CIGARETTES have long been known as a cause of cancer and heart disease, yet thousands still smoke. Speeding has long been associated with death in car accidents, yet people still speed.
Drugs and alcohol cause death and illness yet people still drink to excess and do drugs (the highest level of cocaine use is in ACT, according to sewage measurement).
Resistance against COVID-19 vaccination is to be expected. You cannot legislate against stupidity and expect compliance by everyone.
Vaccination for the remaining 90 per cent of the population is the only way out.
Anyone who lived through polio, tuberculosis, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus and many others before vaccination,could tell you that, but who takes any notice of history these days?
John Hollingsworth, Hamilton
Prepare to do what is needed
I AM a proud 70-year Novocastrian Australian. However, I am not proud of the behaviour of some Australians who appear to believe their anti-vax and protest activities are ok.
I do not like lockdown as I live on my own, but I am prepared to do whatever I need to keep myself and my community safe. Unfortunately this doesn't apply to all.
I am horrified by Costco bringing staff from hot spots in Sydney to our area. How dare they put us at risk. I believe Costco should be fined.
It is appalling that our area is put at risk by them when we have done so well.
So grow up, people, do what we all have to do and be thankful you are not in Afghanistan or Haiti.
Kris Kelly, Maryville
Blame leaders, not the breachers
A STEVE to Steve answer to Mr Barnett regarding the possibility of lawsuits by Hunter residents for losses and emotional stress caused by people that have deliberately broken the law to bring COVID to our region, (Short Takes, 18/8).
Mate, I understand every person's frustration, but it will be simpler and more cost effective to make our votes count at the next state and federal elections and change the government representatives. (Hopefully they will not stop the elections using the COVID pandemic excuse.)
These are the people who have managed and coordinated the various public service departments that placed the inadequate quarantine systems and procedures in place that allowed this terrible virus into our great island home.
Steve Larsen, East Seaham
Use everything in our arsenal
IS the resistance by some in our community and some of our elected officials in utilising the technology that is available, such as an Australian Immunisation Record (AIR) combined with advanced features on QR codes to allow us all to move around more freely, nothing more than puerile obstructionism and petty belligerence?
Does it not smack of making an issue out of something that is nothing more than practical common sense and being able to use one more weapon in the armoury to fight COVID?
Step aside, you lot and let good ideas prevail.
Tony Bennett, Broke
Don't shop until you're stopped
I WOULD like some clarification regarding the so-called rules or restrictions on supermarket shopping. I understood it to mean that only one person per household can go shopping and no children allowed.
I have been shopping alone twice in just over a week and it appears that supermarkets are not enforcing these so-called rules.
I passed several couples just browsing and a young couple with their children. When I asked about the store's policy I was directed to security at the front door who told me that he was not authorised to stop couples from entering the store.
I am playing by the rules, but many aren't. If supermarkets are serious they surely have the right to refuse entry and that is what they should do. Is this about profit or keeping us all a little safer?
Denise Lindus Trummel, Mayfield
Remember facts amid propaganda
AS a former Modern History teacher, I'm aware of the phenomenon whereby the popularity of a country's leader rises during times of war and conflict. The enemy is clearly defined as a threat with overwhelming consequences, catastrophic for life, culture, and future prospects.
Leaders keep the messages simple, appeal to emotions, and praise collective spirit. Perhaps the most famous paradigm is the Winston Churchill speech ("We will fight them on the beaches ... we shall never surrender").
Our prime minister, with more than one eye on the next election, has called upon his propagandist sensibilities to adopt such a tactic in recent times, much to my alarm and irritation. In a recent pronouncement to the Australian public, he told us that "We are never going to give up in our battle against COVID in this country ... by persevering and pushing through together".
All the spin is there. The enemy identified. The determination of Australians in the face of prodigious odds. The fact that we are undivided, resolute, and pure. And, most important of all, he will lead us through this.
