“I am for mass screenings of everyone. The fact some people don’t get sick or show symptoms is the biggest issue in spreading the disease,” said Mayoral Candidate Chris Smith.
He said the current Queensland Health policy will only prolong the situation with its backward thinking.
The policy states: “Currently, testing for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is only available for people who are feeling unwell AND have travelled to overseas in the past 14 days OR have had contact with a confirmed case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
If you haven’t been overseas or been in contact with a confirmed case, you will not be tested for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) because it is more likely you have another virus such as a cold or influenza.”
“Come on, you can do better than that Annastacia Palaszczuk MP. It’s time to take this seriously,” he said.
“The group less likely to show symptoms are our kids and young adults yet schools and unis are open.
“Short term pain for long term gain is better than this being unmanageable and causing more devastation to Australian businesses.”
He says there is no point having a stimulus package if we don’t have businesses to stimulate and the priority should be containment of COVID-19.
“I am all for a stimulus but that has to happen after we contain this virus, not before when there is uncertainty. Survival packages are what we need now to make sure everyone has enough to survive the next few weeks, some, especially casual workers, without an income,” he said.
“It’s time for our leaders to make the right decisions rather than the popular ones, we need decisive action.”
