Thank You Victoria – But Enough is Enough

Monday 22 June 2020  5.50am

To start, I will butcher Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Sound of Music Classic, Maria. At least a small part of it. Messrs Rodger and Hammerstein, I apologise.

How do you solve a problem like Victoria

How do they catch a virus and pin it down
How do you find words that mean Victoria
Careless bunch, out to lunch, gather round

Many a thing you know you’d like to tell them

Many a thing they ought to have to hand
Hugs and kisses are not the way
To make this go away
How do you make Victoria understand?

It gave me nausea writing this dribble so I can only imagine how you are feeling now and extend my apology accordingly.

However, how about the good Australian State of Victoria, Australia? *

Victoria, the rest of Australia and perhaps even the rest of the world appreciate what you are trying to do for us but for the most part, it is not necessary.

We already know Covid-19 is a potent and highly infectious virus. We know it can have devasting effects on those who catch it and even death. While we appreciate your efforts this last week to ensure the dangers of Covid-19 remain at the front of our minds, it is really not necessary. Please stop.

Further, I live in one of several States that are reluctant to open its borders to the rest of the country. In recent weeks, many of us believe this is an un-necessary act of over cautious paranoia. We do not need your actions this last week providing other States an excuse to keep borders closed. Besides, I really want to go to Melbourne. We don’t need this. Victoria, please stop.

The rest of the country know you are the head quarters of the dominant, best managed, best attended, most lucrative football code in the country. You tell us all the time.

We also understand Rugby League has taken the initiative and leadership to return football to our fields and TV screens. Quite rightly, Rugby League’s endeavour and brashness has been rewarded by positive media attention and new found respect for doing so. Multiple AFL Covid-19 code breaches may be a way to regain lost media time but it is a big price to pay for doing so. Victoria, you are being laughed at by all non AFL devotees. Please stop.

Also, Victoria, we know you are the intellectual, sporting, arts, horticulture, education, wine, dining, gambling and “every other thing” capital of Australia. Accordingly, we understand your recent acts of stupidity are aimed at making  the rest of us feel better about ourselves. However, as you are prone to do, you are over doing it. We don’t need any more of the bigoted, racist, homophobic, narcissistic displays like we watched on 60 minutes last week. We have enough in Canberra and our own regions. Keep it to yourself Victoria. Just stop it.

*The writer is a born and breed Victorian and proud to be so. He may reside in Queensland however Victoria will always be home.

 

Moving on to other matters Covid – 19.

The number of new cases is growing alarmingly in some parts of the world and in some states in America.

Brazil seems to be breaking records for new case numbers day after day as it continues to pursue a more open strategy. As alarming as it is, only when this is all over or sustainably contained will we able to asses the merits of differing approaches. In the immediate term, it is quite frightening.

In America, new daily record infection numbers roll out for Florida. Again, lets refrain from judging the merits of their strategy. They locked down late (by comparison) and initially granted exemptions for Churches. They then opened early and quickly.

Ideally, they will not have to resort to the latest Presidential Covid- 10 case management strategy. There is little doubt the President is correct when saying slowing the number of tests being conducted will reduce the rate of diagnosed infections.

It is difficult to refrain from wondering about this as a leadership strategy. Perhaps other challenges could be dealt with by adopting a similar methodology. Poverty, unemployment, crime rates? I hope not.

It is far from being confirmed but general commentary and observation including by Pandemic medical experts seems to suggest a few interesting factors evolving.

·         Close proximity indoor contact of 15 or more minutes without a facemask is high risk. For example, the home transmissions in Victoria.

·         Gatherings indoor complying with 1.5 metre separation, no face mask for no more than 2 hours appear to have a low infection risk.

·         Large outdoor gatherings in close proximity while wearing a mask, appear to have a low risk of infection. For example, so far there is no infection spike from the street rally’s held in Australia or overseas where attendees largely wore masks.

