Wide Bay residents surveyed on govt approach to aged care and Covid

As the third wave of Covid washes over Qld, and the death toll of our loved ones in aged care rises, we surveyed people from Gympie, Tin Can Bay, Fraser Coast and Bundaberg on what they thought of the government’s efforts to keep them safe. This is what they said. Join them and vote in our poll:

As the third wave of Covid washes over Qld, and the death toll of our loved ones in aged care rises, we surveyed people from Gympie, Fraser Coast and Bundaberg on what they thought of the government’s efforts to keep them safe.

As the third wave of Covid washes over Qld, and the death toll of our older loved ones in aged care continues to climb, we surveyed people from Gympie, Tin Can Bay, Fraser Coast and Bundaberg on what they thought of the government’s efforts to keep them safe.

Gympie queues for Covid booster

Daniel Green.

Daniel Green

“I definitely think there should be more done (but) I feel like there’s a lot more that needs to be addressed in aged care facilities as well. My mum was an RN in aged care ... and there needs to be more of a step in. Who wants to spend their whole lives working only to be thrown into a nursing home with no support? Although Covid has impacted aged care facilities ... I feel as far as the Government is concerned with aged care, the next step is the cemetery so why bother investing in it?”

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Robin Cook, Tin Can Bay

Robin Cook

“I believe they are doing what they can. This is a very unusual breakdown, and we don’t even know where it’s going to go. I’ve been in business, and really it didn’t affect me that much but the aged care... I just think there’s maybe not been enough staffing, and that’s really not up to the government to do a reconciliation on everything all the time.”

Levi Matthew: "I believe the government is doing the best they can for aged care, but are the aged care providers actually actioning what the government is asking of them? We already know that aged care providers can be scumbags, from the royal commission, so who is to say that they aren't just telling the government they're complying, but but actually doing something else? I hope that everyone is ensuring the safety of our aged population, but... as to whether that's actually happening? That depends on what else we find out from the Royal Commission.

Levi Matthew

“I believe the government is doing the best they can for aged care, but are the aged care providers actually actioning what the government is asking of them? We already know that aged care providers can be scumbags, from the royal commission, so who is to say that they aren't just telling the government they’re complying, but but actually doing something else? I hope that everyone is ensuring the safety of our aged population, but... as to whether that’s actually happening? That depends on what else we find out from the Royal Commission.

Zachary Scott from Hervey Bay is one of the many voices of the Wide Bay.

Zachary Scott

From his experience, Zachary Scott said aged care facilities were “relatively strict”, with staff and visitors having strict PPE (personal protection equipment) requirements. He said people in aged care were being protected the best they can.

Ann-Maree Macdonald from Boonooroo is one of the many voices of the Wide Bay.

Ann-Maree Macdonald, Boonooroo

“I think the government so far has done a pretty good job... as for what can be changed, I think they’re already really doing most of what they can do.”

Angela Smith is one of the many voices of Wide Bay.

Angela Smith

“I think this is a virus still has so much being learned about it. Whilst I do think that authorities have an important role to play, I think to discharge all responsibility on authorities rather than the general public would be unrealistic. [It’s] personal responsibility as well. From my perspective, until we know all the facts about it, we can’t really say.”