On Saturday a few thousand Australians demonstrated for “freedom”, against lockdowns, and the spectre of any rules requiring vaccination.

Many were unmasked. There was little social distancing. The recent Melbourne examples of COVID spread at the football means that the NSW health minister’s prediction of COVID spread was realistic.

Some media reports cited a “Jesus Saves” placard.

Also on Saturday the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) said that due to the increasing risk of COVID-19 and scarcity of Pfizer, adults of all ages in Sydney should consider getting “any available vaccine” including AstraZeneca.

While SA is on track to be out of lockdown, and Victoria appears to be close behind, it is NSW at present facing a lengthy lockdown.

The virus does not care

It is entirely understandable that people are distressed by this. Lockdowns mean remote learning, businesses in peril, lost wages, lost opportunities of all kinds.

In Sydney in particular many frontline workers, from supermarket workers to aged care staff and even medical personnel are yet to be vaccinated. These people are risking their lives.

The virus does not care, but the suburbs most affected are those with large numbers of frontline workers who must leave home to work, families in more crowded houses, and the people who most cannot afford to lose pay.

The most practical way to assist – to combat the virus and shorten lockdowns (as much as possible)  is to be vaccinated – and AZ is now on the agenda. Please consider.

Pray for and support churches in the suburbs under lockdown. Pray that imaginative generosity will abound.

Reach out encourage those living alone. Make your social networking really social. Share practical help.

Please stay home if you are in a lockdown city or state.

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:10)