On October 31, 848 people died of COVID-19 in the United States of America. More people died in one day than the overall death total of Victoria. About 231,000 people have died in the US during the pandemic, more than 10 times the population of the City of Horsham, and roughly 90 per cent of Geelong. Overall, an estimated 1.2 million people have died from the coronavirus in 2020. It's flabbergasting to think really.
In Victoria, metropolitan Melbourne is about to be reunited with regional Victoria. Like distant cousins during Christmas, it'll be weird at the start, but we'll soon realise we have a lot in common... such as our mutual disdain for wearing masks. But we'll be free to travel where ever we want as we complain about the lines for coffee or waiting for a table at our favourite cafe, just like the good old days.
Meanwhile, several European countries, including France, Germany, England, Ireland and Wales, are in lockdown. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a second lockdown for England, to prevent a "medical and moral disaster". He said Christmas might be very different this year.
During the northern summer, there was a sea of happy faces as people British packed pubs, bars, restaurants; however, those businesses are now forced to close as daily cases rose from 7108 on September 30 to 22,000 just four weeks later. Sadly 4353 people died during October.
On November 8, Victoria will become one again. However, as we've seen in Europe, an easing of restrictions is not a green light to complacency. We still need to wear masks that cover our mouth AND nose and maintain proper hygiene. Sanitise your hands, cough into your elbow, avoid going out into the public if you feel sick.
Ben Fraser
Ben is the Editor with the Wimmera Mail-Times, Stawell Times-News and Ararat Advertiser. Ben is the former chief of staff at the Portland Observer, a qualified teacher, and an Leadership Great South Coast alumni (2019).
Ben is the Editor with the Wimmera Mail-Times, Stawell Times-News and Ararat Advertiser. Ben is the former chief of staff at the Portland Observer, a qualified teacher, and an Leadership Great South Coast alumni (2019).
