Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[hb13]

I guess that's one interpretation. The other is that we don't know how effective the vaccines are against this new variant, so we need time to see.

Worst case scenario is that the vaccines might not be effective... or only have a limited effectiveness of 3-6 months.

But how will you convince people to get vaccinated if you have the PM saying they don't work?

 

[roogirl]

I guess that's one interpretation. The other is that we don't know how effective the vaccines are against this new variant, so we need time to see.

Worst case scenario is that the vaccines might not be effective... or only have a limited effectiveness of 3-6 months.

So what happens if that’s true? Everyone just stays locked down forever? Anyone with family across a border just gives up on ever seeing them again?

 

[hb13]

So what happens if that’s true? Everyone just stays locked down forever? Anyone with family across a border just gives up on ever seeing them again?

Exactly. And if the vaccines do happen to be effective, the majority of the Australian population will remain unvaccinated because the PM has given them the idea vaccine don't work. What's more, the PM is is giving all the anti-vaxxers gold right now. It is ridiculous.

 

[dajop]

Exactly. And if the vaccines do happen to be effective, the majority of the Australian population will remain unvaccinated because the PM has given them the idea vaccine don't work. What's more, the PM is is giving all the anti-vaxxers gold right now. It is ridiculous.

You're analysing as it decisions were being made on science. They're not. Need to look at through political lens. Hopefully there won't be real damage done.

Don't have enough vaccine --> discourage it a little to divert attention from the roll out so you can blame someone else (i.e. people for not coming forward) --> once enough arrives, change the rhetoric , introduce strong PR campaign --> demand goes up --> rollout happens --> people who have about 10secsof memory will hail the PM as a hero --> straight to an election --> win a significant majority --> open borders. Simple as that.

Also remember, the most significant health threat from slow vaccination continues to be with the pariah state, Victoria. They are not in play in the election, so it doesn't really matter if things don't quite work out there. Everyone will blame the state government anyway.

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

Fantastic speech, short and sweet and bang on!

https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1403268965724532736/pu/vid/640x360/LBShJ4afnPe5l-PN.mp4?tag=12

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Fantastic speech, short and sweet and bang on!

https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1403268965724532736/pu/vid/640x360/LBShJ4afnPe5l-PN.mp4?tag=12

Hear hear!

And that's by a member *of* the government! (If only pollies were allowed to do the same in Oz.)

 

[mviy]

Theresa May:
"We will not eradicate COVID-19 from the UK. There will not be a time when we can say there will never be another case of COVID-19 in this country. Secondly, variants will keep on coming. There will be new variants every year. If the government's position is that we cannot open up travel until there are no new variants elsewhere in the world, then we will never be able to travel abroad ever again. And the third part that the government needs to state much more clearly, is that sadly people will die from COVID here in the UK in the future. As ten to twenty thousand people do every year from flu. It's incomprehensible, I think, that one of the most heavily vaccinated countries in the world, is one that is most reluctant to give its citizens the freedoms those vaccinations should support."

As a former leader now on the backbench she has the freedom to speak her mind, almost as much as an former politician like Alexander Downer can. She may very well be thinking of retiring at the next election and even if not with it likely some years away few will probably remember her speech when it comes time to vote anyway.

 

[oz_mark]

Saying 'people will die' worked so well for the Virgin CEO (even though it was a completely honest statement)

 

[Sprucegoose]

More vaccinations, more travel........your call.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Saying 'people will die' worked so well for the Virgin CEO (even though it was a completely honest statement)

True. I guess the difference is that an MP stands to make no commercial gain from 'people dying'.

 

[SydneySwan]

Fantastic speech, short and sweet and bang on!

https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1403268965724532736/pu/vid/640x360/LBShJ4afnPe5l-PN.mp4?tag=12

I am horrified by those flu deaths. They justify a permanent lockdown on their own, never mind Covid.

 

[ayushamity]

A bit off topic but

Politburo green-lights trial of vaccine passports at select tourist destinations - VnExpress International

The Politburo has ordered relevant agencies to trial Covid-19 vaccine passports so that foreigners can visit some tourist destinations that have controlled the pandemic like Phu Quoc Island.

e.vnexpress.net

I got my second Pfizer dose yesterday and will be considered fully vaccinated in 2 weeks time.

Can't wait to re unite with my fiance and leave Australia (Oh sorry..I meant North Korea) behind.

 

[k_sheep]

I think Indy SAGE has lost the plot in the U.K. Susan Michie was interviewed yesterday and expressed the opinion that social distancing and masks should stay FOREVER - “they’ll become like picking up dog poo or wearing a seatbelt - why wouldn’t you do it?”. The fact is that these scientists are completely divorced from reality.

I'm actually really excited that all this might make it more socially acceptable for a 'westerner' (ie white person) to wear masks routinely in public. I always loved wearing them on planes - less chance of catching the inevitable cold, plus helps keep some humidity in the lungs / lips.

I'll keep wearing *shrug*.

 

[mviy]

I’m actually looking forward to going back to normal and I masks no longer being required on planes but if it’s the difference between travelling or not I’ll wear them. I expect they will still be required when international travel resumes to more places.

 

[DC3]

… Can't wait to re unite with my fiance and leave Australia (Oh sorry..I meant North Korea) behind.

Even though you will be fully vaccinated, Dear Leader will not let you leave that easily.

 

[ayushamity]

Even though you will be fully vaccinated, Dear Leader will not let you leave that easily.

They are starting a trial from August for vaccinated people going overseas so hopefully by October or September, they will allow it.

If all else fails, I can always go to NZ and go overseas from there.

 

[DC3]

… If all else fails, I can always go to NZ and go overseas from there.

Dear Leader is on to that one. Dire consequences await those returning, apparently.

 

[Pushka]

Dear Leader is on to that one. Dire consequences await those returning, apparently.

Given that people have been refused approval when their plans are to rejoin family and actually live overseas, then NZ is the way I'd go!

 

[dvt]

They are starting a trial from August for vaccinated people going overseas so hopefully by October or September, they will allow it.

If all else fails, I can always go to NZ and go overseas from there.

Where did you hear it confirmed that trials will start from August??

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Where did you hear it confirmed that trials will start from August??

It was announced by the PM, prior to the latest variant however. And very thin on details... could just be for business travelers.