Rita Panahi: Time to wake up to a real public health threat

Through gross mismanagement, the Andrews government has destroyed many lives and livelihoods. Now it’s time to stop wasting money on leftist celebrity ads and start informing Victorians of this significant COVID-19 risk factor that isn’t getting much coverage, writes Rita Panahi.

The median age of coronavirus deaths in Australia is 83. We all know that COVID-19 presents a far greater danger to the elderly, particularly those with pre-existing medical conditions.

But there’s one significant risk factor that deserves greater coverage: obesity. About a third of Australians are obese and medicals experts warn this group is far more likely to have an adverse reaction if they become infected.

The long-suffering Victorian public deserves to be properly informed about risk factors but the state government’s public health messaging is as harebrained and ideologically driven as its hotel quarantine program.

Revelations from the quarantine inquiry that a park ranger hired to work as an authorised officer received no infection control training but underwent “diversity” indoctrination tells you everything you need to know about the twisted priorities of the hard left.

Despite the unchecked hysteria we’ve seen, about 80 per cent of those infected with coronavirus are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Now we are seeing public money wasted on cringe-worthy commercials featuring a collection of leftist “celebrities” lecturing the public.

It takes a particularly noxious brand of chutzpah for a government that has, through its gross mismanagement, destroyed so many lives and livelihoods to serve up such asinine propaganda masquerading as a health message.

It’d be far more useful to inform Victorians of pertinent risk factors such as obesity so people can make informed decisions. Those at greater risk may choose to self-isolate or take additional precautions once lockdown is lifted.

Public Health England found those who were obese were more likely to die or require hospital treatment after a COVID-19 infection, and the fatter the patient, the higher the risk.

Research by NYU Langone Health showed obese patients were three times more likely to be admitted to intensive care.

Obese people were more likely to die or require hospital treatment after a COVID-19 infection.

NYC intensive care physician, Qanta Ahmed, working at the COVID-19 coalface, noted her patients were “almost universally obese”.

She said “obesity affects your in-built immune defences” and “this dysfunctional immune response is likely part of why we are seeing severe lung injuries with greater need for mechanical ventilation”.

Despite the unchecked hysteria we’ve seen, about 80 per cent of those infected with coronavirus are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms such as the sniffles.

But the chance of a poor outcome increase significantly if you’re obese. And that’s bad news for Victorians putting on the extra pounds during lockdown

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Rita Panahi is a Herald Sun columnist

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