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The sun came out, the weather was still warm, unemployment had decreased, my feet were back. All is well, you say. At the end of the tunnel there is a light. But wait. COVID-Cassandra is knocking on the door and we have to listen to what she has to say. We may have given up most of the restrictions – to what extent it depends on what state or territory you are in – but we should stick to common sense because there seems to be another surge. In New Wales this week, the daily number of cases has risen to around 20,000 after a previous data error exceeded 30,000. Fortunately, hospitalizations have been stable and those in intensive care are still below 30 years old. The ACT has recorded the highest number of cases since Thursday, January 19, and is preparing for a surge in cases, mostly in schools. Omicron’s son, option BA.2, seems to be to blame. And just as we have seen with Omicron, the authorities say that this option is highly contagious, but less severe than previous strains of the virus. So we can be in our fun way, right? Wrong. To avoid a repeat of the summer supply chain caused by the huge number of workers sick with COVID, these key steps we have taken since the beginning of the pandemic are as important as they were two years ago. Masks indoors. Hand hygiene. Social distancing. Stay home when symptoms appear. Tests. You know the drill. And you, over 60, are still pulling the chain on your boosters, get on with the program and do it. After all, a healthy economy depends on a healthy population. And on the economic front in the tunnel there is another light that could be an oncoming train. Although the government has been reveling in the lowest unemployment rate in four decades, hoping the figure will boost its claims of good governance, it is also nervously watching inflation as it prepares its election budget. Against the backdrop of all the uncertainty caused by COVID-19 disruptions, labor shortages, sanctions against Russia, crude oil prices and rising living prices, while wages remain stable, achieving the right balance in the election budget will be a tense action. here. And there is an elephant in the room that few people talk about. If the Reserve Bank pulls the brakes on inflation by raising the cash rate – as the Fed and the Bank of England have just done – those who bought at the top of the overheated real estate market will feel more oppressed than most. For those reading the federal election tea sheets in other contests, this weekend all eyes will be on South Australia. There, Prime Minister Steve Marshall’s first term faces Peter Malinauskas, once Labor’s health minister, who, according to opinion polls, takes a seat in the building. Those lights are at the end of the tunnel. Never think they are daylight. NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW:
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The sun came out, the weather was still warm, unemployment had decreased, my feet were back. All is well, you say. At the end of the tunnel there is a light.
But wait. COVID-Cassandra is knocking on the door and we have to listen to what she has to say.
We may have given up most of the restrictions – to what extent it depends on what state or territory you are in – but we should stick to common sense because there seems to be another surge.
Omicron’s son seems to be to blame Option BA.2. And just as we have seen with Omicron, the authorities say that this option is highly contagious, but less severe than previous strains of the virus.
So we can be in our fun way, right?
To avoid a repeat of the summer supply chain caused by the huge number of workers sick with COVID, these key steps we have taken since the beginning of the pandemic are as important as they were two years ago.
Masks indoors. Hand hygiene. Social distancing. Stay home when symptoms appear. Tests. You know the drill.
And on the economic front in the tunnel there is another light that could be an oncoming train. While the government is reveling the lowest unemployment rate in four decadeshoping this figure will boost her claims to good economic governance, she is also keeping a close eye on inflation as she prepares her election budget.
Against the backdrop of all the uncertainty caused by the failures in COVID-19, labor shortages, sanctions against Russia, crude oil prices and the cost of living is constantly rising, while wages remain steadily justified, ensuring the right balance in election budget will be a strained act.
And there is an elephant in the room that few people talk about.
If the Reserve Bank pulls the lever to curb inflation by raising the money rate – as Fed in the US and Bank of England just done – those who bought on top of the overheated real estate market will feel more oppressed than most.
For those who read the tea leaves of the federal election in other contests, all eyes will be on South Australia this weekend. There, Prime Minister Steve Marshall’s first term faces Peter Malinauskas, once Labor’s health minister, who, according to opinion polls, takes a seat in the building.
Those lights are at the end of the tunnel. Never think they are daylight.
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