"My intent was not to alarm or offend people..."
Sunshine Coast-bred songwriter Ziggy Alberts has responded to backlash over comments made opposing the introduction of mandatory face masks in Victoria.
Posting to Instagram overnight, the singer made it clear that he opposed this new ruling, as it "strips Australians of their basic rights". He also questioned the effectiveness of lockdowns.
"There is no way I'm going to support, endorse or encourage mandatory face masks or lockdowns in a free country," he wrote.
"Because our country is no longer free when you can't leave your house or face fines for wearing something over your mouth when you try to leave."
On Sunday, the Victorian Government announced that the wearing of face masks by all residents of greater Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire would be mandatory whenever they leave the house, in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Should people decide to not wear masks from when the rule comes in on Thursday, they face a $200 fine.
Premier Daniel Andrew and Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said in a press statement that recent evidence had shown "wearing face masks can reduce transmission of coronavirus by around 60 per cent."
Since his initial comments began circulating on Sunday night, Alberts has been highly criticised for his views. Artists such as Alex Lahey, Polish Club, and Gordi (a certified doctor) have described his comments as "misguided" and "dangerous".
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The controversy comes after Ziggy's latest single, 'Don't Get Caught Up', came under fire for lyrics seemingly expressing an anti-vaccination and anti-5G stance.
Monday morning, Alberts updated his Instagram story, offering a response to those who took issue with his commentary.
"I didn't draw a comparison between face masks and Nazi Germany. Nor did I say covid comes from 5G. A gossip magazine did." he wrote. "I'm not going to delete any comments because at the end of the day, I'm glad we can all practice freedom of speech."
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In an additional statement to triple j today, Ziggy says he was not "giving any medical advice" but that his "foremost concern" was regarding the "mandate of face masks or lockdowns." Read the full statement below.
"My foremost concern, which I raised yesterday and today via my social media, is in regards to the mandate of face masks or lockdowns. Specifically, the potential for punishment and fines if people do not comply.
"People are trying to do the right thing (including me), and through professional advice, I think we should implement masks as a recommendation, as opposed to a law with fines/offences that it imposes. That is just my opinion on the matter.
"I am not giving any medical advice and am certainly not in a position to do so. I believe people have to make the best decisions for their health, at their own consent. There are citizens who are truly at risk from the virus, and they need our support during this time and into the future. I have loved ones in my life who are at risk from the virus.
"I want to reiterate again that I am NOT in opposition to face masks or self-isolation - I'm just in opposition to the mandating of the same. Like you all, I am scared of the uncertainty we face as a country during this time. My intent was not to alarm or offend people; it was an honest statement of my position in relation to these new mandates."
Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said recent evidence showed that wearing a mask "makes a practical difference" in reducing the spread of coronavirus from person to person.
"People who wear masks and the settings in which masks are worn has shown that there's a really significant — two thirds or more — reduction in transmission," he said.
Wearing masks was previously just a recommendation, but Professor Sutton said authorities want to drive cases down quickly.
"Whether it's zero transmission, or just getting down to single figures, we want to do that in as fast a time as possible," he said. "And mandating is just one of those additional pushes that will get it to universal coverage much faster."
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMib2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvdHJpcGxlai9uZXdzL211c2ljbmV3cy96aWdneS1hbGJlcnRzLWNvbnRyb3ZlcnNpYWwtZmFjZS1tYXNrcy1jb21tZW50cy1yZXNwb25zZS8xMjQ3Mjg5NtIBAA?oc=5
2020-07-20 05:26:52Z
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