The above points are purely my observations and preliminary thoughts based on what I have read, watched and listened too. They are by no means suggested courses of action and are not based on any referenceable scientific evidence or data analysis.

And a few things to finish with.

WIRED Magazine was first published in January 1993. Its founder Kevin Kelly recently turned 68 and offered some lessons on life.

Learn how to learn from those you disagree with, or even offend you. See if you can find truth in what they believe”  

A most valuable lesson in an era where we are losing the ability to disagree and debate in a respectable way. 

He also said: 

“Being able to listen is a superpower. While listening to someone you love keep asking them “is there more?” until there is no more”.

And finally, he wrote about “Habit”:

"The purpose of a habit is to remove that action from self-negotiation. You no longer expend energy deciding whether to do it. You just do it. Good habits can range from telling the truth, to flossing.”

Finally, National Geographic released a video on 15 May 2020 showing some of the major cities in the world during Isolation/Lockdown. It includes Sydney, Delhi, Berlin and New York. It is a fascinating and hopefully unique 7 minute snap shot of a point in world history.

Stay safe, debate with respect, talk and listen and remain inquisitive.

Colin Morley

Kneeling, TV Shows Past and Uncertanty

15 June 2020  1.34pm

Uncertainty abounds, or so it seems.

I felt conflicted today. Will I write a weekly update?

So much is uncertain and I felt I had nothing to add that would positively advance the many debates underway.

Anger and outrage dominate.

Do I discuss AFL and Rugby League players and officials uniting before a game to bend on one knee in support of indigenous and marginalised teammates? If I attempt to do so and take a balanced approach, I would fail. I could not find even a mildly alternative to this being a calm, considered, united and peaceful show of support that inconvenienced no one.

Is the counter argument that the action is “politicising sport”?

If this is credible, we would have to accept that sport no longer receives public funds to develop infrastructure because such funds are provided with a political intent. Be it a new stadium in Townsville, North Queensland or a new Grandstand in Geelong, Victoria, funds are provided with a political benefit in mind.

Surely it is all political or it is not political, we can’t pick and choose, logically at least?

And then there is Fawlty Towers.

My first reaction to withdrawing access to the “Don’t mention the war” Fawlty Tower episode was to question if we are going to far. Maybe I can write about that.

On reflection, my initial response lacked sufficient thought. While I am not yet supporting the episodes withdrawal, I do now see there is a legitimate debate to be had around this and similar matters.

I can jump to a conclusion based purely on my personal circumstances, experience and unconscious bias or I can consider and research if there is another view.

I have a much valued friend and former work colleague born to German Parents. He has German Christian and surnames. I need to talk to him to understand if the “war” episode of Fawlty Towers is offensive or was the reason for teasing, insult and mockery when growing up.

I have other friends and associates born in Germany. It is only fair that I talk to them before deciding a position.

And then there is the statue, building and street name and monument debate, but I am not going there today. Except for one example.

In Brisbane, there are several inner city main streets named Boundary Street. I recently discovered these were actual boundaries past which local indigenous Jagera and Turrbalpeople were unable to pass. The street are reminders of a forgone separist policy and I am reminded of this every time I cross or use Boundary Street in West End or Spring Hill.

 

I am inclined to think the history of these streets should  be taught widely including in tourism literature so we all know of this unfortunate time in our European history. Then again, I need to first discover what the decedent’s of the Jagera and Turrbal people feel about this before determining an informed and balanced view.

I revealed my conflicted state at the start of this post and it is now obvious I decided to write. It was being sent a "tweet" that motivated me in to action.

 

 

It is a most brilliantly written thread in that it literally cannot be argued against or disputed.

Here is the thread and in my opinion is a great reminder of a better way and well worth reading NB you don’t need to be a twitter user to read it.

Click here to access it.

I will conclude today with words from an American tennis icon and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Arthur Ashe writing about “change”

Most people resist change, even when it promises to be for the better. But change will come, and if you acknowledge this simple and indisputable fact of life, and understand that you must adjust to all change, then you will have a head start.

