Good morning, it's Tuesday, December 21. Here's what you need to get going today.
One thing to know right now: Experts say making social sacrifices now could save Christmas
Here's the lowdown:
- As the Omicron strain of COVID-19 spreads through the community, there are fears Christmas family events could lead to an escalation of case numbers
- Dan Suan, an immunologist from Sydney's Garvan Institute, says NSW is "sleepwalking into an Omicron disaster", which could overwhelm the state's hospitals in January
- He said young people were responsible for much of the virus spread among peers but they were in danger of infecting more vulnerable family members over Christmas
- Catherine Bennett, an epidemiologist from Deakin University, said avoiding social events before December 25 could "reduce your risk of either getting the virus and ruining Christmas or being caught up in an exposure site"
One thing you’ll be hearing about today: rapid antigen testing
- People who don't have COVID symptoms are being encouraged by health authorities to use rapid antigen tests — the ones you can pick up at the chemist or the supermarket and do at home — before heading out and about
- They're not as reliable as the PCR tests, but they do provide a faster result and offer some peace of mind
- But they're not cheap, costing about $30 for a pack of two or $50 for a pack of five
- Over in the UK they're free, and there are calls to make them free here too
- The Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Liam O'Brien called for rapid antigen tests to be made free for all workers, particularly those at small- and medium-sized businesses
- A federal Department of Health spokesperson said it was in the process of working with the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee to "develop a nationally consistent framework" for the use of the tests
News while you snoozed
Let's get you up to speed.
- At least 375 people have been killed by a powerful typhoon in the Philippines that has destroyed homes, flooded towns, cut power and communications lines and displaced hundreds of thousands of people
- At least eight people have died in floods that have ravaged Malaysia, where the government is facing criticism from the public and opposition politicians over its rescue efforts
- Tennis star Rafael Nadal, who was expected to play in the Australian Open in Melbourne next month, has tested positive for COVID-19
- Pro-China candidates have dominated Hong Kong's legislative elections, beating out moderates and independents in the city's first public poll after Beijing passed a resolution to amend the city's election laws. The vote took place under new laws that only allow pro-Beijing "patriots" to run for election
The news Australia is searching for
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How to Make Gravy: It's the 21st of December, and that means it's time to blast that Paul Kelly (that's Paul Kelly the musician, not our Chief Medical Officer) Christmas classic on whatever speakers you've got access to. Earlier this month Kelly put out a 2021 iso version, but the recipe (flour, salt, a little red wine and a dollop of tomato sauce) is the same:
- Ghislaine Maxwell: The jury has heard closing arguments in the former socialite's sex trafficking trial and has begun deliberating on the verdict. Maxwell is accused of grooming and recruiting underage girls for abuse by her then-boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein
One more thing: The Queen's stayin' in for Christmas
Usually, Queen Elizabeth II heads to her Sandringham estate in eastern England for Christmas, with a long-held tradition of going for a stroll around the grounds after a morning church service in the chapel on Christmas Day.
However, she's decided to stay put in Windsor Castle as a precaution against the spread of the Omicron variant.
But she won't be there on her own — members of the Royal Family will be there to keep her company.
Last week, the Queen announced that she would not be going ahead with her family pre-Christmas lunch.
That's it for now
We'll be back later on with more of the good stuff.
ABC/wires
