Australia's Victoria state reports record coronavirus deaths

meatworks and warehouses are set to cost 250,000 jobs, doubling the number of jobs already lost in the state due to the pandemic.

it would axe 3,000 jobs

the nation's jobless rate to spike to 10% later this year.

It is absolutely stupid and irresponsible to its citizens what Victoria State is doing.

Their action will costs more lives and people's existence than the Virus itself.

Completely crazy!

And when they open up again, the Virus will come back again and everything starts from the beginning.

Do they not understand that they can not kill the Virus or let the Virus completely disappear?

Did they not learn from other countries, which had a strict lockdown, and as soon as they open again, the Virus comes also back again?

I would understand that action if they have more than e.g. 200.000 cases and 10.000 deaths, but 725 new cases and 738 deaths among 25.000.000 population.

Hello?

 but 725 new cases and 738 deaths among 25.000.000 population.

Hello?

and why do you think that is, hello strict social distancing quarantine and mask wearing.

Meanwhile in the USA the deaths per capita is 16 times higher than Australia

The state reported a daily high of 725 new COVID-19 cases and a record 15 deaths despite having reimposed a lockdown on Melbourne, the state capital with a population of 5 million people, four weeks ago.

So these 15 deaths were healthy people of mixed age, or just what we always see when we look at details ..... old, with many comorbidities. So the politicians in Australia are willing to destroy the economy for everyone to protect a small group that could be isolated. And apparently destroying the economy comes at no cost.

and 7 other countries are higher than the USA. why?

Meanwhile in the USA the deaths per capita is 16 times higher than Australia

A problem with Covid in Australia is that people were still going to work even when diagnosed as they couldn’t afford not to. Too late did the government offer a financial package to those affected.

Oz has so far seen a grand total of 2 covid deaths in people under the age of 50, and none under the age of 40. Only 6 in the 50-59 age range. These are people in the prime of life, they should be working and supporting the country. There is NO reason for them to be quarantined.

So these 15 deaths were healthy people of mixed age, or just what we always see when we look at details ..... old, with many comorbidities. So the politicians in Australia are willing to destroy the economy for everyone to protect a small group that could be isolated. And apparently destroying the economy comes at no cost.

Apart from one man in his 30s, they were all elderly. And yep, they're quite comfortable with destroying the economy.

In Victorian parliament yesterday the ironically titled Health Minister was asked questions relating to releasing the papers that informed their decisions about how to deal with the COVID crisis. She flatly refused to answer, and this issue is now being dealt with in the state's administrative appeals tribunal under an FoI application.

The video of the parliamentary session is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBEZa4QVqIg (from the 5:35 mark)

Pretty exciting stuff, but it demonstrates how unaccountable the Andrews government is behaving. What have they got to hide? Most likely sheer incompetence. And over the next 6 weeks while Melbourne is in stage 4 lockdown and the rest of Victoria is in stage 3, how many actually sick people are going to miss out on hospital treatment due to social distancing requirements in Victorian hospitals? How many businesses are going to go bust, and how many jobs will be lost because of this? Not to mention the damage to mental health and family violence resulting from the stress it will induce.

I understand that some people are going to lose their lives, and that is tragic for the people concerned and their families. But how many are close to death anyway, or were particularly vulnerable to the virus due to pre-existing conditions and equally vulnerable to the flu? That might sound cold, but let's look at the facts of the matter. The government failed to get nursing homes to adequately protect residents, and those homes are equally culpable for failing to proactively do the same - they'd have to be asleep not to know what happened overseas.

But this government will have blood on its hands because it has established a police state to cover up its incompetence, while the other states seems to have managed their situation far better with far less drastic measures.

Love the sign. Why?

Sorry to disappoint your narratives but a person died in their 30s today.

Who gets to pick and choose who dies.

Apart from one man in his 30s, they were all elderly. And yep, they're quite comfortable with destroying the economy.

Yeah, the old people aren't worth sacrificing the profits of the elite for. They're just old people - almost dead anyways.

Good thing that this virus doesn't target our demographic!!! That would be scary. I mean, the old wouldn't be expected to make any sacrifices for the economy for our sakes, right? After all, they'd be fine.

And yikes, good thing it doesn't target our children! We'd have to decide just how expendable they are, in order to allow us our god given freedom to continue on as we were in the midst of a pandemic.

and 7 other countries are higher than the USA. why?

They're doing an even worse job of containing coronavirus.

Starbucks, yes and that is a personal tragedy for that person and their family. However, the exceptions do not disprove the general rule. Which is that covid deaths are about as likely as lightning strikes for people under 50.

160,000 people die every year in Australia. This may help give some perspective on the relative death caused by Covid.

Nobody gets to pick and choose who dies. Life is all about risk mitigation and management. We all make choices that may or may not have potentially tragic consequences. Driving a car, walking on the street, eating a meal, all have potential risk. Covid is just another, minor, risk.

Nobody gets to pick and choose who dies. Life is all about risk mitigation and management.

