4.00pm. See you tomorrow
That’s a wrap from the Ipswich First team today. We’ll be back again tomorrow from 8am.
If you have something you think we should be highlighting, send us an email at ipswichfirst@ipswich.qld.gov.au
3.45pm. Clean hands save lives
Regular hand washing is an important part of helping to slow the spread of COVID-19. But are you doing it correctly?
Check out the short video below to put your hand washing to the test.
3.30pm. New online portal connecting people with jobs and training
A new online portal that will connect Queenslanders who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19 with new job opportunities has opened.
Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad said the new Jobs Finder Queensland web portal was the latest initiative to come into effect as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $4 billion package of measures to support Queenslanders’ health, Queensland jobs and Queensland businesses.
“We know so many Queenslanders are doing it tough right now with thousands of businesses shutting their doors and workers losing their jobs or income because of COVID-19,” Ms Trad said.
“This new online portal will allow Queenslanders who are looking for work to provide information on their skills, location and work experience.
“That information can then be readily matched to available jobs.
“A key focus will be on matching them with new jobs that are being created, especially those in areas of critical service delivery.
“We are seeing demand in a wide range of industries including health care, agriculture, food production, transport, cleaning and mining.”
“This initiative will bring employers seeking staff and workers seeking employment together.”
Any Queensland job seeker can register their details, skills and location via the Jobs Finder Queensland portal and access free online training at: www.jobsfinder.qld.gov.au
3pm. Dr Nick answers your burning questions
Check out the latest video from Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Coatsworth from the Australian Government Department of Health as he answers three community questions each day.
Today he answers:
- Why is it important to maintain my regular medical appointments if I have a pre-existing condition?
- If I have elective surgery booked, will it still go ahead?
- When will all of this be over, so I can see my family and friends again?
2.30pm. Queensland introduces learning@home TV
In an Australian first, the Queensland Government has teamed up with Channel 7 to broadcast educational programs to students at home through ‘learning@home TV’.
The programs will air between 8.30am and 10.30 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday on channel 7TWO, with episodes divided into early primary (Kindy to Year 2), middle primary (Year 3 to 4) and upper primary (Year 5 to 6).
Queensland teachers will deliver the lessons alongside well-known personalities including Olympians.
Lessons will be aligned with the Australian Curriculum, with a focus on Maths, Science, English, Art and Physical Education.
“Not only is it a creative and different way for children to learn, but the program will reach communities that have connectivity issues,” Education Minister Grace Grace said in a social media post.
“We’re also talking with other commercial TV networks to create more content for kids at home.”
1.50pm. Reasons you’re allowed to leave your house
Here’s a reminder from Queensland Police about when it’s ok to leave your house, and when you’re allowed to have visitors at your home:
12.45pm. Support local business with takeaway options
Restaurants like Fourth Child are staying open to serve takeaway coffees and meals.
Fourthchild Café Restaurant & Lounge Bar owner Ross Williams said they have adapted the menu, with the latest menus posted to their Facebook page.
“All of our menu is now a takeaway menu,” Mr Williams said.
“We’ve taken 20% off the prices.
“Order ahead and pick up, we also have a large range of cakes, slices and gelato.”
The family-owned and run business makes everything in-house and they are currently also selling bottles or wine or a six pack of beer with their take away orders.
12.05pm. Update on COVID-19 cases in Queensland
There have been five new confirmed coronavirus cases in Queensland overnight.
Queensland’s Health Minister Steven Miles and Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young earlier gave an update on the number of COVID-19 cases.
They identified three cases in yesterday’s data which are not positives and have now been removed from the previous total.
That brings Queensland’s cases to 1,001.
Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said the latest figures show the strategies in place to slow the spread of COVID-19 are working.
“Queenslanders have heard the message and are minimising the amount of contact they have with other people and minimising the amount of time they spend outside their own home,” Dr Young said.
Dr Young said there may be an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases as Queenslanders return home from overseas.
“There have been a number of flights organised to assist Australians to return to Australia,” she said.
“We will be working very, very closely with those groups of people when they return into Queensland.”
11.40am. Ipswich Civic Centre streaming to your home
With performances everywhere being cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Ipswich Civic Centre team has been looking at how they can keep you entertained in isolation.
Ipswich Civic Centre at Home is launching next week, with a free live show streaming live on Wednesday 22 April from 7.30pm.
