Australians mourning the death of a swimmer killed by a great white shark have been trolled for focusing on the tragedy rather than the country’s Covid deaths.
The mauling of British expat Simon Nellist, 35, near Little Bay in Sydney‘s east on Wednesday – the first fatal shark attack in the city in nearly 60 years – has made headline news around the world.
On the same day Australia recorded 66 deaths from the virus, including 27 in NSW.
While many rushed to pay tribute to the avid scuba diver, others called for mourners to direct their sympathy towards those who have lost their lives to the virus.
Simon Nellist, 35, became Sydney’s first fatal shark attack victim in almost 60 years when he was mauled to death at Buchan Point, near Little Bay in the city’s east, on Wednesday afternoon
Many called for those mourning the death of the British expat in Wednesday’s shark attack to focus on Australia’s Covid situation instead
‘So people are going mental over one death from a shark attack (tragic, true),’ one person wrote on Twitter. ‘But people don’t give a toss about dozens of Covid deaths because…???’
There were 27,688 cases nationwide on Thursday, compared to 149,319 on January 13, but the death rate has bounced around as the Omicron wave subsides.
‘A shark attack and it’s all over the news. 27 people died in NSW of Covid on the same day – nothing,’ another said.
One criticised how the national reaction to the shark attack death appeared to be a ‘dark pall hanging over the community’, while the attitude towards coronavirus deaths was ‘live with it’.
However others defended the national focus – saying the historic nature of Sydney’s first shark attack in more than half a century deserved attention.
‘Shark attacks always have been and always will be newsworthy,’ another said.
‘Just like when my grandad died of lung cancer it didn’t make the news but if he’d been eaten by a shark it would have.’
‘Covid deaths are everyday and as much as losing a person is sad that is all we have been hearing for two years. Condolences to all who lost someone yesterday,’ one said.
Pictured are masked shoppers in Sydney on December 23. There were 27,688 cases nationwide on Thursday, compared to 149,319 on January 13
Pictured is the horrifying moment the swimmer was mauled by a great white shark on Wednesday, with shocking footage (pictured) captured at the scene
Some defended Australia’s national focus – saying the historic nature of Sydney’s first shark attack in more than half a century deserved attention
This week, Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed Covid was the underlying cause of death for 96.8 per cent of 2,639 Covid-related deaths nationally between March 2020 and January 31 of this year.
However, some 91.4 per cent had other conditions also listed on their death certificate – three other health issues on average.
Tributes have meanwhile poured in for Mr Nellist, who was originally from Cornwall in the UK and due to marry the ‘girl of his dreams’, long-time partner Jessie Ho.
The pair were meant to get married last year but they were forced to delay the wedding because of the Covid pandemic and lockdowns.
Simon Nellist (pictured with his fiancée Jessie Ho in Sydney) was due to marry the love of his life after Covid-19 threw their wedding plans into chaos last year
Simon Nellist and his partner Jessie Ho pictured after a diving expedition off Queensland’s Rainbow Beach last June before Sydney was plunged into lockdown
‘It’s just horrendous,’ one close friend told The Sun. ‘We spent most of yesterday just hoping and praying it wasn’t him. It’s still incredibly raw.’
The attack prompted Randwick City Council to close all its beaches – including Little Bay, Malabar, Maroubra, Coogee, Clovelly and La Perouse – for 24 hours on Thursday before reopening them on Friday.
Experts say the killer shark has likely already swam at least 100km away, and it’s understood that even if it was found – it wouldn’t be culled – and instead encouraged to leave the area.
