haydensydney
Established Member
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2008
- Posts
- 1,375
I thought I'd throw this one out to the AFF community because it has certainly caused heated debates in my social circles. When news reports say "avoid non-essential travel", what is the definition of essential? My example is below for discussion.
My partner and I had booked flights into Brisbane over the Australia day long weekend, with two nights spent in Brisbane and two nights in Noosa - leaving on the Sunday after picking up a rental car. For those following at home, Sunday was a fairly hairy day due to the arrival of ex-tropical cyclone Oswald on the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.
So we picked up the car and made our way north on the highway about 11am. Admittedly the drive was a challenge due to the epic rainfall, and several routes into Noosa were closed due to flooded roads and downed power poles, but we made it in one piece.
Shortly after, a furore erupted on my Facebook. A couple of friends criticised our decision to drive in the conditions, saying it put our lives at risk along with those who would have to save us if we got into trouble. Others were the opposite and sided with us that it wasn't that big of a deal as the risk wasn't as extreme as others had made out. Names were called, discussions became heated and Facebook friendships shattered in the name of debate.
Which brings me to the reason for this thread. Is the term 'avoid non-essential travel' a guideline adjusted to suit personal acceptance of risk? Or is there a point of 'essential' where you would say 'Yes I must travel' versus 'No I won't' - if so, what is that line?
My partner and I had booked flights into Brisbane over the Australia day long weekend, with two nights spent in Brisbane and two nights in Noosa - leaving on the Sunday after picking up a rental car. For those following at home, Sunday was a fairly hairy day due to the arrival of ex-tropical cyclone Oswald on the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.
So we picked up the car and made our way north on the highway about 11am. Admittedly the drive was a challenge due to the epic rainfall, and several routes into Noosa were closed due to flooded roads and downed power poles, but we made it in one piece.
Shortly after, a furore erupted on my Facebook. A couple of friends criticised our decision to drive in the conditions, saying it put our lives at risk along with those who would have to save us if we got into trouble. Others were the opposite and sided with us that it wasn't that big of a deal as the risk wasn't as extreme as others had made out. Names were called, discussions became heated and Facebook friendships shattered in the name of debate.
Which brings me to the reason for this thread. Is the term 'avoid non-essential travel' a guideline adjusted to suit personal acceptance of risk? Or is there a point of 'essential' where you would say 'Yes I must travel' versus 'No I won't' - if so, what is that line?