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Huffpost US today; An American medico has said he expects the death toll in the US to reach between 200-300 THOUSAND .

Here in secular Australia, churches are effectively closed. All religious ceremonies have been banned, including weddings and funerals.

On Sunday Scott Morrison, our happy clappy Prim Minister told Australians we should be home except for buying food, medical appointments, work and study if those things cannot be done on line. Here doctors are now allowed to consult by phone.

Australia has had some 3000 people stuck on cruise ships off shore. They have started landing. On arrival, all persons coming from overseas must now undergo a mandatory 14 day quarantine. They are bused from arrival point to an hotel, escorted by soldiers. The 14 day quarantine is monitored.

People found out of doors and not complying with social distancing laws are being issued with on the spot fines by police.

There is no doubt in my mind that our Prime Minister would declare martial law if Aussies had not complied with instructions. For the common good. I wouldn't like that, but would accept it as necessary.

I can't imagine Trump doing that in the US because large numbers of Americans seem to consider personal freedoms under the Bill Of Rights more important than the common good.

Although, I do think Donny would just love to declare martial law if he possibly could. I think his minders would stop him. Because it would take at least a generation for the office of the president specifically and American political life generally to recover .