Famed broadcaster and former senator Derryn Hinch has just dropped this little bomb on Twitter.
Although, it seems no one in government ranks knows what he's talking about, so…
Live coverage of Australia's coronavirus outbreak
Australia’s coronavirus crisis could see up to 20 per cent of people in NSW alone infected, equating to 1.2 million people with 80,000 needing hospitalisation.
Coronavirus cases in Australia have spiked today with 12 new cases confirmed in NSW overnight, bringing the nation's total to almost 150.
A disturbing number of new cases have emerged in NSW with no identifiable source of transmission.
Elsewhere in the nation, it's understood an Australian who's been diagnosed with the coronavirus went to a Melbourne festival attended by over 12,000 people.
Grattan Institute's chief executive John Daley called for Scott Morrison to follow Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore by introducing radical social distancing measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, including closing borders, shutting schools and universities and cancelling mass events.
Australia has almost 150 cases, with 77 in New South Wales, 25 in Victoria, 20 in Queensland, 9 in both Western Australia and South Australia, 3 in Tasmania, one in the Northern Territory, one in the ACT and 10 on the Diamond Princess.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has now declared the global crisis a pandemic, saying it is "deeply concerned" by the alarming levels of spread, severity and inaction.
We've finished our live coverage for the day, here's the latest updates below.
Updates
Watch this space maybe?
KFC outlet shut down
A KFC restaurant has shut its doors indefinitely after a worker was diagnosed with the coronavirus.
The company confirmed tonight that its Deagon outlet in Brisbane’s outer north has been shut down as a precaution.
“A team member from our Deagon restaurant has tested positive for COVID-19. As a precaution we’ve closed the restaurant until further notice and all employees exposed to the member have been asked to self-isolate,” KFC said in a statement.
Coronavirus vs the flu
What's the difference between coronavirus and influenza? The fine people at the Australian Academy of Science have answered that question and others in this handy video.
Health officials bracing for the worst
The likely impact of the coronavirus on New South Wales has been revealed, with authorities warning up to 20 per cent of the state’s population could be infected – and thousands killed.
That equates to 1.2 million people affected in Australia's most populous state.
Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant told a NSW Budget Estimates Hearing today that preparations are in full swing for an outbreak.
“We’re anticipating 20 per cent of the population in the first wave to be affected,” Dr Chant said.
And health workers have been told to prepare for up to 8000 deaths over the course of the epidemic.
Modelling shows that each person who becomes infected will spread the coronavirus to 2.68 others on average.
During a full outbreak, up to 80,000 people in NSW could require intensive care simultaneously, Dr Chant said.
Dr Chant believes the "first wave" of the outbreak could be 20 weeks at least.
Infectious disease specialist Professor Robert Booy from the University of Sydney told The Daily Telegraph that he also expected a 20 per cent infection rate.
“If we have only 0.1 per cent death rate, that is 1500 for NSW, so that to me looks like the best-case scenario and it is still a great deal,” Professor Booy said.
Albo: ‘Show them the money’
Scott Morrison’s stimulus payments of $750 should be given to more Australians to prop up the coronavirus-hit economy, Anthony Albanese says.
Part of the government's efforts to prevent a financial storm involves cash payments to Australians on the pension and Newstart.
But the Opposition Leader thinks it's worth considering extending the $750 stimulus to those on low incomes as well.
"I think there’s a case for that," Mr Albanese said on ABC News 24.
"It’s a good thing that cash payments are being made.
"The truth is, if you want to stimulate economic activity quickly, the quickest way to do it is to give people money to spend."
Although, he was quick to add that Labor didn't "want to be difficult" and was supportive broadly of the measures.
Here's a summary of the government's suite of stimulus measures.
More major events cancelled
While the Victorian Government insists this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix can go ahead, a number of events across the country are being canned.
The Paniyiri Festival in Brisbane, due to be held at the end of May, will not go ahead, its organisers said today.
“This is the first time the Paniyiri Greek Festival has been cancelled in 44 years, and we share in the disappointment that is being experienced,” committee member Chris Kazonis said.
The Parramasala event in western Sydney, which was to run from tomorrow until Sunday, will also be postponed, organisers announced this afternoon, saying the decision was based on “significant feedback” from the community.
Scott Morrison's address to the nation
In a rare address to the nation, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has acknowledged that the months ahead pose numerous challenges as authorities battle to deal with the coronavirus.
Mr Morrison broke into television programming at 7pm to outline the government's plan to deal with the immediate and long-term ramifications of the pandemic.
And he moved to reassure Australians that the government "is prepared and has a plan".
That plan is three-pronged, Mr Morrison said.
1. Protect the public's health
2. Secure jobs and livelihoods
3. Get the country back up and running when the crisis has passed.
He repeated details of the sweeping stimulus package announced today, focused on business as well as welfare recipients.
"While Australia cannot and is not immune to this virus, we are well prepared and we are well equipped to deal with it, and we do have a clear plan to see Australia through," Mr Morrison said.
"I know many Australians are anxious about this and we do still have a long way to go, but be assured, we are taking action."
No Europe travel ban
The government will not impose a Europe-wide travel ban, after Scott Morrison received advice from health authorities.
Earlier today, Health Minister Greg Hunt said the PM had asked whether such a ban was necessary and would consider the recommendations.
Moments ago, the committee of chief health officers said it wasn't suggesting any further travel bans for the moment.
Earlier today, the government did extend all existing travel bans covering South Korea, Iran, China and Italy.
New details on NSW cases
New South Wales Health has released details of new cases of coronavirus in the state, including a 14-year-old student and a barista at a popular Sydney café.
There are now 78 confirmed cases in NSW.
The Hornsby Advocate reports that one of those is a man who worked as a barista at Pastadelli in Wahroonga from February 19 to March 8.
“There is no ongoing risk to people attending the cafe,” a statement from NSW Health said.
“The risk to customers who visited the cafe on these dates is extremely low, particularly if the time spent in the cafe was brief. However, as a precaution we are asking customers to monitor for symptoms for 14 days after their last visit to the café in the period of interest.”
A schoolgirl was also diagnosed but had not been in class while infectious.
NSW Health released details on the 13 latest cases. They are:
Hamilton "shocked" F1 is going ahead
Formula One star Lewis Hamilton has said it’s “shocking” the Australian Grand Prix is going ahead in Melbourne this weekend, despite growing coronavirus concerns.
The world champion was speaking to the media this afternoon when he spoke about his own unease at the impending mass public gathering.
“I am really very, very surprised that we’re here,” Hamilton said. “I think it’s great that we have races but for me it’s shocking that we’re all sitting in this room.”
Lewis Hamilton at a press conference today. Picture: AAP
A number of major sporting events have been impacted by the virus pandemic, with the NBA season in America suspended.
Hamilton seemed to suggest that the decision to push on with the F1 in Melbourne was driven by money.
"It seems like the rest of the world is reacting… yet Formula One continues to go on," he said.
“It’s a concern for the people here. It’s quite a big circus that is coming. It’s definitely concerning for me.”
Earlier, Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos defended the government’s decision to support the event going ahead.
“There would need to be significant community transmissions before extreme measures like mass event cancellations are put in place,” Ms Mikakos said.
“We have not reached the point in time where we need to take these extreme measures. If we get the advice that that’s what is required, we won’t hesitate.”
When asked if he believed the race was continuing due to money, Hamilton replied: "Cash is king'."
"The fact is we are here and I just encourage everyone to be as careful as you can be in touching doors and surfaces and I hope everyone has hand sanitiser," he said.
''I really, really hope the fans take precautions. Walking through and seeing everything go ahead as normal, just like a normal day.''
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