Ann: DSMB Analysis Recommends to Continue P3 COVID-19 ARDS Trial, page-354

If those measures isolate the virus and stop it spreading into the community they're very worthwhile. Acting early and going in hard is what is effective.

Look at what's happening in the US the UK, France, Sweden. They may get a benefit from not shutting down early but they allow the virus to spread AND it's highly contagious. THIS is what's overwhelming hospitals and causing huge mortality rates. It's no fun.

If you let it run rampant through the community, controlling it is like putting the genie back into the bottle. Not easy. But now Britain has brought in lockdown and things are out of control in the US.

Victoria managed to claw back from 6,000 cases to zero and that's been a colossal effort. All because the initial stages weren't handled properly. To his credit Andrews worked 7 days a week until it was achieved. That's commitment.

There is huge community support for the measures that Victoria and other Australian states have taken. Morrison wanted to open borders when the virus has been out of control.

Only an elimination policy works. Everyone knows that but nobody is talking about it. Because of the agreement to not politicise the virus and responses. But without a doubt elimination works because of the high contagion and the mortality rates, plus the long term debility. Some people are still struggling with symptoms many months later.

This is NOT the flu!