We all know it: Tasmania is lucky.
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We sit, quite literally, at the end of the world. Last stop on the line. Except, of course, for New Zealand. And we wouldn't have it any other way.
So it affords us the luxury of extra time when the world turns, crashes and burns.
We can observe what works, and what doesn't.
Our friends over the ditch have certainly been paying close attention, announcing the world's most extensive measures to deal with the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19. Anyone arriving in New Zealand from overseas will be required to isolate themselves for a fortnight, no ifs or buts.
They've seen the harm the virus can cause if not contained immediately, and have acted appropriately.
As independent MHA Madeleine Ogilvie suggested on Saturday, all arrivals in Tasmania must be tested. Surely this is just the bare minimum. And if there's not enough tests - as appears likely - then they must self-isolate for two weeks. We're an island, let's use that to our advantage. Forget tourism, forget convenience, for the next few months we have nothing to lose from being too cautious.
To say Australia's response has been underwhelming would be an understatement. Accurate and timely public health messages should be advertised on every channel. The toilet paper debacle shows the dangers of complacency and a failure of leadership at the highest levels.
The Tasmanian government also appears to have dropped the ball, with little information circulating among the public. There is an overwhelming sense of confusion in the community about what to do if they fear they have contracted the virus, and where to go to get tested. GPs are rightly fearful of what is to come, concerned that there is no way of knowing if this virus has already spread in the community. Experience overseas suggests it almost certainly has.
Packed ICUs overseas served as a warning. Tasmania's health system has long been at breaking point, and it would be almost impossible to prepare it adequately for this threat in such a short space of time. But should it have been in a better position to start with?
The answer to that is a resounding "yes".