Hi there. It's Tuesday, January 11 and you're reading The Loop, a quick wrap-up of the news you need to know about.
One thing you should know
PM Scott Morrison has told Australians to call their GP if they test positive for COVID-19 via a rapid antigen test.
As soon as Todd Cameron heard that advice, he knew it wouldn't go well — and he was right. The phones at his practice have been ringing off the hook.
- Scott Morrison says GPs are the "principle point of care" for people with COVID-19
- But Dr Cameron says GPs have little to offer people who tested positive
- He says most people are calling to get advice on basic issues like who to notify about testing positive, how long to isolate and what symptoms to watch out for (all of which can be found online)
AMA vice-president Chris Moy says GP practices are expected to be part of the reporting system for RATs but no plan for that has been put in place, and that two years into the pandemic, it's frustrating for GPs to be put in this position.
Dr Cameron says clear messaging was needed from the government about where to get help so that GPs could continue to attend to all the other health issues people have.
One thing you’ll be hearing about today
Novak says he's here to stay (well, at least long enough to play the Australian Open).
In his first comments after being released from immigration detention in Melbourne, the Serbian world number one says he is "grateful" a judge overturned the cancellation of his visa.
His family says they're also thankful, but told media in Belgrade that he was subjected to "torture" and that his human rights had been taken away.
Despite all this, his ability to remain in the country remains unclear, with Immigration Minister Alex Hawke considering whether there are still grounds to cancel the tennis player's visa.
News while you snoozed
- Real estate heir Robert Durst, who was convicted of one murder and suspected of two others, has died in prison aged 78. His lawyer said Durst's death was from natural causes related to a number of health issues
- Donald Trump's lawyers have asked a federal judge to throw out a series of lawsuits alleging the former US president incited the deadly January 6 attack on the Capitol. The lawsuits claim Mr Trump is liable for some injuries sustained in the attack
What Australia has been searching for online
- Klay Thompson. The five-time All-Star has reached two career milestones on his return from back-to-back injuries, helping the Golden State Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 96-82 in the NBA
- Bob Saget. In case you missed it yesterday, the Full House star has died aged 65 just hours after a stand-up comedy performance in Florida. Police say there were no signs of foul play or drug use, but haven't given any further details
One more thing
As of yesterday, kids between ages five and 11 officially became eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Some parents, like NSW mum Natalie Beak, are urgently trying to get their kids immunised before school goes back — but due to supply, are having to travel far from home (in Natalie's case, a 300km trip) to try to get an appointment before the first day of term.
"I feel really scared of sending them into a classroom ... without full vaccination protection," Natalie says.
The Federal Government says it has secured enough supplies to offer "all children a first dose by the end of January", but ATAGI has recommended an eight-week interval between Pfizer's two paediatric doses, meaning no child in that age group will be double-dosed until March at the earliest.
Most students are set to return to classrooms in late January or early February.
You're up to date
Stay tuned for more news and updates throughout the day.
ABC/wires
