Originally Posted by MickG0105 (Post 11098452)

The mechanism by which coronaviruses replicate and mutate is very well understood - the RNA replication process that occurs after a coronavirus infects a cell is markedly less accurate than DNA replication. Each time a replication occurs the RNA creates a protein sequence and that protein sequence is then used to create a new strand of RNA - the protein sequence is a bit like a negative in photography or a mould in casting. Because of the inherent weakness in RNA replication there is a very small chance that the protein sequence could change slightly so you end up with a very, very slightly flawed negative or mould. Those changes result in the resulting next generation of RNA changing every so slightly. When you have many, many replications occurring many, many times as you would get in a large infected population, basic probability favors that the virus will adjust. It is straightforward evolution but on a very, very condensed timeline because of a) the relatively very short inter-generarional cycle time and b) the relatively poor accuracy of the replication process. Most of the time the small 'misprints' or 'miscasts' (mutations) that arise have no effect whatsoever on how the coronavirus interacts with its target hosts but every once in a while they do.

And you don't need to know how or what "caused" the original coronavirus to emerge, once you have mapped it genetically then you're on your way to dealing with it.

Originally Posted by PoppaJo (Post 11098430)

I know the rest of the year is going to be tough down south but sweet Jesus.


https://mobile.twitter.com/jeff_kenn...63173716987909

Originally Posted by Chronic Snoozer (Post 11098457)

So stopping the spread is also the key to stopping mutations which spread faster, so stopping the spread is also key to stopping mutations which spread faster, so..................?

Originally Posted by 601 (Post 11098465)

We did it last year, but we were dealing with a less infectious variant. .
The measures most likely would be effective against this latest variant if EVERYONE took personal responsibility to stop the spread.

Originally Posted by MickG0105 (Post 11098464)

Yes, yes and, in anticipation, yes. It's worth noting that after 18 months and some what? 200 million cases globally (likely many more than that) there have thus far really only been three or four variants of significant concern. That said, best not to tempt fate if you can avoid it.

Originally Posted by Green.Dot (Post 11098677)

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-...ated/100394760

WTF is wrong with our media? This should be a positive story. Yes, case numbers in Israel have spiked significantly but guess what? Deaths are right down. It’s buried deep within the story.

Australia has fck all hope with ABC spreading fear and continuing to focus on case numbers. I too wish we could eliminate COVID, we thought we could, I’m glad we gave it a go, but it’s not going to happen. Accept it Australia.

Originally Posted by Foxxster (Post 11098681)

61 cases in Victoria today up from 55 yesterday.

Originally Posted by Turnleft080 (Post 11098710)

Press conference just delivered. Wasn't to bad, I thought he was going to chain us to the furniture.

Originally Posted by Foxxster (Post 11098716)

832 for NSW today. Good effort Gladys. Now is the time to bunker down you said yesterday. At the start of week 9. Is that what the health advice said. Not at the start of week 1 or the start of week 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or the start of week 8. No it said wait until the state liberals start making plans to replace you and make it known they are doing so. So week 9 it is. But she is acting only on the health advice. Strange how the chief health officer didn’t give a straight answer when asked if she had given the premier advice to go harder earlier. Strange how the health advice is not going to be released when the question was asked.

but they are acting only on the health advice and don’t you forget it.

Originally Posted by Foxxster (Post 11098716)

Good effort Gladys.

Originally Posted by Foxxster (Post 11098716)

832 for NSW today. Good effort Gladys. Now is the time to bunker down you said yesterday. At the start of week 9. Is that what the health advice said. Not at the start of week 1 or the start of week 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or the start of week 8. No it said wait until the state liberals start making plans to replace you and make it known they are doing so. So week 9 it is. But she is acting only on the health advice. Strange how the chief health officer didn’t give a straight answer when asked if she had given the premier advice to go harder earlier. Strange how the health minister said the health advice is not going to be released when the question was asked at one of the press conferences. It was asked after the chief health officer was asked her question to which she gave a politicians non answer.

but they are acting only on the health advice and don’t you forget it.

Originally Posted by rattman (Post 11098718)

Truly gone for gold, vic relegated to silver

Originally Posted by Chronic Snoozer (Post 11098719)

Give it a rest would you. They can’t deal with the outbreak by looking in the rear view mirror. If people aren’t compliant, that’s not the government’s fault, is it? This constant sniping and heckling of the government(s) is just wasting bandwidth.