In the coming weeks there is going to be a lot controversy over whether or not virus containment measures should be relaxed

While statistics are incredibly important, at this point with deaths in the 1000s per day around the world, there is another important factor, politics

1/

One small mistake by govt could prove potentially devastating.

While the economy is tanking & that will cause chaos & social upheaval in itself, letting people die after it was proven they could be saved is political kryptonite.

It doesnt matter whether they are 18 or 80

2/

Preventable deaths on your watch as a govt is a recipe for potential election defeats & even political revolution in nations with existing serious social issues.

Even the Chinese govt knew the death toll would be unacceptable even under their totalatarian govt.

3/

We can talk statistics infinitum, but until govts are comfortably certain they arent going to potentially unleash a wave of death on their populaces, there will be little to no major relaxation of containment measures

That will potentially require safeguards we dont yet have

4/

While Aussie testing levels per capita are top tier relative to most of the world, they are likely still far too low to prove an effective safeguard to ensure the relaxation of containment measures.

5/

Ultimately it's all about social stability & politics.

The needless of death of someone close regardless of their age at the hands of govt is how democracy's are undermined and faith in the system is destroyed

I'm not saying there is a right or wrong answer on balance.

6/

Just that leaders are governed by public opinion & the prevailing mood of society

No matter what choice is inevitably made it will have heavy costs

Not just in lives, handicaps & jobs

But also to social stability & faith in our system

7/7

Just to clarify in the longer term how govts choose to act is anyones guess.

Although I would wager the pressure to reopen the economy will eventually become unstoppable at some point.

8/8