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Great article by public health expert on the primary reasons for covid spread in Oz - TLDR policing individual behaviours will have limited efficacy if you don't address the structural issues with insecure work. https://insidestory.org.au/weapons-of-mask-distraction/?fbclid=IwAR12WU3GdIyZXj5ilEYapcva9NuNIe4agoYImpFLxGo4wYrb3xYNuso1QWo
"Just as it did elsewhere, the Victorian outbreak emerged out of clusters among casualised workers in meatworks, aged care, childcare, private security, fast food and freight. These are “essential workers” who are not covered by stay-home directives."
"(Nobody knows how many people fall in this category.) The work cannot be done from home, and the workers are often employed by labour hire firms and “booked” shift by shift."
"They don’t get sick leave or annual leave, and they may lose shifts, or the job altogether, if they are unwell and decide to isolate. Many are temporary migrants and ineligible for social security, so losing a job can mean instant family hardship."
One thing that is rarely mentioned is the role unionisation plays in stopping COVID spread - evidence is there that the high risk workplaces that have better dealt with COVID are those with high union density, where workers' have been able to demand protection.
