FOR the proposed COVID-19 tracking application to work, apparently a 40 per cent take-up rate is needed ('Virus tracing app for health use only: PM', Newcastle Herald 22/4). This seems unlikely, because in my opinion at least 60 per cent of the population is aware of this government's abysmal record on privacy. We're not going to hand over data to people we don't trust.
To give this approach any chance of success, Scott Morrison needs to produce convincing evidence that privacy will be respected. For example, passing a law that ensures that the MyHealthRecords will never be privatised, and that records like the COVID-19 tracking data will never be allowed outside Australia.
I believe getting whistleblower protection passed through Parliament is probably the least that would be needed to convince people that this government is serious about privacy. Returning the records seized from Annika Smethurst ('Reporter raid warrant invalid', Herald 15/4) and from the ABC would be a good idea, together with dropping all charges against Witness K and Bernard Collaery ('Former spy Witness K due for plea in April', Herald 15/11/19); and getting Julian Assange back to Australia before he dies would definitely help. Dismantling the Department of Home Affairs might convince the remaining doubters.
None of this will happen, of course, so we'll have to wait until 2022 before the public is ready to accept a tracking application.
Peter Moylan, Glendale
BRIGHT SIDE SHINES THROUGH
WHEN you are stuck at home, you have time to think about your life and have a bit of a laugh at how things turn out.
I have many underlying ailments that would probably result in my being a dead duck if I were to catch COVID-19, or it was to catch me. I suppose it depends upon how you view it.
One ailment is a tremor in my hands which can be frustrating, particularly when spraying underarm deodorant. I sometimes miss my armpit and finish up with a lovely-smelling chin. Also, I often have trouble carrying cups of tea or coffee but I have never spilt a drop of red wine.
Then there are my teeth, or more accurately, lack of teeth. Because of illness, I have for over 10 years had only two bottom teeth. As my body rejects false teeth and I cannot afford implants, I shall remain with just the two bottom teeth for the foreseeable future. However, looking on the bright side it takes much less time to brush my teeth and there is a considerable saving on toothpaste.
The anti-depressant medication I take has a side effect of producing nightmares. However, could it be the vintage cheese and onion sandwich before bed? Last night I dreamed that Cootamundra was being bombed by the Palestine Liberation Organisation Air Force. I am fairly confident that the PLO doesn't have an air force, but let's just blame the PLO. The wife blames me for the cheese and onion breath.
My advice to all is that whilst (love that word) you are stuck in isolation have a look at the funny side of your life. It's doing me a power of good.
Mike Sargent, Cootamundra
GOOD SOULS IN UNIFORMS
I WAS very lucky to become a volunteer in policing just after I retired. I attended Boolaroo headquarters and sorted paperwork.
The real reason I am writing this is to tell those officers that I met were terrific. I was lucky to meet many serving and retired officers from first year probationary constables right through to the big cheese, the Lake Macquarie superintendent. The clerical staff were beaut as well. I met blokes from Cardiff Highway Patrol, Morisset, Charlestown and Belmont stations quite a few times as well as visitors to Boolaroo.
My main reason writing this letter is to show my sorrow for the four police officers who died in Victoria recently ('Victorian police tragedy: tributes for former Newcastle man', Herald 24/4).
Most of the officers that I met in Lake Macquarie were married, engaged or single, but they all had family who would grieve for them if something like the Victorian accident happened here. Anyway, enough of this current sorrow; let's enjoy our life and thank the lord for the NSW Police Force. Maybe I won't feel so hearty about them if I get pulled up for speeding.
Wal Remington, Mount Hutton
TOGETHER FOR FAIRNESS
IT is very appropriate that, as we have had a very muted remembrance on Anzac Day of the heroes that served and suffered in previous wars, that we give consideration of the heroes of the war we have been fighting against the invisible enemy, the coronavirus.
In this fight the soldiers have been predominantly women, more often in jobs that our society has always been more willing to give gratitude for than economic value or the resources they need. As the Coalition government is planning the restoration of our economy post COVID-19, will our society demand that these heroes who every day put their lives and the lives of their families on the line out of their committed duty to their fellow Australians be recognised for the value and service they give at all times?
