Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt announced that over 11 million masks will be distributed to the nation’s healthcare workers, pharmacies, aged care facilities, and Indigenous communities. Australian medical experts have thus far advised against the general population using masks unless they are sick as this could lead to shortages of vital resources for healthcare workers.
This move comes amid increased testing for healthcare workers, who are uniquely at risk of contracting the coronavirus. In addition, aside from healthcare workers, states like Victoria and Queensland have expanded their COVID-19 testing criteria to gain a better understanding of the extent of community transmission.
Hunt also reiterated that it is a ‘criminal offense’ to assault or threaten healthcare workers, amid rising reports of people threatening and assaulting healthcare workers “whether verbally or by coughing on them”. He added that the “deliberate transmission of COVID-19” is a punishable offense and can result in life imprisonment if it leads to the death of a health worker.
The Health Minister also rejected the concept of herd immunity. He said that herd immunity only covers roughly 60% of the population, or 15 million people. Hunt said that even a 1% “loss of life […] would be a catastrophic loss of human life”.
Australia currently has close to 6,000 coronavirus cases, with 50 deaths. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that Australia’s fight against the virus could last more than six months. Nevertheless, he did add that Australia has significantly flattened the curve. After saying that Australia could end up with over 10,000 cases 2 weeks ago, Morrison said that social distancing and other containment measures have virtually halved the initially bleak projections. New cases, which were increasing by 20% on a day-to-day basis, are now only increasing by 2% every day.
Australia Distributes 11 Million Masks to Healthcare Workers, Advises Against Public Use
Medical experts say that masks should only be used when sick in order to avoid shortages.
April 8, 2020
IMAGE SOURCE: SITTHIXAY DITTHAVONG / THE CANBERRA TIMESAustralian Health Minister Greg Hunt