For me the similarity is that this is the most disruptive event to travel and the global economy since the COVID-19 pandemic. I have a friend who's had to cancel their trip to Europe because their stopover was in the Middle East. I'm also reading about people being encouraged to work from home.
this post was submitted on 27 Mar 2026
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experts have told SBS News that the current economic crisis differs from the pandemic in numerous ways.
saved you a click.
This is a crisis, that was a crisis. That's as far as the similarity goes really.
Both involve WFH and travel restriction
Any crisis will.
Running out of water?
Ay?
The biggest similarity for me is that the govt will wait and wait, too scared to do anything that might "harm the economy". Until it's too late.
And when anyone says "harms the economy" they of course mean "harms profits".
You can rephrase it how you like but ultimately it harms everyone.
We haven't had a recession in decades, but it gets pretty brutal.
Yes some rich people's yacht money gets deferred, but also young single parents lose their jobs and can't find somewhere to live.
The poorest among us always bear the brunt of an economic downturn.
Inflation is probably the main thing. Voters and businesses alike hate inflation.
Sometimes they mean "make the share market go down", while the share market is just a graph of rich people's feelings about the future.
That too. Point is it's never about the real economy, which is regular people trying to get by.
Economy = Rich people's yacht money.
What do you want the govt to do without waiting ?
Short term:
Free public transport.
Free bikes for everyone.
Begin emergency repairs on any old busses that can be pressed into service.
Implement a priority system for who gets fuel:
Tier 1: healthcare, emergency services
Tier 2: food production & distribution
Tier 3: essential infrastructure (power, water, telecoms)
Everything else: on yer bike, son (or heavily rationed)
Ration fertilizer. A lot of it is wasted, currently.
Daily govt briefings - what's happening, what is being prioritised, what people should do. Maintain clear communication and transparency.
Medium term (but start NOW):
Electrify all busses.
Trams. Melbourne is going to need a lot more of those.
Repair neglected railways.
Move freight by rail and ship as much as possible.
Build cycling infrastructure. Secure places to park many many bikes next to train stations - big sheds.
Remove regulatory barriers for local food production, farmers markets. Encourage urban gardening, local trade networks.
Plant corn fucking everywhere - ethanol.
Strategic reserves of critical medicines, etc.
Diversify food production - for local needs, not for export market needs.
Spectacular proofing there