"Data-Driven is just another slogan. We know what 'data' is - knowledge - and the 'experts' claim to have the knowledge/data, but they seem to be doing sweet FA with it, particularly in Victoria. They keep on doing the same thing, and saying the same thing; and nothing changes. Fear and depression are all the 'experts' and half-wit politicians have achieved; and the media tells us how 'popular' the leading half-wit, Scott Morrison is. Popular compared to what. A bucket of sick?

This article is one of the few sensible ones among a whole lot of arrogant, ignorant bumf. Unfortunately, we have for too long complacently allowed our lives to be directed by morons, and there is no light to be seen at the end of this tunnel. The China virus is the most obvious warning that we have had yet of the end of life as we know it. And we don't have the right sort of people to deal with it.

> However, the COVID-19 is only temporarily avoidable.
The Kiwis say otherwise.

> A vaccine also does not guarantee permanent elimination.
It may or may not do. But even if it doesn't, it would make it far easier to protect the most vulnerable people and avoid overloading hospitals.

If folk would just comply with lockdown laws. The virus, which needs hosts to survive past a few days, would just go away!

The problem is not the data or the medical experts who are telling us what we shoud be doing! But the right-wing yokels who keep insisting, we the allegedly healthy people, have a God-given right to wander at will and kill as many of our vulnerable citizens as we/they can.

Implying that those folk in nursing homes, mum and dad, grandma or grandpa or the immune-compromised don't matter? And straight out of Herr Himler's, drain the swamp, handbook?

45% of carriers, present with no symptoms,i.e., Asymptomatic! And it is this cohort that are those doing the most spreading/killing the most of their fellow Australians?

Me? I'd have more testing stations, blood tests with 20-minute results at the portable relocatable testing labs and those with the virus,would be put on a bus, then a plane and quarantined for not less than three weeks on a offshore Island/detention centre!

Until we have an effective vaccine, we will need to observe social distancing, avoiding crowds and abusive, noncompliant drunks, who think it's all about them.

Self isolate at home as much as possible and wear a mask to protect your family and fellow Autralians.

It doesn't hurt! And if the nose is not covered, don't bother! As the nose is a source and safe harbour for many nasty pathogens/covid-19!

The sooner we, just not flatten the curve, but squash it flat, the sooner we will be able to get the recovery going!

Just not with the crimson fools currently in charge or the same old, same old, business as usual!

We need to stop stopping our best recovery solutions just to protect powerful vested interests and the usual medely of political cronies/contibutors?

I could say more on that score, but that seems pointless!
My views on our best possible recovery are well known!
Alan B.

The Chinese don't seem to be too worried about it.

Well put, Allan B, spot on!

One thing the author has not mentioned is the physical after-effects of this virus - to those 'getting over it' - with some experiencing quite severe reduction of their physical capabilities, possibly for life, and a potential shortening of their life expectancy.

'Herd-immunity' with this virus appears to carry some fairly severe side-effects - with who knows what ultimate consequences? Longevity, loss of sporting prowess, forced career-change, Fertility?

Notably, the author has also not given any idea of what 'alternatives' his data-driven model may have to offer?
Limited open-slather? Mass Hydroxychloroquine-plus-steroid-heparin-admixture universal administration? Alcohol? Prayer?

All data has to be interpreted. So, what/who are you going to trust? Our health experts and our responsible governments? Or, some Artificial-Intelligence formula-driven data-analyzer?

There may well be some viro-terrorists running around infecting people hither and yon - with gay abandon? Like some of those Beijing-backing CCP Stooges running around UQ? (Take a look at Bronwyn's posting on page 3 of the 'Death from the Sky..' article-thread - for a 'Westy' wake-up call.)

Asymptomatic 'carriers' going about normal business - and unwittingly wreaking havoc everywhere they go?
What alternative, but, lockdown, testing, and punishment for intentional rule-breakers?

Regarding self-isolation - I wonder why the authorities have not thought of employing electronic ankle-tags and mobile-phone tracking? Covid-safe?

Every country, state, province operating in 'laissez-faire' mode has given us an encyclopaedia of 'proof' of the inevitable consequences of 'business as usual'.

Our Aus approach, even in Victoria, appears prudent and correct - in spite of loony-tunes naysayers, and only disabled by a smattering of criminally-irresponsible 'goons'.

However, I would like to see 'live-in' carers in aged-care - like FIFO.

I asked way back in early April..."What if its all for nothing".

It was then and it is now. We are destroying the economy, ruining lives, careers, families, social cohesion, democratic norms...all for nothing.

The whole thing is driven by the political desire to be seen to be doing better than the next guy.

Its the greatest disaster to befall this nation and it was all avoidable.