Thread by @TimLonghurst

NSW Media Conference with Perrottet, Hazzard & Dr Chant 10am today. I'll watch & live tweet below. It's way better with good company, so set an alarm for 9:55am, pop the kettle on & join me, if you like.
#covid19nsw #auspoI

Okay I'm standing by. ABC's YouTube link for the NSW Media Conference is here. I wonder if they'll delay because the PM is speaking?

Here's the context for today's media conference, which is just starting.
#covid19nsw #auspol

https://twitter.com/TimLonghurst/status/1483564286085840896?s=20

Perrottet: "I can now announce that 3rd dose vaccine eligibility is now reduced from 4 months to 3 months".
Bittersweet news to millions who would have loved a booster at three months before he #letitrip.
#covid19nsw #auspol

"The numbers so far are incredibly pleasing"
Here are the numbers he's happy with:

https://twitter.com/TimLonghurst/status/1483564286085840896?s=20

#covid19nsw #auspol

Imagine announcing 32 deaths and then referring to numbers as "incredibly pleasing".
This is gaslighting.
#covid19nsw #auspol

27 of the 32 people who died had not received a 3rd vaccine dose. If only they'd all had the chance to be boostered before they #letitrip.
Much of the suffering was vaccine-preventable. Why didn't we have sufficient vaccines, @ScottMorrisonMP?
#covid19nsw #auspol

No mention of the 2,571 NSW elders living in residential aged care who are currently infected with Covid.
They're in the 425 NSW nursing homes currently experiencing an outbreak.
And those outbreaks are are occurring with 5,536 healthcare workers in isolation.
#covid19nsw #auspol

@ursulaheger asks about the nurses rallying right now at Westmead Hospital.
#covid19nsw #auspol

https://twitter.com/TimLonghurst/status/1483566695256313859?s=20

Asked about nurses saying "the health system is not coping", Perrottet deflects by saying "there's pressure in NSW Health system and around the world".
Let's take a look at Covid cases in Australia vs neighbouring countries managing Covid well.
#covid19nsw #auspol

"Transparency is important" Perrottet claims and points to the modelling he released, which labelled dire predictions "best case". Now we get to watch him label tragic outcomes "pleasing" & tell us we're "tracking better than the best case!".
It's spin.
#covid19nsw #auspol

He just drones on with his pre-prepared talking points. The state is in a health and economic crisis and we're being led by the 2nd speaker of a high school debating team.
#outofhisdepth #covid19nsw #auspol

Perrottet is back on vaccination. It's always been about vaccines PLUS ventilation, air filtering, testing, isolating... The suggestion that the pandemic ends when we've had high 2 dose vaccination is dead everywhere but in government talking points.
#covid19nsw #auspol

Well, the NSW media conference has ended I'd like to see more room for journalists to ask questions and direct answers to those questions. Thanks to everyone who joined me for the media conference - it's still excruciating, but your participation makes it bearable!
#covid19nsw