Taking the Pulse of the Nation: The Effect of COVID-19 on the economics and health of Australians - Q&A

What is the response scale (satisfied, non-satisfied)?

It is a 5-point scale (with the option:  refuse/don't know):
(a) very dis-satisfied
(b) moderately dis-satisfied
(c)  neither satisfied nor dis-satisfied
(d) moderately satisfied
(e) very dis-satisfied


Is that within 3 months of now? Or within 3 months of starting back in March?

Wording of question in June (when the question was asked)
(A) Compared to the beginning of 2020, is your total spending today ...
1.A lot more
2.A little more
3.Same as at beginning of 2020
4.A little less
5.A lot less
6.Don’t know/refused.

(B) Compared to the beginning of 2020, and thinking about your spending six months FROM now, will your total spending at the end of 2020 be
1.A lot more
2.A little more
3.Same as at beginning of 2020
4.A little less
5.A lot less
6.Don’t know/refused.

Did you look at telehealth use by financial stress?

Yes, we have. 11% of those with financial stress used telehealth vs 9% of those financially comfortable used telehealth in August.

What are the thoughts of the panel on Daniel Andrew's policies right now? What are the alternative policies the panel suggests?

Daniels Andrews' policies to flatten the coronavirus curve make sense, but they impose severe economic costs, especially on small business enterprises. An alternative approach is to allow the opening of some businesses under strict mandatory restrictions like wearing masks and social distancing. For this to work, quick actions to quarantine suspected cases is essential and that would require efficient testing and contact tracing to be in place.