Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[Bigskytraveller]

With regards to Seychelles, Chile have found the first dose of Sinovac is very specific in its lower efficacy than any other vaccine… sadly Chile are paying the price with that.

Chile Covid-19 vaccination drive adds to Sinovac efficacy data

As the country grapples with rising infections, results from its vaccinated population echo Brazil’s trial of the Chinese jab.

www.scmp.com

AZ is sold at cost and all manufacturing locations must agree to that, it was a condition of the UK govt and Oxford that during the pandemic the vaccine was provided at cost, hence it being much cheaper than many others. Also the idea it would be licensed for manufacturing in third party locations rather than only company controlled factories. I have no AZ affiliation but I’d also look closely at the efficacy data, AZ in at scale use compares well with Pfizer etc.

There’s no question the rollout in Australia is too slow, the message about what the vaccine does for the individual, their family and the country is also lacking. When I hear Australian politicians talking *still* about how we don’t know whether the vaccines lower transmission I’m stunned. Lots of data now shows transmission in vaccinated groups is reduced by at least two thirds.

The govt needs to get its act together and say to the Australian public - here’s the deal. You’ll be offered 2 doses and a variant tweaked booster by this date - realistically Q1 2022, if you’re 12 or older (maybe 6 by early 2022 but 12 is the new youngest age cohort vaccines are approved for). In Q2 2022 we are going to allow vaccine passport quarantine free travel for Australians and visitors with certified vaccines from moderate risk locations, vaccinated travellers from high risk locations can do a 3 day home quarantine with test to release. If you haven’t had your vaccine you will be at greater risk. At least that’s then a plan at present we have no plan, no statement of benefit, no timeline…

 

[Lynda2475]

And that GP should be reported to AHPRA

Along with the one who advised my friend to wait until they received doses (meaning delaying vaccination for 6 weeks) rather than go to a respiratory clinic which could have vaccinated her the same day.

 

[dajop]

When I hear Australian politicians talking *still* about how we don’t know whether the vaccines lower transmission I’m stunned. Lots of data now shows transmission in vaccinated groups is reduced by at least two thirds.

In the Australian context (with almost no virus in the community, low vaccination rates to date, concern about border closures) is there significantly reduced transmission from vaccinated individuals to unvaccinated individuals? That's the key question. particularly when discussing border closures, quarantine and isolation. Transmission to (or between) vaccinated individuals shouldn't matter.

 

[oznflfan]

With regards to Seychelles, Chile have found the first dose of Sinovac is very specific in its lower efficacy than any other vaccine… sadly Chile are paying the price with that.

Chile Covid-19 vaccination drive adds to Sinovac efficacy data

As the country grapples with rising infections, results from its vaccinated population echo Brazil’s trial of the Chinese jab.

www.scmp.com

AZ is sold at cost and all manufacturing locations must agree to that, it was a condition of the UK govt and Oxford that during the pandemic the vaccine was provided at cost, hence it being much cheaper than many others. Also the idea it would be licensed for manufacturing in third party locations rather than only company controlled factories. I have no AZ affiliation but I’d also look closely at the efficacy data, AZ in at scale use compares well with Pfizer etc.

There’s no question the rollout in Australia is too slow, the message about what the vaccine does for the individual, their family and the country is also lacking. When I hear Australian politicians talking *still* about how we don’t know whether the vaccines lower transmission I’m stunned. Lots of data now shows transmission in vaccinated groups is reduced by at least two thirds.

The govt needs to get its act together and say to the Australian public - here’s the deal. You’ll be offered 2 doses and a variant tweaked booster by this date - realistically Q1 2022, if you’re 12 or older (maybe 6 by early 2022 but 12 is the new youngest age cohort vaccines are approved for). In Q2 2022 we are going to allow vaccine passport quarantine free travel for Australians and visitors with certified vaccines from moderate risk locations, vaccinated travellers from high risk locations can do a 3 day home quarantine with test to release. If you haven’t had your vaccine you will be at greater risk. At least that’s then a plan at present we have no plan, no statement of benefit, no timeline…

I could live with that, BRING IT ON..................................

 

[bulldog88]

I think "learning to live with Covid" (not "eliminating Covid") will be a task for the next federal government, after the 2022 election. Maybe people are hoping Covid just goes away by itself.

Once you start relaxing forced quarantine , something will happen to cause community spread - there are just too many people and variables in play. Imagine the consequences for Morrison and his "Liberal Party" mates if there is a national lockdown during the 2022 election !

 

[mviy]

After the election the winner needs to back legal challenges to state lockdowns and border closures all the way arguing they are no longer a proportionate response, and move to add travel bubbles and gradually remove restrictions.

 

[oznflfan]

I think "learning to live with Covid" (not "eliminating Covid") will be a task for the next federal government, after the 2022 election. Maybe people are hoping Covid just goes away by itself.

Once you start relaxing forced quarantine , something will happen to cause community spread - there are just too many people and variables in play. Imagine the consequences for Morrison and his "Liberal Party" mates if there is a national lockdown during the 2022 election !

If vaccination program complete by election May 2022 and everybody who wants a vaccine gets a vaccine, no reason for there ever to be another lockdown, EVER,

 

[dajop]

After the election the winner needs to back legal challenges to state lockdowns and border closures all the way arguing they are no longer a proportionate response, and move to add travel bubbles and gradually remove restrictions.

