Testing times
Deputy Leader of the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party and former police officer Philip Donato MP today, Wednesday 15th April 2020, expressed his concerns for the safety of the men and women working on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I take my hat off to the men and women working around the clock on the front line of this pandemic, risking their own health and safety for others in our community, but more needs to be done to protect our healthcare and emergency service workers who are exposed to this invisible killer day-in and day-out,” said Mr Donato.
“Our nurses, doctors, healthcare professionals, hospital and nursing home staff all risk contracting the potential life-threatening coronavirus every day they go to work. So do our other emergency service workers such as paramedics and police.
“PPE alone simply isn’t enough to safeguard these essential workers and their families whom they return home to after their shift.
“I’m calling on the Government to provide regular testing of our healthcare and emergency service workers, who are at a significantly increased risk of being exposed to and susceptibility of contracting the deadly coronavirus.
“Given that a properly developed vaccine isn’t reasonably expected within the next twelve months, coronavirus will remain a threat, especially to our healthcare and emergency service workers.
“Until a vaccine is made available, the reality is that COVID-19 will continue to take the lives of many Australians.
“We need to do more to protect those who we rely on to protect us, and their families too. Regular testing, supported by a dedicated pathology service, could provide an increased level of protection for these workers, their colleagues, the workplace and broader community.” Mr Donato said.
According to a comment made by Dr Brett Sutton to ABC Radio Melbourne on 21 March 2020, the (COVID-19) test takes about two to three hours to run through a lab.
