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AirAware

@beairaware.bsky.social
452 followers 794 following 711 posts

Air quality research for safer living. Joining dots from a background in Law & IT...

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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
This is what our lung lymph nodes look like as we age. They stop protecting us. And, it will only get worse.
6 pics from the age of 20 to 62 of lymph nodes progressing from pink to black
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Pic of Sam Neill's oncologist on his Australian Story on ABC TV. When does ignorance illustrated by wearing the wrong mask incorrectly, become a Professional Standard's issue? My brother also died of pneumonia after "beating" cancer. A neighbour gave him Covid.
Screen grab of a woman wearing poorly fitting surgical mask below her nose
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
There were some things about the wound nurse who treated me last week that projected elite professionalism. It was encouraging that she thought it wise to completely protect patients, family & herself despite a large HEPA in each room.
Photo of a nurse wearing an N95 mask
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Gave cabbie a tip or 4 as to why the N95 I gave him could be made much better than the surgical he was using (W-nose wire, elastic band+twist-n-tie head strap, diagonally opposite cracked open windows). He got it!!
Cab driver v pleased with his upgrade to an n95 mask
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
Impressive pic by ChatGPT Not so sure about the comments
Picture of Pauline Hanson & Donald Trump with comment of "Gina, ginger, grifted planes & more, in common" The "r" in "grifted" has a red line through it, so it says "gifted"
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
These scientists may well have led the world in understanding COVID-19, but such a claim is undermined by their choice of face mask www.doherty.edu.au/articles/the...
A dozen scientists wearing blue surgical masks
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
"A major study has revealed thousands of hospital deaths in Australia were caused by human error, including poor decision-making" Not mandating N95s in healthcare is the biggest error 7news.com.au/news/thousan...
Headline: Thousands of hospital deaths in Australia caused by human error
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
"How a top neuroscientist future-proofs his brain (and you can too)" Useful article but provides some questionable advice re IAQ, & fails to mention the ongoing dementia-inducing threat of COVID. apple.news/Agr7vyd88TXe...
Concluding paragraph from article: Some wins are easy
Use a water filter to remove PFAS (forever chemicals) and lead from mains water (even the most basic countertop jug with a carbon filter does the job, rising to more expensive reverse osmosis and ionising whole-house systems). Consider a portable air purifier with an HEPA filter for PFAS and a carbon filter for VOC (volatile organic compounds). Researchers at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health found improved indoor air quality increases an occupant’s cognitive function. Or simply “burp” your home daily, creating a strong draught by opening doors or windows for a few minutes to instantly upgrade the indoor air quality. And eat sardines for breakfast. A 90g tin provides the recommended daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids.
The Stimulated Mind: Future-Proof Your Brain from Dementia and Stay Sharp at Any Age by Tommy Wood is published on Mar 26 (Vermilion, £22)
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Millions of Australians have kidney disease and don’t know it apple.news/AmRUApp_oTe-... AND "Catching COVID significantly raises the risk of developing kidney disease, researchers find" DotDot = Not Good
Daily Mail Headline from 1 March 2026 
"Catching COVID significantly raises the risk of developing kidney disease, researchers find"
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
Sth Aust CFS smoke warning Why no mention of two of the most useful options: N95s & AirPurifiers? Just because your Premier hates masks doesn't mean you need to give flawed advice! www.cfs.sa.gov.au/home/criimso...
What you should do
Stay indoors as much as possible.
Close windows, doors, and air vents (this may only assist with reduced exposure for hours or a few days, as outside air will eventually enter the home).
Use appropriate air conditioner settings in the home and vehicles to prevent outside air coming in.
Spend time in air-conditioned venues, like cinemas, shopping centres and libraries.
Reduce indoor sources of air pollution, such as smoking, cooking with gas, burning candles or vacuum cleaning.
Avoid vigorous outdoor activities, especially if you have asthma or other chronic lung or heart conditions.
People with existing heart or lung conditions, people over 65 years of age, children 14 years and younger (especially those with asthma), pregnant and breastfeeding people and people with diabetes are more sensitive to the effects of breathing in smoke and should follow the treatment plan advised by their doctor.
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Consider this a reminder for the Oz Stroke Foundation that their advice for preventing a stroke needs to be broadened. Covid is a vascular disease that causes microclots. NB this post by @PacoOnPause on X x.com/PacoOnPause/...
Screenshot webmenu: About Stroke: Prevent Stroke, High blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, High cholesterol, Atrial fibrillation, Stay active, Eat well, Smoking, Alcohol
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
Canairy?
Selfie by photographer @yabbyinthecook wearing a beanie + a N95 with "Monster Energy", the tops of two cans & some black markings. He commented: "Thanks @biori.exe can't wait to use in a shoot"
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
#robhirst opposite Ashfield Station, Sydney
Huge Poster on wall saying: Rest in peace Rob Hirst 1955 - 2026
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
Pointed out to NSW Health that their Measles Fact Sheet lacks key facts: - spread by talking etc & even before symptoms appear - airborne for 2+ hours - Source Control is key so wear a N95 mask (surgicals ineffective) Here's their reply. Suggestions appreciated to help their review.
Thank you for your feedback. Current NSW Health measles resources are being reviewed and updated.
 
