Here in metropolitan Melbourne, we are in Stage 4 lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been purported to be our second wave and with numbers of daily infections over 500, the Victorian Government, led by Daniel Andrews took decisive action in what is to be one of the harshest infection control measures in the world. Amongst the restrictions imposed, most businesses, apart from the absolute essentials such as supermarkets, pharmacies and newsagencies were forced to close. Retail stores were allowed to operate a ‘click-and-collect’ facility, ensuring that those women whose lives revolve around Kmart can put down their brown paper bags for now.

Fortunately, we are able to stay open and trade, although there is a small part of me that wishes our business was suspended; not so much for the fact that it would be significantly quieter than usual (so far we have seen a 65% drop in sales in week 1 and week 2 is a 45% drop), but more for the vitriol we would cop from customers. From the dismissive snort asking us why we were open (why the hell are you here then?) to the grumbles that their local outlet was not open and they had to trudge over to ours but we don’t do stuff like their local (fawn over them) and that it was unfair and we should be reported for opening etc etc.

One thing I have noticed, is that people will not read. And this is purely by choice. It’s not that they cant’, but there is such a pervasive culture of having everything handed to you and the old ‘the customer is always right’ adage (which, if I might contend as both a person who is on both sides of the counter, is untrue), that people are just lazy.

There has been two minor changes to how we operate in store:
1. Have a face covering when you enter the store, which is in line with the government regulations.
2. If you are using cash, place it in the tray clearly marked on the counter.
For some reason, these just seem a little too hard for people to follow, yet the excuses are always the same:
“I didn’t see it”; “I have my mask in my hand” (needs to be on your face covering your mouth and nose, dumbass) “This is all a hoax”, “I wasn’t aware” (as they clutch the newspaper they are in for everyday).

Given that the commemorations for the end of WWII was last week, and the continued outrage that we were unable to celebrate ANZAC day properly this year due to restrictions made me think about what people went through in those times; the true resilience that they showed whether it was serving on the front lines, being captured and placed in internment camps or simply to survive the war and come home and resume a ‘normal’ life with that experience behind them. That, is true resilience. Yet it feels like those soldiers fought for a generation who cannot obey the simplest of health directives such as ‘stay at home if possible’ and ‘wear a mask’.

It’s disheartening to see the conspiracy theories and the amount of people who just don’t care about anyone else. We live in a society that is based on everyone helping everyone else – our taxes contribute to the public health sector which enables people to be treated at places like Monash Medical Centre without fear of an obnoxiously priced bill; our car registration contains a TAC component that enables some compensation and medical costs to be paid following a car accident; we pay taxes to fund pensions, social security and public schools. Every single person in Victoria has benefitted from these public services at least once in their lives so I am baffled as to why it is so hard to just give a little back and comply. Don’t think of it as compliance to Dan the Man; rather think of it as your civic duty to your fellow man. Just like how you accept their assistance when making a Medicare claim, or help someone else out by paying taxes, help them out by wearing a mask. Wash your hands. Keep your distance. And stay at home.

And keep your disagreements about the rulings to yourself for now and help Victorians get back on track. Let’s get business open and the economy running again. Bring back the lifestyle we are renowned for in Melbourne – the cafe culture, global dining experiences, arts and culture and sporting events! And then, when November 2022 comes around, air your disagreements by voting. If you are unhappy by the leadership of the Labor party, vote them out. But for now, don’t be a stick in the mud and help your fellow man.

That’s all I, as your fellow Victorian ask of you.