The New South Wales Chief Health Officer has drawn global mockery after claiming friendliness poses a risk to public health.
Video from a July 19 press conference in which Dr Kerry Chant told citizens to avoid talking to each other has attracted over 500k views in less than 24 hours after the clip was recently picked up by international news outlets.
Chant has been widely criticized for her message, which many slammed as “insane,” “tyrannical,” and a threat to mental wellbeing.
Speaking to journalists, Chant said: “Whilst it is in human nature to engage in conversation with others, to be friendly, unfortunately, this is not the time to do that. So, even if you run into your next-door neighbour in the shopping centre in the Coles, whilst you’re at Coles or Woolworth’s or Aldi or any other grocery shop don’t start up a conversation.
“Now is the time for minimizing your interactions with others. Even if you’ve got a mask, do not think that affords total protection. We want to be absolutely sure that as we go about our daily lives we do not come into contact with anyone else that would pose a risk,” she added.
