Today, Victoria’s premier Daniel Andrews delivered an update on the state’s evolving COVID-19 outbreak and yet another day of record-breaking cases. However, it was Dan Andrews’ AUSLAN interpreter who really stole the show when he seemingly flipped the bird to the entirety of Australia.
While Dan Andrews’ was speaking, his interpreter raised both his middle fingers, which according to the official AUSLAN website signifies “a lazy or irresponsible person” as a noun, or “to do nothing, especially when other people are working and when you are expected to work also,” as verb or adjective.
Some other keywords associated with this absolutely savage sign include “laziness, idleness, good-for-nothing and bludger.”
It’s no surprise Dan Andrews’ AUSLAN interpreter is signing for the word “lazy” considering the premier’s devastating message to Victoria. During his press conference, Andrews confirmed the state had recorded 484 new cases of COVID-19 and two more deaths as a result of the virus.
Speaking of COVID-19 updates in Victoria, hear about face mask mandates below:
He also revealed that almost nine in 10 people did not isolate between when they first felt sick and when they went to get tested for coronavirus. He added that 53% also refused to isolate between getting tested and receiving their results.
“There’s no reason to be going to work when you’re sick, it’s simply unacceptable,” Dan Andrews and his AUSLAN interpreter said. “We certainly cannot have one in two people who are waiting for a test result simply going about their business as if they didn’t have symptoms, as if they weren’t waiting for a test result, as if this wasn’t a global pandemic.”
“We just can’t have that any longer, that will continue to see more workplaces with positive cases, more businesses shut down, hundreds and thousands of people isolated at home either as positive cases or close contacts,” he added.
The Victorian premier said that casual workers without sick leave could call 1800 675 398 to be eligible for a $1,500 payment while isolating. “That $1,500 payment is there for people who really have, in their own judgment, no choice but to go to work sick or to go to work while waiting for a test result.”
To make matters worse, News.com.au reports that only 97 of Victoria’s new COVID-19 cases have been linked to known and contained outbreaks. 387 of them still remain under investigation.
We desperately need to listen to Dan Andrews’ – and his AUSLAN interpreters’ – advice to stop being lazy about the rules when it comes to COVID-19 and stopping the spread.
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