ABC star Dr Norman Swan accused of 'scaremongering' with Covid Christmas ... trends now

The ABC's health expert has been accused of 'scaremongering' after he said people should be wearing masks this Christmas. 

Dr Norman Swan said people should mask up to reduce the spread of Covid and avoid 'stuffy' indoor areas by holding events outside. 

'Stay outdoors, don't go indoors to stuffy environments, wear masks to protect yourselves, and if you've got symptoms like a runny nose or a cough stay away from your relatives,' Dr Swan told The Project on Tuesday night. 

'For those of you that have not had a jab in 2023; Really, another jab? I mean you haven't had a jab for quite a while [so] put on your big boy pants or your big girl pants and go out and get one.

'This is not a mild virus and the death rates are going back up again.'

2GB radio host Chris O'Keefe said Dr Swan needed to 'give it up' and was giving advice more suited to circumstances in 2020 when Covid case numbers peaked. 

'Can we just drop off this stuff?' he told listeners on Friday. 

'It feels like we're back in 2020 when you hear Dr Norman Swan, doesn't it? Listen, Dr Swan, please, just give it away. Enough. 

'Most of us have had Covid once, maybe twice, maybe two or three times. And you know what? We're all still here to tell the tale. 

'We know ourselves as individuals, and we'll make the decision to go and get vaxxed, depending on whether or not we think we are particularly vulnerable.'