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Perth lockdown #covidwa highlights Australia's strength with each State responding differently depending on context and experience. The NSW approach works fine in NSW. VIC crushed their big wave with hard work. Early lockdown were necessary in SA+QLD. Differences help! 1/7
So rather than the usual shouting match: "why this state doesn't do things like that state!" lets all hope the lockdown helps WA crushing this quickly. We should be thankful that all the states follow the advice from the CHO's even though those CHO's take different paths 2/7
Why do different approaches work/or are needed? Context matters. NSW opted early for gradual restrictions and emphasis on track/trace and cooperation from the public. This started to pay off during the second wave (Crossroads). VIC adopted similar track/trace in second wave. 3/7
So by the end of the second wave both VIC and NSW had a very well honed track/trace system. It does take time to train people up in doing these things. So when the Avalon cluster hit and then spilled to VIC both states were ready. Other states never had much of a second wave. 4/7
Therefore, with HQ breaches in SA, QLD and WA it makes a lot of sense for those states to use immediate lockdowns to get on top of the situation. Especially with the new strains. Whereas VIC could handle the Black Rock outbreak from Avalon outbreak without a full lockdown 5/7
With the first 2 cases in Avalon NSW went to it's usual response without a lockdown. After a day or two, once it was clear there was a large local cluster it too locked down the Northern Beaches. Whereas a full lockdown in Berola/Cumberland was correctly not deemed necessary. 7/8
It has not all be perfect. Fed Gov+NSW stuffed up the Ruby. VIC stuffed up HQ in May & June + initially didn't react well to second wave. NSW may have taken "public cooperation" too far by waiting so long with the mask rules. Border closures also sometimes seem over the top 7/8
It is not just that the States have saved Australia from COVID. But the very fact that each State has take slightly different routes following their CHO's has in my opinion helped. There is strength in diversity! So can we cool it with the State bashing now? Stay strong WA. 8/8.
