good morning I'm here with Linda the Auslan
interpreter I'm here this morning to answer the
commonest questions we're being asked I know across Australia we are seeing
now many restrictions in the states and territories
as we are seeing the spread of Covid again this winter
for many of you I know this is a challenge and it's very important that
if this is causing you any distress at all
it is really important that you seek help
you can call Beyond Blue on 1800 512 348
but do reach out to get help talk to your friends and family
and look after yourself and your well-being
during this further outbreak the further outbreaks we're seeing across the
country
first question why is it important to practice COVIDSafe behaviours
even if you've been vaccinated? so the two vaccines that have currently
been approved in Australia are the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines
both of these vaccines are extremely effective at preventing
severe disease hospitalisation and death from COVID-19
but the research is still pending on to what extent
these vaccines prevent the transmission of COVID-19 between people even if
they're vaccinated so at the moment we're asking you to
continue to follow those COVIDSafe
behaviours that we've now been so familiar with
in the last 18 months so that at the moment includes we've
seen lockdowns across the country we're
seeing the requirement for you to wear a mask
in certain circumstances so it is important
that you follow the instructions in the state and territory you're in
either you can see often the advice on television or on
press conferences or on the websites where you can get the
most up-to-date advice by doing these things we've become so
familiar with we will get through this again but it
does require all of us to do the right thing every
time please
second question do the symptoms of the Delta variant differ
from the other strains? so we do know from data that's coming from the United
Kingdom that there does seem to be a change in the symptoms
associated with the Delta virus people are reporting more commonly with
the Delta virus headache persistent cough
and sore throat runny nose and a fever or high temperature in some
ways this is different to what we originally
saw which was more head fever loss of taste and smell
cold symptoms runny nose flu-like symptoms so
there is some variation the important message for everyone is if you have
any symptoms at all however mild don't try to work it out for yourself
the important thing is to get tested and stay home until you
get your result
and finally why do i need to wear a mask and how should i wear one? we do know
from a lot of evidence now that a mask is a really
great way of preventing the spread of Covid
between us but it is important that you know
how and when to wear a mask and when those requirements are
so as I've just said make sure you know what the requirements are
in the state or territory you live in but let me show you
and remind you of how to put on a mask most importantly before you put on the
mask hygiene your hands
rub the gel across your hands between your fingers
and you do this for 20 seconds to ensure that you get
really good opportunities to kill any germs that might be on your hands
if you're wearing a mask like this the blue
always goes to the outside try not to touch the front of the mask put it
over your face tuck it behind your ears importantly it must go under your chin
and lift it on your nose shouldn't hang below your nose
and should be across your chin and you wear this mask
try not to touch the front of the mask however
uncomfortable it might be and this will help keep you safe
from Covid and protect others when you remove it
again across from your ears and straighten the bin if it's a
disposable mask like this is again
if we all do the right thing we can get through this
together so stay safe and thank you for your time