Emily Toxward: How Covid, withholding information and poor leadership is hurting Gold Coast

The mental health system is broken, drug and alcohol use is at record highs and tragically people are taking their own lives – numbers don’t reflect the utter chaos this virus is wrecking, writes Emily Toxward.

BEING assigned as the health reporter during a global pandemic isn’t exactly how I envisaged my return to the newsroom in February 2020 after a 12-year hiatus.

A week before I started, January 30, Australia banned all flights from China because of the “deadly coronavirus” (to be formally named Covid-19).

The Gold Coast, and Queensland, also recorded it’s first Covid case, a 44-year-old Chinese national from Wuhan who was staying at Pepper’s Resort in Broadbeach.

Globally there were 6000 confirmed cases, including seven in Australia. Some 130 people had already died from the virus. According to the WHO, as of January 13 there’s now 315 million cases globally and 5.5 million people have lost their lives.

Medical worker prepares for the day with Covid-10 vaccinations. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Health-wise, the Gold Coast has weathered the pandemic extraordinarily well compared to other southern states. Latest data reveals the region has recorded 24,091 cases and two deaths. Across the state there has been some 180,000 cases and 20 deaths.

We’ve gone from reporting on every single case and listing exposure sites to accepting some 20,000 people across Queensland are getting Covid every day. And we haven’t even reached the Omicron peak yet.

But numbers don’t reflect the utter chaos this virus is wrecking. Our already overwhelmed mental health system is broken, drug and alcohol use is at record highs and tragically people are taking their own lives. In years to come there’ll be a spike in cancers and chronic health conditions, burdening an already-drowning health system.

Covid testing Queue next to the Gold Coast University Hospital at Parkwood. Picture Mike Batterham

What annoys me the most is that we’re always so underprepared. Haven’t leaders been looking to places such as the UK and the US to know rapid antigen tests would be crucial?

And as for the vaccine rollout, the mixed messaging, continually changing the goalposts has discouraged people from trusting politicians, and sadly, the vaccine.

At every level, politicians and leaders are too reactive and not proactive, with the exception of the current chief health officer Dr John Gerrard. Queensland has no idea how fortunate it is to have one of the world’s best infectious disease specialists at the helm.

As for Queensland Health, the gatekeepers of health information have inadvertently encouraged mistrust by refusing to be transparent. I’ve been yelled at, hung up on and spoken to in patronising tones by many a staffer while trying to get information out to the public.

Knowledge is power and withholding information breeds suspicion and uncertainty.

As such, I’ve noticed an incredible division in society, people are turning on each other and using the virus as an excuse to be rude or selfish.

And while Covid has torn a gaping hole in the fabric of society, it’s also put a spotlight on the incredible strength humanity has. People have survived not being able to hug their dying parents, attend funerals of love ones and incredible financial hardship. A virus is no match for our humanity.

While it’s with a heavy heart I leave the Gold Coast Bulletin, my colleagues remain vigilant in their endeavours to uncover the truth, shine a spotlight on injustices and fight for those who have no voice.

Follow @emilytoxward