Stay positive, informed, considerate and safe.

Colin Morley

 

Perhaps a Week We Had to Have

Monday 8 June 2020  4.39 am

I write this morning with a sense of confusion.

My weekly observation of these Pandemic times is usually approached with a mildly playful intent and the idea of being at least a little amusing even if the only person amused is me.

At the very least, if raising a so-called issue I seek to provide two sides to an argument or present some form of solution, as fanciful as that solution may at times seem.

It is difficult if not insulting or disrespectful to seek to amuse this morning.

In recent days British Prime Minister Boris Johnson lavished praise on his own Governments handling of the pandemic. If success is having only 597 out of every 1 million of his constituents die, he is correct and a success. Afterall, of countries with populations in excess of 1 million, only Belgium with 828 has a higher fatality rate. (source https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/)

The Twitter President is being equally, if not more effusive about his management of the pandemic. And while he is less inclined these days to discuss matters Covid-19, his actions keep him shining brightly in the spot light as he continues building a legacy that will amaze and enthral the future students of American Contemporary History.

The BlackLivesMatter cause has been advocated by millions of people across the United States, day in day out.

Some and only some public gatherings have resulted in ugly clashes between advocates and others with alternate view or enforcement personnel.

In reality, the majority of gatherings have been calm, peaceful and passed without incident. Some have been quite moving such as this event in Colorado a few days ago.

Sadly, media coverage highlights the violent and the ugly and the message is lost or

confused.

There seems a need to take one side or the opposite side with little room in between.

Both extremes see it in their interest to highlight the ugly and distasteful. If a media outlet is inclined towards supporting the BlackLivesMatter advocates, they want to draw attention to the oppressive behaviour of the Police. If a Media outlet is seeking to support those who are against the event taking place, they will see benefit in highlighting the behaviour of those attending the gathering and shift blame to them.

This event in Colorado received scant coverage, as did other large peaceful gathering in Las Angles and other Cities.

There were large gatherings of Advocates in Australia over the weekend too. All were peaceful. There was a conflict at a Sydney railway station as the crowd dispersed.

We also wake this morning to hear of mass gatherings in cities across Europe, peaceful gatherings.

My feelings about these gatherings are confused.

In a time where we should be mindful mass gatherings are conduits for spreading the Covid-19 virus, I question if these events should be occurring.

In a time where 30% of Australian Prison inmates are of an Indigenous background when only 3% of our population is Indigenous, I question why such gatherings have not occurred more often in larger numbers, pandemic or no pandemic.

I have spoken to people who attended events in Brisbane and Sydney. I asked about the mood and if it felt like it might erupt at any moment. In both cases they reported feeling safe and at no time felt anyone was seeking combative confrontations.

I have deliberately used the words “advocates”, “events” and “gatherings” rather than “protesters” and “protests”. My reason for doing so is the significant number of attendees who do not identify as protesters or people who attend protests. These are people who have publicly joined a cause for the first time ever to demonstrate concern and try to better understand an issue largely confined to a world very foreign to theirs.

What I am not confused about is believing the issue of Indigenous incarceration rates should exist only as a case study now discuss as having been long resolved. We could have been, should be, looking back a decade or so with a sense of collective national pride at having identified, accepted and solved this matter.

Between 1987 and 1991, a Royal Commission was conducted in to Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and concluded by making 339 recommendations.

Other than some basic research, I have not yet looked extensively at the recommendations; my comments are therefore based on recent reading and media commentary.

My understanding is the vast majority of the 339 recommendations remain unactioned.

Both sides of  Australian mainstream politics are largely united when discussing this issue. They extoll the need to “work harder to resolve the issues” or “involve all parties in finding workable solutions” or my favourite “we all agree we need to do more”.