Bec Grennan Djapovic’s The Glass Half Full Show is an eclectic one-hour cabaret show which look at the ups and downs of a 30-something girl trying to do her best in a world that isn’t.
Devised by Bec Grennan Djapovic and Robyn Moase, The Glass Half Full Show was first performed in Sydney’s Bar Me in Kings Cross, and features songs from established Aussie Indies such as Queensland’s own Kate Miller-Heidke as well as original work, a musical theatre showstopper and some professional playing of the kazoo.
The optimistic and hilarious tale is just what we need right now.
So mark the date in your diaries and head to Ipswich Civic Centre’s Facebook page to watch it live next week.
11am. Need support during COVID-19?
Beyond Blue recently launched a new, dedicated COVID-19 Mental Wellbeing Support Service to help support people manage the impact of the pandemic on their mental health and wellbeing.
The free service offers 24/7 access to a broad range of support, from online wellbeing tips and self-help tools, to phone counselling from trained mental health professionals and peer-to-peer support.
You can access the free service now at: https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/
10.05am. Low cost food for those in need
The Goodna Street Life Food Relief Shop has recently opened to provide low cost food to those who are currently struggling financially.
The Goodna Street Life op shop has closed due to current restrictions but they have transformed some space into a grocery store.
All fruit and vegetables are free, frozen meals are $2 and all other pantry items are very affordable.
The Goodna Street Life Food Relief Shop is at 229 Brisbane Road Goodna (the old Weeroona Hotel). Park entrance from Mill Street.
They are open until 5pm and both cash and Eftpos is available.
Head to Goodna Street Life’s Facebook page for more details.
9.30am. COVID-19 explained for kids
Just like adults, kids have a lot of questions about COVID-19. It’s an uncertain time, so it’s natural children want to know what’s going on.
That’s where Education Queensland’s animation comes in. The animation provides clear and kid-friendly information about the virus to help answer all their burning questions.
Check it out below. A booklet version is also available on the learning@home website.
9.05am Keep your mob safe
Dr Joel Wenitong is a GP, hip hop artist and Kabi Kabi man.
Here’s his advice on how to keep your mob safe from the coronavirus:
8.45am. Need a caffeine hit?
You can still support your local cafe by buying a takeaway coffee or meal or snack to take home.
While cafes have had to make adjustments, including bringing in social distancing measures and changing menus, most Ipswich cafes remain open.
“We will go on for as long as we can,” Strictly Coffee’s Gareth Black said.
“As long as people are here to support us, we will be here for them.”
Strictly Coffee is currently open from 6am until midday, with takeaway only.
They are currently unable to make coffee in reusable cups.
As their recent Facebook post suggested, coffee may not be helping our anxiety, but it does help our sanity in times like these.
Here are some other great takeaway options to help support local business: Great Ipswich takeway food options
8am. Thursday, 16 April 2020. No new cases in West Moreton
There are 37 cases of COVID-19 in the West Moreton region, with no new confirmed cases since the start of April.
Of those, 17 people have recovered, while 20 are still active cases.
Queensland has five new confirmed cases of coronavirus, raising the state total to 999.
Contact tracing is underway for the new cases. Queensland Health will notify the community if any other public health alerts are required.
Of the total 37 cases in the West Moreton region, 27 were located in Ipswich suburbs, seven in Brisbane suburbs, one in the Scenic Rim Council area, one in the Somerset Regional Council area and one in the Lockyer Valley Regional Council area.
COVID-19 testing criteria has also been expanded.
A person will generally be tested if they have a fever (or history of fever) or acute respiratory symptoms, and, in the last 14 days:
- they were a close contact or a household contact of a confirmed case
- they had been overseas, including on a cruise.
Testing may also be done for people who have a fever (or history of fever) or acute respiratory symptoms, and:
- work in vulnerable settings such as healthcare, aged or residential care, military, a school or child care, correction facilities, detention centres and boarding schools.
- live in Brisbane, Gold Coast or Cairns
- live in or travelled from a COVID-19 hotspot
- live in or travelled from another state
- live in a First Nations community.
Queensland Health is urging anyone who meets this criteria for testing, to contact a doctor immediately.
Before your appointment, please call ahead and advise of your symptoms and recent travel they can prepare for your visit.
