Wayne Deaner, Cheryl Bartholomew cleared virus, urge people to follow advice
Cleared of coronavirus, a prominent Wagga man and his mother are now urging people to follow the strict isolation and social distancing rules after the health district recorded its first death.
The Wagga News
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Having recently completed their 14-day self-isolation after returning from The Philippines, Wagga Neighbourhood Watch president Wayne Deaner and his mother, Cheryl Bartholomew, continue to urge people to adhere to government-mandated measures against the coronavirus.
Their calls for adherence comes as the local health district recorded its first death from the virus overnight — a 74-year-old woman who contracted it overseas died in Albury Base Hospital.
Their calls also come after Wagga police today penalised five people at a Tolland home for failing to follow the strict gathering rules.
The four men and woman, in their 20s and 30s, were each handed $1000 on-the-spot fines, Riverina Police Superintendent Bob Noble said today.
Yesterday, a 28-year-old man in Gundagai was one of 13 across NSW penalised when he failed to self-quarantine after arriving from New Zealand.
Mr Deaner and Ms Bartholomew returned home in mid-March and was cleared on Tuesday of contracting the virus.
Tuesday was also the day stricter rules and legislation came into force. People who leave their home without a valid reason — for work or study, buying food or other essentials, seeking medical care or exercise — are liable for a fine of up to $11,000 and a maximum six months in jail.
Individuals can also be fined for gathering indoors or outdoors in a group of more than two people, not including households or for essential work or study.
Mr Deaner, who developed symptoms and was tested at Wagga Base Hospital, said if you did not follow measures then “you’re doing wrong by society and that wouldn’t be fair”.
“Everybody needs to realise that even their simple trips to the shops, which are essential, can still put others at risk,” he said.
“The only way to stop the spread is to drive home the fact that people can have it and not know it and affect others.”
As for his experience living under strict self-quarantine rules, he said the most difficult factor was seeing more restrictions gradually introduced before being able to get out of the house to do essential tasks.
“It was difficult at first because we’re used to being so free and we could go for a walk or jump in a car,” Mr Deaner said.
“It was a learning curve for me to say, ‘hang on, I can’t do that’, but the members of Neighbourhood Watch kept me pretty busy.
“I think a lot of people are worried about when things are going to get back to normal. When things are going to reopen. The uncertainty.”
Similarly, Ms Bartholomew, who did not show any symptoms and was not required to be tested, said “the world isn’t the same anymore”.
“People, even if they’re well, have to consider the outside world,” she said.
“I was sure I didn’t have the virus, but I still did my 14 days — in case I did.
“It’s about adapting, changing our ways.”
The 64-year-old said the hardest thing during her self-isolation was not being able to see family in person.
“I said to my granddaughter, ‘you need to collect information and photos and everything because this will be history for you when you get to my age. This crisis is unprecedented. It’ll be history for you’,” she said.
She also had words for those being directed to self-isolate in five-star hotels after arrival: “I know it’s hard, but you’re in better positions than a lot of others overseas”.
Earlier in the week, Superintendent Bob Noble said that while local resources have been sufficient, more may be needed in future to increase public safety because the situation would “intensify” and “grow”.
Superintendent Noble said police would be active in the community to enforce laws to limit social gatherings and non-essential activities to contain the spread of the virus.
“If people are not abiding by those directions or they’re going outside without a lawful excuse, they’re breaking the law,” he said.
“They can expect to face significant and harsh penalties and sanctions.”
As of 8am today, there are 41 confirmed cases in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District with Hilltops Shire recording its first two yesterday.
Wagga remains the highest at 10 cases. There are seven in Federation; six in Albury; three each in Berrigan, Griffith and Murrumbidgee; two each in Snowy Valleys and Greater Hume; and one each in Hay, Narrandera and Cootamundra-Gundagai.
The number of people tested has now reached 1902 with the first district case was confirmed on March 22.
The only reasonable excuses for being out
1. Obtaining food or goods or services for personal needs of the household (including pets) and for vulnerable persons.
2. Travelling for the purposes of work if the person cannot work from home.
3. Travelling for the purpose of attending childcare (including picking up or dropping another person at childcare).
4. Travelling to attend school or an educational institutions if the person cannot learn from home.
5. Exercising.
6. Obtaining medical care or supplies or health supplies or fulfilling carer’s responsibilities.
7. Attending a wedding or a funeral (as per new ministerial guidelines).
8. Moving to a new place of residence (including a business relocating) or between different places of residence or inspecting a potential new residence.
9. Providing care and assistance to a vulnerable person or emergency assistance.
10. Donating blood.
11. Undertaking any legal obligation.
12. Accessing public services (whether provided by government, private provider or non-government organisation) including social services, employment services, domestic violence services, mental health services, or services provided to victims such as victims of crime.
13. For children who do not live in the same household as their parents, siblings, or one of their parents or siblings, to continue access/contact between parents, siblings and children.
14. For a person who is a priest, minister or member of a religious order going to a place of worship or to provide pastoral care.
15. Avoiding injury or illness or to escape risk or harm
16. For emergencies or compassionate reasons.