Karl Stefanovic reveals his mother Jenny, 70, is ‘terribly anxious’ about COVID-19 and says he’s been reassuring her that she’ll get to meet his newborn baby once we all ‘get through’ the pandemic
Karl Stefanovic revealed last month that his mother Jenny, 70, won’t get to meet his newborn baby in coming weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic.
And now the 45-year-old opened up about how his mother is doing, saying that she is ‘terribly anxious’ about COVID-19.
Speaking on the Today show on Thursday, Karl said that he’s been reassuring his mother that she will get to meet his baby daughter one day, once we all ‘get through’ the pandemic.
Scary times: Karl Stefanovic revealed on Today on Thursday that his mother Jenny, 70, is ‘terribly anxious’ about COVID-19 and says he’s been reassuring her that she’ll get to meet his newborn baby once we all ‘get through’ the pandemic (pictured with co-host Allison Langdon)
His wife Jasmine Yarbrough, 35, is due in May.
‘I spoke to my mum, mum is terribly anxious because she’s on her own and trying to isolate,’ Karl said, with his mother being based in Queensland.
‘She has anxiety about not being with us with the baby coming. That builds for her and I just said to her, because this Lifeline counsellor said to me, “you focus on the positives.”
Trying times: ‘I spoke to my mum, mum is terribly anxious because she’s on her own and trying to isolate,’ Karl said. His mother Jenny is pictured
He added: ‘We will get through this. We will reach the other side. You will see the baby.’
Karl said that focusing on short-term goals during the global health crisis helps to ‘keep the spirits up.’
Last month, Karl revealed his heartache on Today over his mother not being able to meet his baby daughter due to coronavirus.
He said interstate travel restrictions and hospital protocols mean Jenny will have to stay in Queensland and not head down to Sydney where he and Jasmine are based.
‘My mum lives in Cairns. She’s just turned 70. She feels so isolated,’ Karl said.
Baby joy: Karl is expecting his first child with wife Jasmine Yarbrough (pictured)
‘So she can’t travel interstate and there’s lots going on with the family and everything,’ he added.
He added: ‘[Jenny] has lots of new grandbabies. The reality is she’s not going to be able to meet them.’
He also noted that hospitals won’t be allowing anyone besides doctors, nurses and parents into the birthing suites as a safety precaution.
‘So that’s hard. That’s hard for a grandparent,’ he said.
Karl has three older children from his previous marriage to Cassandra Thorburn: Jackson, 20, River, 12, and Ava, 14.
As of Thursday morning, there are 4,862 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia, including 21 deaths.
If you or anyone you know is struggling, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or click here.
Pandemic: As of Thursday morning, there are 4,862 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia, including 21 deaths