AUSLAN Interpreter For Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews Becomes Social Media Sensation

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews gave a sobering and difficult press conference yesterday.

The leader of the southeastern state revealed it had recorded the highest daily increase of coronavirus infections since the pandemic began, with 484 new cases.

He delved into some of the reasons why there has been such a large increase in cases.

While it remains incredibly vital and serious information, people couldn't help but notice Premier Andrews' AUSLAN interpreter.

At one point, he put two middle fingers up to everyone, a moment that has since gone viral on social media.

Legendary Australian tennis player Dylan Alcott wrote on Twitter: "Shoutout to this legendary AUSLAN interpreter who absolutely nailed my feelings towards to current Covid sitch in my hometown of Melbourne. Stay safe Victoria!"

Turns out the interpreter was signing the word for 'holiday', 'lazy' or 'to do nothing' which isn't the first time it's been used during a press conference.

But the word 'lazy' was very pertinent for the Premier's press conference yesterday. Mr Andrews said people haven't been self-isolating when they experience symptoms.

"I'm very unhappy and very sad to have to report that nearly nine in 10 - or 3,400 cases - did not isolate between when they first felt sick and when they went to get a test.

"That's an interesting measure in that people have felt sick, they've got symptoms, and they've kept going shopping, they've kept going to work."

What's even worse was more than 50 per cent of people who ended up getting tested also didn't go home until they got their results back.

Mr Andrews added: "I'm equally saddened to have to report that 53 per cent - or 2,056 of those 3,810 cases - did not isolate - that is, did not stay at home and have no contact with anybody else - between when they had their test taken and when they got the results of that test."

While Premier Andrews was saddened that people aren't getting the message, he calmly and accurately explained what needs to happen from now if the state is going to bring the second wave under control.

"You must go and get tested when you feel sick," he said. "That is the only thing that you can and must do. And if people don't do that, then we will continue to see numbers increase.

"Unless we have people who get tested staying at home and isolating until they get their results, then we will not see these numbers come down. They will continue to go up and up."

Topics: Viral, News, Australia

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie