Mary-Louise McLaws: Disease expert who led Australia during Covid pandemic dies after battle against disease
Mary-Louise McLaws, who dedicated her career to disease prevention and led Australia through the Covid-19 pandemic, has died aged 70 after a long battle with disease.
Her husband, Richard Flook, announced that she had died on Saturday night at Wolper Hospital in Sydney’s Woollahra, saying: “Our beloved Mary-Louise passed away in her sleep.”
Ms. McLaws was a respected professor of epidemiologist, worked for the World Health Organization as a China adviser, and assisted in disease control in 10 countries outside of Australia, including Bangladesh, Cambodia and China.
In her homeland, Ms McLaws was seen as a trusted adviser guiding Australia through the Covid-19 pandemic, supporting border closures and face mask enforcement to slow the spread of the disease.
Mary-Louise McLaws (pictured), who dedicated her career to preventing disease and leading Australia through the Covid-19 pandemic, has died aged 70 after a battle with disease.
He had been on leave from his position at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) since January after he was diagnosed with brain cancer.
Her latest accolade was being made an Australian Officer in the general division during the Queen’s Birthday Honors last July.
Mr. Flook confirmed that his late wife was well cared for by the nurses and doctors at Wolper Hospital “and enjoyed visits from her many friends who have supported both her and our family.”
“We will be planning his funeral at the Emmanuel Synagogue in the coming days.”
More to come.
