From the start of this pandemic, Australia has recorded 97 deaths. Each life is precious.

But as a doctor, I’m embarrassed when people call us heroes. There are currently 17 COVID ICU patients in the whole of Australia.

Public health intervention & contact tracing worked. 1/

Australia’s borders were closed early (we narrowly missed a potential superspreading event at the Melbourne Grand Prix).

We did not use the term shutdown, but that’s what was effectively done. Everyone stayed home except for essential work, supplies, medical care & exercise 2/

The heroes were the community. The vast majority heeded warnings from overseas and our leadership.

People adapted quickly. Work from home established. Supermarkets provided shopping hours for elderly. Community groups did deliveries for the vulnerable. 3/

Police visited at risk homes and intervened. Teachers developed online curriculum. IT workers improved remote working. Telehealth capacity was built. Private and public hospitals collaborated to work as one system. Staff were trained. Regular updates done. 4/

On the hospital side, we got daily updates from the institution and almost weekly update from the Chief Health Officers. Supply systems for PPE etc were secured. Units were subdivided to reduce crossover. Reprioritisation of work was done. Modification of surgeries. 5/

Restaurants did take aways. Even fancy high end restaurants modified their services. Bunnings provides hours for emergency workers and reorganised people flow.

There has been many, many changes. Not perfect, but they have been effective in preparing the community. 6/

As a result, we have not had to deal with a tsunami of COVID deaths. I can’t imagine what my colleagues overseas have had to endure. Some countries are recording thousands of death daily. We have had 97 deaths since pandemic began. I can only imagine the emotional exhaustion. 7/

The physical depletion, emotional exhaustion and moral distress from seeing thousands of deaths must be unbearable. Australia has been spared so far.

For that I am grateful to our public health officers and leaders like @VictorianCHO. 8/

There’s much work to be done in planning our exit.

The damage socially and economically from the lockdown period has been undeniable (delayed medical treatment, domestic violence, etc). But the damage from a pandemic that is out of control would be even greater. 9/

Knowing that Australia & a handful of other countries like Vietnam, Iceland, Austria, Hong Kong , New Zealand have managed to flatten the curve should give others hope. We’re now ready to think about the exit & preparation for second and third waves.

Careful steps forward. Fin/