Lockdowns and restrictions disrupted the lives of most Australians, but the impacts on one hard-hit group, nomads, have been largely overlooked. We don’t even know how many of them there are.
Many people prefer the status quo as they struggle to imagine the alternatives. The pandemic has been the catalyst for urban experiments that have opened our eyes to new possibilities.
Texas and many other states have eased all or most coronavirus restrictions such as mask-wearing. A cost-benefit analysis suggests reversing those moves for just a short period could make a big difference.
With many more months of lockdowns, mask mandates and quarantining in our futures, the government needs to get its messaging just right and we all need to manage our expectations appropriately.
COVID-19 restrictions led to calls to open up golf courses to the public. But these are such precious refuges for native flora and fauna that access will have to be carefully managed.
A designated coronavirus hospital would relieve pressure on the state’s health-care system and minimise the spread of the virus, but there are a few things to consider.
A previous version of Melbourne’s COVID roadmap flagged an exclusive bubble between two households. The new plan allows residents to have two adult visitors per day, which is far riskier.
Melbourne could be out of lockdown within a week, if COVID-19 case numbers continue their current trend. But blanket rules such as the new 25km travel radius risk unnecessarily burdening the public.
A senior World Health Organisation envoy caused consternation by proclaiming lockdowns are not a good long-term strategy against COVID-19. But it’s true, and other subtler tactics are better in the long run.
The differences in sentiment in areas of high and low neighbourhood amenity have been clear under Melbourne’s tough COVID restrictions. It’s further evidence of the impacts of inequity on well-being.
Coronavirus is surging in Spain, France, Germany and the UK, after many countries relaxed restrictions over the summer. They should look to success stories like Vietnam.
Third places – where people meet outside of work and home – foster a sense of belonging, particularly for retirees. COVID-19 restrictions shut them down, so can online communities fill the void?
The premier said Melbourne’s restrictions could be eased more than expected on Monday. But from an outbreak-management perspective, we should be careful of easing too soon.
Researchers created an artificial society inside a computer to model what would happen to virus transmission under different policies. It helped inform Victoria’s exit strategy.