Melissa McIntosh (Lindsay, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

[by video link] COVID-19 is a terrible and devastating virus, as my community knows too well. This week I've been checking in on families of those affected by last year's coronavirus outbreak in Newmarch House, a local aged-care facility in my electorate of Lindsay. The impact on these families is still as profound as it was last year. No-one should have to endure the suffering of losing a loved one to coronavirus, as our community experienced with Newmarch. Many residents in my electorate have loved ones in aged-care facilities and hospitals, and it's so important that we look after our most vulnerable.

Unlike last year, we now have vaccines, and we need to protect our community. Both the AstraZeneca and the Pfizer vaccines have proven to be the best protection against serious illness and hospitalisation. Yesterday I spoke with Louise Payne, a resident in my community whose mother, Yvonne, contracted COVID in Newmarch House last year. Sadly, Yvonne recently passed away. It is a devastating and heartbreaking reminder of the seriousness of this virus that we are facing and the importance we all must place on protecting each other. I extend my deepest sympathies and warmest wishes to Louise and her family and all those who are grieving the loss of loved ones due to coronavirus.