The Australia Letter is a weekly newsletter from our Australia bureau.

       Last week’s letter, about the mood in Melbourne during our second strict lockdown, prompted a flood of feedback from readers. People shared with us how they’re coping, thanked us for mirroring their perspective and criticized us for a lack of self-awareness. Here is a sampling of those reader responses:

       During the first lockdown, we were all truly “in this together.” Now it’s just metro Melbourne and the comments from the rest of the country do make it feel like we’ve done something wrong here, although I don’t think Melburnians have been more complacent than other parts of the country. Having gyms close again was really rough. The first time I went to the gym since they shut, I felt better than I had since March.

       That said, we’re going to get through this stronger. It was pretty likely that this was going to happen, so if we’re first in the country to get our second wave (I don’t think we’ll be the last), let’s get on with it. Last time, the never-ending uncertainty was rough, while at least now I can circle a date in the calendar.

       — Kissairis Mu？oz

       —

       I missed my 75th birthday celebrations with my extended family, and our 50th wedding anniversary celebrations, thanks to COVID-19 isolation. So sad. But then, there is next year to celebrate. Hopefully.

       — Joe Slaven, Townsville, Australia

       —

       The piece on Melbourne was complete tripe that appears to be written by some poor soul with no resilience and nothing to do but lay about wallowing in their own self-pity. This is not reflective of all Melburnians and I’d suggest not really indicative of most Melbourne residents. Cozy “fires at the pub,” country trips in winter — what an idealistic load of rubbish doing nothing other than to paint an unrealistic picture of this city and it’s inhabitants!

       — Mark Pepper

       —

       There is a stark difference between Lockdown 1.0 and Lockdown 2.0. The first time around it seemed that everyone was making an effort to find the funny, irreverent and touching moments to brighten all our days. Then as lockdown started to ease, ugliness started to creep in; in emotions, in behavior, in words, in government rhetoric. Now in Melbourne there is very deep anger, anxiety and a sense of division.

       So what do I do to try and remain positive?

       I am spending less time watching the news, catching highlights and then turning it off.

       I am dipping into loved books and making my way through a backlog of new potential favorites.

       I am walking — no matter the weather. This is not negotiable.

       Latest Updates: Global Coronavirus Outbreak Updated 2020-07-17T09:16:22.989Z

       The U.S. reports more than 75,600 new cases, shattering its daily record. India hits a million cases in a surge that has forced a return to lockdowns. China is offering unproven vaccine candidates to workers at state-owned companies and the armed forces. See more updates

       More live coverage:

       I am trying to pick up the phone and have conversations instead of relying on texting and emails. I am touching base with my neighbors. I am much less inclined to do this than last time, which means it is more necessary.

       I am giving myself the freedom to drink as much coffee as I need to get through this.

       — Michelle

       —

       Greetings from Houston, Texas, USA. I normally love these dispatches but this one gives me pause. We here would love concerns about oysters and champagne at home, missed sunny vacations and stalled pool laps. But instead we are grappling with issues associated with a corrupt federal government which refuses to protect its citizens, political debate pertaining to masks, a surging virus and economic collapse. The author’s complaints seem trite in comparison. I wish her concerns were the problems of this country.

       — Dana M. Gannon

       —

       It was great to read the letter from Besha because something shines out when somebody writes what is clearly the truth, the exact way she is feeling.

       I hope it engenders in all her readers, as it did for me, a feeling of sympathy, a kind of loving feeling — and I hope that she and her fellow Victorians discover something special and important in the next few weeks.

       Then, when it is all over, come up here to Queensland for a big hug.

       — Michael

       —

       I have always found winter to be daunting (I grew up on the Connecticut shore — talk about gray, cold winters) and have generally huddled inside for 12 Melbourne winters. But this year is something different. After the vicious summer bushfires, the rain started, generous but not imposing. It has kept on for months, and now Melbourne is green and lush and sooooo gorgeous. With the help of recently purchased electric bikes, my partner and I have discovered a vast network of bike and walking paths from our base. Now those chilly days are simply *days* that we might discover a new route or revisit a favorite.

       I grieve for the lost connections and routines, and I am also deeply grateful to live in a country that cares about people, and I’m knocked off balance, and I’m worried about our collective mental health. What helps right the balance for me are the joys of wending along a lush path on a cool, bright afternoon, of seeing the full sky at sunset, and of breathing and moving through the world. And having someone to share both the lockdown and the exploration with — that makes most things just fine.