We will hear more of this rhetoric in the coming months, and when things do improve, the prime minister will praise us, tell us how special we are, and by association, claim credit for the victory. All just in time for the next election. By then he will hope that the electorate will have forgotten the incompetent vaccine roll out, and his inability, indeed unwillingness, to get the states to work together with a co-ordinated and supportive approach towards the public health outcomes of all Australians, not just provincial garrisons.
He'll hope that we'll forget the negligence, the ineptitude, and the lack of leadership that has led us down this path in the first place. But we won't forget, will we?
Brett Thomas, Cooks Hill
Riders are skating on thin ice
THERE are lots of people out exercising these days, and recently I was walking along a shared path when a youth on an electric skateboard whizzed past me from behind.
Up ahead of me were two mothers, pushing prams and walking beside each other. They were taking up most of the pathway. The youth, not wishing to slow down, zapped around them like a rally driver and obviously gave both of them a big fright. The youth proceeded up the path weaving from side to side as if he was catching a big wave off Newcastle beach. In my opinion he was just showing off.
People who exercise on human-powered skateboards or scooters are less of a problem. Generally you can hear them approaching from behind and they are going at a much slower pace than the e-skateboarders or scooter riders.
These battery-powered machines, at the speeds they go, are a menace to others on our shared footpaths and a danger to other users. There is an old saying that applies: here is an accident that's sure going to happen.
John Fear, Newcastle East
SHORT TAKES
I WONDER if people who are reluctant to get the AstraZeneca vaccine actually go outside because of the risk of lightning strike or hop in a car because of the risk of a road accident. At present there must be a much greater risk of dying unvaccinated than by getting vaccinated and risking complications. The additional benefit is that when vaccinated you are far less likely to transmit the virus to someone else.
Lloyd Davies, Stockton
AMERICA built and supplied arms to the Taliban. America invaded Afghanistan to remove the Taliban, which they did, and finally surrendered Afghanistan to the Taliban. Mission Accomplished ... for the Taliban. The only winners in terrorism are arms manufacturers and those who make a living from commenting on terrorism to media organisations such as the Murdoch Press and SKY news.
Richard Ryan, Summerland Point
THANKS for the effort over the years, Josh King and Connor Watson. Fellows you have to look after yourselves, that's very important as you go through life. Your NRL life must end at some stage so go for it. As a dyed in the wool Knights supporter I'm down in the dumps because of your departure. Good luck. But if you could, please don't have too terrific a game when you have to play the Knights.
Wal Remington, Mount Hutton
REALLY, Bruce Brander (Short Takes, 19/8), what part of Col Page's post suggested "Greens politician"? If you think it is only 'rabid lefties' that are fed up with, and critical of, State and Federal LNP, then you really should open the other eye and unplug the ears.
Kim Harding, Carrington
IF anyone wants a lesson on how to waste money contact Lake Macquarie City Council who apparently sent a team out to cover the 174 km foreshore of the lake to "tape up" park and picnic area tables and chairs with "Danger" tape. Ludicrous!
Michael Asher, Mount Hutton
I DON'T believe we should blame the Premier for ignorant, arrogant Sydneysiders travelling to Newcastle to attend parties thrown by equally ignorant, arrogant Novocastrians. The blame should lay squarely on the heads of those thoughtless individuals.
Anne Stuart, New Lambton
ROBERT Baxter describes so clearly a huge problem with unnatural weed suffocating our beautiful Edmunds Bay, (Letters, 21/8). So thick and it is more difficult each day trying to paddle my kayak through this dense weed. Can we have council action to solve this before it is too late?
Pamela Pirona, Blackalls Park
VALE Sean Lock, a jester of infinite mirth. Sean Lock brought countless moments of uproarious laughter to our household. Dead from cancer at only 58. Gone way too soon. Rest in peace, Sean.
John Lawton, Belmont
THE POLL
DO you support the outdoor mask rule introduced on Monday?
