COVID-19

Ms JODIE HARRISON(Charlestown) (17:14:59):It has become a clich to say that these are unprecedented times, but very few people alive today remember the last time a single illness spread across the entire globe. The influenza pandemic of 1917-1920remembered as the Spanish fluis estimated to have killed tens of millions of people, decimating populations around the globe and threatening the fledgling Australian Federation's stability. COVID-19 has not been quite so devastating in terms of human lives yet but it has been extraordinarily challenging. Our economy, already heading towards a recession, has crashed. Many are out of work, many more are barely scraping by, and just when we seemed to be out of the woods, a second wave has struck Victoria and threatens our State.

I urge the people of the Charlestown electorate to remember that we are all in this together. I remind my constituents to stay home if they are sick, get tested if they display any of the symptoms of COVID-19 and maintain hand hygiene and social distancing wherever possible. In the past four weeks two cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the Charlestown electorate. Thankfully those two were returned travellers and no local community transmissions were identified in that time. In the past four weeks there have been just over 10,500 COVID tests in the Lake Macquarie local government area and 11,301 in Newcastle LGA.

Those figures are welcome. I encourage people to continue to get tested if they display symptoms because this virus does not discriminate. Anyone can fall ill, but some members of our community are more at risk from serious complications than others, including older members of the community and those with pre-existing health conditions. It is better to be safe than sorry. Last week when I developed a scratchy throat and noticed a change in my sense of taste, I went to get a COVID-19 test done. Being tested for coronavirus is not a pleasant experience but the health professionals who administer the tests are good at their jobs and it was over quickly. Thankfully, Ireceived the all clear the next day.

Earlier last week one of my electorate officers developed a chesty cough. He went to his doctor, who prescribed antibiotics and directed him to have a COVID-19 test. His result came back all clear as well but his doctor directed him to stay at home while he recovered. I am a strong believer in taking a sick leave when you need it. I was happy to approve his leave because, as his doctor said, this time is stressful for everyone. But doctors and other health professionals are under even more stress. We must do what we can to combat the spread of nonCOVID-19 illnesses to make sure that in the event of a second wave our frontline health workers are not stretched too far. Unfortunately, not all workers can take sick leave when they need it.

As the second wave hits Victoria, we have seen that some workers are not getting tested or are avoiding self-isolation because they cannot afford the time off. It is unacceptable that people are being forced to choose between their health and the health of the broader community, and being able to pay rent or put food on the table. It is not a matter of weighing the health of people against the health of the economy. International experiences, particularly in Sweden, have shown that avoiding social distancing measures does little to boost economic performance and comes at an enormous cost in lives. New South Wales needs paid pandemic leave to ensure the health of individuals, the broader community and the economy as a whole. I urge residents of the Charlestown electorate to look out for themselves and each other. They should keep up social distancing, as difficult as it may be, particularly in built-up areas.

I have two major retail centres in my electorate. It is essential that social distancing is adhered to in those retail centres. Follow the advice of health professionals. If you show symptoms, get tested. If you know someone is struggling and you can help, reach out. I welcome all my constituents to contact my electorate office if they have any questions or they are looking for advice. My staff and I will do what we can to help. We are still all in this together. COVID-19 will be with us for some time to come and we must remain vigilant. I plead with people in my electorate of Charlestown to socially distance, wash their hands and stay safe.