Thread by @abc730

Melbourne's stage four #lockdown is now in full effect and its devastating economic impact is becoming clear, with warnings today it could cost the nation up to $12 billion dollars and push unemployment to 10 per cent. #abc730 @tomrjoyner #COVID19Vic

“Right now, I'm working as a sales consultant at a bathroom-kitchen-laundry showroom. I started this job a week ago. Today's my last shift.” Christina Katsifolis has just been told she is out of a job, for the second time in 6 months. #abc730 #COVID19Vic

“#JobKeeper was absolutely instrumental in giving us the motivation to keep going, even though the sales were plummeting.” Florist, Peter Keeghan. #abc730 #COVID19Vic

“I was almost about to just walk out the door and just say forget about the whole thing.” Florist, Peter Keeghan. #abc730 #COVID19Vic

“I don't like taking money from my kids, but there's no other way and being a single mum, it's not like I've got some a partner that's helping out with the bills.” Nancy Esposito, who lost her job due to the #COVID19Vic shutdown. #abc730

“A lot of my friends have been very lucky and still have a job or have access to #JobKeeper or have reduced hours.” Christina Katsifolis. #abc730 #COVID19Vic

“Having a job during this time has kept me sane. Obviously, that's going to change.” Christina Katsifolis. #abc730 #COVID19Vic

“At the end of last year, I made a promise to myself, whether it be renting or buying that I would move out this year. That's kind of now just been on hold, which is disappointing.” Christina Katsifolis #abc730 #COVID19Vic

“It's ruining the economy, something shocking. And this is going to take another generation to pick up all the damage. And this is what's hard.” Nancy Esposito. #abc730 #COVID19Vic

“I'm actually hoping that we learn many lessons from this, that we’re a lot more prepared when something like this will happen. And I do believe that once we come out of this, we're going to be a lot stronger.” Nancy Esposito. #abc730 #COVID19Vic