[AMA] I Work as a COVID Marshall in South-West Sydney

thriftysach on 30/07/2021 - 16:33

I recently got this job at the start of the Sydney lockdown, was very lucky to get it as I was unable to continue work in my retail job due to store closures.

I am also in one of the LGAs where 3 day testing is required to leave and have an exemption for doing so. The job was acquired through a labour hire agency and is sort of an ongoing casual role.

One thing I find odd about this is that despite being an exempted worker and working in this role, I still cannot get an early enough date for the Pfizer Dose 1.

Feel free to ask me pretty much anything about it.

I will not disclose the company or place where I am working but am happy to discuss stuff such as pay rates and what the job actually entails.

Hoping to alleviate some boredom.

Introduce Yourself

closed Comments

  • MS Paint on 30/07/2021 - 16:34
    +4

    Have you ever had to fire your pistol?

    • thriftysach on 30/07/2021 - 16:39
      +27

      I fire it all the time. I look into their eyes and fire it straight in the middle of their forehead. You can’t have any remorse in this role. Just plainly cold-hearted and ready to do what needs to be done.

      • nfr on 30/07/2021 - 18:19
        +2

        Thank you for your service.

      • theHMASfriendship on 30/07/2021 - 19:47
        +2

        Thank you for your service.

      • jmc787 on 30/07/2021 - 20:46
        +1

        Love your approach. Do you take trophies from your victims ?

        • TrustNoBody on 31/07/2021 - 10:43

          Haha

        • thriftysach on 31/07/2021 - 15:31

          Usually teeth, I go home and add it to my collection so one day I can make a necklace.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 30/07/2021 - 20:53
        +3

        Do you need to destroy the brain or is any old headshot enough to stop them from getting back up?

        • thriftysach on 31/07/2021 - 15:32

          Last I checked, we’re not zombies…
          Right?…

      • ozbjunkie on 31/07/2021 - 11:31
        +2

        A more literal covid shot. After which the patient reports no discomfort.

  • bloom on 30/07/2021 - 16:35

    Have you ever used the back of your pistol to ‘pistol whip’ antivaxers?

    • thriftysach on 30/07/2021 - 16:37
      +5

      I actually carry an assault rifle to make sure people check in. Who uses pistols these days?

      • bloom on 30/07/2021 - 16:38
        +1

        Guess it’s harder to pistol whip someone with an assault rifle

      • Scrooge McDuck on 30/07/2021 - 20:55

        If I get autism from the vaccine, is it more likely to make me gifted like Elon Musk or derpy like Adam Lanza?

  • Mokr on 30/07/2021 - 16:38
    +3

    AZ

  • Gamedeals on 30/07/2021 - 17:11
    +2

    Dumb question probably but what does a COVID Marshall actually do?

    • thriftysach on 30/07/2021 - 17:59
      +1

      Well, short answer. Not much really.

      I work multiple 6 hour shifts. The first 30minutes involves getting all employees to check in via the COVID- Safe Check In. This just involves holding it out for them to check in, I also hold a box of face masks to ensure everyone has one on.

      The place where I work at operates 24/7 so they prefer to have a split between the morning and afternoon workers at all times. Hence, the first 30minutes involves organising roughly 30 employees on the right side of the premises whilst the morning employees completely leave. During this time the facility is deep cleaned and readied for the afternoon workers.

      Once it is time for employees to enter, there is an automated temperature checking walk-through station where the temperature for everyone is checked. In my time working here, no one has recorded a high temperature but in the event they do, I need to isolate them, report to HR and retest to see if their temperature has gone down.

      Following this, I just sit at the front office and basically make sure if anyone enters, they check in. On some days it can be upto 30 employees but on days like Sunday, it is just 4 or so employees and is basically sitting. I was recommended to be on my phone/read a book, etc during this shift as it was not very eventful.

      • DoctorCalculon on 30/07/2021 - 18:08
        +1

        On some days it can be upto 30 employees but on days like Sunday, it is just 4 or so employees and is basically sitting.

        So, you are really just baby-sitting (from a COVIDSafe point of view) employees not customers at this job. I would imagine it would be a lot more stressful if it was the latter.

        • thriftysach on 30/07/2021 - 18:11

          Well not even baby sitting. The employees know what is required of them and everyone complies. I am merely there for presence and acting as a communication medium between the two groups of employees.

          This is by far the easiest and the most boring job I have done.

          • DoctorCalculon on 30/07/2021 - 18:14
            +2

            @thriftysach:

            This is by far the easiest and the most boring job I have done.

