G'day. It's Tuesday, February 1 and you're reading The Loop, a quick look at today's headlines.
Let's start here
In the past month, a fair few of us have tested positive for COVID-19 — more than 2 million Australians in that time, in fact.
This matched up almost perfectly with thousands and thousands of people being eligible for their booster vaccine — so what happens when you get sick with COVID-19 around the time of your scheduled shot?
You can get the full rundown here, but the first things to know are:
- don't go to a vaccination hub, pharmacy or GP for your jab while you're infectious and meant to be isolating
- once your iso has ended and you're completely symptom-free, you can pretty much get that booster whenever you're ready
- ATAGI says vaccination can be deferred for up to four months after COVID-19 infection because of the slightly lower risk of reinfection in that time.
Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison McMillan says people who have had COVID-19 "absolutely" still need a booster shot for protection against severe illness or death if reinfected with the virus.
One thing you’ll be hearing about today
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will address the National Press Club in Canberra today, from 12:30pm AEDT.
Now that we're well and truly into an election year, it's not unexpected that the Morrison government's campaign to remain in power will start to really take shape with this address.
The PM is set to formally announce two $800 cash payments for aged care workers, but unions have already slammed that measure as "insulting", saying it won't stop the mass exodus of staff leaving the industry.
To set the mood, political reporter James Glenday has taken a look at Scott Morrison's start to 2022 and what might happen from here — check it out.
News while you snoozed
- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has apologised, yet again, over a series of alleged mid-COVID-lockdown parties at Downing Street after the release of damning early findings from an investigation into the gatherings, but is still resisting calls to resign
- One of the three white men convicted of murdering US man Ahmaud Arbery has pleaded guilty to federal hate crime charges, admitting for the first time he chased the 25-year-old jogger because of his race after reaching a plea deal with federal prosecutor.
What Australia has been searching for online
- Joe Ingles. The Aussie and Utah Jazz player has reportedly torn his ACL, which means he won't return to the basketball court for the rest of the 2021-22 NBA season. The Minneapolis crowd fell completely silent when the forward's knee buckled during the second quarter of the Jazz's loss to the Timberwolves on the weekend.
- Rihanna. The internet is alight with news that the musician is pregnant. Rumours of this have popped up about a million times before, but this time it was sparked by this picture posted on Instagram by celebrity snapper Miles Diggs:
It certainly looks like this time the rumours are finally true, with more photos emerging that definitely appear to show a little Rihanna-A$AP Rocky growing:
The Grammy Award winner hasn't released a public statement at this stage (or perhaps the photos are statement enough).
One more important thing
The partner of a woman who was found dead in her North Parramatta apartment has been charged with murder and will face court today.
The body of Arnima Hayat, 19, was found in horrific circumstance yesterday afternoon.
Her partner, 20-year-old Meraj Zafar, was arrested after handing himself in to police following a public appeal for information.
You can read more about this story here, but a warning: it includes details some readers may find distressing.
You're up to date
Thanks for joining us. Stay tuned for another edition of The Loop later on today.
ABC/wires
