NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian‘s earnest plea to people to “tell the truth” to contact tracers followed by NSW Police announcing a shit tonne of fines they’ve issued in the last 24 hours is giving me whiplash.
Earlier today at this morning’s daily COVID press conference, NSW Health confirmed 50 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 today, 26 of which were infectious in the community. At least 13 of those total cases are under investigation, which prompted Berejiklian and NSW Chief Medical Officer Kerry Chant to call on people in NSW to tell the truth to contact tracers.
“Please tell the truth from the first minute rather than after repeated conversations, because otherwise, you put your closest family and friends at the greatest risk, and that is something we don’t want to see,” Berejiklian said.
“Can I please urge people to look inside themselves, to really dig deep into their own consciences and do the right thing, if not for yourself, think about your closest loved ones.”
“Think about the rest of us. If you truly care about the loved ones, those closest to you, you will refrain from doing anything which is outside the rules.”
But, in a weird turn of events, the Premier’s appeal to the public was then followed by an announcement by NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys that police have issued 167 personal infringement notices to people who have breached stay-at-home orders in the last 24 hours.
Now, IDK about you, but earnestly urging people to be honest with authorities shortly before detailing the punishments for people who’ve done the wrong thing and have allegedly come forward seems like maybe not the best idea?
Maybe, instead of encouraging people to come forward, having these two moments play after one another will actually make people feel more anxious about telling the truth and be less likely to come forward?
Idk, it’s just a thought but one that several people on Twitter seem to have, too.
In one tweet, Change.org Executive Director Sally Rugg wrote: “Insane watching Dr. Chant say, ‘all humans make bad decisions sometimes,’ desperately urging people in NSW to tell contact tracers the truth ‘the first time!’, only to be followed by [a] Police Commissioner listing all the fines cops handed out to people breaking rules.”
In another, The Guardian‘s Gabrielle Jackson wrote: “This makes no sense. An impassioned plea from the chief health officer to tell the truth followed by a police officer announcing fines.”
Insane watching Dr Chant say ‘all humans make bad decisions sometimes’ desperately urging ppl in NSW to tell contact tracers the truth ‘the first time!’, only to be followed by Police Comm to list all the fines cops handed out to people breaking rules
— Sally Rugg (@sallyrugg) July 10, 2021
This makes no sense. An impassioned plea from the chief health officer to tell the truth followed by a police officer announcing fines.
— Gabrielle Jackson (@gabriellecj) July 10, 2021
Gladys is urging people to be honest with contact tracers. People would be more likely to do this without the scolding/blaming individuals and targeting certain communities. Govt, cops and media have all done this.
— Shane Bazzi (@shanebazzi) July 10, 2021
“tell the truth so we can fine you faster” https://t.co/HNSEODqZ9S
— Alex Bruce-Smith (@alexbrucesmith) July 10, 2021
Gladys: “please tell the truth to the contact tracers, they will get to the bottom of things”
Also Gladys: “thanks to the boys in blue for putting the fear of God into you miscreants”
The CHO two days ago: “the contact tracers are not here to get you in trouble”— hpstorian (@hpstorian) July 10, 2021
In NSW you can buy a Louis Vuitton bag and not be questioned by police. Shop in K-Mart, and you will have the contents of your bag checked.
In Bondi, the lockdown meant long walks in the outdoors. In the inner SW, you’re done for walking outside your home.
— Kos Samaras (@KosSamaras) July 9, 2021
Yesterday, Premier Berejiklian announced a new set of stricter restrictions were in place in Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast, and Wollongong from 5PM last night. We heard all of your pressing questions and asked NSW Health about them here.