Michael Johnston, Castlemaine
It may be easy to point the finger at strangers, such as requesting they do not enter our municipality, when looking for ways to remain Covid-Safe, but we also have a responsibility to ensure we are doing all we can.
Thankfully, there are now more people in Mount Alexander Shire wearing masks, but still a number of businesses that aren’t enforcing “maximum numbers” in their premises based on 1 person/4 square metres or minimum distances of 1.5 metres between customers.
Well done to those businesses that are now requiring their staff to wear masks if they cannot socially isolate!
Recent information about new cases in Victoria suggests that 80 per cent are work-place based and the majority of regional cases are the result of people travelling into Melbourne for work and then returning to their regional home. So, the cases are not being brought into regional municipalities by Melbournians but by people who need to travel to Melbourne for work.
Finger pointing and blaming will not help in our fight to minimise the spread of Corona Virus. Following recommended health guidelines and helping others to do so in our community will keep us healthier.
If you know a shopkeeper who could do with some help to prepare their premises to be “best practice” Covid Safe, they would probably appreciate your help. Providing masks for neighbours who might be struggling to find masks would be a great way to strengthen community ties.
Our street is linked by a social media app that helps us to go shopping for immuno-suppressed neighbours or to share home grown produce. It is easy and immensely satisfying.
Let’s see how we can use our energies positively to help our community rather than looking for scapegoats. Mount Alexander is a great place to live.