Aussies & Kiwis flattening the COVID curve?

If you live in Australia and New Zealand, it’s time to thank your COVID19 lucky stars. While the Antipodes is flattening the curve, in other parts of the world, the pandemic is not fading away but actually accelerating. This extremely bad news was delivered by the World Health Organization (WHO), reporting that new Coronavirus cases were reaching new heights.

Millions more infected. In the first three months of the pandemic, one million cases of COVID19 were recorded. It took just eight days to reach the next million cases! With a worldwide total exceeding a staggering nine million, the death rate in some countries doesn’t make for comfortable reading. Donald Trump’s America tops the charts with a lamentable figure that’s heading towards 130,000 deaths. Brazil leads the way in South America, with a thousand Brazilians losing their lives every day.

Brazil going nuts! Governments seem to be choosing between lives and livelihoods. Brazil’s President declared social distancing was killing jobs and promptly fired his health minister for doing his job. With his talent for black comedy, President Trump joked that the U.S. should slow down Coronavirus testing, as it was identifying too many cases. Meanwhile, health officials were either being fired, resigning or retiring early, due to threats of violence and intimidation. Charming.

Meanwhile… Indonesia’s number of COVID19 cases is rising by thousands a day. India, with its population of well over a billion people, has risen to fourth worst affected country on the planet. Worryingly, a ‘second wave’ of the virus has now hit South Korea, due to the relaxing of Coronavirus guidelines, with bars and clubs being reopened. This second wave has also shown up in Iran, as well as on the Chinese mainland.

Rats off the menu! Speaking of which, the Chinese have recently culled 1.6 tonnes of Bamboo Rats. These rats have been specially bred for Chinese dinner tables for centuries. But the government has come down hard on the wild animal trade, due to the spread of COVID19. Chinese epidemiologists have linked the consumption of these rodents with Coronavirus. Highly valued as a source of protein, the meat of the Bamboo Rat is said to possess detoxifying powers, even making diners appear to be 'prettier'. It could be a while before they’re back on Chinese plates. Rats!

Green Shoots of Hope. Even in all the doom and gloom of a deadly pandemic, there's still hope for humanity. The Kiwis have recently dropped their Coronavirus restrictions, with all active cases being returning travellers, who've been safely quarantined in hotels. Meanwhile Pacific Islanders have maintained zero active cases, with Aussies doing pretty well too. Tassie (Tasmania), The Top End (Northern Territory), Crowland (South Australia) and the Bush Capital (Australian Capital Territory), have also recorded zero active cases. Beauty!

The Fat COVID Lady Isn’t Singing Yet! In a world full of clichés, our world isn’t out of the woods just yet. We still need to test, test and test some more. Together with contact tracing, self-isolation and the continued quarantining of those who’ve contracted the decease. Preventing COVID19 returning with wave after wave depends on leadership. ScoMo, the Aussie Prime Minister thinks restrictions may be around for at least six months. So please don't let your guard down and stay safe. x