Maybe restrict freedom of speech? (I am being sarcastic here),

However sometimes that media can be incredibly damaging, as they focus on rubbish clickbat headlines, that completely misrepresents things and instils a sense of fear into the majority ( scientifically illiterate) population .. No wonder politicians are gutless when the media pores over every little detail. Seriously, they have a lot to answer for.

Fully vaccinated travellers test positive in Sydney hotel quarantine

This comes as the mystery of how an eastern suburbs couple caught a COVID-19 infection brought into hotel quarantine by a US traveller remains unsolved.

www.theage.com.au

Now, who woulda thunk?

 

[jase05]

That WA is allowed to use 1 HQ case as an excuse to halve arrivals?

Well it seems McGowan has permanently cut his HQ cap in half now

 

[Flashback]

Well it seems McGowan has permanently cut his HQ cap in half now

Without getting political here, I did comment to Mother FB that uh ..... that's what you get when you vote for a muppet like that. I told her to stop complaining about me not being able to visit, you made your bed so lay in it Said slightly tongue in cheek, but she got the point.

Unfortunately as noted, AFF is <0.1% of the population and most of them do side with that view so it may be a Labor federal election win in 2022 if those attitudes keep up?

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

see the problems are:

1. the public dont care, as long as they and their immediates are alright, everyone else can get knotted

2. whoever wins the election, they both dont care and will continue to abuse the rights of their populace until a backlash hits 51% in a poll.

whole thing is thoroughly depressing

 

[mviy]

Unfortunately as noted, AFF is <0.1% of the population and most of them do side with that view so it may be a Labor federal election win in 2022 if those attitudes keep up?

Every government both Labor and Liberal that has been up for re-election during the pandemic has been re-elected.

Whoever wins will have to face the reality that our economy can‘t cope with another three years of being shut off to the world.

 

[Flashback]

Labor seems to lean more towards slamming borders shut without thought, compared to Liberal though, no?

 

[mviy]

Interesting that those approved for travel may be able to jump the vaccine queue, however the exemption may become harder to obtain.

Australians approved for international travel to jump vaccine rollout queue

Morrison government has also bowed to pressure from Mark McGowan to crack down on departure exemptions

www.theguardian.com

I guess once I hear more about this I may apply for an exemption for later in the year and see what happens.

 

[Flashback]

UK has released their green list, 12 countries initially with reviews every 3 weeks. It's smaller than 12 really as no direct flights from some of these, so as soon as you transit somewhere else it becomes Amber/Red.........

Portugal
Israel
Singapore
Australia
New Zealand
Brunei
Iceland
Gibraltar
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
St Helena, Tristan de Cunha, Ascension Island

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Did anyone else know they'd renamed Howard Springs quarantine 'The Centre for National Resilience'? (something from an Atwood novel??)

Sounds pretty dire.. a single food delivery once a day, a hot meal which comes with your breakfast and lunch for the next day. No outside food deliveries or care packages. Any exercise you want has to be managed by an occupational therapist. Limited access to tea and coffee. Mandatory supervised quarantine for repatriated Australians

Sounds pretty unappealing compared to hotel quarantine. I think POWs have more rights than those detained for quarantine?

 

[SydneySwan]

UK has released their green list, 12 countries initially with reviews every 3 weeks. It's smaller than 12 really as no direct flights from some of these, so as soon as you transit somewhere else it becomes Amber/Red.........

Portugal
Israel
Singapore
Australia
New Zealand
Brunei
Iceland
Gibraltar
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
St Helena, Tristan de Cunha, Ascension Island

St Helena, Tristan de Cunha, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands? Seriously? Only a bureaucrat could publish a list like that. It is not as if Ryanair have regular services to those places. You just about have to arrange your own expedition.

The Cook islands will be mortified to have been omitted especially as NZ has been included.

 

[Pushka]

Did anyone else know they'd renamed Howard Springs quarantine 'The Centre for National Resilience'? (something from an Atwood novel??)

Sounds pretty dire.. a single food delivery once a day, a hot meal which comes with your breakfast and lunch for the next day. No outside food deliveries or care packages. Any exercise you want has to be managed by an occupational therapist. Limited access to tea and coffee. Mandatory supervised quarantine for repatriated Australians

Sounds pretty unappealing compared to hotel quarantine. I think POWs have more rights than those detained for quarantine?

We met with people who stayed there and thought it was excellent.

 

[SydneySwan]

Interesting that those approved for travel may be able to jump the vaccine queue, however the exemption may become harder to obtain.

Australians approved for international travel to jump vaccine rollout queue

Morrison government has also bowed to pressure from Mark McGowan to crack down on departure exemptions

www.theguardian.com

I guess once I hear more about this I may apply for an exemption for later in the year and see what happens.

Clearly this opens the way for people who want to get vaccinated ahead of schedule but who aren't travelling. Just apply for an exemption and once approved get vaccinated. You can't be subsequently 'únvaccinated'.

 

[dajop]

Did anyone else know they'd renamed Howard Springs quarantine 'The Centre for National Resilience'? (something from an Atwood novel??)

I initially thought you were just taking the proverbial and trying to be funny. But, no you’re not joking