Visiting a shopping centre yesterday in Singleton it was obvious the medical and political message of wearing a face mask had not resonated with the local community.
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Hardly anyone, apart from employees in the supermarket, was wearing a mask despite media coverage imploring citizens of the need to do so while shopping, on public transport or wherever you are unable to socially distance.
If people think Singleton is immune to the spread of COVID-19 then they should think again.
For one thing we have a highly transient population with estimates of nearly 10,000 people coming into the district each day for work mainly in the mining industry.
Strict precautions at mine sites and power stations, has to date, prevented any shutdowns due to COVID-19 - which highlights the fact that those precautions and or procedures work.
Mainly temperature checks, hand hygiene and ensuring no one comes onto site if unwell - no matter how mild and gets tested.
That message of personal hygiene and testing works and now we are being asked to add another component to our defence against this highly contagious virus - masks.
If that is what the medical profession tell us what to do to minimise the spread of the virus then we should happily oblige.
Of note on Monday night's ABC Q + A program was a lung specialist Lucy Morgan talking about the impacts of the virus on those who contract it.
In a number of cases it lasts far longer than 14 days in fact it can last for weeks and weeks and is considered far worse than pneumonia.
Recovery can be tough and it takes a toll on your mental health as you try to regain your health and fitness.
The specialist was talking here not only about vulnerable people but also those who contract it who are young, fit and with no underlying health issues.
If we want to save lives and prevent a return to lockdowns then we all have to play our part in preventing the spread of the virus.
None of us want to see what's happening in Victoria to happen in NSW nor do we want to see our health system overloaded and our health workers contracting the virus.
So please do what they ask and wear a mask.