In the face of COVID-19, âgrowthâ makes no sense Weâre sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later. Dismiss May 11, 2021 â 12.03am Save Normal text size Credit: To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@theage.com.au. Please include your home address and telephone number. THE PANDEMIC In the face of COVID-19, âgrowthâ makes no sense Even in the face of COVID-19, federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is bringing down a federal budget aimed at economic growth (âBorders set to reopen next year in recovery bidâ, 10/5). This isnât a good idea. To fuel growth, migration will be restored âto pre-pandemic levels as soon as the governmentâs health experts declared it possibleâ. Note the word is possible, not advisable. The idea of boosting migration on the cutting edge of a possibility makes me uneasy. Itâs possible any time anyone says so, but globally the risk of infection and death from the virus is increasing, not lessening. Common sense says, in this world, open borders are inadvisable.