Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[MEL_Traveller]

Well, I know what I think. Don't forget that Murphy is now the permanent head of a Government department, so must reflect the thinking of the Govt without question. Otherwise, he's gone. It's the price you pay for being in such a position.

Hmmm... when it suits them. Prof Murphy was saying the vaccine had to stop transmission, but the Cth was quick to rein him in on that, saying we would look at the risk profile, not a complete stop in transmission.

On the news tonight the PM now says he never meant the whole vaccination program would be finished by October, only that 'the first dose' would be given by October.

My earlier optimism for travel by the end of this year was based on a competent roll out... that we would be at least as good as Israel or the USA in managing the program. I'm starting to fear that may not have been well founded

 

[hb13]

Yeah Professor Murphy's new lines seem to be 'this is not a race', 'there is no hurry' and 'there is no burning platform'. I don't know whether this is his actual thinking, or whether the government is trying to cover up a shortfall in supply?

Either way, it fails to recognise those stranded overseas, those in Australia wanting to see family and loved ones overseas, or the needs of the Aussie tourism, hospitality and education sectors.

I also don't understand that delays are due to rolling out the vaccine 'safely'. The vaccine has been batch tested, delivered to hubs, and is sitting waiting. What's left on the 'safety' front? Do they need to double check whether the service providers have actually done the training they were supposed to have done?

It's beyond infuriating for me, and I'm sure for tens of thousands outside of Australia wanting to come back to visit or move back, and I'm sure even more Australians inside Australia who want to see loved ones from all over the world.

I can understand there are issues with opening up borders and doing so safely and a whole bunch of other things. However, this is a clear way forward, we have the capacity to do it, and now the latest excuse is 'if we slow down its ok????'

No wonder scientists and doctors are getting so much hate worldwide. It's because they continue to drag their feet like money and time grow on trees.

To me this is nothing short of scandalous and pathetic from a guy who unfortunately has too much influence today.

 

[DC3]

... On the news tonight the PM now says he never meant the whole vaccination program would be finished by October, only that 'the first dose' would be given by October.

My earlier optimism for travel by the end of this year was based on a competent roll out... that we would be at least as good as Israel or the USA in managing the program. I'm starting to fear that may not have been well founded

Oh. So we thought that the Oz vax rollout was going to be completed by the end of October. Where did we get that idea from?

 

[DC3]

It's beyond infuriating for me ...

... No wonder scientists and doctors are getting so much hate worldwide. It's because they continue to drag their feet like money and time grow on trees ...

Smugness, was a term used upthread.

 

[DC3]

Have to remember the politicians and very important people have managed to push their way to the front of the queue to get their vax as I am sure their family members are so if things go to hell any time soon they are all safe.

Yes. But they are setting an example and are demonstrating to us how safe it is.

Well, I don’t need any convincing. Where’s my vax? I’m waiting ... waiting ... waiting ...

 

[drron]

Well some borders are starting to reopen.

Cuomo: New York ending domestic travel quarantine requirement in April

While it will not be mandatory for travelers from other states to quarantine, officials are still recommending it as a precaution, Cuomo said.

www.newsday.com

And some HQ activity in Canada.

Legal challenge mounted against Canada's federally mandated quarantine hotel policy

A constitutional rights advocacy group is mounting a legal challenge to the Canadian government's quarantine hotel policy. The Canadian Constitution Foundation has filed an application with Ontario's Superior Court of Justice along with five individuals, seeking an end to the policy.

www.ctvnews.ca

 

[hb13]

Well some borders are starting to reopen.

Cuomo: New York ending domestic travel quarantine requirement in April

While it will not be mandatory for travelers from other states to quarantine, officials are still recommending it as a precaution, Cuomo said.

www.newsday.com

And some HQ activity in Canada.

Legal challenge mounted against Canada's federally mandated quarantine hotel policy

A constitutional rights advocacy group is mounting a legal challenge to the Canadian government's quarantine hotel policy. The Canadian Constitution Foundation has filed an application with Ontario's Superior Court of Justice along with five individuals, seeking an end to the policy.

www.ctvnews.ca

It would be nice to see some legal challenges happening in Australia. Particularly with state borders being closed literally like a light-switch after a handful of cases, or even one case in some instances.

If the Australian population is serious about international travel (seems like they are not) and businesses care about the economy, I think the government needs to be challenged.

People like Brendan Murphy I'm assuming know medicine really well, but clearly that is all they know. He has been given tremendous power which will lead to many parts of Australia's economy suffering. The long-term effects of lockdowns and border closures don't seem to register. And that is extremely dangerous to the future economic health of Australia, which will ultimately impact the physical and mental health.

 

[N860CR]

People like Brendan Murphy I'm assuming know medicine really well, but clearly that is all they know. He has been given tremendous power which will lead to many parts of Australia's economy suffering. The long-term effects of lockdowns and border closures don't seem to register. And that is extremely dangerous to the future economic health of Australia, which will ultimately impact the physical and mental health.

Yep. And as I’ve said for a year now, blindly listening to medical advice is both unprecedented and unwise. What does your doctor tell you about drinking and smoking?

