‘I promise this isn’t a lecture, or a lesson – and I’m not trying to blame you for anything either.
I’m not your dad, I’m not your boss, and I’m not your teacher.
But I’ve got a message I want to share with young Victorians.
Chances are, you probably know someone who isn’t following the rules.
A mate, a friend on Facebook, someone at school or uni – it doesn’t really matter.
And it’s also likely that on days like today, at the end of the week, on a quiet Saturday night:
You might be put in a position where you’re asked to choose between going out or staying home.
You’ll be asked to come over, to hang out, just a few drinks – nothing big. Nothing risky.
You might consider it too – I don’t blame anyone for wanting to be with friends right now.
You might even find a way to rationalise it: It’s a small gathering, you won’t get caught, your mates don’t have the virus.
The entire pandemic might feel like miles away from you, and your community, and your friends, and your life.
But let’s not ignore the facts before us.
61 people have lost their lives. 3,995 are sick. 42 are in an ICU bed tonight, their families wondering if they’ll make it to tomorrow.
Two children are in hospital. Eight people under the age of thirty – young Victorians just like you – with no idea how long they might be there, or just how bad it might get.
And those people you see on TV, those numbers we plot every morning – they aren’t casualties of some war being fought in a distant place.
They’re real people – real Victorians – and none of them ever thought they’d be fighting for their lives.
I know it’s hard, I know it’s frustrating, and I know you’re over this – believe me, I am too.
But if you’re sitting there right now, deciding if you take that risk or not.
Know that if we allow this virus to spread – if people ignore the rules, or pretend this isn’t happening:
Restrictions will get tighter, case numbers will grow larger, and more lives will be lost.
So please – whether it’s for yourself, your mates, your mum, your nan, your state, or just to get past these restrictions.
Do the right thing.’
Daniel Andrews,
Premier of Victoria
25/7/2020