I know the Royal Commission concluded nearly 30 years ago, but I suggest the “hard work involving all parties” has already been done and a good place to start is the 339 recommendations the majority of which remain unactioned.

But hey, the Rugby League has nearly completed its second post shutdown round, the AFL returns on Thursday, a draft international cricket calendar has been announced, club hockey is scheduled to start in July as is cycling and an argument rages between the Melbourne and Victorian Racing Clubs as to when the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups should be held.

One wonders just what our priorities are.

Mind you, the Queen’s Birthday Honours list has just been released. Congratulations to all recipients. It is a diverse group of awardees, isn’t it?

Too conclude with some short comments:

I am not sure what I will read this week.

Maybe we should all read, or re-read To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

The Post Reports Podcast from the Washington Post provides a look in to the goings on in America. While it probably takes an anti Trump lean, it is not necessarily pro Democrat.

For more general political analysis, I again mention Democracy Sausage from the Australian National University as informative an diverse twice weekly podcasting.

For sporting content, during the last week I have enjoyed the interviews with Isa Guha, Chris Scott, Karrie Webb and Daniel Ricciardo from The Howie Games Podcast. Not only is Isa Guha a former test cricketer and a respected broadcaster she also has Neuro Science degree and just happens to be married to a rock star.

Stay strong, seek first to understand and lets all support and look after others while also looking ourselves.

 

Colin Morley

Essentialism, Remembering and a dash of Utopia

Tuesday 2 June 2020  3.50 am

I will start with a question:

Is Blinking the plural of Winking?

I receive much feedback pointing out grammatical and punctuation errors and bluntly, in just about every case the feedback is valid. Therefore, I assume this will be an easily answered question.

Moving on.

The Covid-19 related restrictions of recent months have identified who are the essential workers in our communities.

The butchers, bakes, cleaners, sanitary staff, nurses, Doctors, teachers, child care, delivery and warehouse teams, front and back facing supermarket employees and others have not only proven to be essential but have been officially declared so.

With the odd exception, these are hardly the best paid, most secure or most respected roles in our community.

As we start the slow journey out of isolation, it is essential we act to remember their essentiality and entrench an appropriate reward structure.

It is time they are wrapped together as a group and a minimum pay and reward structure is put in place. After all, being deemed ‘essential’, also meant they were most at risk of infection.

We need to ensure the essential roles are remunerated accordingly and are entrenched as secure, respected professions that are valued and aspired too.

And we need to act quickly as it is all to easy to forget and neglect.

Remember, few of us were looking for a lawyer, an investment banker and dare I say, a financial planner during isolation. We did however want our pasta and toilet paper packed on to a truck at the warehouse, delivered to the supermarket, stacked on shelves and checked out at the counter.

And while we are talking about memory retention…

What else will we remember to do as restrictions progressively lift?

Cooking at home has increased. As well as being economically beneficial, home prepared meals will most likely be a healthier way of eating too. Will we remember this or fall back to a take away, convenience orientated packaged food habit?

There has been an increase in families walking, cycling and even running together.

Everything about this has personal and collective benefits. I hope we remember to maintain the habits of recent weeks.

My last of many similar examples is:

From all reports, the behaviour and courtesy displayed when meeting by Zoom and equivalent media is far better, more respectful, less domineering, less aggressive and more inclusive than many face to face meetings. Profit and people would benefit by remembering and maintaining such an approach and attitude. Then again, maybe it is simply practicing common respect and decency in our dealings.

In line with today’s theme, I provide this quote from Dutch Commentator José Been 

That old cliché is really true. It’s not about travelling to faraway places or having the busiest of jobs to boast your status. It is the small things I already had so close to home that matter most. That is what I came to realise in these past months.

In looking for a book to indulge in this coming week, I reference the following sentence from a writer not known to me:

Every milestone of civilisation – from the end of slavery to the beginning of democracy – was once considered a utopian fantasy.

This has prompted me to read Utopia for Realists by Rutger Bregman.

