General Discussion/Q&A on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

[N860CR]

So the doctors on this thread saying that masks can be effective to prevent a person infected spreading it are wrong?

They’re not saying they’re effective. They won’t “prevent” an infected person spreading it, but you know that. As I’ve said countless times, you could wear a helmet 24/7 and it would probably prevent you being seriously injured if you fell, but we don’t do that.

You seem to obsess over certain things. First it was lockdowns, then border closures, then vaccines, now masks. You’re going to need to accept that this is as good as over.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

They’re not saying they’re effective. They won’t “prevent” an infected person spreading it, but you know that. As I’ve said countless times, you could wear a helmet 24/7 and it would probably prevent you being seriously injured if you fell, but we don’t do that.

You seem to obsess over certain things. First it was lockdowns, then border closures, then vaccines, now masks. You’re going to need to accept that this is as good as over.

Those advocating lockdowns, border closures and waiting for vaccines had success. Doctors have said masks are effective to help prevent spread by an infected person… I think that’s good medical advice.

 

[N860CR]

Those advocating lockdowns, border closures and waiting for vaccines had success. Doctors have said masks are effective to help prevent spread by an infected person… I think that’s good medical advice.

No, they’ve said they may help prevent, but that doesn’t make them effective. Define success. The end result has been the same, we just delayed it. Your plan seems to be to wear masks for the rest of eternity to protect yourself from something that poses virtually no risk. It’s not a logical position.

 

[JohnM]

There are 2 other problems with masks I have found with masks on this trip. First facial ID doesn’t work on my iPhone and also every time I take my mask off I pull out my hearing aids.

Have you updated your iPhone to the latest iOS? For a while now it has had improved facial recognition that IME works well when wearing a mask.

I only rarely wear my hearing aids and have not done so when wearing a mask, but I am aware that it is a considerable worry.

Modern hearing aids are so small and light that they can be easily flicked off when removing or adjusting a mask elastic band. Only about three weeks ago PJM's elderly father had one of his flick off in a Coles. Fortunately someone found it before it got trampled on. At c. $4K apiece, it is not something one wants to lose.

 

[TheRealTMA]

There are 2 other problems with masks I have found with masks on this trip. First facial ID doesn’t work on my iPhone and also every time I take my mask off I pull out my hearing aids.

Facial ID was added to iOS 15.4. Just need to enable and scan to set it up.

Use Face ID while wearing a mask with iPhone 12 and later

With iOS 15.4 and later, you can use Face ID with a mask to unlock your iPhone while wearing a mask.

support.apple.com

Works fine on my iPhone 12.

 

[sanne]

No, they’ve said they may help prevent, but that doesn’t make them effective. Define success. The end result has been the same, we just delayed it. Your plan seems to be to wear masks for the rest of eternity to protect yourself from something that poses virtually no risk. It’s not a logical position.

I assume you mean it ‘ poses virtually no risk’ to YOURSELF! I don’t think you can speak for anyone else.

 

[N860CR]

I assume you mean it ‘ poses virtually no risk’ to YOURSELF! I don’t think you can speak for anyone else.

No. To virtually nobody. The mortality rate is 0.1%. The average age of covid death exceeds Australian life expectancy. The vast majority of deaths have occurred in end of life care (where a third of occupants die in a given year). This virus presents no greater risk to the general community than the countless others we’ve had for years (and never hear a word about). The hysteria really needs to stop.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Why bother mask wearing or vaccinating against what some say is mild??? Plenty of anti-vaxxers laughing at the pandemic of the vaccinated.

 

[Quickstatus]

Total deaths from covid in Australia from start of pandemic to 31 Jan 2022 (nearly 2 years) : 2639

Total deaths from falls in Australia in one year (2019-2020): 5300

 

[nutwood]

Total deaths from covid in Australia from start of pandemic to 31 Jan 2022 (nearly 2 years) : 2639

Total deaths from falls in Australia in one year (2019-2020): 5300

I don't think figures such as these really advance the discussion? It's very easy to grab unrelated figures to make a point. You could make an even more impressive argument by presenting deaths from Covid in the previous 100 years prior to January 2022!
Someone opposing your argument could cherry pick a particular month and compare Covid with falls for that month. The unscrupulous comb the world looking for figures to support their favourite conspiracy theory.
For me it's a simple question of whether one wants to get sick? Most people I speak to who've had Covid laugh it off, but some did not enjoy it at all. It seems sensible to take reasonable precautions, especially when such precautions are also effective (even if only partially) against other viruses.
I had the genuine flu once and lost a week of my life. Even though I can't really remember that week, I remember enough to know I never want to do that again!

 

[dxwell]

I don't think figures such as these really advance the discussion?

