Neil Mitchell suspects there’s a ‘looming’ Victorian conflict over masks

Neil Mitchell has a suspicion there’s a conflict looming in the approaches the Premier and Chief Health Officer are taking towards mask-wearing.

In a tweet on Monday night, Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said flu vaccination “just like wearing masks indoors, is something to help yourself but also those around you”.

This not a technical term, but flu vaccination has been ‘going great guns’ – terrific given the early season and significant case numbers. This – just like wearing masks indoors – is something to help yourself but also those around you and all our healthcare staff. 1/2

— Chief Health Officer, Victoria (@VictorianCHO) June 6, 2022

“He’s likening flu vaccination, which everybody recommends, to wearing masks indoors voluntarily,” Neil Mitchell said.

“It seems to me there is looming, if it hasn’t already happened, a direct conflict happening between Daniel Andrews and Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton.

“The Chief Health Officer believes masks should be worn indoors.

“I don’t think he’s going to mandate them for a moment, I think it’s a matter of advice.

“The state government doesn’t seem willing to go that far.

“Is that the advice he’s giving? Is that what Daniel Andrews endorses? Does Daniel Andrews advise people to wear masks indoors?”

Press PLAY below to hear Neil Mitchell’s interpretation of the tweet

Image: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images