We have vaccines for many communicable diseases.

We still spend huge amounts of money on education, transmission control, contact tracing etc. We don’t go “we have a vaccine and will learn to live with it”.

Measles, whooping cough, hepatitis B, influenza all have significant non-vaccine public health measures despite high vaccination rates. I’d imagine COVID will be the same.




Danny is indignant at even having a test to go travelling, wants to bring whatever new mutation he’s acquired with him quarantine and test free because he’s had a vaccine.

Life here in Aus is basically normal, we have QR codes everywhere to check in and tape on the ground but other than that you’d have no idea of much happening. It’ll be hard for us to give that up to have whinging poms providing Bondi Rescue fodder.

You have absolutely no place in this country, let alone society. I don't want anybody new in my backyard, let alone my country.

I think Daniel Andrews is the consumate politician, he always tells me the truth, tells it to me straight. Both he and VicPol are on the same page and that's what you want, the police in the back pocket of the ruling party.

Annie up in Queensland, she's keeping me safe, when the virus was running rampant in QLD, the hospitals were over run, all ventilators used, she ensured that queensland hospitals were for queenslanders only. We have a saying up in queensland 'we're all in this together' and when those hospitals were secured for us, we proved that all us queenslanders were indeed all in it together. NSW was good enough to let the overflow into the tweed hospital, even though we told them to eff off when they wanted to come up to gods country hospitals.

That Western Australian bloke, how good is he? Mr 80% he's keeping me safe, and everybody else in Australia, quick with advice to every other state that they too can eliminate the virus, well, except NSW if his advice to funnel every returning Australian through Sydney airport and hotels is to be followed. Bloody NSW taking all the flotsam and jetsam. What a hole, they all walk around the streets like there's no bloody cases, it's irresponsible and just damn dangerous, next thing you know they'll be letting friggin' kiwis in, FFS.

Don't start me on that bloody dangerous and irresponsible state, NSW, not keeping anybody bloody safe, what a bloody fool the premier is, not keeping anybody safe.

When you look at who's gotten us through all the hard times in this country, throughout history, it's our precious boomers, god love em. Can we just listen to them when they say 'I'm scared, I'm petrified' 'Annie told me I'd be dead within days if I didn't vote her back in' 'Dan told me I'd be dead within days, because the one case that caused lockdown was spreading at an unprecedented rate......to the two other people' 'Mark told me I'd be dead within days, while the one case they picked up was spreading at unprecedented rates to........no one'

I know who I trust and believe you fools.

Interesting rant. Have you tried Valium.

He's the bloke who hits the brakes AFTER he's run into the gum tree.

You're a bloody ranter, you ranter :ok:

How would you know about Valium? Good is it?

Leave old mate pineapple driver alone, he's backing you up Boomer :ok:

Brilliant McLimit :ok:

At least one person here understands your satire! :}

Fair enough...

I have no skin in the game now, my Aussie grandparents are no longer with us, but still intrigued by how things are panning out back there.

My point is, there will always be new mutations, vaccines aren’t gonna stop that. The only way you’re going to keep them out is to keep the doors shut indefinitely. If you’re happy with that solution, then good on ya, you’ve played a blinder.
I still have family and friends there tho, and I know how much you like to travel. So I can’t quite work out your endgame.


And I wouldn't worry about the whinging poms too much, they have plenty of other places desperate to take their money.

My Son, Daughter and Grandchildren are all Australian citizens living in WA.

I have not seen them for over a year now. If the plan is to never have any cases even when the vaccine is rolled out, the borders will have to remain shut forever and I am unlikley to see them ever again.

I am not alone with this situation of course. No doubt it is causing a great deal of heartache for many other people as it is for my family and myself.

As it stands I am not a close enough relative as a parent to get an exception to enter Australia.
If one of them became terminally ill or died its "possible" that I would be allowed in. But we do not want that to happen of course.

I can understand the logic of wanting to keep the borders closed right now, The Australian Government and the State Premiers have done a very good job of Protecting Australian citizens from the virus,

However even with vaccines there will be cases but much less in numbers than without the vaccine. Severe illness and deaths will also be significantly be reduced.

The vaccine should help control Covid while letting society return to normal rather like the seasonal Flu is controlled with a modified vaccine to cope with variants each year. So where is this policy of total elimination going. Is there ever going to be a way out.

Surely the time must come when citizens with overseas close relatives in my case a parent can once again come to Australia to see there family.

Personally I would be happy to Take a covid test before departure to Australia, Produce a vaccination certificate. Go into a 14 night or whatever Quarantine. Get another couple of tests before being released into society all at my own cost.

If 1500 or whatever the number was of Tennis people, Actors TV stars etc are allowed in why are close families being kept apart causing so much misery.

Sorry to rant on but wonder what the general opinion is regarding this.
..

