We have allowed the State to intrude, meddle, regulate and ordain so many petty aspects of our lives, from banning the serving of double nips to obligatory bicycle helmets, that the coronavirus panic-demic has left many feeling a childlike powerlessness. Is it any wonder?

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If the current strategy works far fewer healthy people will catch the Wuhan virus. Thus far fewer people will build immunity. And, unless the virus can be absolutely eradicated, the conditions will be ripe for its re-emergence. Do epidemiologists think it can be so eradicated? It would be nice if they told us

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If our most senior advisers cannot comprehend the interconnectedness that characterises the economy, we are doomed to be saddled with conditions that will mean a permanent reduction in supply capacity, hence our income levels

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If Italy's coronavirus deaths are to be our guide, as expert opinion has been insisting, let us compare apples with apples. Early on, when Italian cases reached 1000, the death toll was 28. Having failed to replicate a similar uptick, ours stand at eight -- a number that warrants optimism, albeit of the cautious variety

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The rubbery figures coming out of Lombardy and other hardest-hit regions demonstrate how misleading -- indeed, useless -- it can be to extrapolate from another country’s experience. Australia's demographics, lifestyle, housing and health system are entirely different

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A country which is fully employed, or close to it, is in a better position to fight a public health emergency than one confronting an impending recession or depression. As jobs are shed and stock markets plummet the need is to at least consider a different approach to the coronavirus pandemic

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After two days in Paris and two days getting there and coming back, I cannot recommend a jet-set lifestyle in these times of virus, fear and chaos. Meanwhile, as my 14-day seclusion begins, I console myself that it will be served at home in Sydney

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As was seen during this latest bushfire season and so many others before it, Australians are capable of working together, enduring together and overcoming together. As the Wuhan virus stops the world in its tracks, we can -- we must -- do so once more. The alternate course is gruesome

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When this viral unpleasantness is done, responsible political leadership, not only here but everywhere in the world, will need to take a long, hard look at how much respect is owed the bullies of Beijing. In view of their deceit and orchestrated campaign of lies, the answer should be obvious

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While a dismal cosmopolitan mentality favours neutrality in dealing with the authoritarian Goliaths, appeasing Moscow and Beijing will not ensure peace. In a world no longer en route to a liberal democratic end of history, Britain needs a foreign policy geared to its long-term interests. This has only become more urgent in Brexit's wake

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