It is the reaction to the figure.
Never before have we had a response from Australian governments that include:

• Closed international borders preventing Australian citizens returning home
• Closed state borders preventing personal movement for funerals, family care, FIFO worker returning home to family, business function, and more
• "Forced" immunisation with societal and employment apartheid as punishment
• Police brutality at protesters protesting basic human rights
• Government largesse that has saddled future generations with a crippling debt burden
• Media driving fear cough for profit

There is a lot of discussion in my circles at the moment at how easily Australians accepted what they describe as tyrannical rule.
Many I speak to talk about PTSD from the event and the regret they have at being compliant without thought.
My elderly neighbourhood circle talk about how they were duped by the "experts".
People tell me that they now understand how naz_ Germany could happen.

FFS

 

[N860CR]

It is the reaction to the figure.
Never before have we had a response from Australian governments that include:

• Closed international borders preventing Australian citizens returning home
• Closed state borders preventing personal movement for funerals, family care, FIFO worker returning home to family, business function, and more
• "Forced" immunisation with societal and employment apartheid as punishment
• Police brutality at protesters protesting basic human rights
• Government largesse that has saddled future generations with a crippling debt burden
• Media driving fear cough for profit

There is a lot of discussion in my circles at the moment at how easily Australians accepted what they describe as tyrannical rule.
Many I speak to talk about PTSD from the event and the regret they have at being compliant without thought.
My elderly neighbourhood circle talk about how they were duped by the "experts".
People tell me that they now understand how naz_ Germany could happen.

FFS

I think a huge number of people have blocked it out. Incredible to think that a year ago we had not only hard borders between states, but also no way of obtaining permission to enter them!

The fact that Australia thought it could eradicate what is essentially a cold (in terms of how it transmits) is beyond insane, and quite embarrassing.

That said, there remain Australians who believe we can “stop it” by wearing a piece of cloth on our face that nanna whipped up on the sewing machine. And are happy to do that for eternity!

500 people die each day in Australia. Less than 300 people under 50 have died with covid since this pandemic started.

 

[drron]

When I wear a mask my iPhone both before and after the upgrade hadn’t worked.
But then all the Egates at LHR today is took many minutes to recognise me.

 

[andye]

When I wear a mask my iPhone both before and after the upgrade hadn’t worked.
But then all the Egates at LHR today is took many minutes to recognise me.

Maybe your face looks thinner with your successful dieting

 

[tgh]

your successful dieting

If that was the problem a few weeks of Silversea F&B will fix it …...

 

[Quickstatus]

I don't think figures such as these really advance the discussion?

“Perspective” is very important in any discussion. .

 

[RooFlyer]

Darwin - nary a mask to be seen. on the streets/shops. I saw a doctor - masks yes, but shared pens and a single pathetic bottle of sanitiser in the corner. No masks in Ubers. Hardly any 'social distancing' stickers on floors (notable exceptions, national chains like Coles).

Normally I wouldn't notice or care & I'd be maskless, but I have to have a RAT prior to boarding a cruise on Sat, so I'm super conscious!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I don't think figures such as these really advance the discussion? It's very easy to grab unrelated figures to make a point. You could make an even more impressive argument by presenting deaths from Covid in the previous 100 years prior to January 2022!
Someone opposing your argument could cherry pick a particular month and compare Covid with falls for that month. The unscrupulous comb the world looking for figures to support their favourite conspiracy theory.
For me it's a simple question of whether one wants to get sick? Most people I speak to who've had Covid laugh it off, but some did not enjoy it at all. It seems sensible to take reasonable precautions, especially when such precautions are also effective (even if only partially) against other viruses.
I had the genuine flu once and lost a week of my life. Even though I can't really remember that week, I remember enough to know I never want to do that again!

Agree. I mean the same argument could be used about seat belts…. they are only useful in a tiny tiny tiny proportion of the total overall vehicle journeys… ie, when an accident of sufficient magnitude occurs that they are useful. Does that mean it’s time to end their mandate too?

Lots of safety rules are in place to catch an event of rare occurrence.

 

[drron]

Maybe your face looks thinner with your successful dieting

Been happening for years. Ever since Smart Gate was introduced in Australia about every third time I use it I end up seeing an agent as the gate isn’t so smart.
I put a down to having a perfect face. Most disagree.

 

[N860CR]

Agree. I mean the same argument could be used about seat belts…. they are only useful in a tiny tiny tiny proportion of the total overall vehicle journeys… ie, when an accident of sufficient magnitude occurs that they are useful. Does that mean it’s time to end their mandate too?

Lots of safety rules are in place to catch an event of rare occurrence.

So why stop at masks?

Are you genuinely comparing a highly engineered vehicle seatbelt with a piece of cloth worn around someone’s chin?