Coronavirus

[Redford]

Yeh, and people thinking that they can behave like covid doesn't exist anymore because they are vaccinated. Apparently a large number of new infections in Vic is in the under 30's (as you predicted).

There has to be continued messaging about the risks. Young people are gonna be passing it on to their parents/grandparents. Id hate the guilt associated with knowing you'd played a part in the death of your nan or pop.

Yep. You’d think this thing is all over. It’s just half time as far as I’m concerned.

There were 330,000 cases in the UK this last week, and whilst we should now be focussing on sickness/hospitalisation/mortality numbers, those themselves are sky rocketing. The UK health system can’t cope. Most are associated with non vaccinated people (totally crushing the system) but an increasing amount are for fully vaccinated people that need a booster.

Hopefully, unlike the Federal Government’s total and utter f up of the initial vaccine rollout they get the booster roll out co ordinated. Hunt reckons we’ve got the stock and ATAGI are about to make a recommendation, but he said that two weeks ago. Time is getting critical.

Given the wane timeline (reasonable drop off after 4 months) we have 6.1m phase 1b recipients coming due for a booster now, or very soon.

 

[Ian4]

So, Queensland have announced a December 17 opening to VIC and December 15 for Tassie (90% 12+ has always been their benchmark). We know WA won’t open up this year (probably around Easter). SA haven’t made any announcements yet, but Marshall has said publicly he’s sticking to the national plan, which means an opening in early December (fingers crossed as I am planning an A-League away day on December 11).

As an interesting sidenote: COVID Base are predicting VIC reaches 90% 12+ on November 30, and December 10 for NSW. So, the NSW decision to open up to the unvaxxed on December 1, means VIC will overtake their vaccination rates at some point in November.

Impressed with Andrews today.
Once 90% full vax the whole place opens fully for all who are vaccinated. That's how it must be.
As he said, we cannot remain shut down to protect those who refuse to protect themselves ( and others).
Everyone will have had ample time.
This is how it must be and in reality this may be " as good as it gets".
Really pleased he has not caved in to the resistant or wacko minority.
Has shown real leadership.
Would have to assume that some time, perhaps after the New Year, non vaccinated people will be given access to more things, otherwise life will be impossibly restrictive for them. Hoping that number of people will become very few.
Boosters needed after six months or so, but will have to wait for science to determine this. Older and frail make less anti bodies and more in need. Young and healthy may well retain good protection for much longer.
Finally good news and a very positive outlook.
Can't wait to get to the country and the beach and get to go out at night.

"But Dictator Dan wants us locked down forever."

 

[LeeToRainesToRoach]

"But Dictator Dan wants us locked down forever."

Let's hope he hasn't pulled the trigger too early for the sake of political expediency. No more lockdowns is a big call.

 

[jb03]

so with the duck sipping tea from a rainbow coloured teapot,

hes trying to convey that waterbirds like consuming beverages from colourful vessels?

oooooooohhhhhhhhhhh, I get it now.

Leunig has been effectively axed for that anti-vax cartoon.

 

[DavidSSS]

One of the interesting aspects of the opening up debate has been the discussion of whether the low numbers of people infected in Australia will affect this. Many countries in Europe and, of course, the clusterf*ck that was Trump's USA, have had a lot of people infected.

So, what does this mean, are the countries who have had higher rates of infection going to be more protected with a combination of people who have recovered from COVID and those who are vaccinated (and both) giving something a bit closer to herd immunity?

While we can't say for sure, as Coronacast pointed out this morning, the UK had very high rates of infection, giving some immunity to those who recovered, and they have high rates of vaccination. Yet, they opened everything up and now have high and increasing numbers of infections. This is not a good sign for those who were saying that there would be an increase in resistance from those who have contracted the virus and recovered. It does not seem to be the case that having a lot of people who have recovered gives you more people who are immune. Clearly we need to keep vaccinating and that third shot is going to be very important.

On a, much, brighter note. The WHO reported that there were 2 cases of polio worldwide last year. We are on the verge of eliminating polio from the world. The polio vaccine is incredible as it does stop transmission (I think, maybe just slows it, someone might know better), but it just shows how amazing vaccines are. This will only be the second virus we have eliminated after Smallpox but what an achievement. No more kids in iron lungs, no more adults walking around in leg irons because they contracted polio as a kid. The 2 cases last year were 1 in Afghanistan and 1 in Pakistan - the Taliban have said they will allow polio vaccinations to continue under their rule. Geez, even the Taliban can see the benefit of vaccines. If we can finally eradicate polio it will be an astounding outcome.

In Victoria we get to go back to close to normal with 90% of 12+ vaccinated, let's get this done.

DS

 

[Harry]

So unvaxxinated tennis players will be allowed now?

