The drive-through testing clinic is the quickest and most convenient means of being tested.

It was 10:02am as I pulled up behind a line of 14 cars in front of the Vandenberg Hotel, and within a few minutes there were more cars in line behind me. I felt a wave of relief wash over me to see so many others waiting to be tested for COVID-19, although this was not my first test.

Two months earlier I presented myself at Forbes Hospital with what I knew to be an all too familiar case of tonsillitis, I was given a mask and told very assertively by the receptionist to “step back!” from the marked line I was already standing behind. When the only other patient in the waiting room saw me, she slouched back and used her collar to cover her mouth. Thankfully, the nurse who took the swab was friendly and patient with my dramatic display of discomfort during that infamous nasopharyngeal swab which has since been replaced by a much gentler nasal swab.

The first time I was tested I was sure that I did not have COVID-19. However, this time upon hearing about last week’s case in Parkes, I wondered if this cough of mine was due to a change in season or a mild case of COVID. If it was the dreaded COVID, how many of my friends, contacts and family members would be forced to self-isolate? How many people did I, at best, inconvenience greatly or, at worst, put at risk? Would I be lynched? Word spreads quickly in small towns and it would not take long before I became the hottest topic in town.

These fears of mine were eased in seeing so many others in line to be tested on Monday, and while it meant that I had to wait over half an hour to be tested it will be a relief to have a negative result back.

The Lachlan Health Council, which represents both the Forbes and Parkes communities, is looking to fill a vacancy and is seeking community members from all ages and backgrounds who are not only passionate about health and wellbeing, but also willing to speak on behalf of their community when it comes to health issues.

Lachlan Health Council Chair Carolyn Rice said, “The Health Council provides an opportunity to bring health issues from both the Parkes and Forbes communities to the attention of Lachlan Health Service and to Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD).”

“Health Council members are committed to giving both Forbes and Parkes communities a voice on health issues.”

“Our local knowledge and experience is valued by the Health Service when we work with managers and clinical staff in the planning and delivering of services for our community.”

“The Health Council has a strong community voice and we are encouraging people from all backgrounds to nominate so we can continue to represent everyone’s interests. We would like to particularly encourage young people and Aboriginal community members to apply,” said Carolyn.

At a minimum, membership requires attendance at monthly meetings of the Health Council, but there are also opportunities for wider participation on committees and workshops in areas of personal interest. The Health Council meetings alternate between Forbes and Parkes locations and there is the option to phone or video call into meetings if you are not able to attend in person.

Application kits can be obtained by contacting Kylie Higgins, Senior Admin Support on (02) 6850 7103 or via email Kylie. Higgins@health.nsw.gov.au. Applications close on Friday, 25 September so be sure to get in quickly for the chance to give the community a voice where it counts.

Updated health advice announced this week will ensure that NSW public schools can continue to operate full time with face to face teaching and learning throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Schools remain safe however, school communities must remain vigilant.

From Wednesday, 19 August, all public schools in New South Wales will be required to adopt the changes to ensure school communities remain safe inside and outside the school gate.

Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 is prohibited from returning to school until a negative test result has been reported.

Under additional measures for Term 3:
• Students must remain within their relevant class or year group to limit mixing.
• Schools must not travel outside their local community or zone, including between rural and regional areas.
• Interschool sport and zone carnivals are restricted to 100 people per venue and must be held in the local area.
• Spectators, including parents and carers, are not permitted within school grounds or at sporting events held during school hours.
• All group singing and or other chanting activities, as well as the use of wind instruments in group settings are not permitted.
• Dance activities and drama group work can continue under a COVID-19 Safety Plan.
• School formals, dances, graduation, or other social events are not permitted. Schools may hold a Year 12 assembly at school without parents to recognise the completion of school or consider delaying events until later in the year.

Students and staff required to support HSC students are permitted to undertake activities to meet their HSC requirements with COVID-19 safety measures in place.

Organisations that use school buildings or grounds must have a COVID-19 safety plan in place and encourage strict compliance with that plan.

The new restrictions will complement existing health advice for schools, including maintaining good hand hygiene inside and outside the classroom, physical distancing for adults and banning non-essential school visitors.