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In private, Hunt swapped practical stories with his wife, Paula Hunt, a former infectious- diseases nurse who had kept a copy of a 1995 bestseller by U.S. science journalist Laurie Garrett, “The Coming Plague: Newly Emerging Diseases in a World Out of Balance,” on her bedside table, he said.
“It’s valuable to have a very strong sounding board,” he said.
The coordination was not always smooth, and lapses did occur. Federal officials were uncomfortable with Melbourne’s extreme lockdown and felt the state border closures went too far. Hunt, Morrison and federal health advisers tried to criticize the rules without undermining overall confidence in the response.
While polls show strong support for the tough measures, many people have been badly affected. Australia entered its first recession in 29 years, small businesses have closed and reports of depression are up. On Tuesday, an anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne turned violent. Police arrested 404 people.
And for a time, it appeared Australia’s early success was imperilled, after lax security at hotels in Melbourne housing returned travellers led to a second outbreak in July. By August, more than 700 cases a day were diagnosed. It looked like Australia could lose control of the virus.
Almost all public life in Melbourne ended. After 111 days locked down, the number of average daily cases fell below five. On Oct. 28, state officials allowed residents to leave their homes for any reason.
Australia currently bans its citizens and residents from overseas travel, a decision that has been particularly tough on its 7.5 million immigrants.
On Oct. 16 Australia opened its border to New Zealand, which, despite limited outbreaks, never experienced a full second wave. The government is awaiting results of four vaccine trials in which it has invested.
Most Australians will have access to a vaccine by the middle of next year, Hunt said, a major step toward allowing them to travel.
