Australian Reports of the Virus Spread

[moa999]

certainly remember the hesitancy and doubt when the word was spreading about mandated wearing in Victoria. It was not popular at all.

Think it's a matter of compulsion, particularly when we are still only talking a handful of cases that aren't close contacts already in quarantine.

The last few days I'd say the vast majority in my part of Sydney are wearing masks voluntarily. 75% in supermarkets, 90% on public transport, maybe about 33% walking down the street.

But I've also seen a somewhat mentally disturbed person rip up do not sit here signs at a fast food restaurant and refuse to check-in. Hate to see the reaction if some are asked to wear masks permanently.

Vic outbreak is likely a lot larger given the exposure date was before Christmas (21 Dec).

And listening to Vic CHO they believe it came from a person who entered Vic on 18-Dec.
The first Northern Beaches case was detected on 17-Dec, so just not much anyone could do in this case.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Dont think this is correct, the news here is reporting 3 more in addition to the 3 annoucned yesterday afternoon.

Vic outbreak is likely a lot larger given the exposure date was before Christmas (21 Dec).

Im supposed to go to Byron on Sunday, wonder if i will be going.

Yes there has been a number of updates made since Jake's post including the Vic Presser at about 10.30.

Just as NSW Official figures are to 8PM each day, Vic also reports officially in 24 hr periods. However in Vic it is to midnight and not till 8PM and so is a true record of new cases per calendar day.

The daily media conference number represents results provided to the department in the previous 24 hour period to midnight. That data is continuously cleaned and processed which includes the removal of duplication and allocating cases to the date of test, rather than the date of notification to the department. While positive cases are notified on the same day, there can be a lag in providing some negative results, which causes the need for adjustment.

So officially:

• It is 3 in today's announced results (issued at 8.42AM today, but some days will be at about 8 AM)
• And there will be at least 3 (announced in the Vic Presser) in tomorrow's official test results. The traveller is likely to make it at least 4. And other close contacts, and close contacts of close contacts will also be tested today.

So Vic has had 6 positive cases in the last 24 hours, which is not the 24 hours used for recording the official day's tally (Calendar day till midnight).

 

[Pushka]

However defined. Note SA is allowing in returning residents, people re-locating permanently to South Australia. So if I turn up at the border and am not a resident (which probably means my DL is from another state), can I just say I am relocating permanently to SA?

You’ll need proof. Eg Rental agreement or purchase. Etc.

Post automatically merged: Dec 31, 2020

Permanently for two weeks perhaps.

There is no way states should be able to discriminate based on this sort of criteria. I'm sorry but we're either a country, or we're not.

There is a lot of state based barracking going on social media etc in regards to case numbers, borders, etc and I find it very disturbing.

We absolutely can. Whether that’s right or not is a different issue.

 

[jakeseven7]

Yes there has been a number of updates made since Jake's post including the Vic Presser at about 10.30.

Just as NSW Official figures are to 8PM each day, Vic also reports officially in 24 hr periods. However in Vic it is to midnight and not till 8PM and so is a true record of new cases per calendar day.

The daily media conference number represents results provided to the department in the previous 24 hour period to midnight. That data is continuously cleaned and processed which includes the removal of duplication and allocating cases to the date of test, rather than the date of notification to the department. While positive cases are notified on the same day, there can be a lag in providing some negative results, which causes the need for adjustment.

So officially:

• It is 3 in today's announced results (issued at 8.42AM today, but some days will be at about 8 AM)
• And there will be at least 3 (announced in the Vic Presser) in tomorrow's official test results. The traveller is likely to make it at least 4. And other close contacts, and close contacts of close contacts will also be tested today.

So Vic has had 6 positive cases in the last 24 hours, which is not the 24 hours used for recording the official day's tally (Calendar day till midnight).

And VIC’s response is far more reassuring than NSW I’m sorry, they will get on top of this. NSW really is on a knifes edge.

 

[moa999]

And VIC’s response is far more reassuring than NSW I’m sorry, they will get on top of this. NSW really is on a knifes edge.

NSW dealt with a Crossroads which was a far bigger outbreak.

The majority of cases are in the Northern Beaches and from people isolating - so pretty confident that is mostly dealt with and geographical restrictions continue into the New Year.

The Croydon cases are a worry given the large family but they seem to have been detected pretty quickly and lots of contacts in isolation.

The Vic cases are arguably more concerning as initial infections occured on 21-Dec, so the first six were likely infecting others around Xmas Day.

