Lockdownunder Update Stop Press: The Western Lands Covid Freakshow is down to ‘modest restrictions’.

Masks will still be required for those 12 and over on public transport, in rideshare services and taxis, at aged care facilities, hospitals, prisons and disability care facilities.

Not a complete abandonment. Guess I’ll be walking wherever possible for a while yet. That’s not too arduous in Perth; I put in about eight miles getting to a LibDem function yesterday.

But…

The G2G pass system will also be dropped, as will the requirement for domestic arrivals to be triple-dose vaccinated.

Proof of vaccination requirements for entry into venues such as pubs and nightclubs will also be removed, but they will remain for hospitals and aged care facilities. 

However, vaccination mandates for some workplaces will remain.

Typical of McClown and indeed most ‘easing’ moves by Lockdownunder governments. We won’t require this any more, but we will be sticking with that. Why? Insert bullshit response citing advice from the Chief Health Officer. Avoid at all costs mentioning poll numbers which probably rival Joe Biden’s.

Again, the question: are these sudden releases connected to the upcoming federal election? I’m still skeptical that that’s a factor. Although McClown is Labor, and Labor at the federal level are looking less popular than fried cat pizza. Every little bit helps. And Masky would certainly prefer not to be reminding journalists at every media conference for the next six months that state issues don’t impinge on federal elections (aka the Don’t Blame Me! response).

The court action initiated by police officer Ben Falconer has barely risen into the public consciousness, but once the judge allowed discovery to the plaintiffs the government was in a tough position. That case was scheduled to go to court in July. Still time enough for Masky Mark to lift remaining restrictions and say Hey, we did what the best medical advice said we should do. And it’s all over now, so what have you got to complain about?

Of course, the shadow of Tha Dreaded C will hang over us for a while yet.

There are 44,305 active cases in the state – against 125 actual deaths. Total. If they didn’t have the dodgy tests to provide their Big Scary Numbers, they wouldn’t have a pandemic at all.

I hesitate to mention it – but there is one other explanation for this sudden action by the government: The High Pontiff of The Western Lands saw this morning’s meme.

Call me vain. I won’t argue.