And to conclude with a thought:

Opportunity generally is somewhere at the intersection of where nobody else is looking and change. (Amy Zelman – Global Futurist)

Colin Morley

 

Space – Race – Surely we can do better this time around

It’s Sunday, May 31 2020.

It proved an interesting morning

After waking for a music special starting at 4am, I then watched the Space X Falcon 9 rocket launch a pair of American astronauts in to space.

Like many children of the 1960’s I was a little obsessed with the Space program and closely followed the Gemini and Apollo missions culminating in the moon landings.

In the minds of the broader U.S and world communities, the finals years of the 1960’s were the halcyon days of human space flight.

The Space X launch today was being ‘billed’ as a return to those Halcyon days.

To the days when engineers, designers and scientists were hailed as heroes, the calmness of Mission Control Operators exhalated with the true stars being the Astronauts. As they all were today too.

We are sending American’s in to space at the end of the 2020’s, as we were at the end of the 1960’s.

Similarly, now, as at the end of the 1960’s, American Cities are subject to the anger and frustration expressed by way of protests turning in violent and destructive riots by people who feel deprived, oppressed and persecuted based on their race.

I am not there, and cannot pretend to understand the feelings of the protestors or the feelings of those being protested about or against.

I am a white male of a mildly privileged background who has never been subjected to real or perceived oppression, deprivation or persecution and cannot pretend to understand the feelings of the protestors or the feelings of those being protested about or against.

I have never wanted for educational, business, social or transactional opportunities and as such, cannot pretend to understand how those that feel denied such opportunities feel, or how those perceived to have denied them such opportunities feel.

 

I can imagine or pretend to imagine how it feels, but I can not know how it feels.

It is too simplistic to blame the situation unfolding on the streets of American cities on the current federal administration. It is not four years in the making. It is the product of decades of policy and funding failure by Federal, State and Municipal administrators of both red and blue colours. Let’s call it a purple problem.

America made history when successfully launching Astronaut Alan Sheppard in to Space aboard a Mercury – Redstone Rocket on 1 May 1961.

This was the first major step towards landing an Astronaut on the moon.

Today, Astronauts’ Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley became the first to be launched in to space aboard the Space X Falcon 9 rocket developed for commercial purposes.

This is the first major step towards achieving the Space X objective of sending humans to Mars.

Personally, as a space junkie, I hope this is achieved.

More importantly, as a member of the society of the world, I hope the Americans' we land on Mars leave from a country that is united in all its people. I hope the country they depart from is one where fairness is such a given it is never discussed and where opportunities in education, employment, medical treatment and human decency are overtly equal for all.

And may the rest of the world have followed the example.

And selfishly, I hope I am here to see it, all of it.

Who wants to watch with me?

Colin Morley

PS – Usual Covid -19 Blog Post will be out on 2 June this week

 

 

Border Disputes, German Engineering and Saved by Football

Monday 25 May 2020  8.20 am

There is a debate evolving in Australia concerning the continued closing of state borders.

 

Put simply, all Australian States and Territories closed borders as part of their Covid-19 infection containment strategy accept Victoria and New South Wales. Australian Capital territory has since re-opened its border but all others remain closed.

 

My focus is on Queensland

 

Taking a safety first approach to closing the border was perfectly understandable. At the time, we had little understanding of the likely numbers of infections or resulting deaths. The medical advice was sound and the State Government took decisive action.

 

It was understood and accepted that businesses and their employees would be severely affected and all were encouraged to utilise financial support programs established federally.

 

The growing argument to open the border is based primarily on economic needs. Queensland is a largely tourist based economy and school holidays loom. Tour operators, accommodation owners, restaurateurs, café and bar proprietors and all associated businesses need tourism and need the borders to open in order to re-establish themselves.

 

In my opinion, the economy is not the reason we should open the border.

 

I believe the border should be open because on balance, it is safe to do so.

Social distancing requirements apply equally in all States and various levels of crowd restrictions are also in place.

