Doctors say Gold Coasters must pivot to mask wearing

Vulnerable Gold Coasters are being offered a free mask during the pandemic in an Australian first initiative. 

VULNERABLE shoppers will be gifted masks while they cruise the aisles in a Gold Coast shopping centre – as part of an Australian first initiative.

From this week Australia Fair in Southport will be offering complimentary face masks to help protect its most vulnerable visitors with more than 2000 face masks on offer to shoppers for free.

Australia Fair marketing manager Louise Jurgs said shoppers will be able to safely stock up on essentials and enjoy the centre’s services without having to worry about the risks associated with Coronavirus community transmission.

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Australia Fair will be offering complimentary face masks to help protect its most vulnerable visitors. From this weekend, 2000 face masks will be made available to shoppers. Shoppers, Barbara Mathieson, Susan Wedge and Chris Ivory. Picture: Jerad Williams

“It is about using common sense, when deciding where to wear them,” Dr Haikerwal said.

“I think people have started to see mask-wearing as an authoritarian thing, which is a shame.

“Wearing a mask just makes sense if you are in a polluted environment. You wear a mask to protect yourself – coronavirus is the same situation.”

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“It is a simple, low impact, non invasive and affordable thing to do to lower your risk.”

Dr Haikerwal said while a blanket rule in place in Queensland was not needed, the public should take it upon themselves to “pivot” to wearing the masks in high-contact situations.

“There is no special power here protecting us in Queensland.

“This is our chance to learn from what has happened down south and make changes accordingly.”

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Dr Roy Kou, Dr Sonu Haikerwal, nurse Desire Prinsloo and Dr Katrina McLean

Dr McLean said residents should reserve limited supplies of medical masks for health professionals and opt instead for cloth or fabric masks.

“Activities that are higher risk, like bars or supermarkets, should be thinking about the risk factor and start wearing masks promptly,” the president of the Gold Coast General Practitioners Association said.

“This is not something we need to wait for the government to decide. Locals should be thinking about sourcing masks now and considering the right situations to wear them.”

Dr Morris said people should be wearing masks in crowded locations and on public transport.

“That would certainly have an impact on the potential for community spread,” the boss of the Gold Coast Medical Association said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk this week said a mandatory ruling around masks would be considered, but only if case numbers exploded like those in Victoria.

Victoria is the only region in Australia with a mask mandate to stop the spread.

Those outside of their home who live in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire must wear a mask or face covering from 11.59pm today.