Victoria, Australia, has taken some of the world’s most aggressive and intrusive steps in its campaign to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
The local government reportedly has launched drones to make sure people outdoors are wearing a mask, have shut down businesses and erected a “ring of steel” to limit regional travel, have threatened those who leave their restricted area with a AUD $4,957 fine ($3,555), and are considering placing charges against COVID-19 “conspiracy theorists,” according to the Daily News in Australia.
Daniel Andrews, the Victorian premier, has faced backlash from the state’s 6.6 million residents who call his orders extreme given the relatively few new cases compared to the population. Since the start of the outbreak, there have been 745 fatalities. The most recent included a man in his 60s, two people in their 80s, and five in their 90s.
The argument in Victoria echoes the same concerns about the restrictions in every other country: this is a virus that disproportionately affects the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions, and shutting down an entire economy is the equivalent to using a mallet to kill a housefly.
The report said on Thursday last week, there were a total of 28 cases. Andrews said it was the first time there was that low of a number since June. Despite the downward trend, critics have still criticized Andrews for hand-picking his mandates.
“I am not so much for the debating of models – at some point, this is not a doctoral thesis. Even if it is your fourth doctoral thesis. You want to put the plan in place, get on and get the job done.”
A protest emerged in Victoria on Sunday that resulted in two arrests and six fines. One protester told 9News, “Potentially, there are far more people who will lose their lives due to the lockdown measures.”
“This is freedom of speech and our human rights have been violated. It is disgusting,” another attendee said.
