Just like staff in our businesses, I believe Australians are looking to our political leaders for
confidence,
clarity and
consistency (combined with transparency).
And yet, unfortunately, I don't feel we're getting this.
Instead of a
proactive,
measured and
national approach to the management of positive cases; we're having many State Premiers play border politics because they are reacting, rather than managing, something which we now know is here for the long haul.
You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude towards what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.Brian TracyQuite an appropriate quote, wouldn't you agree as our world has forever changed, and I'm doing my best to embrace this quote right now. But as we all know, it is certainly hard to do when emotions are flying high and so much is at stake.
For months now, I've been saying to my coaching clients and members that just like any changes to the Standards, regulation and business operations; it's time to change the COVID conversation to determine how we can
manage positive cases (in a reasonable way), rather than
reacting to 1 or 2 positive cases which has often resulted in snap lockdowns and extreme border restrictions.
Now please don't misunderstand my position (and rant). I can certainly appreciate how difficult it must be to determine what steps should be taken when there is a positive case.
But what's frustrating me is because of how 'states rights' are established under the Constitution, the Prime Minister's hands are somewhat tied as to what direction and restrictions he can put in place; leaving us at the mercy of our State and Territory leaders.
I don't understand (though the cynic in me knows the reason) why aren't they working together, as part of COAG, to have a national position on how positive cases will be managed, what the magical number is which determines a lockdown, for how long etc?
Surely this is what the job description is all about – working for the good of the Country (not just their State)
and providing constituents (aka us) with consistency, clarity and confidence so we can develop contingency plans and have some faith we'll be able to implement them.
At the moment, businesses and by default us, are at the whim of the government which has created unnecessary anxiety, confusion and frustration.
And look at the price we've paid and continue to pay
Snap lockdowns seem to be the
only containment strategy to 'keep people safe', regardless of the effect on businesses who are struggling to survive which has a domino effect on the economy; as well as on our mental health and well being.
And by the way, no point doing deals with the airlines and telling us to 'travel at home' when we have no certainty we can not only get to the location and enjoy the holiday/football game etc we've travelled to and paid for;
BUT also get home without further inconvenience and cost including forced hotel quarantine.
I'm also frustrated because I've been forced into lockdown when I haven't visited nor been anywhere near the places on the hotspot list.
Surely life needs to continue in a more measured and reasonable manner, and not operate under this constant fear and anxiety of possible shutdowns.
Because we need to be realistic – unfortunately, there will be more positive cases until everyone is vaccinated
and we can see the vaccinations have worked.
Many small businesses will not survive further snap lockdowns and people's frustrations are also running high which could create the opposite effect – one of complacency and defiance which we definitely don't want.
What's in jeopardy right now in the Greater Brisbane area is:
•
Tourism industry decimated again who were just rejoicing because many had full occupancy and bookings for the first time in over 12 months. The lockdown is in the Greater Brisbane area but the loss and the financial pain is being felt even as high as Cairns due to border and travel restrictions which include the whole State.
• Easter church festivities possibly lost again (and as someone who streamed live services last year – it is definitely not the same as being in church). I'm keeping everything crossed this does not occur.
• Hospitality industry who thought they could finally remain open if they met square metreage requirements, are now back to take-away options or in many cases shut.
• Small businesses and their employees who have lost work eg beauty industry, hairdressers and the list goes on, who can't work remotely so they've simply lost all their bookings for this week because we then have the Good Friday public holiday.
• Further frustration and anxiety amongst the public especially children and the elderly. Once again, there has been panic buying so stores have had to place restrictions on certain products. And I include children as one of the girls in my netball team didn't come to training because of the anxiety the lockdown created.
Due to the short notice of the lockdown, think of the amount of wasted time and energy which has been spent on phones and emails, by both businesses and the public, to cancel/change bookings, travel plans, childcare arrangements etc.
And let's not forget the mental health and well being of those in aged and community care who once again, have lost the face to face connection with their family and friends.
My fear for 2021 and beyond is that snap lockdowns as the 'circuit breakers' is the only strategy for containment as Premier Palazczuk intimidated 'this is what we can expect until we're all vaccinated'.
Surely there has to be a different (and better) way to manage this ongoing pandemic?