Australian Reports of the Virus Spread

[Must...Fly!]

Sorry but that is simply not correct....

I do though understand you are very upset about the whole arrangement proceeding and personally I'm not sure that it should be going ahead either. I think its high risk for a state that has had a pretty nasty experience with the virus already....

I guess we will agree to disagree, and again I have no problem with the major events calendar in Melbourne. I absolutely acknowledge the stadiums are used outside of the Open, usually quite extensively for concerts and shows. Basketball for John Cain Arena. etc. Much of the other redevelopment has been purely for the Open.

Melbourne Park Redevelopment - Melbourne & Olympic Parks

The multimillion dollar Melbourne Park redevelopment will cater for the growing popularity of the Australian Open and is designed to secure the future of the event in Melbourne. Redevelopment works will place a strong emphasis on the comfort of patrons, with more open space and shade, increased...

mopt.com.au

I take it you don't yet feel that you are defending the indefensible?

Lots of people piled on NSWG over having spectators at the Sydney Test, but not so much about having India (ie a team from one of the major hotspots) in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane where there has been community transmisson of late.

Personally I don't support the AO going ahead, nor the cricket tests. Not sure how big the cricket entourage is, and probably not the size of the AO's, but given all the limits to so many other businesses trying to make a quid I don't see why the AO or the cricket gets special treatment.

Players, staff, etc I doubt is any more than 50. After two weeks quarantine, the risk is gone, and quite importantly they are here for 2-3 months.

That pales in comparison to the 1,000-1,200 number quoted by the press for the tennis who are here for 2-3 weeks.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I take it you don't yet feel that you are defending the indefensible?

Lots of people piled on NSWG over having spectators at the Sydney Test, but not so much about having India (ie a team from one of the major hotspots) in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane where there has been community transmisson of late.

Personally I don't support the AO going ahead, nor the cricket tests. Not sure how big the cricket entourage is, and probably not the size of the AO's, but given all the limits to so many other businesses trying to make a quid I don't see why the AO or the cricket gets special treatment.

No not at all as I have supported professional sport still occurring throughout the pandemic as long as it is done appropriately, and in Australia by and large it has been.

AFL, NRL, Netball, NBL, Cricket, Motor Racing and probably others have all been hubbing in locations all around Australia.


However I do get the " other businesses trying to make a quid" part as my own business had to cancel or defer every project from 2020 and so I am out a whole year's worth of business income.

Unfortunately no "special" measures for me. But I do not begrudge at all the many industries including sport that have had various special measures brought in to assist there industry. Logistics, construction, housing, meat processing, WA Lobster industry, Mining (WA a big winner there!), Movie/TV/Film industry etc The special measures make sense to me as it means more people have jobs, and more organisations get to survive. The stress of not being able to operate is very real.


Now sport generates a lot of income and employment far and wide. Qld in particular did very well out of hubbing many teams from many sports. Importantly the teams survived did well, and many businesses that earnt money from it including hotels, bus drivers, physios, airlines, food services, venues, cleaners, caterers, journalists, ground staff, ticket agencies etc.

With no competition at all some clubs and sports would have ceased to exist. Sport is a business and like many businesses the various Governments have been flexible in trying to keep them alive.


And apart from the employment and business generated, add to that the mental health benefits for many including the fans.

 

[Lynda2475]

South Australia will open its borders to regional NSW at midnight tonight

Australia's Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly has revoked the national hotspot definition for Sydney's northern beaches.

 

[OATEK]

South Australia will open its borders to regional NSW at midnight tonight

Australia's Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly has revoked the national hotspot definition for Sydney's northern beaches.

Not so much "definition", which is meant to be a National Standard, as "classification" as NSW no longer meets the defined parameters.

 

[drron]

I read most of the threads to do with covid, and various opinion pieces are quoted in all those threads!

Reflecting on zenyattamondatta's post, experts are offering options for public consumption, for the 'lay' person. I don't think there's anything wrong with researching those opinions and putting them into context. No different to commenting on the views or directions of state health officers for example.

​

Though you do keep saying that the vaccines reduce the severity of the infection.That is certainly not proven.If you read the journal articles submitted by Pfizer then you might realise that in their trial there was an unexpected higher incidence of severe disease-not lower -after vaccination.

However for the supposedly second rate Oxford vaccine their were only 2 cases of severe disease.One became positive on the day of vaccination so obviously not a vaccine failure.The other 10 days after the first vaccination so not really unexpected.There were no serious cases of Covid after 10 days from the first dose of that vaccine.

 

[RooFlyer]

Those other things are rarely of any national significcance though, so dont really justify a live cross in other states.

I actually live in Vic, like may others, and so is local news for me. Strange as it may seem many here do like to know what is going on.

I think the point raised was the coverage of the "pressers" in other states. But if you want to know what's going on, just look at AFF!

