Why is Melbourne’s second COVID-19 lockdown important? Why have we closed down the city? Why do we practise social distancing? How is COVID-19 different to influenza?
COVID-19 is a new virus. It is something we have never been exposed to. We have no immunity. There is no vaccine. There is no cure. 20% of Australia’s population are at great risk from dying the virus.
If we didn’t close the restaurants, the bars, if we didn’t practise social distancing, greater Melbourne could easily see 500,000 people infected with the virus. With a mortality rate of 1%, that would mean 5,000 people would die. We only have around 6,000 intensive care beds in the whole of Australia. The hospital system would be swamped. There would not be enough ventilators. This is why it is so important we practise social distancing and good hygiene practises, like hand washing and wearing masks. We can all help to contain the spread of the virus.
Ultimately, we need real reform in this country. If Public Interests Before Corporate Interests - PIBCI was registered as a political party, we could have put a candidate up in the Eden-Monaro by-election and generated real discussions about a Universal Basic Income, public housing reform and nationalising our mineral resources for the people’s benefit.
We encourage you to look at the possibility of joining PIBCI. It’s very simple. Head over to our website www.pibci .net. Look at our policies. Download the application form. You can leave a message on 0439 395 489. You can also write to PO BOX 20, Parkville, 3052 or email pibci.info@gmail.com
Remember, the ball is in your court. Change comes from people’s active participation in the struggle to change the status quo. It is time we took matters in our own hands and got involved in the struggle for reform and radical change.