Unvaxxed stars to be allowed at Australian Open

Leaked memo in response to 'false and misleading information'

wwos.nine.com.au

 

[Ian4]

Let's hope he hasn't pulled the trigger too early for the sake of political expediency. No more lockdowns is a big call.

I’ve seen a lot of people claim Andrews is easing restrictions earlier than planned is based on bad polls. Roy Morgan had Labor/LNP at 59.5%/40.5% TPP last week and 71% approval rating for Andrews. If that’s a bad poll, then I’d like to see what a good one looks like.

As for lockdowns, the only way we will go back into lockdown is if hospitals are overwhelmed. Hospitals are not overwhelmed atm. Hospital numbers are much lower than Burnett Institute modelling. This is why we’re opening up with less restrictions (not because of polls).

We are now entering a new phase of dealing with COVID. Hospital numbers is now the key indicator, not case numbers. That is why the daily DHHS graphic has changed.

From memory, hospital numbers are expected to peak in mid-December at about 1,500… which is very manageable. Next winter will be the big test.

 

[eZyT]

Leunig has been effectively axed for that anti-vax cartoon.

I assume Alan Jones and Adrew Bolt will be pretty chuffed with him being 'cancelled' ?

 

[LeeToRainesToRoach]

I assume Alan Jones and Adrew Bolt will be pretty chuffed with him being 'cancelled' ?

Not sure about Jones but I expect Bolt would fully support Leunig.

 

[Redford]

Leunig has been effectively axed for that anti-vax cartoon.

One of my mate’s nickname is Leunig. Geez I’m gonna get some mileage out of this.

 

[Brodders17]

I’ve seen a lot of people claim Andrews is easing restrictions earlier than planned is based on bad polls. Roy Morgan had Labor/LNP at 59.5%/40.5% TPP last week and 71% approval rating for Andrews. If that’s a bad poll, then I’d like to see what a good one looks like.

I reckon the fact that 40% would vote for the current Victorian LNP is a bad poll for Labor.

 

[jb03]

I reckon the fact that 40% would vote for the current Victorian LNP is a bad poll for Labor.

 

[MD Jazz]

M

Let's hope he hasn't pulled the trigger too early for the sake of political expediency. No more lockdowns is a big call.

Correct. Appears to have changed tack to his previous hard line stance.. Why?

Given most decisions he's made haven't worked out as planned he's likely using the George Costanza opposite method of decision making in the hope of getting it right.

 

[Tigers of Old]

There were 330,000 cases in the UK this last week, and whilst we should now be focussing on sickness/hospitalisation/mortality numbers, those themselves are sky rocketing. The UK health system can’t cope. Most are associated with non vaccinated people (totally crushing the system) but an increasing amount are for fully vaccinated people that need a booster.

I'm over case numbers now. Got any data on hospitalisations or deaths in the UK for those double vaxxed Red?

 

[MB78]

Still some concerns in Melbourne tourist hotspots. The outer areas and regional have brilliant numbers.

First and Second Doses Administered by LGA - COVID Live

Live tracking of coronavirus cases, active, tests, deaths, ICU, hospitalisations and vaccinations in Victoria

covidlive.com.au

 

[MD Jazz]

I'm over case numbers now. Got any data on hospitalisations or deaths in the UK for those double vaxxed Red?

In the oldest group - the over-80s - 141 people in every 100,000 unvaccinated people ended up in hospital with Covid compared with 54 in every 100,000 vaccinated people.
In the youngest - the under-18s - four unvaccinated people in every 100,000 needed overnight hospital treatment compared with zero in the vaccinated group.

 

[MD Jazz]

In England, unvaccinated people were at least three times as likely to need hospital care as vaccinated people, according to the most recent Public Health England figures for the previous three weeks.

 

[AngryAnt]

Leunig has been effectively axed for that anti-vax cartoon.

I don't agree with cancellation but as soon as you equate vaccination with the Tiananmen massacres of thousands of people shot and crushed into a paste by People's Army tanks then you make it pretty hard for your publisher.

 

[Greenie]

I don't agree with cancellation but as soon as you equate vaccination with the Tiananmen massacres of thousands of people shot and crushed into a paste by People's Army tanks then you make it pretty hard for your publisher.

Totally. Big fan of Leunig for 40 years or so and not a fan of cancelling but he is testing the patience.
Makes you wonder what Curly Flat are thinking.
This approach goes along with those cheery Nazi and Apartheid references. Slightly different situation when you've been discriminated against/murdered because of your ethnicity rather than not being allowed into a pub as a result of a choice you have made.
Makes it even more stomach turning when you see the extreme right, nazi, racists associated with the anti-vaxxer movement. Not that they're all like that of course.

 

[IanG]

Is Melbourne really the world's most locked-down city?

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says Melbourne is the world's most locked-down city. Is that correct? RMIT ABC Fact Check investigates.

www.abc.net.au