It makes little difference if there is 1.5 metres separating two locals as if separating a visitor from Cairns and one from Canberra.

 

New infection rates range from very low to zero and the reality is, this will likely be the case for many, many months to come.

 

I believe it is time to re-open the Queensland Border because on balance, it is safe to do so. It just so happens, the economy will benefit and that a very good thing too.

 

How Good Is Germany?

We all respect German engineering and precision so it was of little surprise to see both qualities applied by a café owner to ensure a safe dining experience. Is it possible the initiative at Café Rothe in Schwerin, Germany will generate a shortage of pool noodles? (Photo lifted from Insider.com – here is the original report)

Football (Soccer) saves the internet *

 

Internet traffic typically increases by about 3% month on month. As the various versions of isolation and lockdown kicked in across the world, internet traffic increased 30% in March alone.

 

Up to 30% of all internet traffic passes through more than 275000 servers in 136 countries operated by an organisation called Akamai based in Massachusetts.

 

As might be expected, Akamai are constantly looking forward at likely spikes in traffic and adjusting capacity accordingly. However, the had no way of predicting the Covid-19 shutdown and resulting increases.

 

However, they did foresee a traffic spike due to the European Football Championships which of course, did not go ahead and expanded their capacity accordingly.

 

So when we successfully complete another Zoom meeting or download that must see episode, we should also thank the world game

 

*Source The Hustle Daily Newsletter 1 May 2020. The Hustle is interesting, often amusing and occasionally eclectic daily reading. If interested, here is a link to subscribe https://thehustle.co/?ref=7ad36b3fbc

 

As for Podcasts, I have enjoyed the first 2 episodes of the latest series of the The Greatest Season That Was as it explores the 40 years of impact of Australian Rules Football in the United States.

 

My reading this week will be a little different.

 

Thanks to a list curated by Author, Writer, Speaker James Clear, I am going to read one of the “great speeches of all time” each day. Here is the the article containing the links to the speeches.

 

And I conclude with a couple of thoughts.

 

Alarm clocks are perhaps the only device that annoy equally when they work as when they do not

 

For something that is 70% water, us humans have very poor fire resistance.

 

Stay safe, remain diligent and helpful and, thank you for the feedback last week.

 

Colin Morley

The Other, Less Discussed Pandemic

Monday 18 May 2010  4.50am

Covid-19 is awful.

It is highly contagious, debilitating for many, and lives are lost.

There is no sustainable medical cure and no vaccine. It is non-discriminatory. Covid-19 infects royalty as it does the disadvantaged.

It is a pandemic the likes of which we haven’t seen since the Spanish Flu.

There is a clear pathway for those impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The pathway includes triage followed by a decision as to the need for hospitalisation, intensive care or home quarantine all backed up by a regime of testing.

For those who cannot work, Jobkeeper is allowing a semblance of financial normality while support and relief options are in place in the hope businesses may recover, re-open and resume employment.

Be it medical or economic initiatives, all are in place with overall united support from all points of the political compass.

Then there is what I am calling the other pandemic, one that has been inflicting hardship, pain and death throughout our communities for years counted in decades. This pandemic has also united all points of our political compass be it by way of apathy and inaction cloaked in the camouflage of occasional outbreaks of targeted, strategically timed statements and speeches, public appearances and photo opportunities.

I am talking Domestic Abuse and I am referring to it as a pandemic.

Domestic Abuse has many, if not all of the Covid-19 characteristics. First and foremost, it strikes without discrimination. If impacts all races, religions and all social, religious, educational, economic and geographical demographics.

Domestic Abuse victims also recover at home essentially in isolation, in hospitals including intensive care as need be and victims may also lose their life.

Just like Covid-19.

Our political leaders and media commentators have expressed concern at the impact isolation is having on Domestic Abuse. They are even suggesting addressing the issue.

What rubbish.