I do not believe that there is any intention of the federal government to "lock the international borders forever".
You would need to ask ScoMo about that.

But, two genuine questions

a) did you have any intention of visiting Australia in this last year or within the next 12 months or of your family doing the reverse trip in that period?
b) how often would you do so - COVID notwithstanding.

I'm seeing more of my UK family than ever. We have a regular Zoom catch up which is great fun. It's actually brought us all closer together and I haven't had to spend a fortune to drag myself across the world once a year then drive all over England in the rain to see them one at a time. Best of all I get to see my little great-niece regularly, something I missed with my niece and nephews.

So we just need to adapt and make the most of the technology that we have these days.

Plus enjoy having the time and money to appreciate this beautiful country we live in.

Love your sense of humour!!

Had a great chuckle - thanks!

Thanks TL, apparently it was a rant? Keh? :}


SC

:ok: I admit to laughing at my own humour a little too much :}

That’s great, but are you happy to do that indefinitely? Because until Australia is willing to accept that if the doors are eventually opened there is no way of keeping the virus out, then that’s where you’re headed.

If so there’s gonna be a lot of very unhappy Australians in the tourism and hospitality sectors.

I don't think I'd call myself a proud Australian, mainly because I'm not nationalistic, jingoistic or boganistic. But what I can say is I've never been more embarrassed or ashamed of being Australian. What you are seeing is a bunch of ninnies taking control of the narrative, it's downright xenophobic. To listen and read the interstate rivalry is pathetic and it's now extended to keeping you 'foreigners' out. This despite Australia becoming one of the most diverse nations on the earth.

But, what we'll do is make sure the people who've made this nation their new home can't see family and friends and not allow Australians with family overseas to see theirs, Haven't seen my daughter for 18 months now, add probably another year to that. Whomever asked the question, how many times did you see them prior to covid? I made 6 monthly trips to see her. Whomever you are that 'hasn't seen more of their family since covid started'........on zoom and skype? You're serious are you? Zoom satisfies your need to embrace your loved ones? That's a bit strange to me, sorry.

spy v spy: xenophobia, it stinks and is disgraceful.

I will bet my bottom dollar, that a vaccine will make zero difference to lockdown policy that clown in WA is running, one case, lockdown.

Queensland tourism is collapsing, the Queensland premier was arrogant and stupid enough to think that internal tourism would keep the economy alive, that's what a 'Queensland is for Queenslanders' policy will do for you. Now she's begging for federal handouts.

Closing Credits of “Get Smart” Roll!

Boom Qld border shut tonight to NZ, they had 2 more high school kids in Auckland test positive who were in managed isolation. I’m expecting 2 more years of this crap, it will get better slowly but it will still be crap. International? I’m thinking late 2022 by the way these clowns are operating.

Yes I did I was due to travel over on the day the borders closed. I was actually checked in and waiting for a taxi to the airport when I heard I could not travel. Since then I have been re booked on 4 subsequent flights at various dates. All eventually cancelled.

I normally visit 3 times per year.

My next booking is towards the end of 21. Booked it as something to look forward to assuming the vaccine here and in Australia would make a difference by then, fingers crossed, but is unlikely to fly unless the authorities rethink the border situation.

Only time will tell, I suppose, but I think (yep, my opinion) you're booking probably scrapes in as a realistic goal.
Once widespread vaccination has been achieved then I can't see any point maintaining a general lock on international borders.
But I can't imagine ScoMo just suddenly saying "OK, we're open again. Come on in" either.
I'm expecting a few provisos. Vaccination certificates, etc.

I wish you well.

Who cares, its a non reciprocal agreement with NZ anyway. We're almost at the point of unrestricted domestic travel - how stupid would it be if we let covid enter from NZ, can you imagine the consequence - lockdowns, public uproar etc. The risk seems tiny, but is it worth the risk when we have waited so long to get to this point, especially when its a non-reciprocal bubble.

Public uproar? I’ll tell you a little secret buddy, every single outbreak since a year ago has been linked to ****ty hotel quarantine. The only interstate infection was to NSW while VIC was having hundreds of cases per day.
Let that sink in for a while, while you are dreaming, unrestricted domestic travel will get destroyed just when it seems it’s all ok, I’ll give it another 2 years until they sort it. 2 more cases in managed isolation in Auckland? You have to be ****ting me, this is ridiculous.

Again I will repeat the only interstate infection has been from VIC to NSW when they had hundreds of cases per day, yeah there was a couple of chicks that travelled to QLD but only caused a few cases. Oh I just realised you live in WA, forget all I said, just live in your isolation, that’s much better!

The risk is so tiny that the wings will detach from the aircraft when we fly them so let’s negate that risk? You sand gropers are so fing stupid you don’t even realise it

If you think domestic borders are now in a nirvana good on you, they will be slammed shut multiple times for the rest of this year. Until people actually rise up and tell these idiots nothing will change.

