Editorial: COVID-19 continues to dominate our lives After the initial wave and restrictions, life for many North Coast residents returned to some degree of normality. Others lost their jobs, possibly forever, although the full economic impact of this was mitigated to some extent by the Federal government’s emergency financial packages. As time passed and the numbers decreased, restrictions eased and retail and restaurants gradually reopened for business. There seemed to be light at the end of the tunnel. Some businesses boomed through the crisis. It was a great time to be in the home renovation, surgical supply or cleaning businesses, with orders coming in thick and fast. Then the second wave hit Victoria. While not totally unexpected it was literally a shock to the system. We became used to seeing Premier Dan Andrews trudge out in front of the TV cameras for the daily briefing to disclose the latest number of cases and deaths. The relentless rise weighed heavily on everybody’s mind and for some it brought back memories of the nightly television reports from the late 60s and 70s of the daily body count during the Vietnam war. The infection spread like the bush fires of summer 2019. There were spot fires in a few suburbs, then a city and finally a state was in full lockdown. There was fear of contagion to other parts of the country and the walls went up on the State borders. Once again everybody was tense. The bipartisan effort along with similar commitments from industry and government began unravelling. It became State against State against Commonwealth, business against public health and person against person. There was increasing anger directed to the perceived perpetrators of Lotharian guards, bogan Logans and covid Karens. The “We’re all in this together” resolution was falling apart. At the time of writing in late August, NSW, Queensland and other States appear to have dodged a bullet at least for the time being but the potential to repeat the Victorian experience or worse is clear to all. Long term changes in behaviour seem likely and wearing of masks may become
de rigueur, as perhaps suggested by our front cover. A cottage industry for making fashionable masks exploded overnight and like toilet paper before it, the spot market in masks peaked. Wearing masks is currently only compulsory in Victoria but if you’re handy at the sewing machine NSW Health has the pattern for you.
following of the multiple COVID-19 vaccine trials around the world, some of which are in late stage testing. While optimistic he cautions that it is only data driven science that will produce a successful vaccine. On page 37 Alstonville pharmacist, Alannah Mann outlines the latest Australian efforts to produce a coronavirus vaccine.
Dr David Guest On page 12 Bulgarr Ngaru Medical Aboriginal Clinical Editor It took 15 years to develop Corporation describes its approach to dealing with COVID-19 in the first vaccine against the 1919 Spanish a high risk population. Their experience influenza. Through the work of thousands reflects that of many general practices of scientists like Doherty it seems feasible around the country, but had to be tailored that a vaccine against a virus which did not to the cultural norms of their patient exist a year ago could be accomplished in population. Strict hygiene and social less than 12 months. distancing were the main foci, with However, in science nothing is a given. telehealth working well for this highly It is only through rigorous scientific mobile population group, suggesting an research that is statistically significant and increasing role for this in the future. reproducible that advances can be made. Telehealth is good but not a panacea. Progress marches to its own drumbeat and A virtual consultation will never replace not that of the political cycle. face to face. On page 17 Keen Street Clinic practice manager, Debbie Elliott, makes this point and notes that for some patients, particularly the elderly, a visit to the clinic is falsely seen as high risk. Such patients can be reassured that anyone at risk of COVID-19 infection is not seen in GP surgeries but redirected to a hospital Fever Clinic or to the COVID-19 testing services run by the pathology companies. While repeat prescriptions can be organised through phone consultations, conditions such as heart and lung disease and chronic Nor does science care about publisher’s pain still need regular clinic review. deadlines. On page 22 Robin Osborne Australian Nobel prize winning reviews “The Doctor who fooled the immunologist, Peter Doherty, believes World” about the scandal surrounding Dr there is an 80% chance of a coronavirus Andrew Wakefield who held that measles vaccine within the next 12 months. In his vaccination caused colitis and autism. 2013 book Pandemics Doherty predicted Even well respected journals such as The how a global pandemic would spread, and Lancet can give credence to claims that his hypothesis has proven to be essentially are proved subsequently to be false. The correct. In an Australian Financial Review public’s concerns, or hopes, about new Zoom lunch on May 8 his speculation on treatments can result in poor outcomes as how Victoria might be affected by a second seen by this episode and similarly with the recent claims for hydroxychloroquine in wave was remarkably prescient. the COVID-19 pandemic. Doherty’s predictions are based on Invest in basic research pleads the his years of experience and on his close NorDocs | 3
