Masks for Everyone

The succession of high numbers of new COVID cases is continuing unabated. Although we are all hoping that the count might have reached its peak, today we had a shocking total of 374 new cases detected in Victoria. This was the second highest total since the pandemic began.

The continuation of high numbers of new cases in Victoria (and to a lesser extent in NSW) has now forced the government to mandate compulsory wearing of masks in public. Maggie and I have been preparing for this for some time and have secured a small quantity of cloth masks for the purpose. Large numbers of the public have created huge queues outside the chemists, all trying to grab the last box of disposable masks. Even the Spotlight stores have been mobbed with people trying to buy fabric and sewing machines so that they can make their own.

We are being told that the wearing of masks is likely to be a fact of life for a long time into the future. Since Maggie and I were booked in for our annual skin checks, we thought we would practise by wearing them to the clinic. It was just as well. If we hadn't been wearing them, they would not have allowed us inside the premises.

So how did we go ? Since both of our masks are black, I could not help but think we looked like elderly Darth Vaders. We both found them stuffy and claustrophobic, however it is a small price to pay if it helps get the pandemic under control in the least amount of time. There has already been something of a public backlash of people saying that they will never wear them as they infringe on our basic rights. Pete Evans, the poster boy of all real nutters, has already encouraged people to refuse to put on a mask, claiming the virus is nothing but a hoax.

Although the law does not come into effect for another day, we observed that around 50% of people are already wearing them in public. I have to admit that it is a depressing sight to see a shopping centre full of masked people. You cannot even tell when anyone is smiling. Young children must be particularly anxious at this confronting sight.

Another alarming development is the rapid spread of the virus into numerous nursing homes in Melbourne and even into several rural areas. The people in these homes are particularly vulnerable and several have died in the past few days.

So is there any good news ? Possibly. This morning we were told that the vaccine being developed at Oxford has shown some promising results and that testing will now move to the next stage. This news was enough to send the share markets around the world soaring. Time will tell whether this will actually lead somewhere or not.Read more