We all would love this Pandemic to disappear but sadly we cannot cancel it or unfriend it. Dozens of Australians are still dying each day from this potentially brutal disease. It is important to test, isolate if positive and always wear masks in public areas; complacency worsens our risks.

If you do test positive, it is important to promptly phone your GP or NSW Health or the Taree Respiratory Clinic. If you are eligible for either of the covid anti-virals, you can then have these prescribed. Your doctor can email or SMS a script to you or to your chemist. Chemists may home deliver these or else ask someone who is not a close contact to pick them up and drop them off to you. The PBS (Pharaceutical Benefits Scheme) subsidises these so the cost will be that of your usual scripts eg $6 for concession card holders.

There is a new vaccine from Moderna targeting the original Omicron and the BA1 variant. Check with your pharmacist or GP for details and eligibility.