And when we're deciding whether or not the elites should see their profits from the labors of the work force, it's more important to keep the profits flowing, than it is to take measures to limit the spread of the virus to whatever degree we can, so as to save our old people. No, they're expendable. Choosing between old people or profits, well, how could anyone ever think we should lock down for the sake of old people. Pshaw.

old people are no longer required to work, often receive retirement benefit payments and can very easily just stay home.

old people are no longer required to work, often receive retirement benefit payments and can very easily just stay home.

Yeah, and it's not like they have any interaction with the rest of the world, right? The virus can be RAGING outside the old folks homes, but they will have these magical barriers that somehow ensure the virus won't get them.

And the best part of it all is, we get to make sure the elites keep getting their profits! After all, if the pandemic has taught us anything, it's that this is a great opportunity for the rich to make more profits. And only some of us die, and mostly only old people at that.

old people are no longer required to work

This often isn't the case.

often receive retirement benefit payments and can very easily just stay home.

If their benefits aren't sufficient, they are forced to go out and work. This is why UBI or something similar is vital.

and 7 other countries are higher than the USA. why?

ah because they did a worse job than the US, those countries have also lowered their curve and are holding steady, US well you know where their curve is gong and it isnt down, 8months and still they cant get their shite together

old people are no longer required to work

This often isn't the case.

That's ok. It seems that many people consider them to be expendable. Or at least, that they aren't worth the costs of slowing profits to the elites.

 Covid is just another, minor, risk.

its not a minor risk if its treated like a common cold , herd immunity for covid19 will result in around 2% fatality for 70% of the population infected, with no vaccine. for Australia that's around 350000 dead , for the US that's around 4.5million, yeah no so minor is it

7 other countries are higher than the USA. why?

Because they've failed even worse than the US.

For once, the US isn't screaming they're number one, but they do seem to be saying 7th from the bottom is pretty good (among you know, 200 or so).

@ Monty - It is absolutely stupid and irresponsible to its citizens what Victoria State is doing.

Their action will costs more lives and people's existence than the Virus itself.

Completely crazy!

The reason the virus is spreading through Melbourne is because of too many irresponsible people disregarding self-distancing and refusing to self-isolate when directed to do so. These people have created this situation for the whole of the state. Blaming the government is the crazy thing. It is the people who have done it to themselves.

WTFJapan, where do you get those numbers? The virus is nowhere near that lethal. How would the total magically jump by 1000 times in Australia? It is nonsense.

it just seems ineffective to focus 99% of the conversation on the 7th highest country while totally ignoring #1-#6.

Lockdowns simply dont work. because as soon as they are done, or even during the ongoing lockdown, people feel the need to go protest something. Then we have to start all over again.

For once, the US isn't screaming they're number one, but they do seem to be saying 7th from the bottom is pretty good (among you know, 200 or so).

it just seems ineffective to focus 99% of the conversation on the 7th highest country while totally ignoring #1-#6.

Fair enough. They failed with their responses too. To be fair, unlike roughly 200 other countries in the wold, those six other countries have failed in their response even worse than America has.

160,000 people die every year in Australia. This may help give some perspective on the relative death caused by Covid.

With rampant covid unchecked by precautions that normal death tally you quoted could easily double or more.

I dont find that acceptable. I do find the lock down and the social distancing and mask wearing and business closures acceptable, and I am right in the middle of it all in Melbourne.

Yet people still dont do the right thing. A young lady with her 2 year old came to visit a neighbor against the regulations today. The household they visited has an elderly lady living there and she has been put in danger for the sake of a visit. As long as people flout the rules in place to protect everyone, this will carry on far longer than it should or would if they follow the rules. Stupidity lives everywhere.

so everyone stops living their lives in the hope that everyone's lives are extended? its not like we cant die from something else while we are pausing our lives "waiting" to resume our lives post corona. The clock doesnt stop while this is going on.

if it were just 14 days to flatten the curve as we were promised, even extended to 30 days- sure.

But in my country we did this. Then the protesters went out and unnecessarily ruined the sacrifice that everyone else made. reset to another lockdown needed, first one meant nothing now.

@ monty

You must be so frustrated being under curfew. Stay home and wash your hands.

7 other countries are higher than the USA. why?

Because they've failed even worse than the US.

For once, the US isn't screaming they're number one, but they do seem to be saying 7th from the bottom is pretty good (among you know, 200 or so).

But it seems DT won’t be satisfied until they reach number one in this too! He’s doing all he can (by doing nothing thru incompetence ) to make sure take this crown too!

@blvtzk

I am not living in Australia!

I thank God for that!

@monky

I 100% agree!

Enjoy the footy, but wear a mask!

So far in Australia, a grand total of 27 people who died of Covid were under 70 years old. 156 victims were 80 or older. That tells you all you need to know. Quarantine the vulnerable, let everyone else be.

The catastrophic job losses and mental health crisis that will arise from this over reaction is just not necessary.

The Victorian government’s actions seems compassionate on the surface. And those there who oppose the severity of the state government’s response are being portrayed as selfish and hard-hearted. But I disagree. The most compassionate response would be to have a more nuanced and well balanced approach that protects the well being of EVERYONE.

