Welcome back to the second edition of the Singleton Argus and much has happened since our last editorial.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
At that time, in late March, we called on the community to stay at home, practice good hand hygiene and follow social distancing guidelines.
This coincided with government moves to shut down much of the economy in an effort to stop the transmission of COVID-19.
Thanks to the community's adherence to those requests here in Singleton and in much of the nation COVID-19 community transmission rates have been very small to non-existent. Today in NSW new COVID-19 cases are predominately returning overseas travellers.
The economy and our lifestyles are now slowing returning to normal.
Sadly, the same cannot be said for Victoria or Melbourne in particular where community transmission rates have forced a return to lockdowns across a number of suburbs and the closure of our border with that state.
COVID-19 is highly contagious and until a vaccine is found we are all at risk from this novel virus.
So please continue to wash your hands and comply with social distancing requirements. It's our only chance to prevent an outbreak of the disease like we are witnessing in the United States.
Due to our success in preventing widespread COVID-19 infections in NSW our health services are not being overloaded.
That means people can still safely undergone health checks. This is particularly important for anyone who is concerned they may have an illness including cancer.
Pathology laboratories are reporting a significant reduction in the tests they are undertaking some down 70 per cent.
Please don't wait, please visit the doctor get the test if required as an early diagnosis can make such a huge difference.
For me early diagnosis of an aggressive cancer may be the difference between becoming a senior or not.
I want to thank the community for their efforts in preventing the spread of COVID-19 as I was able to have two surgeries during lockdown because our hospitals were not full of COVID-19 patients and thus were able to treat people like me.
Community support to stop the spread of COVID-19 will not only saves lives it will protect our health services and the economy.