
THERE is a common perception that many criminals are of a lower intelligence level than the general population.
Further evidence to support this is shown by a woman trying to sneak into Hawaii with a fake vaccination card.
The first piece of evidence is that she is not vaccinated. The second was that she had a vaccination card with a spelling error – “Maderna” rather the correct “Moderna”.
She may be receiving either a large fine or some free government accommodation in a prison which might serve as a warning for other people considering ignoring the COVID restrictions designed to keep us as safe as possible.
Some people argue about their freedom to do whatever they want to, including not being vaccinated. But most want to be free to first actually stay alive and then to enjoy that life.
Do the intelligent thing and get vaccinated if you can.
***
Playing with our sanity
As we, in Melbourne Australia, enter into day 213 of lockdown, broken into six separate occasions, there has finally been one eased restriction – access to playgrounds.
They will reopen for children under the age of 12. The child can be supervised by only one person who must check in with a QR code, wear a mask all of the time (which means no eating or drinking).
I thought the world had gone crazy when Donald Trump was elected as president. But now I know the world is crazy and I don’t think everyone is playing with a full deck of cards. Hopefully the Martians will abduct me and bring me back in a few years when the world gets rid of the COVID pandemic and returns to normal.
***
I want my coffee
My favorite local coffee shop “Fifty Birds” was shut on Friday but there was no notice on the door saying why so I am worried about its future. It and many others have closed on weekends because of the consequences of COVID lockdowns and not being able to travel more than five kilometres at the moment.
On the few occasions there is a reason to drive anywhere it becomes obvious that a few bigger shops and food outlets have moved to “click and collect”. But there are far too many that have closed and given that there are “For Lease” signs, they aren’t coming back.
There are two main suggestions as to how to protect these mainly small businesses – we can open up and live with the consequences or we can shut down and hope it goes away.
The first option of living with COVID is concerning as many people are no longer living at all and some of those that have it are living with long-term consequences.
The second option, my preferred choice, may lower the rate of spread but there are serious mental health concerns for a number of people. The general community attitude is one of feeling locked up, wondering if there is an end to it all and we are not happy.
Solution – get double vaccinated. Wear masks. Don’t go out too often and isolate properly if you have to. Ignore the social media trolls, and cheer for the scientists and all of those keeping us alive.
I know I am not the only one that wants that coffee and the world in general to return to normal. (dfitzger@melbpc.org.au)/PN




