We're Back. It's been EPIC!

Beyond The Rona

The network has renewed us for another season so we're back for Season 2!

We'll be doing weekly episodes up until the Federal Election (most likely to be held in May). This episode we look back on the multiple challenges our community has faced from the pandemic to a once in 100-year flood, to war.

Some links from our discussion:

Juice Media's Honest Government Ad - United Australia Party: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8ovERhq6uw

They Vote For You: https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/ - pop in your postcode or your local member's name and see how they voted on bills and legislation.

Andrea’s 3 Big Ideas

1. Action on Climate Change

2. Free Uni & Tafe

3. Dental & mental health into Medicare

Tim’s 3 Big Ideas

1. Addressing the climate crisis indirectly benefits non-climate issues

2. Check MPs & Senators Voting record - previous record of incumbents - did their actions align to your expectations?

3. We need to solve the housing affordability crisis - housing is a right

Omicron Outbreak

What went wrong - Fed Gov didn’t provide RATS to QLD, Private pcr testing shut down, covid patients not receiving positive test results for up to 10 days, many deciding not to test, many deciding not to isolate, other health care needs neglected, system overwhelmed for vulnerable people, some people isolated for extended periods of time without pay, loss of support workers for disabled people, food shortages, staff shortages.

Federal response - in charge of sovereign borders, aged care, disability care, vulnerable communities like First Nations, PPE, quarantine, vaccination procurement & delivery, messaging & communication, medicare, testing equipment eg PCRs, RATS, Centrelink Response - Decided to just send essential workers back to work even if test positive to covid to keep economy going. Shortened quarantine time.

State Response - in charge of state borders, vaccination roll out within the state, distribution of RATs and PPE once they arrive in QLD, state based testing clinics, vaccination clinics. Response - Decided to stop truck drivers requiring testing to deliver food to stores. Opened state borders. Held consumer meetings to try to understand what the concerns were on the ground and fix them but really everyone needed RATs. Eventually got PCR results returned quicker and treatment guidelines more streamlined, help lines etc. Improved their AI system - which was terrible!

Beyond the Rona Podcast is recorded in Logan, Queensland on Yuggera country. We acknowledge the traditional owners past and present. Join us next time on Beyond The Rona Podcast. Get in touch at: https://beyondtherona.com/