Australia reaches 25,000 coronavirus cases; officials urge more testing

Watching on tv this morning how Sweden is doing after the bashing they got for not locking down,proves their way,though having a higher death toll than most others,has proven to be the right one

A high death toll is not something to condone, I am sure if you had lost a family member, loved one or friend

to this virus you would be making such a heartless statement.

Can you enlighten us more how Sweden's herd immunity and no lockdown or SOE has been the right policy?

How is their economy doing compared to their nordic neigbors that opted for some control ?

My Dad is in a moderately high risk group due to his age, but he thinks Andrews has gone way too far and wouldn't be surprised to see rising signs of civil disobedience in the coming weeks if he extends the emergency powers further.

More news comes out daily about how the Andrews government has mishandled the crisis, but he's not the kind of guy to take responsibility so don't expect him to step down.

to extend Victoria's state of emergency declaration by another year

I said that already from the beginning:

What Australia is doing is a complete overreaction.

If they extend it for another year, many many many people will lose jobs, the economy will completely broken and the Australien citizens will be very very unsatisfied with their lives.

@cracaphat

Wanting to extend the S.of E. for another year is so draconian and undemocratic.

No, it absolutely is NOT. He is aiming to have "the ability to extend or reimpose restrictions over that period." That's what a competent leader would want.

till the virus has gotten bored and decides to kill itself off.

Sorry to disappoint you, but viruses don't "get bored and decide to kill themselves off".

If you get bored in lockdown, you could always explore online education.

@cracaphat

Let's try this again, very slowly.

*"Premier Daniel Andrews is attempting to push legislation through state parliament to extend Victoria's state of emergency declaration by another year, giving him the ability to extend or reimpose restrictions *over that period."

Look at the highlighted text. The meaning of "the ability to" is that he can make that call, if and when he feels it's urgent, without having to waste time by convening parliament and trying to get authorization while a serious situation gets worse.

"Over that period" means within that one year timeframe such a call CAN be made, when needed. It does NOT mean that it's an automatic one year lockdown. Are we clear now?

Inevitably the discussion comes around to "Does a lock-down work to curtail the spread, ie save lives, or is a natural "herd" spread more beneficial in the long run?"

Well until now - we have no knowledge of the future - no lockdown has allowed a country like Sweden to enjoy a more "normal" lifestyle relative to more restrictive practicing countries.

But if it's lives that matter the current data looks a little ominous. A quick look at Sweden at some neighboring countries.

Sweden deaths 570 / million:

Holland 360:

Germany 111:

Denmark 107:

Finland 60:

Poland 51:

Norway 49.

Significant differences.

Australia with strict procedures in place is at 21 / million.

So success of each countries approach depends on what value you attach to life, lifestyle, economy, etc

The Melbourne lock down is working. The number of infections is being reduced which is the goal of the lock down. I am one of the people living right in the middle of it and I fully support the actions of the Government with respect to the lock down. It is necessary and fully justified to keep people safe. Those people saying it is cruel or unjustified are wrong.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion. That is the benefit of living in a free country. The current restrictions are due to an emergency situation and they will end when the emergency ends.

cracaphat - thanks for your reply.

"Sweden's approach is clearly wrong."

Well - you said that. And I don't think you understood the meaning (not a message).

It's simply a matter-of-fact that each country chooses it's own approach for better or worse.

They prioritize elements and procedures they believe are the best.

The results can be read in many ways. I just highlighted 1 result - pro rata deaths.

Read whatever you want to into it.