In Australia they thought they had crushed COVID-19 and were quick to congratulate themselves for our capacity to test, trace, isolate, and quarantine, and where necessary, stay at home.
For a brief period, those tools worked and Australia enjoyed months of living largely free of the virus. While
the virus continued to ravage other parts of the world.
But then the virus mutated and restrictions returned. Our current response, mass vaccination, offers renewed protection. But unless everyone, everywhere receives this protection, the virus will continue to spread and mutate. That is why it really isn’t over for anyone until it is over for everyone. However, concerted global action can ensure we create a global environment that means COVID has fewer places to hide and mutate into more dangerous, deadly forms.
To hear engaging stories from some of Australia’s visionary scientific thinkers on the Covid-19 pandemic, listen to “How Science Matters” from Burnet Institute. This podcast is an 8 part series that helps make sense of a mutating virus and to give us hope.