Wow, I find myself agreeing with every bit in your post. How these people managed in one breath to piss off their supporters and opponents alike is astonishing. Squandering their obligation to support people, at the same time insisting on performative dances... Do they think they gain votes this way? Sad thing that they very well may be.

> I'm from the Emerald City, but it's been anything but emerald over the past year or two.

Just like Melbourne is not "the most livable" anymore. We are from the sewer fields on the opposite side of this "blessed" city. Emerald was once an enviable place to be, now the whole Lucky Country seems to be gone to sewers. If 15 years ago we knew what we know now about Au, we'd never set foot here. We had won GC lottery a few years ago but decided to let the application lapse - biggest regret of my life now, we could just fly off to New Hampshire :)

Maybe we can find way to an armistice, a compromise of sorts. I appreciate your responses in this thread very much. I feel sorry for your troubles with booster. I've heard just today that interval has been shortened to 3 months and they are open to shortening even more. I support your way of life, of tackling this problem and have no right to dictate or judge. I cannot support mandates under any circumstances, though. I also do not understand the desire to be boosted often, given that it has been demonstrated only marginally useful past certain point, but that's me. I believe the govt (mis)places too much faith and moral emphasis on bureaucratic rules. They are scared to admit their mistakes so much that they are trying to pitch people against each other.

I can relay the personal anecdote. Something cold-like had swiped through our family here in December, with some rather unusual (for common cold) aspects pointing that it may have been Omicron. A non-event overall, but maybe it wasn't covid. Most of our extended family is in Eastern Europe. As Eastern as Europe goes, given that Russia is arguably considered Asia. My elderly in-laws and in-law siblings had Alpha. Some have been hospitalized. My parents had Delta couple of months ago. Although they usually freak out over every sniffle, this episode was surprisingly "meh" in comparison. Many, many other relatives and acquaintances had Alpha or Delta, of varying age and comorbidities, some had it easier and some harder, but ultimately all have dodged the bullet and recovered. So this is one thing that largely informs my perception.

Interestingly, their president was often cited for "downplaying" and lack of lockdowns. I do hate the guy, he is criminal in every aspect, but (probably) because he does not need to worry about political points or votes (he can fudge as much of votes as he wishes), the overall response has been much more balanced, without unnecessary terrorizing, fearmongering or mandates. President largely distanced himself from the issue, the health agencies were left to do their job and as a result testing, tracing and isolation was pretty swift, early treatment protocols enabled and vaccines amply available to everyone who wanted. Also, "sauna and vodka" may not be a sound medical advice, but won't hurt either :). So, the situation on the ground is quite different from how it was portrayed. By contrast, in AU (and almost everywhere) politicians hijacked the response and busted it completely. They also managed to kill all joy of living. PM has made a complete mockery of a leader, not a single word or action from him had any weight. Premiers have revealed their absolutely worst side as Neo-feudals chasing popularity with peasants. In this situation my ability to reason is completely frozen, risk perception is distorted and the saddest of all, I don't see how this crisis is going to be resolved for better. All pointers are down :(

And maybe to bring my response here into "on-topic". Djokovic may have made an admin mistake on a form, but ultimately he was sent off not because of this. So, to me it doesn't look like a principled stance of a govt, but rather an arbitrary whim. They said that they did not assess the counterfactual, nor they have to - how "smart" is that, even if legal? If they can do it to the only person who could challenge them in court, I'm terrified what they can do to my family.