Acting NSW Premier reveals his aunt and uncle both died of Covid in Italy – and admits their deaths forced him to take the virus seriously
John Barilaro , 49, filled in for Premier Gladys Berejiklian last week and reported Covid-19 figures for NSW
The acting NSW Premier has revealed he began taking Covid-19 more seriously when his aunt and uncle died in Italy's outbreak.
John Barilaro, 49, filled in for Premier Gladys Berejiklian last week and reported Covid-19 figures for NSW.
Mr Barilaro's aunt Maria Inzillo was in an induced coma when her husband Damiano Nesci died on December 19. Four days later she also succumbed to the virus.
The father-of-three said these personal circumstances were the reason behind his change of heart about the threat the pandemic posed.
'Their deaths changed me, I realise we're not out of the woods yet, it's made me more cautious,' he told The Daily Telegraph.
'Once it's in your family, you suddenly realise Covid-19 actually kills, it could happen to any of us,'
Both his relatives survived the first Italian outbreak, the first to hit Europe when the virus spread from China, which killed thousands.
Mr Barilaro's aunt Maria Inzillo was in an induced coma when her husband, Damiano Nesci, died four days before her on December 23
But the country was again particularly badly affected as the second wave ripped through Europe in the past few months.
Mr Barilaro's father Domenico, 79, also died a few months earlier in July from diabetes.
Before their deaths, the Nationals leader was a strong advocate of easing restrictions sooner rather than later.
He also called for more patrons allowed at NRL games as well as reopening Sydney's ANZ Stadium to fans to get things back to normal.
He has since changed his stance and respects the advice of NSW Health as he watches the compliance of Australians to ensure the virus doesn't spread.
Mr Barilaro is also taking his own health more seriously, limiting his alcohol intake, eating healthier, and going for a walk every morning and some afternoons.
The Nationals leader was a strong advocate of easing restrictions sooner rather than later (Pictured: Leaving the press conference on January 8)
He also bought a bike to commute around the CBD after losing his license when he was busted speeding twice, including once in a ministerial car.
Mr Barilaro very publicly took four weeks off for his mental health after he threatened to implode the coalition government in the infamous koala saga of September 2020.
'Everybody's had some level of trauma in their life,' he said at the time.
'It's about how you manage it and for a long time I thought I could do it on my own — this year I couldn't.'