 

[Must...Fly!]

We absolutely can. Whether that’s right or not is a different issue.

You can do anything you want. Yes you can even murder someone.

But we have laws and regulations that discourage such behaviour through various means.

Point being, I never contended that it can be done - obviously it can, because it has been and continues to be done. But I would've hoped after almost 12 months we would have gotten to a better.place as a country.

Instead we have not, it feels more fragmented than it did at the start and our Federation is seriously compromised by it.

It's a bit precious/selfish I know, and it does preserve safety in WA...but on Saturday I leave the family in WA and back to VIC for work. I expect the elected member in charge will close the border in the next 24-48 hours at most, and thus I have no idea when I will see my family again. I am one of many.

 

[moa999]

We absolutely can. Whether that’s right or not is a different issue.

At Federation we kept the States. The Constitution says that States retain certain powers.
Plenty of things (even driving laws) that are different between the States.

 

[MooTime]

Vic did seem to gather lot of info from close contacts etc to pinpoint black rock thai restaurant in very short space of time.

Impressive I have to say. I'm tipping huge number testing today, all that been to places of interest, especially fountain gate SC, large number of ppl there in itself.
I left testing station at midday & line was longer than earlier, down the street, some will be turned away at 530pm I'm sure.

Even though seed was planted on Dec 21 (from what it seems), let's see in coming days how far this cough had grown!
C'mon Vic's get tested. Kill this weed.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

The Vic cases are arguably more concerning as initial infections occurred on 21-Dec, so the first six were likely infecting others around Xmas Day.

The bigger risk will be any random transmission from being out and about and especially by the returned traveller as they are the one who has been infectious the longest.

The Health Official so far apart from the Smile Buffalo restaurant are only listing exposure sites from the 26th on. So presumably the DHHS only believe that they will have been infectious, or in settings when they could infect non-close contacts from the 26th on. So far the number of exposure sites is quite limited.

Xmas Day in itself will not be the problem, all guests will be known and by now all close contacts and their close contacts will be in isolation and will also have been tested. Some last night and the remainder this morning and so any positives from will be in tomorrow's official numbers = at least 3.

The exposure risk sites may of course grow yet if any of the close contacts of close contacts become positive. Plus also possibly from the NSW returned traveller who has now has been interviewed.

 

[RooFlyer]

For the life of me, I cannot understand why NSW isn't making mask mandatory. Such a simple thing, which you barely notice after a while.

I've always found masks v difficult to use for any length of time - surgical, or N95 type. A silica mine site I worked at (visits) for years brought in compulsory mask and safety glasses [or prescription glasses] wearing when outside on the mining lease. 10km away, in the forest, away from the open pit, it was ridiculous! I peeled mine off as soon as I could - fogged the prescription glasses and was just hot and uncomfortable.

Last week the WA premier announced restriction based on the virus was being found 'throughout Sydney'. He was mocked by some on AFF. Turns out he was right

I don't think he was, was he? 'Throughout [as in, 'in every part of'] Sydney'?

 

[Melburnian1]

Vic did seem to gather lot of info from close contacts etc to pinpoint black rock thai restaurant in very short space of time.

Impressive I have to say. I'm tipping huge number testing today, all that been to places of interest, especially fountain gate SC, large number of ppl there in itself.
I left testing station at midday & line was longer than earlier, down the street, some will be turned away at 530pm I'm sure.

Even though seed was planted on Dec 21 (from what it seems), let's see in coming days how far this cough had grown!
C'mon Vic's get tested. Kill this weed.

Can you 'kill' a virus?

Most states are (without disclosing it) pursuing an 'elimination strategy'. It won't work unless State premiers want to further hobble economies and people's lives.

Lockdowns and other restrictions have a far greater economic and social cost than this virus.

 

[Must...Fly!]

ABC says the Victorians will be having another conference in the next hour. That can't bode well.

 

[Pushka]

You can do anything you want. Yes you can even murder someone.

But we have laws and regulations that discourage such behaviour through various means.

Point being, I never contended that it can be done - obviously it can, because it has been and continues to be done. But I would've hoped after almost 12 months we would have gotten to a better.place as a country.

Instead we have not, it feels more fragmented than it did at the start and our Federation is seriously compromised by it.

It's a bit precious/selfish I know, and it does preserve safety in WA...but on Saturday I leave the family in WA and back to VIC for work. I expect the elected member in charge will close the border in the next 24-48 hours at most, and thus I have no idea when I will see my family again. I am one of many.

