ABSTRACT
The consequences of decisions made in Australia in response to COVID-19 were momentous and will likely reverberate for generations. We saw a convoluted style of reporting on the pandemic and constantly changing and ambiguous government orders, with governmental guidance on how to interpret and implement them coming too late. When paired with the large penalties that an individual or business risked for breaching the orders, these factors surely contributed in no small way to the anxiety felt by the community. That anxiety may well have led to the making of decisions (and the imposition of restrictions) by us rather than by the government. These were decisions that were entirely outside of the administrative and legislative spheres, but which expanded the scope of the restrictions that affected our abilities to live full lives, whether by restricting our abilities to socialize, visit outdoor areas, or speak freely. Using real-life examples, this chapter shows how these additional and self-imposed restrictions have led to harm that could have been avoided (or that may lead to harm). This chapter emphasizes the importance of personal autonomy and our inviolate right and responsibility to exercise that autonomy at precisely the time it is needed.