Doctors are generally well versed in their own field, but have no qualifications outside of it. It’s like building a new plane by purely listening to pilots. This virus does not significantly impact 99% of the population, so why do we say we “follow medical advise” that is largely irrelevant to the bulk of the population

 

[MEL_Traveller]

This virus does not significantly impact 99% of the population, so why do we say we “follow medical advise” that is largely irrelevant to the bulk of the population

Because in this case, the outcome for the minority can be catastrophic. One of the roles of government is to protect the vulnerable, and in this case I would agree they should be following the medical advice to try and keep the virus out of vulnerable populations.

Where we see a divergence between the medical and political comes with things like the Health Secretary wanting the vaccine to completely stop transmission, whereas the political side has to take a holistic approach balancing the post-vaccine risk environment with other factors such as freedom of movement and the economy.

 

[N860CR]

Because in this case, the outcome for the minority can be catastrophic. One of the roles of government is to protect the vulnerable, and in this case I would agree they should be following the medical advice to try and keep the virus out of vulnerable populations.

The outcome for the remaining population is fairly significant as well. I agree with keeping the virus away from vulnerable populations, but from memory you advocate for a “one size fits all” approach.

 

[hb13]

Because in this case, the outcome for the minority can be catastrophic. One of the roles of government is to protect the vulnerable, and in this case I would agree they should be following the medical advice to try and keep the virus out of vulnerable populations.

Where we see a divergence between the medical and political comes with things like the Health Secretary wanting the vaccine to completely stop transmission, whereas the political side has to take a holistic approach balancing the post-vaccine risk environment with other factors such as freedom of movement and the economy.

You're right about the vulnerable populations. To add to this, we were at a point in time where the advice should be the main thing being followed while the virus was controlled.

Now however, there is a vaccine. And Brendan Murphy is effectively advocating for delaying the progress of every other aspect of life for absolutely no reason at all.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The outcome for the remaining population is fairly significant as well. I agree with keeping the virus away from vulnerable populations, but from memory you advocate for a “one size fits all” approach.

'One size fits all' in terms of the fairness of restrictions - I don't think the healthy should get to carry on as normal while the vulnerable have to be shielded to the extent their life becomes miserable. That's on the basis that this is a health emergency first, and an economic issue second.

 

[N860CR]

'One size fits all' in terms of the fairness of restrictions - I don't think the healthy should get to carry on as normal while the vulnerable have to be shielded to the extent their life becomes miserable. That's on the basis that this is a health emergency first, and an economic issue second.

Yep, my point exactly. So you’re advocating for insane restrictions that severely impact the lives of many to provide “fairness” for the 1% who are at risk of the virus.

Have you previously held such opinions when nursing homes are locked down because of influenza breakouts? I would suspect not.

We’re a year into this now. Time to correctly apply restrictions. If that means 1% are impacted worse than the remainder of the population, then so be it.

 

[Pushka]

It's about balance. In the early stages it was trying to keep as many people alive as possible so "Health rules". Now, balance has changed and it is about keeping people functional and Health has a big say but no longer the dominant one.

 

[drron]

Yep, my point exactly. So you’re advocating for insane restrictions that severely impact the lives of many to provide “fairness” for the 1% who are at risk of the virus.

Have you previously held such opinions when nursing homes are locked down because of influenza breakouts? I would suspect not.

We’re a year into this now. Time to correctly apply restrictions. If that means 1% are impacted worse than the remainder of the population, then so be it.

It is not 1% of the population that are at risk.The 1% is the percentage of covid positive cases that are severe.At least 75% of those are in the high risk groups.
In 2019 15.9% of Australians were aged over 65.
In 2018 estimated that in 2018 25% of those aged 2-17 were overweight or obese and 67% of adults.
now add those with cancers,immune diseases,neurological conditions,cancers and it appears that the very low risk group is actually in the minority.

 

[jakeseven7]

Well some borders are starting to reopen.

Cuomo: New York ending domestic travel quarantine requirement in April

While it will not be mandatory for travelers from other states to quarantine, officials are still recommending it as a precaution, Cuomo said.

www.newsday.com

And some HQ activity in Canada.

Legal challenge mounted against Canada's federally mandated quarantine hotel policy

A constitutional rights advocacy group is mounting a legal challenge to the Canadian government's quarantine hotel policy. The Canadian Constitution Foundation has filed an application with Ontario's Superior Court of Justice along with five individuals, seeking an end to the policy.

www.ctvnews.ca

The Canadian 3 day HQ program is a political stunt and arguably puts more people at risk than anything else.

The Canadians have butchered their response to COVID in the second half of the pandemic to date and the government is now desperately just reacting as their vaccine program splutters along.

 

[Pushka]

The Canadian 3 day HQ program is a political stunt and arguably puts more people at risk than anything else.

The Canadians have butchered their response to COVID in the second half of the pandemic to date and the government is now desperately just reacting as their vaccine program splutters along.

Having said that, we have older friends in Canada who have been vaccinated twice and have already moved to their holiday home in Florida - several weeks ago.

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

Thought this was an interesting video about the impact on bali, i'm sure alot of the surrounding neighbours that rely on Aus tourism must feel abandoned

 

[Flashback]

Israel using the threat of quarantine on arrival for those locals not vaccinated.

Israelis raise glass to Pfizer as lockdown ends

With more than half of its adults fully vaccinated, the country is partying like it’s 2019

amp.ft.com

 

[sanne]

Thanks for posting link. As someone who started visiting Bali in 1991, I have seen first hand the total destruction of over tourism to this magical island. Let’s hope the lessons are learned but sadly I’m not optimistic.