Our freedoms have been limited this year, more so in some parts of the country, but our extensive testing regime, which is one of the best in the world, and our contact tracing system, which in most states has stopped COVID-19 in its tracks, means you are less likely to catch the virus here than in most other places on Earth.
That compares with a world average of 3.85 cases per 1000 people and about 20 cases per 1000 people in the United States.
The US is recording anywhere between 20,000 and 40,000 new cases of COVID-19 a day and often more than 1000 deaths. In some cities, such as New York, schools are yet to reopen after they were closed in March. That’s six months of home-schooling. And counting.In France, there have been up to 23,000 new cases a day in the past week.
Demand for tests is also challenging Britain. It is recording about 4000 new cases a day and authorities are worried, especially as winter approaches.the number of people who can gather inside or outside your home has been reduced to six for the whole country and hospitality venues in the north have now been ordered to offer table service only.
It is staggering to read this as an Australian. The thought of having to pay for a COVID-19 test – or having to book for one – is mind-boggling. The residents of north-east England still have more freedoms than Melburnians, who are entering their 12th week of stage-four lockdown. Lockdowns have proved effective at halting the spread of COVID-19 in Australia. But they have come at a huge economic and social cost. In Britain, like the US,
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