Video of police and breastfeeding mum sparks heated coronavirus debate

Footage of a mum breastfeeding her child while reportedly being ushered out of a Sydney park by a police officer enforcing coronavirus social distancing rules has sparked a heated online debate.

The woman and her friend were seen sitting with their babies on either end of a park bench at Coogee Beach on Wednesday.

In video captured by Channel Nine, the officer can be seen chatting to the pair, a couple of tradies and others going for a walk or bike ride reportedly about the new coronavirus social distancing rules.

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Over the past two weeks, the government has said only groups of two are allowed in public, except for families and households, as long as there is 1.5 metres of space between them. Violators can be fined.

It’s believed the officer asked the mums to move along due to the rules, igniting a fierce discussion on TV and social media.

‘Let them do what they want’

Today Show host Allison Langdon discussed the topic on Thursday morning with 2GB broadcaster Chris Smith and Sydney Morning Herald senior journalist Jessica Irvine.

The trio all agreed the mum should not have been ushered along, with Ms Irvine saying she found it “horrific” the woman was allegedly “pestered”.

“I can tell you that, I am a mum, I did try to get exercise when I had a baby and you cannot control when the baby needs a feed.

“If you need to interrupt whatever exercise you’re doing and sit and feed the baby you need to prioritise that above everything else.

“To have a police officer wander over and say you’re sitting down and having a lovely chat, that would be horrifying to me as a young mum. Let the mums breastfeed,” she said.

Mr Smith said he found the incident confronting and that he has seen a lot of people keeping a good amount of distance between themselves in public.

“Breast-feeding mums are always pretty discreet,” he said, adding that “sunshine and fresh air boosts immunities”.

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‘Selfish, silly woman’

Numerous Today Show viewers took to the program’s Facebook page to vent their opinion on the subject, with many saying the issue was not the woman breastfeeding but taking the young child out in public.

“I’m not saying she shouldn’t be feeding the baby in public, I fully support breastfeeding mums, but why the hell would you take a baby out in public to possibly expose it to the virus,” one woman wrote.

“I have three young children at home ages 6 (twins) and 4 and I won’t allow them out the front door, if I need to shop I go without them. The lady is very irresponsible and should be fined just for putting her baby at risk,” she continued.

“In my opinion a very selfish, silly woman,” another responded.

A third woman said: “The issue with the two ladies and the babies should focus on why two unrelated people were sitting together, having a chat, right next to each other like nothing has changed. It has nothing to do with breastfeeding.”

Other viewers were quick to side with the mum, saying she could have been walking to the shops to get supplies when she had to stop and feed the child.

“Babies need to be fed when they are hungry, they don't know what COVID 19 is,” a woman retorted.

“Come on breastfeeding a baby is totally fine! When a screaming baby is hungry it's time to feed anywhere anytime! Give the mother a break!” another said.

‘A risk you don’t want to take’

Today Show hosts Karl Stefanovic and Ms Langdon also clashed over the subject.

Mr Stefanovic said he worried feeding a baby in public could put them at risk of catching coronavirus.

“I know you've got to get out and you must get fresh air for your own mental sanity but when someone running past or walking past can do something as simple as cough and endanger your baby while you're feeding,” he said.

Ms Langdon said mums should be trusted to do the right thing by their children.

“You've got a baby attached to your breast and covered up, I mean, I think the baby is pretty safe there and also if you're out and about you don't always know when your baby is going to want a feed,” she said.

Mr Stefanovic urged the police were not patrolling to infringe on Australians’ civil rights, but are simply trying to stop the deadly disease from spreading.

‘Do it. Save lives.’

NSW Police Force Commissioner Mick Fuller did not address the incident specifically, but said in a press release on Thursday morning that Australians must “stay home unless they have a reasonable excuse for leaving.”

“Shopping for food, travel to work or school, medical treatment or exercise are all reasonable excuses.

“Exercise is important for physical and mental health. The list of exercise types is endless and it is not possible to list them all; and some forms of exercise are more active than others.

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“The important thing is that people comply with the two person rule when doing exercise, or that they only exercise with their household.

“As I keep saying, a good rule of thumb is that if you are questioning whether you should be doing something, it is best to give it a miss.

“Treat every situation like YOU have the virus. DO THAT. SAVE LIVES,” he said.

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