The Covid Stockholm Syndrome By James Reed
The Stockholm syndrome develops between victims and kidnappers, where, paradoxically, the victims develop a protective attitude to the criminals. There seems to be something of a parallel with this phenomenon, that Sydneysiders are wearing masks even though the mandates have been dropped. They have become trained and socially conditioned to do. This illustrates one reason why democracy fails.
“Thousands of Sydneysiders are choosing to wear face masks despite mandates being dropped — as the government urges Aussies to take 'personal responsibility' for their health as we move to the next stage of the pandemic.
Since December 15, NSW residents have no longer been required to wear masks or check into venues via QR codes for most indoor settings as the state adjusts to its new 'Covid normal'.
As eased restrictions came into effect last Wednesday, Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant advised people to continue mask-wearing indoors amid fears case numbers could balloon to 25,000-a-day by January.
Many people across NSW's capital city have heeded Dr Chant's advice, donning face coverings in public in a bid to avoid spending Christmas in lockdown as the super-mutant Omicron sweeps across the state.
But despite Australians proactively seeking to protect their health, leading epidemiologists have called for masks to be introduced to deter the escalating outbreak.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has refused to bow down to pressure, urging Aussies to take responsibility for their wellbeing by accessing vaccines and booster shots.
'What’s key to us is personal responsibility. Vaccination has been key, booster shots are crucial to keep people safe, and as we move through the next phase, case numbers will increase,' he said on Sunday.
'That is the new normal.'
Scott Morrison took a similar position on Tuesday - which saw NSW and Victoria collectively record more than 4000 new cases - saying he would urge states to refrain from reimposing tough restrictions at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
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