We acknowledge that the measles virus can survive in the environment for up to 2 hours. However, in a normal room with adequate ventilation, the survivability, and the levels of viruses airborne diminishes rapidly after 30 minutes. Hence, for the purposes of public health contact management, we prioritise follow up of individuals sharing the same space (for e.g. waiting area of a health care facility) with a case and up to 30 minutes after the case has left.
 
Individuals with symptoms consistent with measles who are potentially infectious, are recommended to stay home and avoid others to reduce the spread. If they require medical care, they are recommended to call ahead before entering a health facility and if it is required, they can be provided with advice on appropriate mask wearing. You can find more information in Measles control guideline and measles-info-for-contacts.pdf
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
Schools go into lockdown as flu sweeps nation "Teachers cancel singing in assembly to combat virus’s spread" Why? Does it impede hand-washing? Or is it something to do with airborne transmission? apple.news/A428ZHY0GSeC...
Elaine Bown, its headteacher, said it was the “worst year” for sickness since she started nearly 14 years ago and 70 children were off sick or sent home last Monday alone.
“We’ve had assemblies, but we’ve not sung in assemblies because again, we know that that’s something that spreads it quite a lot,” she told BBC Yorkshire.
“We are rehearsing for nativities at the moment and Christmas performances and we know from Covid that singing in schools is one of the worst spreaders.
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 23/11/2025
Some people are not up to putting 1 & 1 together, let alone 2 & 2. Of course it is a Sky News "exclusive". No one else is silly enough call it a Top Story
Sky News headlines:
Exclusive: 'Stay in Turkey': Coalition mocks Bowen over COP31
Weather: Thousands without power, major hospital damaged
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
Join the Dots - One of the few reliable "Not COVID" tests. N95s protect you from both airborne viruses
A photo of someone's back covered in red measles spots with some joined with red ink to read: "NOT COVID"
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Ways to reduce pollen & dust at home this allergy & hayfever season Deficient advice from the 2 experts, or poor reporting, or both. No mention of N95s to protect when vacuuming, nor air purifiers running 24/7 to protect you from the stuff shown in pic www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
Photo of part of air purifier filter that is now very grey & covered in considerable fluff after 12 months of 24/7 use.
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
Air purifiers are a safety item specifically ineligible for the $1,000 SafeWork NSW small business rebate They would help protect workers from asbestos, silica dust, mould, PM2.5, microplastics, pollen PLUS airborne diseases such as legionnaires, Covid, Flu, RSV, TB, measles etc
Photo of construction site sign saying: "DANGER - ASBESTOS - cancer & lung disease hazard. Authorised personnel only"
Below the sign is the commentary saying "Danger from asbestos is far from over". In both, the word "Asbestos" is crossed out, & replaced with "Covid"
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
This Aldi masker was happy to let me photograph his interesting headstrap. Neater than my elastic band + twist-n-tie strap connector. We were the only smart ones in the store.
Photo of the back of a man's head showing his N95 earstraps joined at the back by a 2 cm plastic S
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
How wrong we all were re airborne vs surface spread of Cvd. But no need to stay wrong forever
Text that says: XXXXX Systems, Inc. is taking the Coronavirus epidemic very seriously.  We have closed all non-essential departments during this time to prevent the exposure and spread of this disease.

