A controversial American comedian has poked fun at our tough Covid-19 restrictions, saying we “like lockdowns” because we’re “descendants of criminals” who just want to get drunk and not work.
The 36-year-old comedian Tim Dillon joked that Australians only recently learned to use knives and forks and that the strict lockdowns had been met with nationwide support. The new-yorker was quick to add he had lots of Australian friends who were loving not having to go to work.
“Australia has like 12 cases and they’re literally chaining people,” he said.
“But Australians like that, they like the government, they trust the government. The government has been good to Australia.
“People asking why Australians aren’t angry, they’re perpetually lazy, descendants of criminals.”
The comedian continued to say “simple” Aussies didn’t mind not being able to go to work, and we’re loving the chance to spend our days getting drunk and barbecuing.
“Australians are simple people, all they want to do is get drunk and grill (barbecue). All they want to do is get hammered in their backyards and put meat on a grill.
“When you tell them not to work they go “all right”. Do you think Australia is demanding to work?
“No one cares, they just want to get bombed on their couch and put a shish kabob on the grill.
“This is the best-case scenario for them, they don’t have to work, they’re descendants of criminals.”
The humorous taunts come as our Kiwi cousins announced they’re set to open their borders to some vaccinated individuals as early as October, a move which seems out of reach for Australia as we grapple with ongoing Delta outbreaks and strict lockdowns across the nation.
On Thursday morning, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the reset of its Covid-19 approach, with a sped-up vaccine programme and border opening trials this year. The pilot program will allow vaccinated people to travel overseas and self-isolate at home but will require numerous tests and a “risk rating” which will determine the quarantine period.
“Which pathway a traveller takes will be based on the risk associated with where they are coming from and their vaccination status,” she said.
“Countries will be grouped according to risk. Factors considered will be the number of cases, the prevalence of variants of concern, vaccination rates, and our confidence in the country’s strategies for managing outbreaks. We have started already with our approach to very high risk countries, but this will be broadened.”