If you happened to be scrolling through social media over the weekend, it’s likely you would have evidenced would can only be described as a Great Garbage Fire of anger, frustration and criticism being shouted into the web from every direction. As Sydney-siders woke to images of thousands taking to the streets in protest against lockdown and Covid-19 safety restrictions that include wearing a mask and social distancing, those viewing the reports at home were both disappointed and outraged. Not confined to Sydney alone, the protests took place in several cities. There was violence, unrest, and two men were even charged with punching a police horse. 

The actions have been condemned as selfish, irresponsible and the act of – for want of a better word – idiots. But while it’s easy to simply engage with conspiracy theorists in a war of words and anger posted to Instagram, the scenes from the protest simply illustrated that Australia is approaching the precipice of disaster. As the government continues to back away from taking responsibility and the media fails to present a nuanced conversation surrounding case numbers, the vaccine rollout and greater protection for those severely impacted by the closure of business, a lack of transparency has only led to feelings of chaos that are evolving from the margins to engulf a wider population. 

In NSW, Premier Gladys Berejiklian and chief health officer, Kerry Chant, have since voiced that the Covid crisis is a national emergency. It suggests that the strategy of our current lockdown is not working and, despite efforts to see lockdown end on the proposed date of July 30, it only seems likely that it will be extended for some time. As The Sydney Morning Herald reports, “There was a set of new actions. Berejiklian would be asking the federal government to change its vaccination strategy. She wanted more Pfizer for NSW; within NSW, more shots would go to south-western Sydney. There would be more support for affected areas.”

If lockdown is to continue for weeks, the need for assistance is imperative. While NSW treasurer Dominic Perrottet reportedly resisted this lockdown being extended, he is said to have called for JobKeeper to be reinstated int he state. His concerns about workers needing financial support were one of his reasons for first resisting the extension, but with NSW in the dire position it currently sits, financial assistance is gravely needed.

As restrictions now stand, NSW authorities are urging people not to socialise with anyone they don’t live with as 145 cases have been recorded again today. In South Australia, lockdown restrictions will lift on Tuesday night, but rules will still remain including seated service on indoor and outdoor restaurants, limits to household gathering numbers, density limits for gyms, and weddings and funerals being capped at 50. Victoria is also likely to lift its lockdown. 

Still, the NSW Premier has shot down reports that lockdown will continue until mid-September. Speaking to Sunrise, she said: “This week we’ll be communicating what life beyond July 31 and for the next few weeks looks like.”

She added, “Our government’s mission is to keep our population safe, but also to allow us to live as freely as possible – and that’s the balance we need to find in the next few weeks.” She urged Sydney-siders to stick to the rules, saying: “The quicker all of us stick to the rules, the quicker all of us get out of this.” Since June 26, more than five million residents have been required to ‘stay at home’ unless for essential reasons. 

Currently, there are 141 people now suffering from Covid-19 in hospital. 43 of them are in intensive care and 18 require ventilation. Of the 43, 42 have not had any dose of a Covid vaccine. One is also in their teens, seven are in their 20s and three are in their 30s. As a result, the Premier is urging people to come forward for vaccination. “As you know, the health advice has changed in the last few days, so everybody is welcome to come forward and get the AstraZeneca vaccine, and please know that whether it is through your GP, through a local pharmacist or through obviously the NSW health pubs, please come forward and get vaccinated.”

“One thing we also know with this cruel Delta strain which is what we are dealing with, is that even one dose of the vaccine not only gives you personal protection, but it also reduces your chances of passing the disease on to others. And that’s why during the Delta outbreak, higher vaccination rates, even the first dose, slow the spread down. It won’t stop the spread alone, but it will definitely, definitely slow the spread down.”

All adults (even those under 40) are currently able to get the safe and effective AstraZeneca vaccine through a GP, where it’s recommended you talk to a doctor to see if it’s right for you. 

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