No victim is feeling any more fearful now than they were in January. What is needed now, was needed before Covid-19. The only difference is increased opportunity for abuse by perpetrators already inclined to do so.

If only our politicians were as quick and decisive in responce to the Domestic Abuse pandemic as to the Covid-19 challenges.

My isolation allows time to consider this and much more too.

First of all, we can all see the impacts of Covid-19. The number of cases, fatalities and tests are broadcast pretty much every hour of every day.

Politicians hold press briefings daily and answer questions about the pandemic. In fact, they dismiss any non Covid-19 related questions.

Politicians, like everyone else, understand and feel the economic impact of businesses being shuttered and incomes being reduced. There is also an easy response. Provide money and support to people and businesses.

However, our politicians do not, and largely cannot understand Domestic Abuse.

The overwhelming majority of politicians are men.

'Us' Men fall in to two categories when considering Domestic Abuse.

The first category are those men who perform acts of Domestic Abuse. I have read numerous reports and studies that suggest a staggering one in eight of us men commit acts of Domestic Abuse.

The second category are those men who do not and have not committed acts of Domestic Abuse.

The fundamental problem is, those men in the first category certainly do not want to address the issue so stay silent and;

Those in the second category simply do not understand how anyone could commit such atrocities. Worse still, the second category routinely argue the abused should just leave, walk away, remove themselves from the situation, take control, protect themselves and other similar rhetoric.

Logically, I will know a male who is a Domestic Abuser. I do not know who they are but on the basis of the numbers, I must know someone who is.

Logically, I will also know women who are victims of Domestic Abuse. In several cases, I know who they are and in two cases, I have had conversations, sad, terrifying conversations with them about this.

In all the cases I have personal knowledge of, the victims share common traits and qualities.

They are all highly educated and overtly intelligent. They are all superb communicators, verbally and written. They are all highly successful in their chosen careers and are all strong and independent. They are also all now in second or subsequent loving, supporting and successful relationships and are all Mothers.

Likewise, the two I have spoken to, all express the fear and helplessness they felt causing an inability to leave, the financial and social control imposed upon them and a real concern for their life and the lives of their children.

It is understandable that so little changes in the providing of support pathways for Domestic Abuse victims when the policy and decisions makers are dominated by men like me who cannot understand or even imagine the true impact and challenges faced.

We quite rightly unlock funds to implement Jobkeeper and Business support programs to help us through the economic and societal impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is way past time we unlocked funds to provide a safe physical pathway for Domestic Abuse victims and made these widely known by way of an ongoing multi media advertising campaign. The objective being that everyone knows what action they can take to be provided support and help, the number to call, the email address or direct message to use, even a safe or code word to use to a Doctor, Dentist, Pharmacist, Community Care Professional or Police Officer.

It is also past time to fund financial support programs so victims can transition to independent lives knowing they are not trapped in a dangerous living arrangement due to a lack of financial resources.

I would argue the primary differences between the Pandemic of Covid-19 and the Pandemic of domestic abuse is there is a readily available medical and financial treatment for victims of the later, perhaps even calling it a vaccine of sorts.

A final point if I may.

Whenever I write about Domestic Abuse or dysfunctional behaviour towards women, I receive many comments and messages mostly of a critical and almost abusive nature. Many also follow a similar theme.

When commenting or messaging I provide the following information:

Be assured, I do know there are also male victims of Domestic Violence. Like you, I also know these are in the significant, hugely significant minority.

Similarly, like you, I know that domestic violence related deaths of Women are frightening and are of numbers in Australia that far outweigh the current fatality threat of Covid-19 in this country.

Finally, be they positive, supportive or otherwise, I long ago determined I would not publish comments that are submitted on the blog. Notwithstanding, I do read and appreciate the engagement.  

Given the seriousness of todays musings, I will leave the frivolity of a book and podcast discussions for another week.

Stay safe, stay diligent and keep caring for each other.

Colin Morley