       — Katherine Russell

       —

       Today’s letter, bathed in self-pity and almost entirely lacking perspective, is a paean to middle class self-centeredness. Boo hoo, you can’t have fake Christmas. Where is the concern for people who are less fortunate and therefore likelier to get sick and die? Oh, it rains a lot in winter? Maybe we should take up a collection for your suffering soul!

       The Coronavirus Outbreak ？ Frequently Asked Questions Updated July 16, 2020

       Is the coronavirus airborne? The coronavirus can stay aloft for hours in tiny droplets in stagnant air, infecting people as they inhale, mounting scientific evidence suggests. This risk is highest in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation, and may help explain super-spreading events reported in meatpacking plants, churches and restaurants. It’s unclear how often the virus is spread via these tiny droplets, or aerosols, compared with larger droplets that are expelled when a sick person coughs or sneezes, or transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces, said Linsey Marr, an aerosol expert at Virginia Tech. Aerosols are released even when a person without symptoms exhales, talks or sings, according to Dr. Marr and more than 200 other experts, who have outlined the evidence in an open letter to the World Health Organization. What are the symptoms of coronavirus? Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. What’s the best material for a mask? Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles. Is it harder to exercise while wearing a mask? A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. What is pandemic paid leave? The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.

       In parts of the US, we’ve been self-isolating since early March. Six weeks sounds like a minute to me.

       The author sees this new lockdown as something imposed rather than a call to social good.

       She’s swimming, all right. Swimming in blind privilege and self-pity.

       — Cathy Harding

       —

       I too dread Melbourne winters. I too plan special events or holidays away to get us through it. I too am dreading another period of remote learning for my daughter and I too celebrate a significant anniversary and had planned on being in Spain, but then we thought Queensland, and now it appears we will be in luck if we can go out for dinner.

       There is something different about this lockdown than the first. Something darker. I also feel the undercurrent among family and friends — and yes, all those strangers on the internet — of anger, frustration, darkness and fear.

       I greatly appreciated your reminder that once this is done, it will almost be spring.

       — Kate Elizabeth Cotter

       Here are this week’s stories.

       Australia and New Zealand

       How Koalas With an S.T.D. Could Help Humanity. When it comes to finding a vaccine for chlamydia, the world’s most common sexually transmitted infection, koalas may prove a key ally.

       The Most Popular Listings of June. The most viewed listings in June included a luxurious farm retreat in Connecticut and a private Australian island for about $1 million.

       Scientists Find an Earthquake’s Toll in an Organism’s DNA. Along a coastline in New Zealand, kelp seems to contain a genetic record of the planet’s geological upheaval.

       White Supremacist Who Admitted Christchurch Killings Plans to Represent Himself. There is concern that the Australian who pleaded guilty to killing 51 worshipers at two mosques in New Zealand last year would use the occasion to spout his views.

       How May Google Fight an Antitrust Case? Look at This Little-Noticed Paper. A document sent by the search giant to Australian regulators argues that the company doesn’t control enough of the digital ad industry to overcharge customers or block competitors.

       KFC Birthday Party Costs $18,000 in Covid-19 Fines in Australia. “That’s a heck of a birthday party to recall,” said Chief Commissioner Shane Patton of the Victoria police. Officers were led to a house where they found people hiding in the backyard, garage and under beds.

       Around the Times

       No One Knows What Thailand Is Doing Right, but So Far, It’s Working. Can the country’s low rate of Covid-19 infections be attributed to culture? Genetics? Face masks? Or a combination of all three?

       A Club of G.O.P. Political Heirs Push Back on Trump. Mitt Romney, Larry Hogan and Liz Cheney — descendants of sometimes rebellious or resolute Republicans of the past — are dissenting voices on a president who has taken over their party.

       Coronavirus Tests Can Be Scary For Kids. Here’s How to Make Them Easier. A nasal swab is invasive and uncomfortable for anyone. For kids, knowing what to expect can help ease the anxiety.

       First Coronavirus Vaccine Tested in Humans Shows Early Promise. The vaccine, developed by government scientists and Moderna, a biotech company, appeared safe and provoked an immune response in 45 people in a study.

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