Australian Reports of the Virus Spread

[MelMel]

Vic Gov will be distributing over a million re-usable masks to schools next week, and a million odd single-use masks this week.

“Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said it was likely older people would be first in line for a mask and would be able to collect one from a local GP clinic” ??? So they have to go out - wearing a mask because you have to - to collect a mask from a Doctors clinic ??

 

[lovetravellingoz]

“Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said it was likely older people would be first in line for a mask and would be able to collect one from a local GP clinic” ??? So they have to go out - wearing a mask because you have to - to collect a mask from a Doctors clinic ??

I missed that, but perhaps it is just meant to be a back up (Plan B) for those that cannot source them by other means.

For example neither of my parents use the internet and so cannot buy things online, unless we do it for them.

Unfortunately too, not all of the elderly have friends or family who may be able to purchase for them. Though many elderly visit doctors regularly and again if not internet savvy may not be using tele-medicine.


But yes I take your point that another pick-up point may be prudent.

 

[blackcat20]

“Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said it was likely older people would be first in line for a mask and would be able to collect one from a local GP clinic” ??? So they have to go out - wearing a mask because you have to - to collect a mask from a Doctors clinic ??

They arent required to wear one until Thursday, so I assume they collect it before then.

 

[MelMel]

They arent required to wear one until Thursday, so I assume they collect it before then.

Hopefully

 

[RooFlyer]

I'm not a great AFL fan and I'm surprised that the Taas government would allow this, given their very strict border policy. But I guess none of the teams will be coming from Victoria and all from an existing hub. Hobart Mercury on-line (paywalled) . Note that nth Melbourne has a sponsored relationship with Tasmania (as does Hawthorn). Cricket Tasmania control Blundstone Arena, where the matches would be played - hence their involvement.

HOBART will host up to four AFL games in the next two months.

The Mercury can reveal the AFL, the Tasmanian Government and Cricket Tasmania have reached an agreement that will see North Melbourne play possibly its full allotment of four games at Blundstone Arena.

Cricket Tasmania has allocated early August to mid-September to host the AFL games that will possibly see the Roos play four matches across a three-week block before the venue is returned to cricket operations.

North Melbourne will most likely hub in Hobart, with its opponents to fly in, fly out.

Tasmania’s borders will remain closed to at least July 31, but even if they do not reopen, teams may receive travel exemptions having been quarantined in Queensland hubs for some time.

Currently, Blundstone Arena can host up to 25 per cent crowd capacity (about 3000-4000 fans), but it is understood the Government is exploring possibilities of lifting this to 50 per cent should health authorities give the all clear.

 

[Gremlin]

Which state is enforcing the border? If it is Queensland, I imagine it would be easier from a legal perspective to move the checks north into Queensland, rather than south into NSW..

Probably from a legal perspective, but that's simply not practical. My guess is that nothing will come of this, but the suggestion is really in order to make life easier for those living in Northern NSW. Plenty of people commute from Tweed and Banora Point into the GC for work. Once you hit Banora Point, you've basically got a continuous stretch of suburbia all the way to the northern end of the Gold Coast.

I know someone who lives in an apartment overlooking Duranbah Beach. They are in NSW. The only road into D'bah is from Queensland. It's a nightmare for them. The nearest shopping centre is 400m away and also in NSW, but they have given up driving there because it's up to an hour and a half trip home as they have to cross the border twice (they can walk or cycle along footpaths and stay in NSW, but tough to get a week of groceries home). Australia Post is delivering mail, but they can't get couriers or supermarkets or pizza stores to deliver.

 

[drron]

On the subject of masks there was an embarrassing case of the lack of proof reading

Dr Chant reiterated NSW Health's current advice that fake masks should only be worn where social distancing cannot be contained. She said the current advice was that children do not need to wear a mask at school.

In the 11.35 post on their Covid blog.

As the day unfolded: Victoria records 275 new COVID-19 cases as state makes face masks mandatory; NSW COVID-19 clusters grow as Australian death toll jumps to 123

Restrictions on the NSW-Victoria border region will be tightened from midnight Tuesday, after Victoria recorded 363 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, its second-highest daily case total.

www.smh.com.au

And for a bit of levity to relieve anxiety a selection of inappropriate masks or situations.
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But I grew up with this kind of mask.
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[p--and--t]

If dogs can understand social distancing, why can’t the people at woollies?

 

[Gremlin]

.

View attachment 222867.

I'll defer to your expert opinion on the ability to stop particle transmission, but I'd be thinking that this would be very effective at ensuring others maintain an appropriate social distance!

 

[lovetravellingoz]

If dogs can understand social distancing, why can’t the people at woollies?

