I don't think healthcare workers should get free stuff

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  alexr98 on 13/04/2020 - 14:19

  Back to the thread topic for a moment, I don't see the harm in people making what used to be called a token of appreciation (coffee, pizzas etc) to health workers if they wish. However, if the person/business doing it then goes on to 1) brag about it on social media, and/or 2) seek mainstream media attention, and/or 3) include it in their advertising campaigns, then you know they are actually just gesturing for their own benefit and not for health workers'.

  A bit of perspective though. For various reasons, Australia has so far avoided the mass infection rates seen elsewhere. Basic maths indicates that only a relatively low percentage of our hospital beds (and ICU beds in particular) are currently being used for Covid19 patients, and only a small proportion of the health workforce is directly helping them. I think the identity-group obsessed media are way too quick to throw around the hero (and villain) tags.

  That said, it is really pleasing that the health-related vocations have generally stepped up and indicated their willingness to do whatever it takes to tackle this virus. I think it stands in stark contrast to some others who have stepped back as quickly as their political influence could take them. Not naming names…

  As a postscript on the "give them all MP style pensions" suggestion earlier, it should be noted that the old federal parliamentary pensions scheme was closed to new members in 2004 on the basis that it was manifestly excessive, and most (all?) states followed suit since then.

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  Pigsy3 on 13/04/2020 - 15:59

  +2

  ICU nurse here… We don't need the money, but morale is pretty low right now and getting a free coffee after a shit shift really does help us keep sane

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  Chamillionaire on 13/04/2020 - 16:18

  funny that this post is from a user with the communist logo…..

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  PappaLuigi on 13/04/2020 - 16:27

  +1

  for those going on about doctors wages, its all public record. Here in WA just look up their general agreement. An intern starts on ~80K.. thats base.. by the time you add on all their shift allowances etc that jumps higher.. they are on decent money starting out, but the trade-off is their hours, working day/night/weekends.. on call as well.. not the best for your personal life.. and obviously repaying their HECS debt etc.

  consultants easily pushing 300-400K per year in hospitals by the time you add their base/allowances.. again their hours are all over the place.. Consultant who has been working 8yrs has a base salary of 385K..potentially earning 450K per year

  the smart ones are GP's.. for the most part working day shift, 9hrs or so a day.. most dont need to work nights/sundays.. easily earning 250K+ a year, could be up to 400K depending on their structure/location/partners etc.

  good money but the job they do is saving lives.. i dont have issues with the amounts they are paid.. if any cry poor then that's a bit insulting to everyone else..

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    MessyG on 13/04/2020 - 18:29

    GP's give 30-40% of their wage to the practice though for running costs. Public hospital consultant jobs are very very hard to get and do not reflect the majority of consultants. Most public hospital consultants don't work full time anymore with the exception of intensive care and even they have realised that it's too much for that long and are beginning to encourage part time.

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  [Deactivated] on 13/04/2020 - 19:32

  +1

  Are you kidding me dude? My wife is 32 weeks pregnant and still working. Last night she called me how worried she is because all the patients admitted in ICU was Covid-19 related and they don't even have enough gowns and masks. A cup of free coffee is the least that can be given to the frontline. So many healthcare workers have already been infected looking after patients. Who cares how much people earn? They bloody studied hard to get there. Do you have any idea how much student loan they accumulate to graduate. Stop being a whinging prick mate.

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    [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 07:30

    Thats her job and he gets paid for that sort of work dude and that doesn't entities her for free things including a free coffee. If you don't like what you do then do something else.

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      [Deactivated] on 28/04/2020 - 18:07

      Fine citizen you are mate. You are nothing but a whinging prick.

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  [Deactivated] on 14/04/2020 - 07:49

  Seems that someone is lonely and bored in this isolation period and is starting a provocative thread in order to get some human interaction and attention

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    petry on 14/04/2020 - 11:28

    Maybe but so many doctors claim to be solely working in only the public sector and not being involved in private health is of note.
    Not many just do hospital work

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  [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 07:29

  And I believe that people working at the chemist and the security guards looking after your assets should be entitled to free things.

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  sunnyc on 29/04/2020 - 03:38

  You deserve the free stuff, long tough hours and often risking your life. Hospital staff, paramedics and firefighters and volunteers like RFS and SES should all be hugely respected for saving and putting their lives at risk.

  Police officers would not fit that category, found a heroin needle, know the perpetrator, and brought the needle to the police station and almost got arrested. 4 police officers died and treated as heroes with more media attention than the RFS firefighters who died during the worst bushfires in history.

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  blueyez on 30/04/2020 - 22:21

  It's the only way some of the public can think of a way to say thanks, I think it is a nice gesture

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  Chocobros on 12/05/2020 - 17:49

  whilst i like the notion of your post about supporting those that need support i think you are misguided.

  This is Australia. The government is handing out free money to those in need (e.g. Jobseekers allowance) and has increased their supplement. Tax free and no need to pay rent. Those that have a "stable income" during these tough times are typically putting themselves at risk with little to no added reward (most do so gladly knowing they are helping other humans). They still pay tax and rent. They typically get the worst end of everything e.g. when there were item shortages they would struggle through shifts to come to empty shelves at coles/woolies (until community hour was introduced for healthcare workers but not so for other essential workers!!). There are many reports of people spitting on essential workers. Some hospitals are forcing workers to go home and isolate if suspecting Coronavirus but they are forced to take unpaid sick leave in a lot of instances.

  When all of this is over they will get no other compensation and before long all will be forgotten.

  As an australian one can just choose to be selfish and say i don't want to work on the frontline and take the easy route out and seek government handouts. I'm glad many essential workers have chosen to do the right thing by their fellow australians and continue to work with little recompense. A coffee here or pizza there isn't that big a deal in the grand scheme of things.

  For what its worth i don't avail most of these offers myself as i am not really frontline and i'd feel guilty.

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  eggboi on 12/05/2020 - 21:21

  To the OP and anyone else who (justifiably) believes they don't need free stuff because the pandemic hasn't caused the chaos seen in other countries:

  • Take up whatever free offers interest you.
  • Tally up the amount for each freebie that you would have been willing to pay if it wasn't free.
  • Donate that amount to the charities and groups you feel DO need the money.

  By doing the above, you are helping those campaigns (indirectly) give to the needy, and that's one less freebie going to some jackass who doesn't need it but would happily hoard any free crap they can get their hands on.

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  King Steuart on 10/03/2021 - 10:26

  What are you, 12? Grow up.

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