Increased availability of hand sanitizing stations; 

Increased cleaning and disinfection process across all high-volume touchpoints along with the use of cleaning/sanitizing materials and products; 

Awareness campaign with onsite information and signage; 

Availability of sanitizing and disinfection materials for employee use; 

Communicating the adoption of a ‘no-handshake policy’ with 6’ social distancing.

Employee non-contact temperature testing.

Flexible hours to address childcare and essential needs.
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 28/09/2025
A few days after attending a funeral where there were only 2 of us out of 300 in masks, it was encouraging to see another 2 people in proper masks sitting opposite on the Sydney Metro.
Photograph of 2 unconnected people on train wearing N95s
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 28/09/2025
New study suggests not to cut out all lymph nodes as they may be a key to cancer treatment But if they are lung lymph nodes damaged by breathing unclean air, then you could be in trouble? Another reason to mask when out, & run air purifiers 24/7 at home theconversation.com/dont-cut-the...
Photo of 7 lymph nodes for ages (years) 20, 29, 30, 49, 53, 56 & 62. The first is pink. They get increasingly dark until the last - 62 - is black.
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
Hey Prof Noise a Duck Makes - magic bullet = N95 Mask - each infection reduces IQ points - the greater the number of infections, the greater the risks particularly of Long Covid apple.news/AKg2Xjg83ST-...
Screenshot: How to avoid it
Short of isolating yourself at home, there’s unfortunately no magic bullet that will guarantee that you won’t catch Covid or other respiratory viruses.
However, regular hand washing and sanitising communal surfaces, such as trays on aeroplanes and trays, as well as gym equipment can reduce your risk of becoming infected.
“For most of us, the need to avoid infection is not as great as we will have had multiple infections by now and most infections are asymptomatic,” Prof Hunter says.
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 14/09/2025
SafeWork accused of failing to act on dangerous hospital understaffing If health workers & patients masked, there would be less understaffing, & fewer risks to patients from HAI from airborne viruses. Lack of masking itself warrants SafeWork action www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
Sydney Morning Herald article: Headline: ‘Live risk of serious injury, death’: SafeWork accused of failing to act at Northern Beaches Hospital
14 Sep 2025 by Kate Aubusson.
Introduction: Doctors at Northern Beaches Hospital (NBH) have raised the alarm over dangerous understaffing, which puts patients at risk of medical errors in the chronically under-resourced emergency department and wards.

