[chitowneats]

In the United States, anyone who wants one of three effective vaccines, for free, has been eligible for them for nearly 6 months. Anyone promoting masks as a superior solution to vaccines does not get much traction in most of the country and for good reason.

Australia, despite being a wealthy country with strong ties to vaccine manufacturing nations, did not prioritize these vaccines and instead has relied on rolling lockdowns and other invasive measures.

[omegabravo]

> instead has relied on rolling lockdowns and other invasive measures.

Perhaps I misunderstood your point, but it appears that you are arguing that Australia preferred the option of rolling lockdowns?

When you have no vaccines available there are two options. Overload your hospital system or lockdown. Everyone would have preferred having vaccines when the US and the UK received theirs.

Furthermore, the state governments that are actually in charge of lockdowns, are not responsible for procuring the vaccines. The federal government were under minor scrutiny for making a mess of that. This reflects the media landscape in Australia that is dominated by NewsCorp.

[nl]

> Australia, despite being a wealthy country with strong ties to vaccine manufacturing nations, did not prioritize these vaccines and instead has relied on rolling lockdowns and other invasive measures.

I think most people in Australia would strongly agree our vaccine policy was a complete and utter disaster. Probably the most expensive mistake in Australia's history.

[yuushi]

Except this (attempted) mask mandate ban was for kids - i.e. those who are often too young to receive a vaccine.

Yes, our federal government absolutely failed when it comes to vaccine supply. It is our state governments that have instituted lockdowns, because of this failure on behalf of the federal government, to squash cases and stop our hospital system from reaching breaking point.

Yes, our federal government screwed up, and I don't know anyone who doesn't agree with that point, but given that, and given the outcomes America experienced before vaccination was prevalent, it is the height of hubris and arrogance to suggest that you and the rest of the Western world (this "data" being pulled from where, exactly?) is "horrified at us".