New experiences challenging
A NEW experience provides those involved with it, the responsibility of developing the skills, understanding and knowledge necessary to successfully cope with any challenges provided.
COVID-19 has certainly been an occurrence which has challenged the entire world, as each country expeditiously devised, prepared and instituted measures to minimise its impact medically, socially and financially.
Its rapid spread throughout the world has resulted in an at times trial and error method of identifying and promulgating a diverse range of strategies to reduce its transmission.
Successful procedures, which worked in one location, were quickly introduced to a number of countries across the globe, while the failure of other measures resulted in modifications or of them being dismissed as unworthy of further consideration.
Procedures and legal requirements for developing and introducing a vaccine to protect each of us were fast tracked, as the urgency to gain control of this serious infliction grew exponentially.
Not having the benefit of a plan for reference, our government and health agencies should be applauded for their untiring efforts to deal with COVID-19.
And not consistently be admonished, by a vocal and loud minority, who continuously find fault with any new approach which has been found to be unsuccessful or questionable.
Agencies and personnel have at times been required to "think on their feet " to keep ahead of this surging pandemic, and have not had the luxury or benefit of conducting long term trials and studies to support its efficacy.
Hindsight is a wonderful ability, but unfortunately one that humans do not possess.
Ian Macgowan,
Ceduna.
Biodiversity score in dire state
THE Wilderness Society has recently judged Australia to be the second worse country in the world for biodiversity loss.The country that had the poorest record being Indonesia.
It is of immense concern that Australia was judged to have an even poorer record than Brazil! Is that possible?
The Wilderness Society reports that every two minutes in Australia, an area of forest or bush land, the size of a football stadium, is bulldozed. This is an utter disgrace of monumental proportions. Certainly jobs and the economy are of great importance, as our federal government constantly tells us, but if it means decimating the environment as the Wilderness report indicates, nothing can justify destruction of this magnitude.
A stable and healthy biodiversity is essential for the continued survival of the human race. Are our political leaders aware just how dire the situation really is - here in Australia?
Brian Measday,
Myrtle Bank.
Picture tells different story
TWO articles in the May 6 edition of Stock Journal concerned the Pastoral Lands Bill 2020.
The first on page 2 says our Primary Industries Minister [David Basham] is amenable to "carbon farming"; while the editorial on page 15 urges prompt enactment so that lessees can "get on with caring for our country".
But the landscape photo used on page 15 makes a mockery of such beliefs, showing just bare red earth, a few tree skeletons and cattle inedibles to the skyline - the wreckage of a once-stable vegetated pre-pastoral ecosystem.
Far too much of Transgoydera (our vast uncroppable inland) shows the same or worse. The proponents of this Bill are so steeped in their own propaganda as to be impervious to truth, it seems.
"None so blind as will not see".
Bob Lange,
Mount Benson.
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