The clinicians have accused SafeWork NSW of failing to act on repeated warnings over unsafe workloads for junior doctors who compiled a growing list of concerning incidents, from surgical and medical consults going unanswered for days, to registrars working unsupervised, falsified rosters, and more than 100 uncompleted electronic tasks – some time-critical – by shift’s end.
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 22/08/2025
Today's scairy headlines
ABC News: "Car pollution is deadly. New research shows us just how much"
Newsweek: "Thousands of Americans told to stop driving"
CNN: "Trump admin strips ocean and air pollution monitoring from next-gen weather satellites"
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
There are many benefits of wearing N95s
Some headlines from a search in Apple News on "Legionnaires":
Update: NYC Legionnaires' Outbreak Grows to 90 Cases; 3 Deaths Reported
What to know about Legionnaires' disease breakouts in New York, Michigan
NYC  proposes stricter rules to combat Legionnaires' disease as Harlem outbreak sparks concerns
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital: Water tests reveal bacteria that causes respiratory infection found 59 times
Legionnaires' town hall set to be held after 3 deaths in Harlem cluster
Legionnaires' disease cluster in Central Harlem now respo
Bacteria known to cause Legionnaires' disease found in water at Berks County facilitynsible for 90 cases, officials say
Up late: Health s..t show while Premier Roger Cook decides defence is good offence
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital: Water tests reveal bacteria that causes respiratory infection found 59 times Yet another reason to mask in hospitals? apple.news/AAxe1qvrDRl-...
Vulnerable patients were unknowingly put at risk of contracting potentially deadly legionnaires’ disease at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital through contaminated water.
Testing results of the hospital’s water obtained by The West Australian show health authorities know that legionella bacteria, which causes the serious pneumonia-like respiratory infection, has been found at unacceptable levels almost 60 times in the past two years.
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
I prefer disposable filters such as HEPA, MERV & N95 rather than just my Lymph Nodes which don't age well without protection
Photos of 7 Lymph Nodes with an age in years: 20, 29, 30, 49, 53, 56 & 62. The first 20 year old is a pink colour. Each one gets increasingly dark, until the 62 year old one is black
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
ABC News item re rescued Gibbons in Malaysia shows they masked handlers showing more smarts & consideration than most Australian health workers looking after patients.
Photo of a masked handler feeding a young Gibbon monkey using a baby bottle in an outside compound
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
Another thing Hinkley/Power didn't learn from Covid, is that you don't play if sick or risk #LongCovid & soft-tissue injury
Fox Footy interview of Heeney: "I was expecting a pretty hard tag...but he said he was pretty crook"
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
Electrician returned here for another job wearing the N95 I gave him a fortnight ago Being showered in mouse poo from the ceiling + the death of Gene Hackman's wife from Hantavirus, may have been educational. Helps to be smart, & considerate enough to care
Photo of electrician wearing an N95 installing a light
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
Has Donald Dutton owned 26 properties while blaming foreign students for a housing shortage? "if you don't know, vote NO" kNOw Donald Dutton
Caricature of Dutton with a Donald hairpiece while highlighting the NO in know, as we were told "if you don't know, vote NO"
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Yes, but if Rita had been vaccinated, she wouldn't have acquired the skill of painting by mouth, & my father would have missed out on having a life-long friend/patient as her Dr
A yellow rose, painted by mouth by Rita McFarland
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
Covid is everywhere - even The Rock in Southern NSW where the FB Admin for The Rock Regional Observatory urged those sick not to attend their regular Saturday night star viewing. www.facebook.com/groups/thero...
Hi everyone, just a friendly reminder that COVID is once again making the rounds so if you are sick, please stay home as we have elderly volunteers at the Observatory.
Thank you!
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
6 + 100 yrs ago, they were smarter. The 2nd item reports: "With a view to securing to the nurses...the utmost immunity from contagion, the cases...are being nursed on the verandahs & in the new well ventilated pavilions. The nurses wear goggles, masks & a cap covering their hair"
Newspaper item dated 22 February 1919 & headlined: COUNTRY CASES,
SYDNEY, Friday.—Last night eight suspicious cases were taken to the Coast Hospital. The first case of pneumonic influenza has occurred at Wagga. The victim is a man named William Tyrie, who had been
in camp with a number of other men near
Yerong Creek. The camp has been quarantined. A young woman at Boggabri is also suspected of suffering from the disease.
2nd item has headline: Protecting the Nurses
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Bird flu at Vic poultry farm "follow best biosecurity practices such as keeping poultry sheds, yards, aviaries & equipment clean, & restricting contact between poultry & wild birds" Remember "deep cleaning" & "social distancing"? Airborne? www.beefcentral.com/news/livesto...
An drawing of a rooster breathing virus over a cow
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
ChatGPT told me that Covid's primary spread was "Airborne (respiratory droplets)". I pointed out its error: "It is not correct to say that COVID is primarily spread by airborne droplets. It is spread by aerosols that can stay in the air for hours." ChatGPT agreed
You’re absolutely right—COVID-19 is primarily spread through airborne aerosols, not just respiratory droplets. The early understanding of COVID-19 transmission focused on larger respiratory droplets, but research has since confirmed that aerosols—tiny particles that can stay suspended in the air for hours—play a major role in spreading the virus.
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
The benefit of a 4 pc fan CRBox going 24/7 for a few months at ground level. Best not to inhale air enriched with 2 dogs' hair, & other urban unknowns.
Video showing vacumming of air filter pleats filled with dusty dog hair
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
A mention of air & plague a century ago
LIKES FAHiM LIFE.
Ravensby, Yerong Croek.
Dear Uncle Jeff, —This is the first letter
I have written to the Children's Page. I
am living on a farm, and I like it very
much. I like living in the country be
cause there is plenty of fresh air. I am
going to school, and I like going because
we learn a lot of things. I am , glad that
the war is over, because no more soldiers
are getting killed. This plague that is going about is deadly. Some people are dying of it. 1 hope you escape it. father
Christmas brought me a : lot of things.
The weather is very, dry, but I think we
are going to get rain now, I am 12 years
old, and my other sisters and brothers are
under 12. I will tell you more news next
time I write to the Children's Page,-—
Your loving niece, Johanna Semmler. '
(if you remain fond of school you'll get
on all right).
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
A 50 yr old report re electric cars in Oz cities
THE AGE, Friday, September 20, 1974
Use electric cars in cities, says report
CANBERRA.
— Battery-powered
cars could be used for urban travel
now, according to a report tabled in
the House of Representatives yesterday.
It recommends their use be encouraged.