Lots of questions at the NSW pressure about Qld Premier wanting to cease inetrnational arrivals altogether and the pressure that will put on NSW. I didnt watch the Qld presser today were AP or JY hnting at pausing overseas arrivals, surely not justified because of 2 community cases.

No matter what, the federal government will be blamed, I guess.

I am not a Tennis fan at all, but I just had a quick look to check the veracity of your claim.

Fact check !

The employees and other businesses all pay tax.

Fact check, please, on the veracity of that claim. Can you show that they all pay tax?

Unfortunately no "special" measures for me.

Yes, we've heard about your loss of business a couple of times. I'm surprised you apparently haven't availed yourself of any wage subsidy or any of the other "special" measures the Federal Government (and most if not all state governments) have put in to support businesses who have lost trade/income due to COVID, one way or another. On the other hand, I can definitely put my hand up for zero, zilch, nada support, being a self-funded retiree whose investments and returns took a major hit. No violins, please.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I guess we will agree to disagree, and again I have no problem with the major events calendar in Melbourne. I absolutely acknowledge the stadiums are used outside of the Open, usually quite extensively for concerts and shows. Basketball for John Cain Arena. etc. Much of the other redevelopment has been purely for the Open.

Melbourne Park Redevelopment - Melbourne & Olympic Parks

The multimillion dollar Melbourne Park redevelopment will cater for the growing popularity of the Australian Open and is designed to secure the future of the event in Melbourne. Redevelopment works will place a strong emphasis on the comfort of patrons, with more open space and shade, increased...

mopt.com.au

The AO may have instigated a lot of the redevelopment, however it is incorrect to state Much of the other redevelopment has been purely for the Open. That is not how these precincts are planned in Melbourne and the architects and planners will have considered range of uses including some uses that they may expand into.

From the list in that document most can be used for other purposes and is a huge plus for the operation of this precinct..

Even with the tennis courts, tennis players will play on them throughout the year.

The designs space are primarily often multi -use, or generic spaces that an be used for many different events. The improved outdoor spaces will increase the range of events that can be held in this precinct.

Improved links will assist with the MCG, Myer Music Bowl and AAMI .

All of this is really just a continuation of one of best things that Jeff Kennett and Stockdale ever did (and they had their share of stuff-ups) which was the re-imagining of Melbourne with the creation of the Sports, Arts and Docklands Precincts which is a project that has been continuing to grow and evolve for over two decades..

Credit to Stockdale for embracing the precinct approach rather than the earlier building by building approach.




ie Arts Precinct is next door where they are spending another $1 Billion.

Team appointed to design Melbourne Arts Precinct public realm

Australian architects HASSELL and US firm SO-IL to design Melbourne Arts Precinct public realm

www.artscentremelbourne.com.au

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Fact check, please, on the veracity of that claim. Can you show that they all pay tax?

GST on up.



It is a bit hard to prove that I am not a tennis fan. I mean I can't exactly take a pic of me not at the tennis and say there you go proof.

But if I went this could be me:




AFL (to watch ) and yachting/ cycling (to do) are my preferred sports. Tennis bores me, but many love it.

MOPT for many things. Jimmy Barnes was my last function attended there. Tracey Chapman probably my favourite event attended there.

 

[jakeseven7]

Victoria confirms child who flew overseas and returned a rapid positive test in Israel, was infact negative​

Victorian officials have confirmed the child was tested again in Israel and has now recorded a negative result, confirming suspicions the original test result was a false positive.

Victorian officials were told a boy who had travelled from Melbourne to Tel Aviv on January 8 had tested positive upon his arrival.

The State Government said:

"The child had last attended an early learning centre in Armadale on January 7. The centre has been cleaned and contact tracing work was implemented. Children and staff who attended the centre have been tested with no positive results. We take no chances in Victoria but are pleased for the child and family that the test has proven to be a false positive."

QLD hotel cluster debacle spreads

The debacle surrounding a cluster of the 'mutant' UK virus strain at a Brisbane hotel has spread interstate, with certain residents in Victoria and NSW ordered to test and isolate immediately.

www.news.com.au

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Victoria confirms child who flew overseas and returned a rapid positive test in Israel, was infact negative​

Victorian officials have confirmed the child was tested again in Israel and has now recorded a negative result, confirming suspicions the original test result was a false positive.

Victorian officials were told a boy who had travelled from Melbourne to Tel Aviv on January 8 had tested positive upon his arrival.

The State Government said:

"The child had last attended an early learning centre in Armadale on January 7. The centre has been cleaned and contact tracing work was implemented. Children and staff who attended the centre have been tested with no positive results. We take no chances in Victoria but are pleased for the child and family that the test has proven to be a false positive."


.