            That is what I meant. Easy gig, bro.
            Employees aren't going to argue with you on the merits of wearing a mask, or their temperatures being checked.

            I have given up counting how many people I see everyday who wear a mask but fail to do so properly, i.e. do not cover their nose.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 30/07/2021 - 20:57

        Dumb question probably but what does a COVID Marshall actually do?

        Well, short answer. Not much really.

        Was there ever any doubt? It's a government job!

  • Ghost47 on 30/07/2021 - 17:14
    +1

    How many people have you killed? If you were in a brawl and had to cut off a mans penis to subdue him, but had no knife, would you bite it off?

    • popsiee on 30/07/2021 - 17:16

      Drinking Bud ?

      • Ghost47 on 30/07/2021 - 18:01
        +7

        Nope, I’m always like this.

    • thriftysach on 30/07/2021 - 17:59
      +2

      Are you good bro?

      Why would I have to subdue him with his penis of all things

      • Ghost47 on 30/07/2021 - 18:03
        +1

        Well I’m guessing that if your penis is bitten off you’d be in quite a lot of pain and wouldn’t be able to retaliate.

    • DoctorCalculon on 30/07/2021 - 18:18
      +3

      COVID MARSHALL

      Licence to Kill

      • Anti-vaxxers
      • Anti-maskers
      • Clive Palmer

      (… plays James Bond theme song)

      DoctorCalculon on 30/07/2021 - 18:18 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
  • ozhunter on 30/07/2021 - 17:15
    +2

    Why don't you get AZ?

    what the job actually entails

    Do tell

    • thriftysach on 30/07/2021 - 18:04
      +2

      I don’t know how to put it, I am fairly certain I will be able to get a dose of Pfizer in the next few weeks.

      Mainly not getting AZ because I have the option of Pfizer.

      At my work the managing team is pretty unorganised so me getting Pfizer can be pretty spontaneous.

      I would opt for AZ if Pfizer was a long time away. At the moment I can get Dose 1 of AZ but Dose 2 is pretty late (I am not 100% about this). Whereas with Pfizer, I can be fully vaccinated quicker.

      I guess the whole rare blood clot issue did instil some reluctance in me towards AZ as well.

      • nubzy on 30/07/2021 - 18:43

        But you are aware of potential heart inflammation from mRNA Pfizer too right? Neither vaccine is 100% safe

        • theHMASfriendship on 30/07/2021 - 19:48
          +4

          Having a big heart isn't a bad thing.

        • iamherenow on 31/07/2021 - 08:39

          You say neither are 100% safe. What do you suggest is the best approach?

  • CyberMurning on 30/07/2021 - 17:29
    -1

    why government didnt give fine to those 50 ppl gathering at pendle hill ?

    • thriftysach on 30/07/2021 - 18:05
      +2

      I was not aware about this gathering at all.
      I also don’t feel like I am in a position to comment about this.

  • BOGOF on 30/07/2021 - 17:43
    +1

    I still cannot get an early enough date for the Pfizer Dose 1.

    Get AZ, It's a safe and effective vaccine.

    • thriftysach on 30/07/2021 - 18:08

      I did comment above so that sort of explains my situation.

      I also fall under the 18-29 age bracket so statistically I should be alright even if I do contract the virus.

      • BOGOF on 30/07/2021 - 18:16

        So are you are saying you feel more confident you will not contract the Covid-19 disease because of your age rather than if you were vaccinated. Even thoiugh you have put yourself in a more likely position of contracting it?

        • thriftysach on 30/07/2021 - 18:19
          -1

          No, I am just saying that even if in the rare event I do contract the virus (everyone in this facility is tested regularly and can only work if they return a negative test result), I would be alright.

          I would just rather wait a few weeks for Pfizer than go with AZ right now.

          I think my risk of contracting the virus is almost the same as going to your local coles or woolies for a few groceries.

          • BOGOF on 30/07/2021 - 18:22
            +3

            @thriftysach:

            I would be alright

            Well unless you are obese or have underlying health conditions you are highly unlikely to die. But you could get very sick, so you won't be 'alright'.

            I think my risk of contracting the virus is almost the same as going to your local coles or woolies for a few groceries.

            In your current situation…..No it isn't.

            • thriftysach on 30/07/2021 - 18:25
              +1

              @BOGOF: I am under the impression it is. I am not saying I am right but I do feel like I am not in that much risk.

      • ozhunter on 30/07/2021 - 18:17
        +1

        so statistically I should be alright even if I do contract the virus

        That goes for every age group…

        • thriftysach on 30/07/2021 - 18:23

          Well not every age group but I get the point.