The report, prepared by the Bureau 
of Transport Economics, was tabled by
the Minister for Transport (Mr. Jones).

It said that under existing marketing
conditions it was unlikely battery cars
would gain wide public acceptance.
But it said this situation could be
reversed by deliberate regulation, by 
significant technical improvements in
battery cars, or by increased operating
costs for conventional cars.
It said widespread use of electric
cars would assist substantially in reducing pollution and noise in urban 
areas without depriving the community of the personal convenience of
private motor cars.
The report said it was unlikely that .
cars powered by batteries alone would
approach the performance capabilities
of internal combustion vehicles within the 	forseeable future.
Nor was it envisaged that the electric car would threaten the internal
combustion car for inter-urban travel
for some considerable time.
But it was probably correct to state, the report added. that individual car
trips of greater than 15 kilometres were
 the exception rather than the rule.
It said the future of the electric
car depended on either on-board storage of electrical energy, on-board energy conversion, or partial system
operation.
Universal collection of electricity
from wayside structures was out of
the question, it said.
The report also said that the performance
capabilities of most cars
marketed in Australia were undoubtedly well in excess of their performance requirements.

In addition, the report said, the report said, the
available facts indicated that the motor car was
a substantial contributor to atmospheric pollution in Australian cities.
Other transport media were relatively
insignificant by comparison.
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
The "good old days" - pre vax & antibiotics. Fancy losing 3 children in 6 days. Dreadful
Screen pic of newspaper item: DIED
At Mundawaddera Station, on the 4th instant, of
diptheria, Harriett, fifth dauguter of Mr. Charles
Edghill, aged 6 years.
Also, at Mundawaddera Station, on the 7th instant,
of diptheria and croup, after four days' illness, Emma
Jane, fourth daughter of Mr. Charles Edghill, aged
8 years.
Also, at Mundawaddera Station, on the 10th inst.,
of diptheria and croup, after seven days' illness, Anne,
sixth daughter of Mr. Charles Edghill, aged 4½ years
The Albury Banner
AND
WODONGA EXPRESS.
SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 1863.
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
GP shortage contributing to 'bidding war' as regional towns struggle to attract doctors A sign to help avoid overwhelming health services #CovidIsNotOver #COVIDisAirborne www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01...
Photo of front door of Quairading Medical Practice with A4 page saying "Masks Required"
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 18/01/2025
Oz Aldi has oximeters for $25. Although there are issues re accuracy on darker skin tones, they can still be helpful if you have COVID as blood oxygen levels can drop dangerously low without you realising: www.sinchhealth.com/oximeters
Photo of finger in oximeter + Price: $24.99, 1 year warranty. Measures blood oxygen levels, pulse rate and perfusion index
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
CRYING MYSELF TO SLEEP ON THE BIGGEST CRUISE SHIP EVER Seven agonizing nights aboard the Icon of the Seas apple.news/AuX3tJf7jQyW...
The Atlantic
Mr. Washy Washy performs an eponymous song in spirited, indeed flamboyant English: “Washy, washy, wash your hands, WASHY WASHY!” The dangers of norovirus and COVID on a cruise ship this size (a giant fellow ship was stricken with the former right after my voyage) makes Mr. Washy Washy an essential member of the crew.
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 04/01/2025
Mundawaddera Public School 1890 - Airing problems - Longtime issue
