Last night on the ABC’s Q and A program, panelist and Get Up Director Simon Sheik became suddenly unwell. In the middle of the live broadcast, he slumped onto the desk in front of him and appeared to have fainted or had some kind of seizure.
We’re pleased to report that Simon is going to be absolutely fine and is apparently already working from his hospital bed (crazy bloke!) So the conversation can now turn to people’s reactions and most particularly those of the other panelists.
As you can see in the video, the reactions of the two politicians on the panel could not have been more different. Sophie Mirabella, who was seated next to Simon, looks very confused and hesitant and a bit disgusted. As if Simon had just thrown up on her shoes (he didn’t, he was unconscious). She then appears to back away in her seat. Like she might catch something.
Mirabella told The Australian online that she hadn’t realised what was happening.
“Initially I like others in the audience and on the panel, I though Simon was making a joke or laughing at Greg (Combet),” she said. “Being right next to him and having very challenging vision in my right eye, I had to turn right around. I couldn’t see him.
“Then when it became apparent there was a medical problem the crew were there to assist him and I think we were all in a bit of shock.”
Ms Mirabella said she’d got Mr Sheikh’s mobile phone number after the show and had texted him this morning wishing him well. She said critics on Twitter had jumped to the wrong conclusion.
“People will use whatever opportunity to have a go at a political with whose views they may not agree,” she said. “Some people can conveniently jump to certain assumptions. All I can say is we were all in shock when we became aware it was a medical problem.”
Today, GetUp took to Twitter defending Ms Mirabella. “Folks, please don’t criticise @SMirabellaMP it was an extraordinary circumstance and everyone was shocked,” the lobby group said.
In contrast, Greg Combet, the Climate Change Minister does a little live commentary on what was happening before boldly leaping across the stage to Simon’s aid. The other panelists watch from the sidelines.
Here in the Mamamia office, it got us talking about what we’re all like in a crisis. Are you the person who panics? Are you the concerned onlooker? Or are you the person who bounds in to save the day?
A lot of people’s hesitancy can come from not really knowing what to do. Knowing a few first aid basics could help you increase someone’s chance of survival. So to give you a little more confidence, we thought we’d revive our previous post that busts 5 common first aid myths (this post was prepared with the help of representatives from St John Ambulance Australia):
Top Comments
I love Simon. I don't love Sophie, but I don't judge her as I'm equally useless in a crisis. I hate myself for going into shock and standing by helplessly, it's happened twice in an emergency and I still beat myself up over it. I've had first aid training and everything, but am so scared to try and use it. I wish I was the heroic person whose first instinct is to respond accordingly.
Combet for PM!