Move away from lockdowns

Sydney has entered another phase of lockdown, and we are repeatedly told by our political leaders and health authorities that their decisions were guided by science. They even assure us that lockdowns work. Well, I beg to differ.

I must admit that I have been increasingly uncomfortable with the ongoing lockdown in Sydney. I cannot watch the daily briefings of the NSW Premier and her lieutenants anymore, because they seem to recycle the same idea over and over again. I cannot watch the TV evening news anymore, because they are now propagating scaremongering of the worst type. The so-called ‘mainstream media’ is now simply parodying government's lines. There is no critique. There is no analysis. There is no insight. There is no clarity. There is only one-sided narrative. Too bad.

Since June 26 (Saturday), Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong have entered a lockdown period. Initially, the Government told us that the lockdown would last for 2 weeks, but then it was subsequently extended to another 2 weeks. And, now we are told that the lockdown would need to go until September! It seems that our Government and health officials are becoming lockdown addicts.

The NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian reminds us, almost daily, that her actions (eg lockdown, harsh lockdown, face mask) and her statements are based on science.

Well, I am not sure whether she has followed the science.

She has just ruled that from tomorrow (30/7) Sydneysiders must wear a mask whenever they leave their house. What is the scientific basis for that ruling? None. The fact is that in Sydney, no covid transmission has been found to have occurred outdoors. An analysis from Ireland shows very clearly that more than 99% of nCov transmissions occurred indoors. The same observation was reported in China. Thus, Ms Berejiklian’s policy is not consistent with science at all.

I am wondering whether she is aware that the DENMASK study (a large randomized controlled clinical trial) found that mask wearing ‘did not reduce the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate among wearers by more than 50% in a community with modest infection rates’ [1]. This is because virtually all people, including the Premier, wear mask wrong.

Ms Berejiklian actually realises that household is the largest single source of transmission. But then she lectured us “You might think you’re doing your aunt or grandma a favour by dropping in and giving them food and saying…