	It would be a good idea to memorialise the Minister for Public Instruction or our members to come and see it in its present condition. The roof is composed of old decayed bark sheets, and the openings in them vary in size from 6in. to 2ft. in length and several inches wide, The only advantage this has is in the summer time, as it affords the pupils a little ventilation, since there are only two windows in the front to admit the light and air, and the room is perfectly suffocating when packed as it is now with children. In winter, however, it is even worse. The only means of light, which is by two front windows, is closed off greatly by the bark sheets of the verandah, and hence, since no light approaches from the sides or back of it, the room would be in darkness in the afternoons in winter months had not nature been good enough to open the back roof and let a lot of light in there; but this proves a rather unpleasant convenience when the rain pours down through these openings and drenches all beneath.
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 31/12/2024
The Age headline: ‘It’s beautiful, but we’d like fresh air’: Life inside Melbourne’s most polluted suburb. Why the western suburbs are Australia’s fastest growing regions, & what’s holding…
Subscription required.
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 29/12/2024
Multiple epidemics are not new. From a century ago, The Wagga Daily Advertiser reports of "epidemics of one sort or another"
Image of newspaper column: The pupils of The Rock School have
made three attempts to hold a bazaar,
and every time, owing to epidemics of
one sort or another, the proposal has
been postponed'. They hope, however,
to dispose of the articles made and
collected for the object at a school
social next Wednesday night. There
will be the usual items, and a dance
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 23/12/2024
SafeWork knew tunnel workers were exposed to silica - The Sydney Morning Herald "SafeWork sought to suppress air quality testing data for tunnelling projects, siding with companies concerned about reputational damage"
Abridged SMH article: The workplace health and safety regulator, Transport for NSW, iCare and contractors CPB and LendLease have all been aware of the dangers posed by silica on major tunnelling projects for years. On those projects, including NorthConnex, pictured, and Westconnex, thousands of tunnelling workers were exposed to “high levels” of the deadly dust. The threat was considered so severe that SafeWork warned compliance action would be undertaken to ensure worker safety.

Documents produced under a NSW parliamentary order show the regulator met with contractors in 2018 to discuss “the best way forward to reduce exposure”. Their release came just a month after SafeWork sought to suppress air quality testing data for tunnelling projects, siding with companies concerned about reputational damage. Last year a joint investigation by the Herald and 60 Minutes revealed the serious health risks and deaths of tradespeople who worked with engineered stone, and those revelations led the federal and state governments to agree to ban products containing at least 1 per cent silica. The investigation found those risks were also faced by tunnel workers, as Sydney’s sandstone contains up to 90 per cent silica.

We don’t yet know what action was taken against companies on the tunnelling projects to ensure worker safety. SafeWork did not say whether silica exposure on those projects had fallen since 2018 or whether compliance and been tightened. A spokeswoman said SafeWork inspectors conducted “regular and reactive visits” on tunnelling projects with a focus on “high-risk activities”. CPB and LendLease both said they follow robust procedures to ensure worker safety, while a spokesman for Work Health and Safety Minister Sophie Cotsis said the government remains committed to providing health assessments to current and retired workers at risk of developing a workplace dust diseases.
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AirAware @beairaware.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
Vile spotted A suspect trying to hide in plain sight? Motive: A CHO branching out to new career building Walls of Immunity?
A pic of a man speaking at a press conference with a "noddy" behind him either wiping his eyes, or hiding his face. The text below them says "323 vials containing deadly viruses go missing from lab in Australia - ABC News. Among them, nearly 100 vials contained the Hendra Virus"
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