‘We have clearly heard that COVID–19 hasn’t just impacted the day-to-day lives of children and young people, but is having a wider and deeper impact on our next generation,’ Commissioner Mohamed said.

Broader safety concerns included increasing conflict, tension and violence within families. Young people reported that their usual strategies for seeking safety, such as leaving the house, seeking relief at school, or staying with friends and extended family, have been cut off.

Workers in organisations supporting children and young people are concerned there are ‘fewer eyes on kids’, with some perceiving the risks faced by vulnerable children and young people during lockdown as outweighing COVID.

‘This is a vital perspective that we cannot afford to miss. Although many services have adapted their approach to working with children and young people, there is no question that at a time of heightened risk in families, vulnerable children and young people are less visible and have less access to support. We must balance the need to tackle the virus while also addressing the risk of violence, abuse and neglect at home,’ Commissioner Buchanan said.

Another strong theme from the consultations related to mental health. While some are managing well, most children and young people consulted described a negative impact on their mental health and wellbeing. Loneliness, isolation, disruption of routines and coping mechanisms are being coupled with the stress of remote learning, precarious employment, and unstable housing. Children and young people are also distressed by news and social media, with many having fears for their future.

Many children and young people were frank about the lockdown exacerbating existing mental health issues. Others spoke of experiencing mental ill health for the first time, and a disturbing number spoke about concerns of suicide and self-harm.

‘In the midst of this clear distress, most children and young people told us they prefer face-to-face support services, with phone and online services creating barriers for some needing help with their mental health for the first time,’ Commissioner Buchanan said.

Remote learning also posed challenges for children and young people, with its impact often dependent on the degree of support children and young people already received.

‘Students with good supports at home often described a positive experience of remote learning. Some children and young people praised their teachers’ commitment and appreciated the support and communication. But we heard from many who feel support is limited and for students already doing it tough, remote education simply doesn’t work.

‘We heard this from children in large families, in families that could not afford or did not know how to use technology, families where parents were working or could not read or had other issues preventing them from helping their children. We also heard particular concerns about the impact on students with disability or special learning needs.

‘For vulnerable children already at risk of disengagement, the impact on their education could be devastating and permanent. We will need a major effort and investment to address education gaps widened by the pandemic,’ Commissioner Buchanan said.

‘It is vital these concerns directly shape the responses on the ground. This consultation has shown us just how inter-connected are the factors that support the wellbeing and safety of children and young people, yet in many ways the pandemic is a time of profound disconnection,’ Commissioner Mohamed concluded.

Grappler Deep State Feller wrote on Jul 11^th, 2021 at 1:44am:


Er, no one's coming in from certain countries.

Whoops. Wacist.

Gladys is hysterical:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-11/nsw-records-77-new-covid19-case/100284316




one death with 33 in community while infectious

Posted 23m ago
23 minutes ago
, updated 3m ago






NSW recorded 77 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8:00pm yesterday and one fatality.

Thirty-three of the cases have been out in the community while infectious.

NSW Health confirmed a woman in her 90s from south west Sydney died yesterday at Liverpool Hospital.

It is the first COVID death in NSW since December 2020.

She was a close contact of a locally acquired case and was tested for COVID-19 on Friday, returning a positive result early yesterday morning.

"Regrettably, that person did acquire it within the household, within the home setting. I can't stress enough that every time we risk breaking the rules or even just going about our business and not getting tested when we need to, the people whose lives and health that we're risking the most are those closest to us," Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

Chief health officer Kerry Chant said she believed the woman was not vaccinated.

The Premier said she expected a marked increase in the numbers in the next 24 hours.


Now, that's what I'm anticipating.

"And I'll be shocked if it's less than 100 this time tomorrow, of additional new cases."

She again implored the community to follow the rules. She also highlighted a new risk from essential workers, such as tradies, who visited multiple sites.

Of the new locally acquired cases, 55 were linked to a known case or cluster — 39 household contacts and 16 close contacts — and the source of infection for 22 cases remained under investigation.

Dr Chant reiterated the Premier's warning about staying home.

"Please stay at home and that means staying within the one household. Do not leave that household setting and do not interact with other family members."

Currently, 52 COVID-19 cases are in hospital, with 15 people in intensive care, five of whom require ventilation.

More than 48,000 tests were taken during the reporting period.

More to come.

SadKangaroo wrote on Jul 11^th, 2021 at 11:46am:



Dirty Dan is telling Victorians in NSW to come home now - they will bring it here.

"I'm anticipating the numbers in New South Wales
will be

https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/harsher-lockdown-the-only-real-option-l...





in greater Sydney as a last-ditch effort to control the virus numbers amid fears infection rates are set to spike in coming days.

Epidemiologist Tony Blakely told news.com.au that the state faces three grim choices after daily case numbers spiked to 77 in a single day and the only “real option” was a draconian lockdown enforced with troops on the streets.

Those three options are: the ‘let it rip’ approach and allowing the Delta variant to circulate in the community, continue with a partial lockdown with many retail stores still open and a third option which is send in the troops and more police.

Divisions have emerged in recent days in the Berejiklian Government amid reports there was opposition in NSW cabinet to extending the lockdown, including from Treasurer Dominic Perrottet who is working on a major rescue and support package for businesses and workers left reeling from the shutdown.

But the NSW Premier has warned that allowing the virus to circulate is simply not an option until vaccination rates in Australia are much higher and a majority of the adult population is vaccinated.

“They can shrug their shoulders and say, ‘we can‘t control it.’
That would be horrific.
Dr Blakely said.

UnSubRocky wrote on Jul 11^th, 2021 at 12:42pm:



It will be here in Melbourne soon.

Carl D wrote on Jul 11^th, 2021 at 1:20pm:



People are still lining up for Daniel's Doughnuts during a pandemic.

https://www.bitchute.com/video/Jak9wBBcF68D/

Bobby. wrote on Jul 11^th, 2021 at 1:46pm:


So unfair. How can these people wear masks while he's out of work? They should hang their heads in shame, no?

Monkeys.