Well, we have close family in the UK so I understand the angst. If I am lucky I might see my son at Christmas time next year. And as you know I was referring to legal acts and not criminal ones. But I completely understand why states are closing their borders. Right now it is our only defence.

 

[Melburnian1]

ABC says the Victorians will be having another conference in the next hour. That can't bode well.

More job destruction coming up!

Who'd want to run any sort of passenger or customer-facing business at present?

 

[Lynda2475]

I wear a mask anytime I enter a venue or catch an uber (and would wear on PT if I had any need to use it) but i dont agree with needing to wear a mask outside when going for a walk or grabbing a takeaway coffee from the window without entering the cafe.

I notice Melbourne have reintroduced compulsory mask wearing once you leave the house, but really shouldnt be necessary outside. Yet they are allowing household gatherings up to 15 people, which is much less safe than taking a walk arounf the bay maskless.

Its too bloody hot and humid to exercise with a mask on, my knees are to dodgy to run, but i regualrly walk 8-10kms and I'll be buggered if I'll allow another sate to try and force me to wear a mask whilst I walk here.

I personally happy with GBs practical repsonse. I popped into Coles this arvo and everyone was wearing masks - it doesnt need to be a law, people in Greater Sydney have gotten the message and are by enlarge doing the right thing. Making masks compulsory wont stop those few selfish people who dont comply from non-compliance, there are always some idiots.

 

[Melburnian1]

I wear a mask anytime I enter a venue or catch an uber (and would wear on PT if I had any need to use it) but i dont agree with needing to wear a mask outside when going for a walk or grabbing a takeaway coffee from the window without entering the cafe.

I notice Melbourne have reintroduced compulsory mask wearing once you leave the house, but really shouldnt be necessary outside. Yet they are allowing household gatherings up to 15 people, which is much less safe than taking a walk arounf the bay maskless.

Its too bloody hot and humid to exercise with a mask on, my knees are to dodgy to run, but i regualrly walk 8-10kms and I'll be buggered if I'll allow another sate to try and force me to wear a mask whilst I walk here.

I personally happy with GBs practical repsonse. I popped into Coles this arvo and everyone was wearing masks - it doesnt need to be a law, people in Greater Sydney have gotten the message and are by enlarge doing the right thing. Making masks compulsory wont stop those few selfish people who dont comply from non-compliance, there are always some idiots.

What's 'GBs'?

There are many who are exempt from wearing a mask. Those with asthma are one example. Let's not conclude everyone who doesn't wear a mask is 'an idiot'.

 

[Must...Fly!]

More job destruction coming up!

Who'd want to run any sort of passenger or customer-facing business at present?

No idea, but I guess it doesn't matter if money grows on trees!

Apparently this announcement will have to do with the VIC/NSW border. These people are literally destroying our country, and many are cheering them on while they do it. Regret will be widespread in future.

 

[Lynda2475]

But I completely understand why states are closing their borders. Right now it is our only defence.

And that is the real worry.

If people in all states kept social distance, wore a mask indoors, observed gathering limits, always stayed home if feeling unwell and got tested if slightest symptom then states wouldnt need to keep slamming borders shut.

Its been 10 months, and is a great concern that the states who keep shutting down (WA and Qld especially) obviously still dont trust their contract tracing and health facilities to be able to treat and deal with low levels of cases in the community.

This new community outbreak in Vic is the first proper test of their improvements, so we watch with interest to see if they do contain it, especially given the lag fform exposure to detection.

 

[SydneySwan]

What's 'GBs'?

There are many who are exempt from wearing a mask. Those with asthma are one example. Let's not conclude everyone who doesn't wear a mask is 'an idiot'.

GB = Gladys Berejiklian

 

[Lynda2475]

What's 'GBs'?

Our dear Premiere Gladys - be buggered if I can remember how to spell her last name!

There are many who are exempt from wearing a mask. Those with asthma are one example. Let's not conclude everyone who doesn't wear a mask is 'an idiot'.

I didnt conclude that, if you have a legit exemption then you arent not complying.

But even with current restrictions there are covidiots out there - like the selfish backpackers on Boxing Day at Bronte breachign gathering limits and that Bride (and her family) from the NB on the weekend who travelled into Glebe for a wedding that should ahve been deferred and a certain ex prime minister exercising in the Northern Northern Beaches when he libves on the Souther Northern Beaches.