patients - “I can’t breathe”. We are still treating the symptoms of this dangerous disease. There is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19.
Since March 6th meeting, I haven’t risked going out to keep COVID-19 at bay.
This meeting was held on the day Australia confirmed its 100th coronavirus case. The Prime Minister announced closure of border with China after a Chinese national who flew into Melbourne on January 19th tested positive.
By, coronavirus infection exploded to more than 2,000 confirmed cases – most have recovered. To reduce the risk of imported infections, Australia acted fast and quickly closed international borders on March 20th .
On March 19th, I watched the Ruby Princess dock at Sydney’s Circular Quay, with 2,700 passengers and crew disembarking . By April 22, there were nearly 700 confirmed cases and 20 deaths linked to Ruby Princess. The months of March and April experienced the height of the pandemic - deadliest pandemic in a century.
Restrictions began to ease in NSW in late May. I began to wonder whether our recollection of the public outcry over the Ruby Princess debacle was still so daunting, and whether we had learnt the lessons, when thousands rallied on June 6th for “Black Lives Matter” protest in Sydney. Any outbreaks related to these rallies would be evident the following week.
Rally banners echoed the last words of George Floyd and also perhaps that of ailing COVID-19 patients - “I can’t breathe”. We are still treating the symptoms of this dangerous disease. There is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19.
Since March 6th meeting, I haven’t risked going out to keep COVID-19 at bay.