OzSAGE is a multi-disciplinary network of Australian experts from a broad range of sectors relevant to the well-being of the Australian population during and after the COVID-19 pandemic to assist the safe opening up of Australia.
We aim to be an additional resource for federal and state governments, opposition, business, community and non-government agencies in Australia. We will formulate independent advice on public health, health systems and other policy matters relevant to COVID-19 control, with diverse and multidisciplinary perspectives. We will provide decision support, underpinned by the best scientific evidence, modelling and other research, to inform the choice between policy alternatives. We will be agile and responsive in providing rapid advice during emergencies.
We are guided by the values of respect, diversity and inclusion, justice, equity, transparency, authenticity, compassion and solidarity. We use the precautionary principle, ethics, use of real-world examples and understand that recommendations may change over time as evidence or needs change.
Safe Indoor Air (Ventilation) and “Vaccine-Plus’ are the pillars of safe lifting of restrictions. “Plus” refers to testing, tracing, masks and other non-pharmaceutical strategies. Safe Indoor Air (Ventilation) is about providing safe air and mitigating airborne transmission in high-risk settings (borders, health and aged care), in our schools, workplaces, social venues and homes.
In the first instance, we provide a series of practical solutions that are actionable around
- Safe Indoor Air (Ventilation) and safe buildings
- Vaccination targets
- Test and trace
- Masks
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Protecting children
- Protecting and surging the health workforce
- Protecting and enabling businesses
- Remote and regional Australia.
- High risk and disadvantaged populations
More detailed advice will follow from a series of working groups who are developing solutions and strategies to help Australia move forward during and after this pandemic.