THIS week a man came to our door looking for work lopping trees.
My husband took him to the yard to look at the trees. I noticed he wore no mask. This bothered me, but my husband is less picky. A quote for the job was given and a card left.
The new figures in the Hunter made me think, "I wonder where he's from", so I checked his card and ABN, and found he was from western Sydney.
So I tried to report this in the following ways
- Crimestoppers. This requires a long wait on a line that deals with so many other things that the poor overworked folk on the line dealing with complicated matters cannot possibly keep up with demand.
- Thinking that the local member may be able to report this, the response was "we don't deal with this".
- Radio station. The poor guy is probably trying to put bread on the table. I agree but lockdown is supposed to have purpose and compliance.
- This letter will not allow me to publish details of this poor man and his business but if anyone wants to know officially please contact me.
Our lockdown could easily be the result of actions like these.
Anyone living in Rankin Park or other suburbs nearby visited by this man should consider being tested as we will.
Doing the right thing in this situation should be an uncomplicated matter with a designated line.
Please do better. I will continue to try.
Lyn Rendle, Rankin Park
'Deplorable' double standard
VENUES NSW wants people attending major events to provide proof they have been vaccinated against COVID-19? ("Proof of jab for big events", Herald, 4/8).
So the problem with this would be what exactly?
If people wish to attend major events, all measures should be made to minimise a major risk.
After the completely inexcusable Ruby Princess debacle and regrettable decisions regarding short insignificant lockdowns, perhaps Gladys Berejiklian could regain some shred of dignity by getting behind this.
Venues NSW CEO Tony Shephard asks "why should people who have been vaccinated be compromised by having to sit next to people who are unvaccinated?"
Well my question is this: Why should people who are more than happy to practice social distancing, remain seated, and not dance or even sing, be denied the right to attend live music events catering to dozens of people when sporting events cater for up to tens of thousands of people who do not have to adhere to the same conditions?
I know as well as banging on about this point I have hammered it in like a railroad spike, but I cannot stress enough how much of a deplorable double standard I think this is.
Adz Carter, Newcastle
Sadly, light was just a mirage
HOW could the rulers of our society not plan for supply of vaccines not outstripping demand?
Dark clouds are gathering as health care plummets due to supply of vaccines not keeping up with demand.
Politics and vaccines don't mix. Too much politics and not enough vaccines, here in the Dis-United States of Australia.
I thought I saw light at the end of the tunnel, but it was a mirage, it was vaccines being shifted from the Central Coast and the Hunter region, to Sydney's COVID hotspots.
Richard Ryan, Summerland Point
Nothing stupid about $300 plan
GREG Lowe, the $300 vaccination incentive proposed by the Labor Party is anything but stupid. It has the potential to produce two significant positive outcomes.
Firstly those in the lower socioeconomic groups tend to be the least well informed on health issues and may have transport or child minding difficulties affecting their ability to attend vaccination facilities and $300 would provide quite a strong incentive to overcome those problems.
Secondly, a very large section of the community has suffered a significant loss of income and has had to cut spending.
A $300 payment would in many cases go into the economy immediately to provide it with a much needed stimulus.
You think that is stupid?
Reg Howes, Valentine
'Magical' pollies produce jabs
THE power of magicians.
Abracadabra, and boom! A whole crate of Pfizer nearly on Newcastle's doorstep, one hopes.
And like the last lot one wonders where this is all coming from.
Some mystical stockpile or is it that we will get the next box off the plane sometime soon? While there is now some long overdue discussion about the process of disseminating vaccines, courtesy L.G. John Frewen, it seems there is a lot of ongoing opacity about our status.
The problem is that spoon-feeding dribs and drabs won't do anything to help the public appreciate the truth of the situation.
I suppose we have to congratulate the magicians that it wasn't rabbits from the hat.
Maybe they did learn something from last time after all.
Vic Davies, Tighes Hill
Sweden not so sweet after all
RE: Sweden's COVID response, Darryl Thurston (Short Takes, 5/8).
The most recent media story about Sweden's COVID response, that I am aware of is, that the Swedish King and Prime Minister apologised for their relaxed approach to the pandemic as a "failure".
Prime Minister Stefan Loften's actual words were quoted as: "Of course the fact that so many have died can't be considered as anything other than a failure".
Other media reports say the death rate of his country from the virus is as much as 10 times that of its neighbours.
So, given these facts, why is there any need for any further commentary?
Glen Wilson, Cardiff
We can do more to stay safe
EVERY day there are comments in all media about the Prime Minister, the Premier, the Opposition Leader, health experts and so on playing the blame game in relation to COVID.
I'd like to point out that, compared to this time last year, almost everyone was wearing masks, wiping trolleys, sanitising hands and doing everything to help "stop the spread''.
From personal observation, there are still a few who still do this, however the numbers have significantly decreased and people appear to have returned to their old ways.
Really think we all should take responsibility for our hygiene protection and keep each other safe.
Col Parkins, Wallsend
SHORT TAKES
CAN Gladys please stop telling people to get vaccinated? It's arrogant in the extreme. I, along with thousands of people in the Hunter received a text message at the weekend saying my vaccination had been cancelled. All this occurred after weeks of trying to get an appointment. To say I'm not happy would be an understatement. Most leaders would at least have the decency to resign after a debacle like this.
Peter C Jones, Rathmines
THE "Vax the Nation" pamphlet inserted in Thursday's Herald made me ponder how much can a "koala bear". Unfortunately, it also reminded me of the turkey who gave permission for passengers on the Ruby Princess to disembark all those months ago. It certainly removed the grin from my face.
Robert Tacon, Adamstown Heights
WHAT a slap in the face for the Hunter as precious vaccines for our young people are diverted to Sydney. With sudden death from COVID presenting as a real threat, this appalling decision is turning out to be 'par for the course' for the Berijeklian government.
John Butler, Windella
MORRISON never shuts up about "rushing in to book your jab". In the Hunter, "rush in to book your jab" only to have your allocation commandeered for Sydney.
Gary Hayward, Cardiff
SO as of Thursday 5th August, 5pm Newcastle and the Hunter are in lockdown with cases in the area and Glendale and a school shut for deep clean. Where are our vaccines that we were booked to be given? Oh that's right Gladys and ScoMo took them to be sent to Sydney schools and our appointments got rescheduled once again showing the politicians only care about Sydney and votes.
Debra Forbes, Wickham
FOR everyone in Newcastle whinging about 'muh Pfizer', just remember that there's a vaccine called AstraZeneca that you can take. TGA approved for 18 years and up. Get to it.
Matthew Squair, Cooks Hill
SHE had one job. She wasn't willing to keep the Sydney people out of the Hunter. Thanks, Gladys.
Peter Moylan, Glendale
GREG Lowe, (Short Takes, 5/8), you think a $300 vaccination incentive from the Labor Party is shocking? I think a visibly intoxicated Deputy Prime Minister trying to stand up in question time and say no to $300 is more shocking. The federal government is an absolute disgrace.
Rachel Wilson, Katherine, NT
IT had to happen here eventually and I am pleased we have a complete lockdown except for essentials. Stay at home safe is the message I want to give everyone and get vaccinated when you can. It's very important we follow the rules.
Pam Ellen, Wallsend
NOW that COVID can be detected in sewage, I wonder how many people will get tested if the testing centres run out of nose swabs?
