But having said it was a massive effort, and giving great kudos to all those who helped - both government and community - it was not enough for most of the time the residents have been locked down. It is now probably enough, for food at least.
But only yesterday afternoon did I have the impression that vulnerable families and people with particular health needs were being actively identified and helped. Before that I and everyone else in touch with the community...
..were getting regular reports of people with asthma not able to get ventolin. People not able to get nappies, medications. People called the hotline, which did work, but there were big and sometimes dangerous delays. Local MPs and their staff, both ALP and Green, worked hard..
..to help, and so have some stirling community members who deserve medals, but it was ad hoc. Yesterday afternoon I saw and spoke to designated workers, for the first time, whose job it was to try and make this effort consistent.
I imagine that effort will further improve today, because both very fast and not fast enough, the government agencies have got to grips with what the Premier's promise of "wrap around services" involves. Its huge.
Also now working, though slowly, is the protocol for delivering goods to friends and family. See my tweets yesterday. Had this been done sooner, I think a lot of tensions could have been avoided. I suspect at least one arrest might not have happened.
This took far too long to organise. Likewise proper cooperation with groups such as AMSSA Youth Connnect who were collecting and trying to distribute general well meaning donations of goods. But it does now seem to be working. Let me know if wrong. Another thread follows.
