Today I had a message from the office of a specialist to whom I referred a patient. They rang to advise that they would not see my patient for a second visit because she walked out when the doctor refused to wear a mask. Masks are mandatory in Queensland in healthcare settings. then the patient emailed me to tell me what had happened. she said that when she expressed her concern, rather than just put on mask, the doctor told her she could choose to leave. I rang the practice back to get the full details.

I am yearning for some political honesty. I spent Wednesday again sitting in the ED of a major hospital with my frail elderly mother further witnessing the impacts of #LetItRip. In NYC where I lived during the first wave, both the Mayor of NYC and the Governor of NY did searingly honest daily pressers. I am not seeing that type of honesty here. The pretense that all is well continues. And it seems to have become largely bipartisan.