Fact: The average age of those who die from Covid is about 80 years old. The average life span in advanced nations like Australia is about the same age.

Fact: The majority of deaths occur in aged care facilities, not among the general public.

Fact: Similar to the flu, the virus is not a death threat to the very vast majority of citizens, in fact many of those who have it don’t have any symptoms and don’t know they have it.

Fact: 130 deaths in Victoria so far among 6.5 million residents over an area of 227,444 km². Yet every square inch of the state is under strict restrictions. Even people living in the middle of nowhere!

Fact: About 1500 Australians die from the flu every year. Similar to Covid, the vast majority are elderly. Should we shut down society perpetually for that?

Fact: Over 1000 Australians die in traffic accidents each year. Should we heavily restrict all traffic and wreck the economy for that?

This is simply not necessary and in fact disastrous for the economic well being and mental health of the general public.

How about they have compassion on the elderly and other at risk people by putting in place very strong measures to protect them AND have compassion on the rest of society by allowing them to work, congregate, get educated, play and go about their lives? That would be a compassionate response that protects everyone.

I pray that this disease will soon pass and that whatever happens, God gives the poor Victorians and every one else peace of mind and spirit.

so everyone stops living their lives in the hope that everyone's lives are extended?

Of course not, that would disrupt the supply of profits to the elite. That won't happen. They won't let the people stop the profit supply.

its not like we cant die from something else while we are pausing our lives "waiting" to resume our lives post corona.

So were you the type to not bother with a condom during the aids epidemic cause we're gonna die anyways?

Seems logical. Carry on.

The catastrophic job losses and mental health crisis that will arise from this over reaction is just not necessary.

Yeah. It’s just the oldest demographic who will die. They’re almost dead anyways so they’re definitely expendable in preference to the rest of us facing discomfort and hassles in our lives. And compared to the profit lines funneling up to the elites? The elderly aren’t even worth considering.

...right?

strangerland

Yeah. It’s just the oldest demographic who will die. They’re almost dead anyways so they’re definitely expendable in preference to the rest of us facing discomfort and hassles in our lives.

You do not protect the elderly by locking up the young and healthy at home and destroying the economy. The government of Victoria is nuts.

You do not protect the elderly by locking up the young and healthy at home

Oh, is that “alternate science”?

and destroying the economy. *

Yes, I understand, the labor force must NOT disrupt the profit flows to the elites. We understand that the right prioritizes these profit flows above the lives of the elderly.

The government of Victoria is nuts.

How DARE they disrupt the profit lines to the elite.

Time for you to admit a few mistakes of your own, buddy, as the fact is that the aged care sector in Australia is run by the Commonwealth, and not by the States. That means rather than it being the Andrews Government's fault for not learning the lessons from overseas, the responsibility for that is down to your Conservative buddies in Canberra. 

Fine, but back off on the hostility. And for your information, I don't support the Coalition, haven't for years. And I'm not even eligible to vote in Australia anymore anyway. But Andrews is in charge in Victoria for better or worse and it's his responsibility to make the right decisions. Given that Jenny Mikakos is not keen on releasing those documents referred to in the video I linked to, why not? Afraid they made decisions based on bad information, or does she just think she doesn't have to answer to anyone. Choice A I think.

I do apologize however for suggesting that you might be a Coalition voter. It's a serious accusation to make, after all.

Accepted graciously!

@northernlife

This is the third attempt to post this so I'll try without the necessary bad mouthing,but your link to deny my post was a link to a May event in a different state. Please get your facts straight.

I'm currently a young woman living by myself in Melbourne and yes these restrictions suck.

The small amount of family I have are all interstate. It is isolating and depressing having been not able to work or have basic human contact for so many months.

At the same time though I understand the measures being taken. I lost my mother to emphysema last year however if she had still been alive during this pandemic she would have been one of those in the over 60 and vunerable group.

These restrictions are causing us to suffer massively not only financially but mentally. Hell with already pre existing depression and anxiety I have already had to call lifeline many times.

But I'm fine to suffer through that because you know what, those elderly people who are more susceptible to this. They're someone's mother and someone's father and if they were yours you would want everyone to do everything they could to give you one more day with them.

It's not just about saying 'Well they've had a long life already'

These are people and they matter to other people.

As someone who is barely clinging to it through this loneliness and despair I can still say that I will support any measure that saves even one life because as I said that's someone's loved one and god forbid if it was yours.

What I am critical of though is the support being offered to us here by the government during these lockdowns. I understand the massive toll on the economy but with so many families out of work the financial support is barely adequate for most households. Thankfully i can just survive on it because I live alone but I do just get by with it, and the mental health support is a joke. The phone services which they keep referring everyone to are so overloaded that many staff are poorly trained and calls are rushed through to try and meet the demand. This lack of support is only going to cost more lives due to isolation, depression and suicide.

So like many other people living in Melbourne my life really sucks right now and I am having a hard time seeing any light at the end of the tunnel but I would take this and more if it meant saving the life of one of my family, wouldn't you?

Remember that is why we are doing this.