All borders to reopen.

[Joker89]

No other government has abandoned its citizens like Australia has. It’s a disgrace. Now we have international students able to enter ahead of passport holders.

[dream747]

Originally Posted by Joker89

No other government has abandoned its citizens like Australia has. It’s a disgrace. Now we have international students able to enter ahead of passport holders.

I don’t understand it too, there are many other countries that are smaller, much more densely populated, can find avenues to have ample dedicated quarantine facilities for returning citizens. There’s so much land and space in Australia, surely more could be done?

[dr dre]

Originally Posted by rattman

Hamilton island would be a logical choice, its got its own airport, close to townsville which is a close has a large regional hospital also has a large army base with aviation and a land craft based there. That said not sure the owner would want reputation the island could gain if turned into a 'plague island'

You would probably want the quarantine facilities near airports than can accept widebodies for direct international services. Less need for connecting internal flights. I'm thinking Curtin, Scherger, Alice Springs, quite a few of the FIFO ports (if any can be temporarily spared for quarantine use), Woomera, Rockhampton. Christmas Island could be an option although it could be a bit tight for some widebodies.

Originally Posted by dream747

I don’t understand it too, there are many other countries that are smaller, much more densely populated, can find avenues to have ample dedicated quarantine facilities for returning citizens. There’s so much land and space in Australia, surely more could be done?

Far more can be done, it's just that no one wants to. More interested in arguing with each other and playing the blame game.

This situation will still be ongoing for at least a year, until vaccine uptake is widespread enough to dispense with mandatory 2 week quarantine.

[Joker89]

Don’t think the vaccine is going to solve much to begin with. The vaccine prevents the disease not the infection. So one can in theory carry the virus and spread it even if immune.

given the amount of quarantine and nasal scrapes of young and healthy citizens vaccine may not stop governments wanting to continue this trend.

The only hope is governments can use the vaccine to get themselves out of this mess where they have scared the population into submission.

[Global Aviator]

Yep wide-body airports make sense -

Hence why HS popular. The crazy thing is there are a few other ex workers villages in the area that could be utilised that aren’t, there is even one at the airport I’m told.

Anything around Wellcamp? Townsville?

The only problem here is we are talking common sense so it won’t happen.

Lets face it, it took 5 months for the government to actually get proactive and crank up Qantas charters.

Oh also, not only student but fruit pickers first, another plane load snuck into Brisbane the other day barely noticed at all!

[ScepticalOptomist]

Originally Posted by Joker89

Don’t think the vaccine is going to solve much to begin with. The vaccine prevents the disease not the infection. So one can in theory carry the virus and spread it even if immune.

With enough vaccinated, it’s a moot point, isn’t it?

[jrfsp]

It seems the latest infection of a hotel worked in Sydney came from Self Isolating US based air crew......why are these crew not in the same hotels as returned travelers.....seems a big risk?

[dr dre]

Originally Posted by ScepticalOptomist

With enough vaccinated, it’s a moot point, isn’t it?

Vaccines get the bodies immune system ready to fight off the infection the second it hits the body, instead of unvaccinated infection which allows the virus to get a foothold over several days before the bodies immune system creates antibodies to fight it off. So whilst the virus may technically infect the body, the sickness is less severe or non existent. Less severe or non existent symptoms means less likelihood of virus spread in the community, and eventually if a critical mass of vaccinations is reached (herd immunity), the pandemic ceases as there's nowhere for the virus to go.

[Climb150]

Originally Posted by jrfsp

It seems the latest infection of a hotel worked in Sydney came from Self Isolating US based air crew......why are these crew not in the same hotels as returned travelers.....seems a big risk?

Friends of mine who fly into Australia said they stayed at quarantine hotels. How exactly did a hotel staff member get close enough to a person to catch it?

[Joker89]

Originally Posted by ScepticalOptomist

With enough vaccinated, it’s a moot point, isn’t it?

so what is the benchmark for vaccines, are kids and young people with almost zero chance of dying from this going to be forced to have Jab, or just everyone over 50/60? None of this has been discussed so I don’t see borders opening soon after a vaccine is made available but I hope I’m wrong.

