ARE YOU LIVING IN A BUBBLE?

I want to talk about the coronavirus and some other western countries which are very similar to my home, Australia. I am thankful that Australia is an island and we can close our borders properly to prevent people bringing the virus into the country. I am thankful that Australia is a huge country but only has a small population. We do not live on top of each other. This enables us to practise social distancing better than many other countries. Our most populous city is Sydney. It has about 400 people per square kilometre. In contrast, New York City has 38,000 per square kilometre (A kilometre is like a mile, friends, only slightly less. I am thankful for the metric system too) It is fair to say that the first two things I am thankful for are luxuries which many other countries cannot afford, and they have certainly helped with Australia's response to CV19. Now we come to the factors which are the same. I am thankful that we have one of the best healthcare systems in the world and that it is freely available to everyone. With any health issue, I want to be sure I get the best treatment rather than being turned away because I don't have insurance, or to be lumped with a massive debt. Everyone who gets the virus in Australia will have access to first class healthcare free of charge. Is your country the same or does your country throw its money into other areas like military? Sure, this is a simplification, but ask yourself honestly, "Am I being manipulated into confusing priorities?" I will leave the outcome of that question up to you. More than anything, I am thankful for the leadership shown in this country during the crisis. I have not always been happy with every decision our leaders have made, but they have been far better than "I shook hands with coronavirus patients Boris" and "It's just a Democratic hoax Donald". The situation in the US is appalling and continues to spiral out of control, and the country is being divided by political polarisation. We only have 6 states in Australia, and these states are led by elected premiers, our version of governors. Our federal leaders, including the opposition, meet with these premiers to determine our policy going forward. They have unified for the greater good in this time of crisis. How does that compare with your country? Are your leaders working together or fighting and criticising each other? I'm not writing this to say, "Haha, Australia is better than you". I am writing it to try and raise your awareness of what you could strive for. I am writing it so you can see what is happening outside of your bubble. Instead of blindly following your leaders with ridiculous partisanship, MAKE THEM FUCKING ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOUR OWN GOOD. There isn't a sane person in the world right now, looking in without any political bias, who can say that Trump isn't lying to and manipulating the population to preserve his own position in the coming election. Watching his speeches where he talks over and derides reporters, instead of answering questions the public deserve to know, has become a circus. It is sad to see governors in certain states, states which are suffering great hardship and horrific humanitarian tragedies, have to argue with their president to help, only to be treated with bias because their political views are different. People have died and will continue to die because of Trump, but sadly he has an ignorant minority brainwashed with MAGA, and they refuse to investigate anything with integrity which might contradict or incriminate their supreme leader. Nth Korea 2.0 We, in Australia, the UK, the USA and many other nations, live in countries of privilege. Our affluence puts us in the best position to battle the virus and to survive economically. I am thankful that all welfare recipients in this country have had their payments doubled to $550 per week. I am thankful that employers are given $750 per week to give to their staff to help them keep their business afloat, even if it is currently closed during the lockdown.

It breaks my heart to think of the nightmare coming for those in poor countries and the people living on top of each other in slums. Their curve will not flatten like ours already is. It will continue to shoot upwards. Now look at the picture. Look at the curve of the UK and the US. Then look me in the eyes and tell me honestly why they are shooting directly upwards like the most impoverished of third world nations. PS., the truth is outside your bubble.