‘High number Aussies hit with being infected’ new mask warning
MILLIONS of Australians have been warned to wear face masks in certain settings over the Christmas period to quash a fresh spike in COVID cases.
The issue was raised by NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant, who gave the advice despite assuring that the state had already reached its latest virus peak.
“Wearing masks is an effective measure, but it is a personal choice, but think about those around you,” she explained.
“We still request people to wear masks in hospitals and aged care facilities, and it is important that people comply with those requirements in those settings.
“You can just do these little things that reduce the chances or the frequency of you getting COVID infections.”
Dr Chant said people coming into contact with vulnerable relatives should be extra cautious when attempting to stop the spread.
“Frail, elderly and people with underlying health conditions are more likely to experience serious health outcomes with COVID, such as hospitalisations and death,” she said.
“That’s why the antivirals are targeted at those groups.”
Dr Chant’s warning comes days after Queensland chief health officer John Gerrard urged anyone with symptoms to avoid visiting vulnerable loved ones over the Christmas break.
“Not seeing elderly loved ones at Christmas is disappointing, but it would be distressing if you were to infect them,” he said.
“Unfortunately, we are still seeing a high number of people in this age group being infected who weren’t up to date with their vaccinations.”
Dr Gerrard said Queenslanders should also consider wearing a mask and socially distancing.
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KABUL – Female university students in Afghanistan were turned away from campuses on Wednesday after the Taliban-run administration said women would be suspended from tertiary education.
The decision to bar women was announced on Tuesday evening in a letter to universities from the higher education ministry, drawing condemnation from foreign governments and the United Nations.
“We went to university, the Taliban were at the gate and told us ‘you are not allowed to enter the university until further notice’ ... everyone was crying,” said Shaista, a business studies student at a private university in Kabul.
Students and Reuters witnesses said that the presence of security forces outside universities was higher than usual and female students were told to leave by armed Taliban forces, even if they were going to complete administrative tasks.
The bar on women students is likely to complicate the Taliban administration’s efforts to gain international recognition and to get rid of sanctions that are severely hampering the economy.
The UN’s mission in Afghanistan asked the Taliban-run administration to “immediately” revoke the decision.
It also urged the authorities to reopen girls’ schools beyond the sixth grade and “end all measures preventing women and girls from participating fully in daily public life”.
Hasti, a third-year political studies student, was preparing for her final exam scheduled for Wednesday when she heard the news, and spent the evening crying in front of her study materials instead.
“I have done my best to study, it is very hard for me, because right now I have to stop my studying and my goals are not achievable…. if the situation continues like this for women, it means women and girls are being buried alive,” she said. ■