I find it significant that these caring professionals are now among the most unionised workers in our industrial workforce because they have realised that without collective action they would perhaps always be regarded as "just women", mainly, doing their duty and not fully valued as workers and professionals without whom our lives would be unliveable.
From the tone of the comments by the PM and his treasurer, it is my belief the government are planning to attack workers awards and conditions. There is talk of cutting taxes to business while increasing the GST, which falls hardest on the pensioners and low-wage workers that are clustered in the caring services. These people have been our heroes in this war against the virus.
Younger workers have never been exposed to the cruel conditions this collapse has imposed on workers in the gig economy, as we were the older generation like me as a 91-year-old. I hope that they will realise, like we did, that together in their union is the only way they will be protected. Our caring professional have tacitly acknowledged this by unionising because the only thing that can support their families are fair wages and conditions, not pious words that are always so cheap when coming from those in power.
Frank Ward, Shoal Bay
EXEMPTION IS NO SUBSIDY
PETER Coughlan (Letters, 28/4) makes a claim about massive fuel subsidies to the mining industry. This is wrong. In 1957 when overhauling the fuel excise the government introduced a fuel excise on diesel powered road users for new roads and maintenance. Offroad users, such as those who use vehicles in mining and agriculture, got an exemption. It was not and never has been a subsidy.
Sandy Buchanan, Largs
SHARE YOUR OPINION
Email letters@newcastleherald.com.au or send a text message to 0427 154 176 (include name and suburb). Letters should be fewer than 200 words. Short Takes should be fewer than 50 words. Correspondence may be edited and reproduced in any form.
SHORT TAKES
ONE wonders what the Vietnam veterans and our lost souls who fought against a Communist regime think about the Chinese involvement in our political system and our dependence on them for our economy. Time to cut the cord.
John Bonnyman, Fern Bay
REGARDING Jeff Corbett's column on handshakes ('Shaking dirty custom', 25/4), they are not only a sign of friendship but of trust. When you do business with someone, if they shake like a non-event and don't look you in the eye I believe they can't be trusted (as taught to me by my grandfather). Time has shown it to be right.
Robert Hollingsworth, Gillieston Heights
STEPHEN Millett's letter on private health insurers postponing their premium increases for six months (Letters, 27/4) has prompted me to remind readers who are paying on direct debt to check their bank accounts. The provider we use announced in March they were not increasing premiums, but my bank statement in April shows they took the increased amount out. After two emails to them and waiting two more weeks for them to reply, they have apologised saying unfortunately their system didn't quite cope and a few slipped through, of which ours was one. Sorry, they said, but we will adjust your payment next month. I guess it's the old saying: don't take everything they say for granted.
John Fear, Newcastle East
UNBELIEVABLE but not totally unexpected behaviour from a couple of so-called rugby league test stars meeting up with a larger group of friends for a weekend away. It will be interesting to see how NSW Police and the NRL ultimately deal with this clear breach of isolation practices, as surely there can be no relaxation of penalties regardless of individual legend status. Makes you wonder how the NRL will be able to keep players in a so-called bubble if the competition starts again this season.
Terry Tynan, Merewether
PAULINE McCarthy, please let me know where you found smoked snake. I've been lucky to try all sorts of delicious animals over the years, but not snake. Smoked eel is the bomb. Baby snake might be a bit dry, but I'd give it a go. The top of the list for me is jellyfish sashimi, still moving. We were lucky to try it on a dive boat at Neptune Islands. Tonight it's fresh sea mullet roe with lemon and dill sauce. Deep fried crickets may be more to your liking.
Steve Barnett, Fingal Bay
I QUOTE: "Maybe all it took was a few moments personal reflection over Anzac Day to realise we 'will' get to the other side of this, if we're responsible - and accountable" ('States take their own course', Herald 27/4). Let us hope it is not one law for the rest and one for the NRL. Saying sorry after doesn't qualify, especially to the dead. I am really sorry this happened, but it is déjà vu. A sad day for all of us.
Vic Davies, Tighes Hill
PRESIDENT Trump thinks injecting household disinfectant is a good idea. Such stupidity is grounds for imbleachment.