[dr dre]

Originally Posted by Joker89

so what is the benchmark for vaccines, are kids and young people with almost zero chance of dying from this going to be forced to have Jab, or just everyone over 50/60? None of this has been discussed so I don’t see borders opening soon after a vaccine is made available but I hope I’m wrong.

Everyone is vaccinated, inc kids, healthy people, younger people and those under 60, as their mass vaccination aids in gaining herd immunity in the population which stops it spreading to the yet to be vaccinated vulnerable populations like over 60s and those with pre existing conditions.

[KRviator]

Originally Posted by dr dre

Everyone is vaccinated, inc kids, healthy people, younger people and those under 60, as their mass vaccination aids in gaining herd immunity in the population which stops it spreading to the yet to be vaccinated vulnerable populations like over 60s and those with pre existing conditions.

Yeah, nah. I won't be getting it, and neither will the kidlets.

I'm certainly not an anti-vaxxer, I'm all for standard vaccinations and the entire family is as up to date as we can be, but, both the KRviatrix and I have concerns about the speed with which these vaccines have progressed from development, through testing to distribution. I get that part of it is because there are so many companies etc collaborating on development & testing, but I'll wait a bit longer until I roll up the sleeves. History is littered with examples of "It was a good idea at the time..."

[goodonyamate]

And if your employer has a no jab no work policy? What then?

[neville_nobody]

And if your employer has a no jab no work policy? What then?

It will be interesting if anyone can actually enforce staff to take a vaccination against their own wishes. The next question will be is the employer then liable if there is some unintended side affect from the 'mandatory' vaccination. It would be pretty ironic if there was to be some issue then a percentage of your workforce lose their medicals as a result.

There are also different versions of the vaccine so it all depends on which one is in Australia. Some are the more traditional versions with weak strains of the virus whilst others add to your DNA to help combat Covid-19

[ScepticalOptomist]

Originally Posted by Joker89

so what is the benchmark for vaccines, are kids and young people with almost zero chance of dying from this going to be forced to have Jab, or just everyone over 50/60? None of this has been discussed so I don’t see borders opening soon after a vaccine is made available but I hope I’m wrong.

You would imagine those in the highest risk demographic, followed by whoever wants it - like every other vaccine?
Travelling OS will be a different matter as I’d say most countries will require vaccination - just like we all used to do years ago. Nothing really knew here in regards to expectations I believe.

[Joker89]

I’m not injecting my kids with a vaccine that isn’t required. Covid19 will burn out on its own accord

[patty50]

Originally Posted by Joker89

so what is the benchmark for vaccines, are kids and young people with almost zero chance of dying from this going to be forced to have Jab, or just everyone over 50/60?

Hard to see how surprise side effects might pop up that are worse than the virus. There are plenty of bad things that can happen to someone other than dying. A lot of less than old people have had very unpleasant experiences with this virus. The shortness of breath apparently gets bad enough that you think you’ll die even if your O2 is still good. Sounds traumatic.

Love to see polls of people who’ve had it and see whether they wish they had a vaccine and its associated risk.

[vne165]

+1 Joker.....

[boeinga320]

Originally Posted by patty50

Love to see polls of people who’ve had it and see whether they wish they had a vaccine and its associated risk.

I had it about 2 months ago. Woke up with a sore throat for 4 days. Bit of a cough at night. Cup of tea in the morning and I was good to go. I couldn't believe that was the reason I went from flying a plane to delivering pizzas
I didn't even think of going for a test, except work required it. Makes you wonder how many people would test positive and what the survival rate would then look like.

[Slezy9]

Originally Posted by neville_nobody

It will be interesting if anyone can actually enforce staff to take a vaccination against their own wishes. The next question will be is the employer then liable if there is some unintended side affect from the 'mandatory' vaccination.

Hello, Defence force calling... There are mandatory vacations that are required or you’re kicked out. I have no doubt the COVID vaccine will mandatory. If the ADF can do it then maybe other employers can?