ABC health guru Dr. Norman Swan criticized for telling Australians to wear masks at Christmas: ‘Give it up’

The ABC health expert has been accused of ‘scare mongering’ after saying people should wear masks this Christmas.

Dr. Norman Swan said people should mask up to reduce the spread of Covid and avoid ‘stuffy’ indoor spaces by holding events outdoors.

“Stay outside, don’t go indoors in stuffy environments, wear masks to protect yourself, and if you have symptoms like a runny nose or cough, stay away from your family members,” Dr. Swan told The Project on Tuesday evening.

‘For those of you who haven’t had a jab in 2023; Really, another shot? I mean, you haven’t had a shot in a while [so] put on your big boy pants or your big girl pants and go out and buy some.

“This is not a mild virus and the death rates are going up again.”

2GB radio host Chris O’Keefe said Dr. Swan ‘had to give it up’ and gave advice more suited to the circumstances of 2020, when Covid cases peaked.

“Can we just drop these things off?” he told listeners Friday.

“It feels like we’re back in 2020 when you hear Dr. Norman Swan, doesn’t it? Listen, Doctor Swan, please give it away. Enough.

“Most of us have had Covid once, maybe twice, maybe two or three times. And you know what? We’re all still here to tell the story.

“We know ourselves as individuals, and we will make the decision to get vaccinated depending on whether we think we are particularly vulnerable.”

2GB radio host Chris O’Keefe said Dr. Swan ‘had to give it up’ and gave advice better suited to the circumstances of 2020, at the height of Covid infections

O’Keefe said Dr Swan damaged his ‘credibility’ with his harsh Covid Christmas predictions.

“If you knew this wave was happening, it will go away by Christmas. But honestly, Norman, we get it,” he said.

‘Can you please stop for a moment? Enough is enough.’

Dr Swan’s advice came as Australia enters its eighth Covid wave, with infections rising 20 per cent in NSW alone in the past two weeks.

The ABC health expert urged Australians to stay up to date with their shots despite vaccination fatigue.

“About five million Australians are under-immunized,” he told The Project.

‘Really, it’s about: have you had a shot in 2023? And if you haven’t had one yet, wait until a new one comes on the market [on December 11] and get one. “But if you had a vaccination in 2023, you probably won’t need another one until 2024 unless you are at high risk or over 75, or over 65 with risk factors.”

The new version of the vaccine is specifically designed to combat the most common version of the virus as emergency rooms struggle to keep up with cases.

She focuses on the new XBB variant that was first discovered in late December 2022 and has quickly become the dominant strain in the country.

Up to 89 per cent of eligible Australians are unaware of the vaccines amid warnings. NSW’s Covid surge will peak at Christmas (pictured, a masked shopper in Sydney)

Up to 89 per cent of eligible Australians are unaware of the vaccines amid warnings. NSW’s Covid surge will peak at Christmas.

However, federal health data shows there has been a recent spike in vaccinations as cases skyrocket across all states and territories.

Up to 35 percent of people admitted to hospitals are carriers of the virus, which can lead to deadly outbreaks in high-risk settings.

Infectious diseases doctor Professor Peter Collignon warned last week that the current wave will reach its peak within weeks.

“This wave has been going on for weeks and usually peaks around the six-week mark,” he told Daily Mail Australia.

“By mid-December, we will likely see cases return to October’s numbers.”