Mate, I come from Europe originally and still have family and friends over there. There was far more staff, hospital and ICU beds over there then Australia even before Covid. And after first wave most countries went on ICU, ventilator and hospital beds shopping freenzy. I come from country with one of highest hospital bed per person in Europe.
I'll share personal experience with you: Whan second wave hit: my uncle and aunty called emergency when they got really sick. There was no ambulances or beds available. Cops dropped of oxygen masks and tanks; brought them bunch of antibiotics and medications that were thought to be helpful at the time. Half of the medical staff was in hospital themselves and other half working 24/7 until they themselves end up too sick to help others. They couldn't even crawl to toilet for 3 days without passing out multiple times on the way. My cousins couldn't help them because they were in another city and in not much better shape. After 3 days ambulance came and took them to makeshift hospital, where they stayed for another week. Hospital like from 18th century movie.
When you say Australia could have gotten better prepared after 2 years: it's understatement of the year.