Why don’t you pop a couple of valium and get yourself off to bed, must be late over there —wouldn’t want you bursting a blood vessel over that keyboard

AoA, valium has popped up as a tool quite a few times on this thread, maybe it's a western stater thing? Maybe that's what they're on?

Hasn't seemed to have calmed their state of paranoia though?

They’re just following the health advice of the CMOs.

Queen P in the North is requesting an urgent national cabinet meeting because a Dr broke the rules now the roll out is being hampered. The way she is carrying on it is further killing public confidence when the Federal Gov is at no fault here.
every medical practitioner is aware that the course must be completed to administer the vaccine.

An article in The Atlantic discusses the American perspective on when the pandemic can be declared over. There are a few similarities but of course there is a wide gulf between them and how the states and people here view risks and responsibilities.

The article mentions that once covid deaths approximate the annual flu toll might be an appropriate milestone to re-open society and borders. That seems to be a measured view, given that Covid-19 will be with us forever.

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/a...c-over/618122/

Have you ever heard of a health care protocol that allows injections without two party patient ID and dose confirmation? That doctor bypassed the mandatory training too, all of which points to a larger individual problem as opposed to something systemic.

My wife is a Dr, she has not done the course and is well aware she can not administer the vaccine. This Dr should of know also. this Dr was employed by the very health agency providing the course.

Oh dear, I wonder if Mr Joyce has seen this.

Summer holidays hang in the balance after the World Health Organisation urged against using vaccine passports to facilitate international travel.

It said proof of a jab should not be required because there remain 'critical unknowns regarding the efficacy of vaccination in reducing transmission'.

The WHO added that inoculated passengers should not be able to sidestep existing travel restrictions designed to reduce Covid.
Setting out the WHO stance, the interim position paper states: 'At the present time, it is WHO's position that national authorities and conveyance operators should not introduce requirements of proof of COVID-19 vaccination for international travel as a condition for departure or entry.'It is a fresh blow for both holidaymakers and tourism bosses hoping vaccine passports will pave the way for overseas trips.

That people should be mandated to have a vaccine to enjoy greater freedom is a politically divisive issue being fought out in national capitals.

The WHO's paper also says: 'National authorities should choose public health interventions that least infringe on individual freedom of movement.'

I don’t quite understand the WHO: they were about six weeks late declaring the pandemic. They have engaged in appeasement with China regarding origins and reporting. Now they are engaged in hand-wringing over some “right” that is certainly not a given, nor does it acknowledge any nation's absolute right to decide conditions of entry.

There is no way that this policy is going to fly.

oh to call them grossly incompetent is being far to kind. They are the WuHan Health Organisation, the head bought and paid for by China.

yes, see attached as per their press releases. They, like many / most UN organisations are not fit for purpose.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....18881214f.jpeg

When this all started, I started a thread ‘ Is the WHO fit for purpose?’. I don’t think it is. It’s been led by China from the start.

Not quite correct, apparently. The vaccination program in aged care facilities including the necessary training is a federal government-managed initiative.

Never heard of Valium, well I’ve heard of it but never taken it. Pfizer, AstraZeneca and presumably Moderna Vaccines have shown 100% efficacy in preventing serious disease and hospitalisation with COVID19. Now with a vaccinated population that pretty much makes Covid19 less dangerous than the common flu. In a good year high hundreds die in a bad year high thousands die from flu in Aus, Is McClown still going to close the borders if there is an outbreak of COVID? I think this is the question going into the future, politicians have made out this COVID is like AIDS times 10 when it isn’t. Shut the borders for Flu? Because the Flu was pretty much non existent last year it will come back with vengeance this year or next.

He will close it for 1 case the arseclown.

I meant the fed gov is not responsible for rogue Drs. This Dr would of know they were not qualified.

Well you’ve mostly answered your own question. There is a difference between a virus spreading unchecked through a naive population vs an immunised one. That’s what the health advice is based on. Just need the required number of vaccinations first.

So if Premiers are just going to keep borders closed forever then why are they all signing up to the National Vaccine strategy? Bit of a costly exercise if nothing will change huh?

There is a difference now between Covid and influenza, given there is a vaccine to the flu and a level of immunity in the population. The whole point of the vaccine program is to make Covid like the flu. Because there was a larger uptake of the flu vax last year (from about 20 to 70%) this caused the flu season to be substantially less (along with hand sanitising, awareness of illness and more isolation).

You won’t get any information right now from any government about a change to border policy because they have more pressing issues to deal with, although they’re now starting to be discussed at a higher level at national cabinet.

The WA Health Minister was asked about a change to border and quarantine policy on local radio recently and said the vaccinations will change the requirements around quarantine at some point in the future, but that will come after sorting out distribution and supply of the vaccine, and encouraging people to take it.