          Simply putting it, I don’t think it is urgent for me to get AZ.

          If I did not have any special consideration for Pfizer, I would go out and get AZ now since Pfizer for 19 year olds not working or in critical settings is probably going to come around next year at the rate things are going.

      • RecklessMonkeys on 31/07/2021 - 11:29
        +2

        There are six people in their 20's in intensive care right now.
        I acknowledge the worry about AZ, but at least insist on an N95 mask.

  • mskeggs on 30/07/2021 - 18:07

    Are you provided with good PPE, or just cheap surgical masks?

    • thriftysach on 30/07/2021 - 18:09

      Cheap surgical masks, no formal training provided either.

      • mskeggs on 30/07/2021 - 18:14
        +2

        Wow. The training bit is a worry.
        If you want to be trained in PPE, Health dept has free courses on hygiene, fitting PPE, safely removing it etc.
        https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covid-19-…

        If I was in your shoes, I’d spend the $2 a shift for a P2/N95 respirator. If somebody attends with COVID and is unmasked, a surgical mask won’t protect you.

        Regarding you age group, you are unlikely to die if you get the disease. You are also unlikely to die if you get cancer, but it is a good thing to avoid even if you survive!

        • thriftysach on 30/07/2021 - 18:16
          +2

          I think going forward (only 3 weeks in this role), I will consider buying N95 Masks.

          I can simply claim the cost from the employer anyways and the role pays well enough where even if I was not reimbursed, it is still worthwhile to get proper equipment.
          Thanks a lot for the advice!

        • dandosr on 30/07/2021 - 19:27
          +1

          Contract, to a contractor, to a contractor - then who it to blame? ¯_(ツ)/¯ Oh btw, budget is over so have to cut more permanent positions ¯_(ツ)/¯

  • morse on 30/07/2021 - 19:12
    +1

    What are you planning to do for work after this gig?

    • thriftysach on 30/07/2021 - 19:46
      +1

      Hopefully retail stores open back up, I am intending to go right back to my old job afterwards.

  • jonathonsunshine on 30/07/2021 - 19:17

    Do people in Sydney just not give a sht or … ?

    • thriftysach on 30/07/2021 - 19:57

      Ill be honest and say no. It is quite a sight to see parks and places filled with people gathering for ‘outdoor activities.’

      I am talking about soccer/footy games happening.

      When there are so many people flaunting rules and the restrictions are not imposed properly, the effectiveness really drops.

      I also think a lot of people in Sydney just don’t have confidence in the government’s approach to things and fed up with the way things are.

      I also think we are still clinging on to the chance that it will all go away just like it did multiple times before.

  • JimmyF on 30/07/2021 - 19:35
    +1

    but am happy to discuss stuff such as pay rates and what the job actually entails.

    I'll bite… So how much do you get paid?

    • thriftysach on 30/07/2021 - 19:43
      +5

      $33 normal time and $43 after 6pm

      • JimmyF on 30/07/2021 - 19:44
        +2

        Nice…. Better than a poke in the eye!

      • [Deactivated] on 30/07/2021 - 21:40
        +1

        Geez that's actually so good

      • twww on 31/07/2021 - 09:10
        +2

        Makes you wonder what those traffic controllers at the driving through testing facilities are getting paid?

        How does one become a marshal?

        • thriftysach on 31/07/2021 - 15:29

          I just got in through a contractor.

          The traffic controllers at those places probably get paid $22+ an hour based off my knowledge and obviously more with penalty rates.

  • Mokr on 30/07/2021 - 20:50

    How do people treat you?

    Like with respect.

    Or just like a janitor.

    • thriftysach on 30/07/2021 - 21:46

      With a lot of respect actually.

      • ozbjunkie on 31/07/2021 - 11:32

        Bet you can slip by the police (and now army) with your marshall's badge and some high vis.

        High vis makes people invisible.

        • thriftysach on 31/07/2021 - 15:28

          I have just been provided with an exemption to travel, so yeah I can and its pretty good being able to leave 5km outside my place on a regular basis.

  • 82norm on 31/07/2021 - 08:56

    Can you rock up without being in a vehicle?

  • OzHunterNSW on 01/08/2021 - 10:03

    There are tests that take only a matter of minutes… why don't you use them?

    • thriftysach on 01/08/2021 - 18:43

      I don’t do testing.
      I just make sure people check in and that they don’t record a high temperature. I work at a processing facility.

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