Toowoomba region woman with near-zero immunity confined to home as Covid rips through Qld

As the Omicron strain of Covid-19 rips through the Toowoomba region, it has left one local woman essentially under “house arrest” for the foreseeable future.

Ravensbourne woman Melinda Jensen, who has Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and suffers from a severely compromised immune system, has become a hermit in her home as Omicron rips through the Toowoomba region.

Melinda Jensen can’t venture out of her home for any purpose, no matter how vital.

She describes herself as essentially a prisoner in her own home from a virus that is ripping through the Toowoomba region indiscriminately, against which her body can mount virtually no defence.

“When my dear friend and neighbour visited for the ‘last time’ until it’s safer, it really hit home — this is my life for the foreseeable future,” she said.

“It’s like being under house arrest, with Covid guarding every door.”

Ms Jensen, who has lived with an uncommon condition called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis for 26 years, has taken aim at the State Government for its handling of the border reopening and its winding back of contact tracing.

The Ravensbourne woman’s condition, which leaves her in severe pain and fatigue, has also robbed her body of the ability to fight off diseases.

“Some years ago, Bond University tested my level of immune function — the results were quite confronting,” Ms Jensen said.

“My natural killer cells, the first line of defence against viruses and other invaders, was functioning at a level of between zero and one per cent, and probably hasn’t changed much.

“So my defence against Covid-19 is likely to be negligible.”

Her comments comes as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the road borders would be coming down from 1am on Saturday January 15.

The change means anyone coming domestically into Queensland by road or air would not need to show their border pass.

The State Government will also no longer declare any hot spots, with Health Minister Yvette D’Ath saying it was not important since Omicron was now everywhere.

With the Darling Downs reporting hundreds of active cases already and no way of knowing where exposure sites are thanks to changes in government reporting, Ms Jensen said she couldn’t risk heading outside.

“Sixty per cent of people who die from Covid are immune compromised,” she said.

“Even when we’re double vaccinated and boosted, we’re unlikely to mount a robust response to the vaccines.

“I find that downright scary, particularly now the borders are open and Omicron is on the rampage.

“Before then, my husband and I took all the necessary precautions and felt reasonably safe — now, those precautions aren’t enough.

“I’m furious about the borders opening, leaving this virus to take its inevitable toll. After keeping us safe for so long, this feels like betrayal.”

Ms Jensen said the government’s new position ensured she could no longer enjoy the freedoms others had.

“My human rights, and the rights of those like me, are severely curtailed,” she said.

“Forget the freedom of having a haircut or dental appointment, a coffee with friends, seeing a movie, having dinner out or even takeaway.

“And forget about seeing family and friends, no matter how small the gathering.”

Ms Jensen also took aim at the Federal Government for its management of rapid antigen testing kits after she ordered several online only for them to become unavailable.

“We also can’t wait in line before the shops open in the hope of picking up rapid antigen tests.

“I’m appalled that RATs are so hard to find, especially in light of our government’s constant reminders to just go out and get some.

“Luckily, or so I thought, I was able to order a supply last week — and then I found out they‘ve been recalled.

“Why? They’ve been requisitioned by the government because of ‘a government emergency’, an emergency that need never be.

“I don’t think there’s a strong enough word to describe how angry I am at that turn of events – at least not a printable one.”

Ms Jensen said she wanted residents to realise how serious the Covid situation was for the thousands of people across the region who were elderly, disabled or immune-deficient.