Wednesday, 22 April, 2020
Pakenham
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She grew up to lead the Covid-19 fight
A ray of Starlight in the crisis
More support measures from Cardinia Shire
10 pages of tributes to the Anzacs
PAGE 3
PAGE 8
PAGES 16-17
INSIDE
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It’s Covid life with a catch
Kooweerup siblings Annabel, Paddy and Sophie O'Hara ‘fishing’ in the carport at home. 207665
Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
With the stay-at-home order in place for a few weeks now to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, it has become difficult for some to discover new ways to keep themselves entertained. Like many others, the O’Hara family of Kooweerup has had plenty of time to bond. Dad Chris and Mum Kate are both schoolteachers and have been combining their responsibility of remote teaching with keeping their own three kids amused. When Gazette photographer Stewart Chambers visited this week, the kids decided to partake in a spot of fishing and, given the times, did not leave the carport! As John Lennon once crooned, these are strange days indeed! The O’Haras have also been keeping occupied in self-isolation through riding motorbikes on their farm, jumping on the trampoline and going for walks. Read about their adventures on page 7 and a snapshot of Covid-19 lockdown life on pages 36-37.
Covid flight fear By Jessica Anstice A mother was left with the feeling of a knot in her stomach after being informed the recent flight she boarded with her two children had a coronavirus infected person onboard. Former Pakenham woman, Melissa Dorries, and her children Brayden, seven months, and Emmy, three, were on a packed SydneyBrisbane Qantas flight on Easter Monday, the second leg of their essential relocation trip. On Thursday, just three days after the flight, QF520, Queensland Health informed the young family they had been potentially ex-
posed to Covid-19. The health advisor told Mrs Dorries that she was seated within two rows of the infected passenger. “On the plane I could hear chatter amongst passengers about returning from overseas, including from New York,” Mrs Dorries recalled. “I was surprised the plane was so packed with people given the social distancing rules. “When I looked around I saw people wearing masks and a couple were even wearing hazmat suits, which I thought was a bit weird. “At first I was worried about my kids - I obviously don’t want them to get it. I’m just hoping
that we were lucky and won’t become infected.” After arriving in Brisbane to unite with her husband, Mrs Dorries and their children were obliged to serve two weeks in quarantine at their new house. Interstate moves are often complicated enough, but Mrs Dorries said this was the cherry on top. “I thought the stress was over with the move and then that happened. It’s just another drama, moving with two kids is hard enough,” she said. “Before the flight, we’d been practising social distancing for weeks and when we arrived
at the terminal there were signs about Covid-19 and being mindful of social distancing, but as soon as we got in the plane it all pretty much went out the window. “When I was told we had been in contact with a case my heart sank a bit, because obviously it’s a terrible virus and something that you don’t want to catch or spread.” Qantas has since implemented formal social distancing measures across all flights, meaning customers will be seated at the window or aisle with the middle seat remaining vacant. For Melissa’s first-hand account of the ordeal, turn to page 13
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