View attachment 222871

Well as long as said pooch's leash is 1.5m long as in this case

 

[jakeseven7]

I'm not a great AFL fan and I'm surprised that the Taas government would allow this, given their very strict border policy. But I guess none of the teams will be coming from Victoria and all from an existing hub. Hobart Mercury on-line (paywalled) . Note that nth Melbourne has a sponsored relationship with Tasmania (as does Hawthorn). Cricket Tasmania control Blundstone Arena, where the matches would be played - hence their involvement.

HOBART will host up to four AFL games in the next two months.

The Mercury can reveal the AFL, the Tasmanian Government and Cricket Tasmania have reached an agreement that will see North Melbourne play possibly its full allotment of four games at Blundstone Arena.

Cricket Tasmania has allocated early August to mid-September to host the AFL games that will possibly see the Roos play four matches across a three-week block before the venue is returned to cricket operations.

North Melbourne will most likely hub in Hobart, with its opponents to fly in, fly out.

Tasmania’s borders will remain closed to at least July 31, but even if they do not reopen, teams may receive travel exemptions having been quarantined in Queensland hubs for some time.

Currently, Blundstone Arena can host up to 25 per cent crowd capacity (about 3000-4000 fans), but it is understood the Government is exploring possibilities of lifting this to 50 per cent should health authorities give the all clear.

What amazing news. Zero compassionate travel available but open the doors to a football team or 3.....

 

[Lynda2475]

Zero compassionate travel available but open the doors to a football team or 3

Ive said it before and I will say it again all these exemption for footballers sends the wrong message. The less educated fans see them not social distancing and being able to travel all over and think therefore that COvid-19 cant be that serious. And others who have been denied permits to travel for compassionate reasons see this as a insult/double standard and will continue to look for loopholes. Restrictions need to apply to all.

Just ordered a couple of N95/P2 masks in case I can actually fly to Qld - figure want to be wearing the best when using public transport. Will pick up some cheaper surgical masks for shopping etc if these become necessary. Resuable masks dont seem practical for travel, as you dont have access to a hot wash washing machine to launder then after each use (not to mention the water waste).

SMH is reporting that " Some travellers undergoing mandatory quarantine in Queensland hotels are not being tested for COVID-19 even when they ask for a test. " seems odd you wouldnt be aiming to test everyone in quaratine hotel.

 

[Seat0B]

What amazing news. Zero compassionate travel available but open the doors to a football team or 3.....

Don't get me started on this. It's infuriating.

 

[SydneySwan]

Probably from a legal perspective, but that's simply not practical. My guess is that nothing will come of this, but the suggestion is really in order to make life easier for those living in Northern NSW.

I agree that nothing will come of this. Gladys has said that she hasn’t received AP’s letter and that this is the first she has heard of the idea. She suggested that Queensland should manage the border further north of the Tweed which they could do without reference to NSW. Politics firmly in play!

 

[get me outta here]

Funny how there is never a comment on the right wing media, it's great that they are perfect.

On the subject of masks there was an embarrassing case of the lack of proof reading

In the 11.35 post on their Covid blog.

As the day unfolded: Victoria records 275 new COVID-19 cases as state makes face masks mandatory; NSW COVID-19 clusters grow as Australian death toll jumps to 123

Restrictions on the NSW-Victoria border region will be tightened from midnight Tuesday, after Victoria recorded 363 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, its second-highest daily case total.

www.smh.com.au

 

[drron]

Funny how there is never a comment on the right wing media, it's great that they are perfect.

Nah you always get in first with them.

 

[moa999]

should manage the border further north of the Tweed which they could do without reference to NSW. Politics firmly in play!

Agreed.
Shifting it south makes far more sense than north (youd almost have to go north of Brisbane the other way)

But I suspect issues with Qld police operating in NSW territory.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Agreed.
Shifting it south makes far more sense than north (youd almost have to go north of Brisbane the other way)

But I suspect issues with Qld police operating in NSW territory.

Well the ADF can operate anywhere, but yes the police would need to be from NSW.

As I understand it in all of the twin city border towns virus spread is not really a concern and so with any of the bubble towns it really should be the case that commonsense dictates where the effective temporary "cordon" should be. Depending on where that cordon needs to be would determine which police force polices it, supported by the ADF.

They really should be discussed as (quarantine) cordons and not as moving state borders.

 

[DC3]

.... Shifting it south makes far more sense than north (youd almost have to go north of Brisbane the other way)

But I suspect issues with Qld police operating in NSW territory.

What is to prevent QLD Police being appointed as Special Constables in NSW, in order to facilitate working South of the border?

 

[I love to travel]

I think the PM needs to put his personal views about border closures aside and get the national cabinet back together to come up with a national solution for border communities. Bottom line is we have a problem in VIC NSW and maybe ACT if Batemans Bay spread happens. Time to flatten the curve again.