A little extra detail on this from today's Vic DHHS Report:

Late on Sunday 10 January, the department was made aware by health colleagues in Israel that a male child who travelled from Melbourne to Tel Aviv on the evening of 8 January on an Emirates flight, had tested positive to COVID-19 on arrival in Tel Aviv.

The child had last attended an early learning centre in Armadale on 7 January. The centre has been cleaned and contact tracing work was implemented. Children and staff who attended the centre have been tested with no positive results.

A careful approach was taken by the Victorian the Public Health team around this potential case. The team worked closely together with our Israeli colleagues, the Early Learning Centre staff and associated families very effectively in the face of potential threat to community from this deadly virus. Over 100 people were engaged locally in the response to protect the community.

The child has been tested again in Israel and has now recorded a negative result.

Given a high uptake of tests from the Armadale early learning centre - all negative - and no obvious source of infection in Victoria, the department has now determined that this child’s original test is a false positive and all close contacts can be released from quarantine.

Department of Health and Human Services Victoria | Coronavirus update for Victoria - 13 January 2021

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Though you do keep saying that the vaccines reduce the severity of the infection.That is certainly not proven.If you read the journal articles submitted by Pfizer then you might realise that in their trial there was an unexpected higher incidence of severe disease-not lower -after vaccination.

However for the supposedly second rate Oxford vaccine their were only 2 cases of severe disease.One became positive on the day of vaccination so obviously not a vaccine failure.The other 10 days after the first vaccination so not really unexpected.There were no serious cases of Covid after 10 days from the first dose of that vaccine.

Prof Kelly has spoken extensively today saying the vaccine will reduce severe infection:

Professor Kelly said the jab would prevent death and severe illness 100 per cent of the time, like the Pfizer vaccine.​

​

source: NoCookies | The Australian​

 

[hydrabyss]

So has anybody found out any more information regarding the outbreak at the Grand Chancellor Hotel in Brisbane and how it has spread. Being an older hotel and so far video footage they reviewed must not have given them the answer my guess is they may be looking at something like the AC system as being an issue especially as they are looking at the whole of level 7.

 

[dajop]

Prof Kelly has spoken extensively today saying the vaccine will reduce severe infection:

Professor Kelly said the jab would prevent death and severe illness 100 per cent of the time, like the Pfizer vaccine.​

​

source: NoCookies | The Australian​

That surely has to be a misquote? The article I’ve read says “up to 100% of the time” (my bolding).

I’d expect there is a no way a scientist would, on the limited data set, say 100% definitively. There would always be a statistical margin of error.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

So has anybody found out any more information regarding the outbreak at the Grand Chancellor Hotel in Brisbane and how it has spread. Being an older hotel and so far video footage they reviewed must not have given them the answer my guess is they may be looking at something like the AC system as being an issue especially as they are looking at the whole of level 7.

I might have picked up some random information of a Police rep say there were no cctv on level 7. I heard the words either no cameras or no cctv just briefly. Apologies if I’m wrong on my random pick up.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

That surely has to be a misquote? The article I’ve read says “up to 100% of the time” (my bolding).

I’d expect there is a no way a scientist would, on the limited data set, say 100% definitively. There would always be a statistical margin of error.

Agree. Even if it was 90%, I think it brings the whole risk level to something which most people will be ok to accept, and end the lockdowns and other restrictions.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Agree. Even if it was 90%, I think it brings the whole risk level to something which most people will be ok to accept, and end the lockdowns and other restrictions.

Well that's about 10% (minus whatever risk you give HQ now) more than the chance of serious disease in the country right now

What makes you think governments and indeed parts of the community will accept it

 

[drron]

Prof Kelly has spoken extensively today saying the vaccine will reduce severe infection:

Professor Kelly said the jab would prevent death and severe illness 100 per cent of the time, like the Pfizer vaccine.​

​

source: NoCookies | The Australian​

Yet there was a severe case of Covid in a vaccinated patient in the published Pfizer results so how can it prevent 100% of severe disease.

 

[dajop]

Well that's about 10% (minus whatever risk you give HQ now) more than the chance of serious disease in the country right now

What makes you think governments and indeed parts of the community will accept it

I guess the question is whether that 10% chance means to similar levels of serious disease to what we already accept (eg with the flu) or remain significantly higher than what we currently accept.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Well that's about 10% (minus whatever risk you give HQ now) more than the chance of serious disease in the country right now

What makes you think governments and indeed parts of the community will accept it

I think it's as dajop says. Life has to go on. There are risks. A vaccine means society has done everything it reasonably can to protect those who need protecting.

 

[OATEK]

I think it's as dajop says. Life has to go on. There are risks. A vaccine means society has done everything it reasonably can to protect those who need protecting.

I understand your optimism, I really do. But given that say WA can't abide the thought of a single infection, and infections are still likely with the vaccine and might in some cases lead to death, then I am not sure it is entirely justified.