Chapter 471: The Role of the Army
When Australasia began to take action due to isolation and wartime tensions, other regions except Australasia were not affected at all.
For European countries, the most important thing now is the transformation of the post-war economy.
During the war, due to the shortage of materials, almost all countries participating in the war implemented material rationing and material purchase restrictions.
Even in the UK, which has relatively abundant supplies, the amount of supplies each person can purchase is limited.
Although this limits the rise in prices and ensures that more people can purchase supplies, it does affect economic development.
Now that the war is over, the most important thing for a country like Britain is to lift material restrictions and rationing and restore the pre-war free market.
Compared with France, the British actually suffered a disadvantage in the distribution of post-war benefits. Even Belgium gained a small part of its territory, but because Britain is separated from the European continent across the sea, there is no hope of expansion in the mainland.
Therefore, the British focused more on their colonies and German warships for expansion.
Since the last naval battle, the German fleet has basically not been dispatched, and the main force still remains.
According to agreements with other Allied Powers, Britain was able to obtain approximately six main battleships and more than 20 new small and medium-sized battleships, almost taking away most of the main force of the German High Seas Fleet.
This can strengthen the strength of the Royal Fleet and allow the British Empire to maintain naval superiority, which is another kind of compensation for the British Empire.
The British Empire even prepared a welcome ceremony for these German warships, and is waiting to officially receive these German warships over time to strengthen the Royal Navy.
Almost all the victorious countries have gained something after the war, and even countries like Belgium are preparing various celebrations to divert people's attention.
The news about the influenza that broke out in Australasia stopped the festive atmosphere in various countries for a day or two, but it soon recovered again because of the explanations given by the governments of various countries.
All kinds of festive news are widely reported in European countries, which looks like a scene of peace and prosperity.
Various news reports in Australasia seem a bit out of place. Not only do they frequently use words such as crisis, must, and immediately, but the domestic atmosphere also seems to have returned to the war period.
Thanks to Arthur's popularity among the people, in just three days, hundreds of Australasians with symptoms voluntarily quarantined, and various supplies were urgently allocated and distributed to the people.
Arthur specifically emphasized that in addition to ensuring people's daily necessities, the supply of masks and disinfectants, important supplies during the influenza period, must be ensured.
At the same time, all material sales points must adhere to the principle of reducing prices if possible and not raising prices. The government can subsidize it with only one requirement, which is that any store or point of sale must not increase prices, or even lower prices where appropriate, to ensure that every Australasian can afford to purchase supplies at any time.
The principle of no price increase was specifically enjoined by Arthur, and he required the government to implement it. If you can do it, it's a credit; if you can't, it's a fault.
Under Arthur's tough attitude, even though the order in Australasia was a little tense, the prices of various supplies were still the same as before the war.
For Australasians who voluntarily quarantine, the government must adopt an encouraging attitude, ensure the supply of all materials for these people, and try to meet their requirements as much as possible.
For those with special circumstances such as students among these groups, we should also try to ensure the learning needs of these people and ensure that the studies of these quarantined people will not be delayed for too long.
No one can guarantee how long this wave of influenza will last. If it is delayed for a year or two, you can't go without studying for such a long period of isolation, right?
In short, Arthur maintains an absolutely serious attitude towards the current influenza, and has issued far more stringent requirements to the government than during the war.
The war is not yet a threat to the Australasian homeland, but the flu is. The love for the people that Arthur has always advocated can be fully reflected in this influenza.
Even though Arthur had made preparations in advance, according to the news reported by the government, there were still some problems.
At the new round of emergency cabinet meeting, Arthur frowned, looked at Philip, the Minister of People's Livelihood, and asked slightly dissatisfied: "Minister Philip, why are some areas still not getting enough supplies? I remember the country's The material reserves are still very abundant, fully sufficient for the consumption of the people of the whole country for more than two years."
Not long after the war ended, this was also good news for Australasia.
The government still has sufficient material reserves to implement this quarantine and wartime state, and at the same time ensure that the people have enough supplies.
"Your Majesty, the supplies are sufficient, but we are short of manpower and cannot deliver the supplies to everyone in a short time." Minister Philip stood up and explained quickly.
This can only mean that Australasians are too obedient. After Arthur recommended that everyone quarantine at home for five days to ensure that they did not develop any symptoms before going out normally, more than 60% of Australasians actually chose to quarantine at home.
Because most of the population is quarantined at home, although sufficient supplies have been delivered to major stores and sales points, people have not gone out and naturally cannot purchase these supplies.
There are also masks and disinfectants distributed free by the government, which also need to be delivered door-to-door to ensure that everyone can get enough supplies.
As a result, the government will face a serious problem, that is, lack of sufficient manpower.
Australasia is a very vast country, which also increases the time and labor costs of material transportation in disguise.
Arthur frowned and thought for a while, and finally made a decision, which was to use the army to transport supplies to the people.
Arthur's approach is still very bold. The military serves civilians, especially those with low and middle incomes, which is rarely seen in current history.
What's more, Australasia is still a monarchy, so such a situation is even rarer, and can even be said to be unheard of.
Looking at European countries, which one is not crazy about exploiting the lower class civilians? Even in France, which shouts freedom and human rights, people can make sacrifices for the government when necessary.
But there is no way. The current situation is urgent. Only the army's manpower is sufficient and can fully obey the orders of the government and Arthur.
Hearing that Arthur decided to use the army to distribute supplies to the people, Philip, the Minister of People's Livelihood, couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief, but he was also shocked by Arthur's bold decision.
No matter what, Arthur's decision was beyond his control, so he could only silently carry out Arthur's orders. At the end of May 1918, following Arthur's order, tens of thousands of Australasian troops took action, began to distribute supplies to the people, and maintained order at isolation points and ports.
