Former Victorian Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton has admitted that some of the strict COVID-19 measures implemented in Victoria went too far and imposed a heavy social cost. Sutton, who oversaw one of the world’s toughest pandemic strategies, spoke candidly about lessons learned and what could have been handled differently.
In an interview on the Neil Mitchell Asks Why podcast, Sutton said that touching elbows and disinfecting groceries were probably never necessary. “We overemphasized surface transmission and underestimated airborne spread,” he said, noting that handwashing and sanitiser were more important for preventing bacterial infections in hospitals than for stopping the virus.
Describing the pandemic as a “horror show,” Sutton admitted there were mornings he considered quitting, but he stressed that society must not forget the experience. He emphasized the need for ongoing planning and prevention for future pandemics.
Victoria endured some of the world’s harshest lockdowns, including curfews and limits on travel beyond five kilometres. The state spent 262 days in lockdown, compared with less than half that in New South Wales, despite NSW having a larger population and fewer deaths.
Sutton acknowledged the sacrifices of young people, who were restricted despite low medical risk, in order to protect the most vulnerable, including elderly citizens and patients undergoing chemotherapy or with immune suppression. He also took full responsibility for his pandemic decisions, admitting that there were choices he would reconsider if he could.
Looking ahead, Sutton warned another pandemic is likely within the next decade, underlining the importance of preparedness and prevention to ensure the nation is ready for future crises.
