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Your views: on ageism in health care, the Djokovic circus, the Maxwell case and more

Readers comment on the case of an 85-year-old woman sent home alone from the Royal Adelaide Hospital against her and her family’s wishes, and the “circus” surrounding Novak Djokovic. 

Jan 07, 2022, updated Jan 07, 2022
Patricia Skeffington with her late husband Bernard "Brian" Skeffington. She was sent home from hospital after testing COVID positive. Photo provided by the family.

Patricia Skeffington with her late husband Bernard "Brian" Skeffington. She was sent home from hospital after testing COVID positive. Photo provided by the family.

Commenting on the story: ‘Weak’ and ‘scared’ elderly COVID patient sent home from hospital against family’s wishes

This case provides evidence of the ageism that is rife in Australia. Older people’s rights when it comes to health care have been deprioritised or ignored since the beginning of the pandemic. As a 79-year-old woman,  living on my own, whose health is compromised, I am extremely anxious as it is evident that if I catch COVID or have a heart attack I may not receive the treatment I need. I am aware that many other older people in my social network and others with a disability are also anxious and or depressed for the same reason. Every life is precious regardless of age, gender, race, wealth or ability. – Dr Dale Bagshaw, Adjunct Associate Professor, Justice and Society, University of South Australia.

Our Premier is now becoming World Class in passing the buck. Any other rational person may well have said, particularly given the grilling he got on the ABC, that ‘I will take personal charge to see what happened and report back’. But no, pathetic response provided by spin doctors. – Mike Jackson

What a disaster! “We are well prepared”- what a furphy!   – Robyn Stokes

Commenting on the story: Marshall says SA ‘not out of the woods’ as cases ease 

I am astonished that there appears to be such interest in tracking the numbers of people with COVID and how well SA Health has done. Would it surely be wiser to give people information on what to do to look after yourself when you catch it, which is surely more a ‘when not if’ question? – Michael Stentiford

Commenting on the story: ‘No plan’ for overflow as COVID chokes emergency

The Premier says: “We’ve been working with the private hospitals in South Australia removing elective surgery.”

I am just wondering: what are the private hospital staff doing with no work now?  These same staff should be busy with planned surgery patients.  I heard that the private hospitals were asking their staff to take holiday leave and stay home – is this true?

Is the SA State Government paying for this loss of income from the private hospitals?  Are staff being compensated for having to use up their holiday leave to suit Marshall’s plan – is there really a plan?

Are any public patients being treated at private hospitals?  Why shut down the private hospitals’ surgery programs if there is no plan to move COVID patients there?  Why cancel private patients’ surgery to fit in public patients’ surgery?  Can’t both be done?  Doesn’t this increase the work for public hospitals because people can’t get their necessary surgery done privately?

I hate the term “elective surgery”.  It is not optional surgery – it is planned and necessary surgery that is not emergency surgery. Often it is surgery that allows a person to recover their mobility, independence and quality of life. It can become emergency surgery, if not done when planned. – Janet Steele Scott

Commenting on the story: From COVID control to chaos – what now for Australia?

Into what will soon be our third year of COVID we still have a situation where residents of a residential aged care facility are exempt from mandatory vaccinations yet Health Care and Emergency Personnel remain the subject of social conscience mandates. While our health care system buckles, how it is possible that our health care workers remain exhausted while the most vulnerable of vulnerable remain exempt? – Steve Beyer

Commenting on the story: No vax, no visa for Novak as tennis star faces deportation

So it appears that although “valid exemptions” appear to be available for entry into Fortress Australia, no Government Official (State or Commonwealth) has the intestinal fortitude nor sincerity to offer plausible explanation or clear reason on what the issues are so that we can all be fully informed and be educated along the way. Remembering that most of the Tennis stars are physically fit athletes, some players have gained exemptions and some have not. No explanation or reason provided to the public. Are these secrets of  National Importance? I think not.

I do not defend Mr Djokovic and his circus, as it appears to demonstrate that some stubborn individuals are not willing to be socially responsible in any way. It could be that they hold a right to an opinion that is shared by many equally stubborn supporters, that share nothing other than virological illiteracy.

Would it not be easier for Novak Djokovic to explain himself in a sincere and honest fashion rather than hide behind the thin veil of “privacy” that is being used? If Tennis stars see themselves as “role models” then it would be appropriate to act responsibly and not take on the “bad boy” of tennis approach.

Equally, if the will to explain things honestly and carefully could be attained by our politicians and government officials then perhaps their reasoning can be understood and they may also gain a little respect that they have voluntarily lost over the last couple of years of COVID Confusion. But then again, I can see the wings revving up on the armada of flying swine. – Sozo Nikias

Commenting on the story: Maxwell seeks new trial after juror claim

The defence motion as flagged is absolutely appropriate if the jurors comments have been accurately reported. – Gilbert Aitken, Barrister, Mitchell Chambers

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