There are some that would have you believe that the issue is certain people, generally people who fit a distinctly different profile to themselves (ie reside elsewhere, of different faiths, ethnicities or idiosyncrasies) are the reason why this
highly contageous virus has spread outside of the containment area they feel is capable of isolating most of a country from an accelerating global pandemic.
I think you may be looking at it the wrong way. Demographics and the behaviours of different groups is vitally important to managing the pandemic. Individuals are not to blame, but understanding that we do not all act the same and have the same health risks is vital to controlling a pandemic.
In Australia spread was initially very much via the affluent and amongst travellers. Those demographics who featured on cruise ships were notable in being both spreaders and also in being very vulnerable due high proportions of the elderly and those with commodities.
The second spike in Victoria has moved from the affluent to the poorer segments. In addition the family groups of those affected tend to be larger, mix more and also live in denser conditions. The adults in this group also tend to work in jobs at workplaces that have physical mixing rather than at those who hat mainly work on computers and are able to work at home. Some adults in this group also lived in share homes as income was more limited, and aspects such as carpooling to and from work are more common.
The demographic of the second spike this had a much higher potential Ro than many groups in the first spike (Cruise ship passengers being a notable exception as they also had a high potential Ro due to physical mixing, age and commodities).
I think one reason that the Vic Authorities did not jump on the start of the second spike early enough with additional and localised restrictions is that they did not fully understand and appreciate the demographics of this group, and that its potential Ro was much higher than the Ro that was originally happening in the first part of the pandemic in Victoria and Australia at large. Having a higher potential Ro is a key reason why the second spike ha accelerated so quickly. This higher Ro meant that the "breathing space" that was presumed to be there was not. I remembera comment at the time was that they wanted more localised testing to gain an understanding of the problem. All well and good but byt the time that testing was wel underway it also meant the Covid 19 horse had bolted.
This was also compounded by not being fully culturally aware enough in terms of messaging, and with some of the sub-sectors not appreciating their distinct mistrust of the authorities due to their experiences overseas.
By the time the apartment towers came along they very much did, and they were also were aware that this demographic apart from having a very high potential Ro, also were high risk with more elderly and more with comorbidities. Hence also the references to being vertical cruise ships. Wisely this time they jumped on it early, and they jump on it hard and not because they were picking on particular faiths, cultures races etc but because the demographics of those in the towers made it clear that they needed a particular and speedy response.
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