Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews ‘tired’ as state records 723 new cases

Victoria’s Premier is facing an unprecedented crisis and it’s showing. But he shouldn’t be forced to answer questions like this.

COMMENT

I wrote yesterday that Daniel Andrews looks like he could use a day off.

Dan Andrews looking and sounding bloody EXHAUSTED. He just mentioned his "lack of sleep". Clearly the man needs rest. Do your bit, Victorians, and we can all get back to normal. And give the man a day off. @newscomauHQ

— Rohan Smith (@Ro_Smith) July 29, 2020

He looked deflated as he stood in front of the gathered media for another day to read more grim news. More Victorians infected with coronavirus. Tragically, more Victorians dead.

He mentioned his “lack of sleep” on Wednesday. He mentioned how “tired” he was on Thursday. And it’s showing. Sorry, Premier, but it is.

As his wife Catherine noted more than a month ago, “this man does not stop”.

This man does not stop. Thank you to everyone who is doing the right thing. We are in this together. #istandwithdan ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/W63ANZix5n

— Catherine Andrews (@CathLAndrews) July 11, 2020

Victoria on Thursday recorded its deadliest day. Thirteen new names were added to the state’s death toll and a record 723 new cases were discovered during testing.

It means the optimists hoping Victoria had reached its peak were unfortunately premature.

It also means Mr Andrews couldn’t have a day off now even if he wanted to.

He’d be crucified for it by the press and he’d be playing into the hands of detractors who say every new case is another reason for him to stand down.

Just look what happened when chief health officer Brett Sutton had that gall to give himself a day off on Thursday.

This was the exchange:

Mr Andrews: I think Brett Sutton is having a well-earned break today.

Reporter: Having a well-earned break on a day of more than 700 cases?

Mr Andrews: I wouldn’t be offering anything other than favourable commentary for Professor Sutton and each of his team.

Reporter: Don’t you think it’s a bit strange that there’s no-one from the public health to answer questions?

Mr Andrews: They’re all working pretty hard. Sometimes that’s standing here, sometimes it isn’t. There hasn’t been a public health team person here every day. They’re here when they need to be, and they’re here when they’re not going to be taken away from something else that, with the greatest of respect to all of you, might be deemed by them to be even more important than briefing the media. They’ve got a lot to get on with and they’re working very hard.

This is a taste of what Mr Andrews is facing during what he rightly describes as a “one-in-100-year event”. And that’s from the media. It’s worse when you wade into some of the nonsense on social media.

“It’s his job, that’s what the ppl voted for him to do,” I was told on Wednesday.

“He gets paid big dollars regardless of how exhausted or not. It’s his duty and he needs to see this through. He can rest once this is pandemic is under control.”

The compassion is non-existent among those who are more concerned with politics than the public health crisis. But the toll the pandemic is taking on our leaders is very, very real.

Health Minister Jenny Mikakos had to choke back tears on Tuesday when answering questions.

She became visibly upset when talking about the deaths of loved ones who died at the St Basil’s aged care home in Fawkner. Many of them, clearly, she knew personally.

“(St Basil’s) is close to many members of the Greek community and I know they have been distressed to see the rising toll of deaths at that facility,” she said before pausing to compose herself. “Sorry.”

But she shouldn’t say sorry. Nor should Daniel Andrews be asked to say sorry when his CHO takes a day away from answering the media’s questions.

There’s every chance he’s answering the public’s questions behind the scenes.

Yes.

— Chief Health Officer, Victoria (@VictorianCHO) July 28, 2020

The pandemic has a foothold in Victoria now — there’s no getting away from the seriousness of the situation.

And mistakes have been made. Blunders in hotel quarantine could end up being the turning point for Victoria and questions are rightfully being asked about what the Premier knew and when.

A judicial inquiry is already under way and its findings will have a bearing on what happens next for the Premier.

But until then, why don’t we let the bloke get on with it?

Why don’t we recognise that these are unprecedented times and this is not political?

And why don’t we show him a bit of the humanity? The same humanity he is showing the victims and their families and Victorians who are scared, confused and bereaved.

The Premier said it best on Thursday: “It is a formidable enemy and it will not be defeated unless everyone works together.”

[e-mail] | @ro_smith