Coronavirus Victoria: Premier slams refusal to wear face masks
The mandatory order for face coverings in Victoria has triggered resistance from a section of society seemingly determined to not follow coronavirus public health advice.
People in Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire found not wearing a face covering from 11.59pm AEST on Wednesday will be fined $200 under an extraordinary measure designed to curb community transmission.
Despite health experts insisting the benefits of face masks far outweigh the consequences, some Australians appear to be adamant in their alternate beliefs.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews addressed these people on Tuesday, saying it was “a bit disappointing to see a bit of commentary around the place that out of an act of civil disobedience, people may not wear these masks”.
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“That doesn’t make any sense. Nurses and doctors who might well end up treating you, they wear masks,” Mr Andrews told reporters.
“So let's thank them for them for wearing a mask as we go out and about for the four lawful reasons, only when we need to be out. The best way to thank them is to not finish up one of their patients.”
Mr Andrews said he was “deeply grateful” to the people who had taken up wearing a face covering ahead of them being mandated.
Victoria Police would be coming down hard on people who behaved as though “their choices are somehow more important than the health and well-being of every single other Victorian”, he said.
“They will receive a fine. I do hope that isn’t the case, I really hope that people embrace this because they see it as being grounded in the best of medical advice and achieving the outcome that we all want to achieve.”
Victoria recorded 374 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, the second-highest daily total for any state since the pandemic began.
A US research lab has executed a variety of tests revealing the drastic difference a face covering can make.
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