With the addition of these new forces, it can basically ensure that most Australasians can obtain sufficient supplies, the vast majority of Australasians can obtain basic living supplies, and the isolation between cities can be maintained.
It has to be said that the isolation between cities has indeed effectively prevented the spread of influenza.
In addition, under Arthur's call, many people with symptoms have voluntarily quarantined at home or went to isolation points, which has also slowed down the spread of influenza in Australasia.
Australasia, Sydney, in a special isolation point set up by the city government.
"Mom, why did we move here?" A little boy looked out the window and saw the bustling crowds on the road. Then he looked at the empty room where there were only temporary clothes and food, and he couldn't even find drinking water. He picked up a cup and looked at his mother who was cooking with a slightly aggrieved look.
"Jon, didn't I say that? We moved here so that more people don't have to move here." Upon hearing this, the little boy's mother stepped forward and touched the boy's head, explaining with a smile.
"But why? If we don't come here, will more people move here?" The little boy named Jon asked still somewhat confused.
"Jon, we have a cold now. If we go out, we will infect other people. Aren't you always making noise and feeling uncomfortable? I believe you don't want others to feel this kind of discomfort, right?" Hearing Jon's doubts, he was cleaning the house. Jon's father stopped what he was doing, held little Jon in his arms, handed over a small wooden toy that was brought here specially, and explained.
In order not to frighten the little guy, he did not explain that this was not a common cold, but a very serious type of influenza with a very high fatality rate according to the Royal Academy of Sciences.
"Of course, Dad. Can we go out when we are ready? Then I am going to Sydney Palace Square. I heard that there is a statue of His Majesty there, and you can also see His Majesty!" I heard that if I go out, I will spread the cold to others. Little Jon immediately gave up the idea of going out now, but at the same time he became more curious and excited about his life after going out in the future.
"Of course it's no problem, little Jon. I'll take you there when our colds get better, to see His Majesty and the Heroes Monument with your own eyes." Jon's father nodded decisively and said firmly.
Education in Australasia is still very successful. People in Australasia worship Arthur and heroes, and want to become scientific researchers and soldiers, because they can become nobles faster.
As for stars who make movies, it’s not that they don’t exist. The entertainment industry in Australasia is still developing very rapidly, and the film industry has also seen considerable growth.
However, the status of this entertainment industry in Australasia is not high, and the most popular ones are often the patriotic films produced by the government.
Although Arthur's prestige is a bit too high in Australasia, he has even formed a personality cult in the hearts of many people.
But this is much better than the pessimistic current situation in which society entertains itself to death and the top ignores the bottom.
The communication between Jon's family didn't last long, and soon there was a knock on the door, which also made Jon's family very surprised and confused.
When entering this isolation point, the Sydney City Government specifically instructed that you are not allowed to go out without permission, and you are prohibited from communicating with other people in nearby isolation points.
This also ensures that people in the isolation point will not spread influenza to each other, allowing some people who are not infected to reduce the risk of infection.
The situation of Jon's family is pretty good, because they are located in Sydney, the capital, and there is basically no shortage of supplies.
Although life in the isolation point is definitely not as good as usual, it can be considered as enough food for every meal. Even though we have enough free time, we don’t know what to do. The whole family is a little bored.
When they opened the door, Jon's family was shocked.
The people standing at the door were neither city officials nor the police who had delivered supplies before, but a group of soldiers wearing military uniforms but without any weapons.
These soldiers were all wearing masks. The two leaders were holding disinfectant spray bottles and were disinfecting the outside of the room.
"Who are you?" Jon's father asked curiously.
"We are soldiers of the First Division of the Army. We have been ordered to maintain the isolation area, carry out disinfection and distribute supplies. These are your supplies, sir. Please check them. If there are no problems, we will leave first." The soldier said about his own After explaining his identity, he immediately ordered his men to move all the supplies to the door, and asked: "Do you need help moving into the house? There are a lot of things, and it may be a bit troublesome for you to move them yourself." Where has the Jon family seen such kindness
? soldiers, not to mention that these soldiers were so considerate that they moved the supplies into the room.
"Um, sorry for the trouble."
In less than a few minutes, a team of soldiers moved all the supplies into the room and handed a list of supplies to Jon's family.
Because we didn’t know exactly how long we would be quarantined, we distributed a lot of supplies, including ten masks per person, two bottles of disinfectant per household, 100 kilograms of grain per person, 5 kilograms of beef and mutton per person, and a large bucket. Milk and some flour etc.
These supplies are enough for Jon's family to live in the isolation point for a period of time. Not only is there no shortage of food, but there is also sufficient supply of beef, mutton and milk.
It is worth mentioning that in addition to these necessary supplies for daily life, the supplies also thoughtfully include textbooks and stationery that little Jon needs, as well as some printed books, etc.
This book can be read in your free time, just in time to find some fun for Jon and his family during their long free time.
After Jon's family had counted all the supplies, the leading soldier reminded: "If the symptoms are serious, please look for soldiers on guard nearby and they will take you for treatment. Don't worry, all supplies and treatments are free. This is a preferential treatment given by His Majesty the King to all citizens." "
If you have finished reading these books, you can also apply for replacement. But remember, please do not leave this room without permission from the government. This is the only thing the government can do to you. Request."
After the instructions were completed, the soldiers disinfected the outside of the house again, and then the queue returned in an orderly manner, leaving only the stunned Jon family, who seemed to have not yet recovered from their own surprise.
I only updated 4,000 words today. I’m really sorry, there was a power outage. This is written on my mobile phone.
There will be tens of thousands of calls tomorrow, asking for monthly votes and support!
(End of chapter)