Lisa Wilkinson slams “mixed messages” over face masks
As Victoria is forced to adopt an extraordinarily tight lockdown complete with a curfew, many are confused over the mandatory use of masks to help contain the spread of coronavirus.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Sunday afternoon the state would now enter stage four restrictions, after an additional 671 new cases were confirmed.
The Project host Lisa Wilkinson said mixed messages from state and federal leaders have confused many as the calls for New South Wales to introduce a mandatory policy grow louder.
“One of the biggest questions people have been asking since the beginning of the pandemic is do we wear a mask or don’t we,” she said.
“The messages have been mixed. Now in Victoria it’s mandatory. Gladys Berejiklian in NSW is saying she’s encouraging everyone to do it.
“Today the Prime Minister put on social media a photograph of himself in a mask.”
On Sunday, the Berejiklian urged those who live in New South Wales to wear masks when visiting known hot spots and closed public areas such as shopping centres and churches.
“I want to stress it’s not compulsory but it’s a strong recommendation from health,” Berejiklian told reporters. “I can’t stress enough that the next few weeks will make or break us.”
But the comments weren’t adequate for NSW opposition leader MP Jodi McKay, who said the government’s reluctance to commit a mandatory policy has created ambiguity.
“Make face masks mandatory on public transport,” she tweeted.
“It’s good the premier is finally inching closer, led by Labor, businesses and the community, but her position is still confusing.
“By the time she gets there, we don’t want a second wave to have washed over us.”
University of Melbourne epidemiologist Professor Tony Blakely issued a warning, saying NSW is dangerously close to a second wave as aggressive as Victoria’s.
“I’m really concerned about NSW,” he said, speaking on Channel 10’s The Project
He said, despite contact tracing in NSW has been more proactive, community transmission is still taking place as seen by the multiple outbreaks across Sydney.
“I’m very concerned NSW is going to tip over into something like what Victoria was four or six weeks ago,” Prof Blakely said.
“If I was the Chief Health Officer in NSW, I might become unpopular for saying this, I would be doing mandatory face masking but I’d put Sydney into stage three lockdown now before things get worse because you don’t want to end up where Victoria is.”
Berejiklian explained to media on Sunday her changing position on face masks, saying people in NSW should wear them in four circumstances.
These include if you’re in an enclosed space like public transport or a supermarket.
“Firstly, if you are in an enclosed space and you cannot guarantee social distancing, such as public transport, such as when you are buying groceries, you should be wearing a mask,” she said.
“We would also like to see more staff to a customer facing wearing masks, whether they are in hospitality venues or whether they are in retail. Whenever they are facing customers, we strongly recommend that they wear masks.
“If you are attending a place of worship, we want you to wear a mask. If you are attending a church, synagogue or mosque, we would like you to wear a mask.
“And finally, if you are in an area where there is high community transmission or a number of cases, we want you to wear a mask.”
The Premier described wearing a mask as “the fourth line of defence”.