Déjà vu in Melbourne? Please let it not escalate.

[countessalmirena]

We don't know yet exactly what sort of lockdown it will be.

We don't know yet exactly how severe it will be, what things will be further restricted.

We don't know yet exactly how long the lockdown will be imposed.

But we know that there will be a lockdown.

I'm so disheartened by the fact that this was preventable. What possessed case number 5 (the case who contracted COVID-19 from the Wollert cluster (via a missing link, probably?) to ignore his symptoms for more than 4 days? What possessed him to go out and about while symptomatic? Was he wearing a mask? (I'll take a wild stab at it and say no, he probably wasn't.) Was he socially distancing? (Clearly not.)

Taken in conjunction with the general complacency and vaccine reluctance, the discarding of masks in public transport, the lack of enforcement (with police chiefs being - in my view - a bit ridiculous in scoffing at the task of enforcing health directives), the surging together of people  much closer than 1.5 metres when we know - surely we call know! - that this pandemic is far from over, and the number of people who are shaking hands and kissing and hugging... it's making my heart sink like a concrete boot.

I skipped wearing a mask twice recently, I admit. I had it with me, but I popped into the bank and thought it would be a good idea not to obscure my face for security reasons. I also went to a supermarket for one item, late at night just before it closed. It was not wise. Oh! And one more time... at the Melbourne Recital Centre while enjoying a fabulous concert. Every other time, yes, I've masked up. But now I feel foolish, and I won't be making any exceptions.

Stupid-decision-making people could be walking around in any part of Melbourne or indeed Victoria, refusing to be tested, brushing off their symptoms, scoffing at the notion of wearing a mask or sanitising their hands.

And more political point-scoring is being launched as well. I've no patience for it; we need to be working together to resolve these problems, and stamp out this outbreak. Ironically it is because we as a country have been doing so well that the complacent behaviour has crept back.

Fellow Melbournians and Victorians, we just have to be strong, and let's do our best to reiterate that the hygiene behaviours (    and unfortunately now (probably) as well) MUST be followed until Australia has achieved herd immunity - and even after that, we should at the very least maintain hand hygiene and cough etiquette.

Let's try to lead the world into effective long-term behaviour change.

And God help us all as we enter into whatever lockdown hell lies before us. *virtual hug* - because that's the only sort I can give you.

[imastawka]

Greater Melbourne residents who lost jobs to COVID lockdown eligible for Commonwealth payments (msn....

[domino-710]

As I've mentioned in another thread - there are definite alternatives.

[*stuff*books*]

Sorry but what part as that is and has always been the way I use the internet on my phone by logging into and staying logged into the Modem which is connected via the phone line as ADSL.

I have travelled to a GD's place and have used the Wifi from her pre-paid modem stick in the same manner and have never used mobile data.

My Wifi is turned on and my mobile data has always been turned off on my phone as I wont use it.

I had it accidentally turned on with a previous phone and it kept searching for networks and flattening the battery very quickly.

[janeababe]

I have an iPhone 8.
I am on a prepaid mobile phone plan (for about 15-20yrs now) and I’ve noticed a huge improvement with network services over the past 5-7 yrs. with more towers and better mobile coverage, rarely is the any ‘network searching’ anymore. 
I am with Optus. For my $30 month, I also get 6g data. I never run out....ever ..... and I practically live on my phone when I’m not at work or not busy. If you are ever in a very low coverage areas just switch your phone to airplane mode, this saves a heap of mucking about and you won’t lose battery power or data. 

To use the QR codes, there are three methods available to you at present.

1- download a QR reader. Open it to scan the code. This is done by simply placing your phone over the code, so the QR scanner can ‘scan it’, a bit like squaring up to take a photo. 
That will automatically take you to a sign in screen where you enter your details using your keypad. 
2- download the Service (NSW) or what ever it is in your state... and open it to the Covid safe check in ...and follow the prompts.

3- (most commonly used)... Open your camera. Point it at the QR code. Do not take a photo. A banner will appear at the top of your screen (usually service NSW). Click the banner to open the app and follow the prompts. If you have entered your details before, then they will be pre loaded and you just scroll down to click Check-In.  I leave that screen available so I can then check out later. 

OR:

4- old school, pen and paper check in, for the world to see your name and phone number 😉

[*stuff*books*]

My mobile phone costs me on average $15 to $20 per year and I wont be changing it as I don't need or want mobile data that I have little use for.

I'm fine with the manual check in and considering how long it took some to log in with their QR codes today  it was a lot quicker.

My plan also changed this year where I can't access their Wi-Fi spots so even less use for mobile data.

[countessalmirena]

One way or another, *stuff*books*, I need mobile data access. My months’-long delay in actually transferring everything over to my new phone did hamper the ease with which I was able to check in to places… The old phone was iPhone 6. Camera not as good as that in my new iPhone, and it couldn’t update to latest iOS.

If you don’t want mobile data, you shouldn’t need to feel pushed into having it by the check-in requirement. Venues need to provide alternative ways to check in.

We’re at a strange time in human history…

[springyzone]

---

@rogespeed wrote:

Anyone yet asked how an infected person could walk out of quarantine ?

And with such wonderful timing - during contraversy over travel bans for citizens seeking to return from a certain country that is being ravaged by a particularly fast - spreader variant , which incidently is the variant of concern in Melbourne , which out of 5 million resident people at the same time or there abouts , just happened that 2 highly protected health care workers become infected  , you guessed  ? aged-care ? correct ! 

---

That was easily answered. The infected person went into quarantine in South Australia and did not have the virus at that stage, so they tested negative right through their stay. It seems they were exposed to the virus while in quarantine, probably right near the end of their time there. So then they went home negative but showed symptoms some days later.

I was interested to see one news program trying to establish why it is Victoria that has it again. That's because the man in quarantine was from Victoria. And Vic & NSW are always going to be the most at risk. They have the biggest populations plus overwhelmingly, the most migrants.

To me, a better question is whether we should be accepting returnees from the worst affected areas or indeed accepting any returnees who have not been vaccinated. Even if we had to arrange for a vaccine dose to be available to them, it would be worth it. They would still need to quarantine but it would help a lot to keep the rate of infection down.

As for workers in quarantine hotels etc, I would have thought it should be mandatory that they have been vaccinated. People should always have a choice as to whether they wish to be vaccinated but if they choose not to be, then that particular job should not be available to them. I thought all that would have been sorted some time ago, but apparently not.

I can't see it as an attack on 'human rights'. I'll forecast this much-once things do start to open up again internationally, you won't be allowed on eg cruises, without flashing a vaccination card. That's the way it is heading.

While we're talking about vaccinations, one thing I find objectionable here in Australia is we are being told we have no choice. If you're over 50, it's the astra zenica. What if someone over 50 would rather the pfizer or moderna? Why can't they have a choice-a free astra zenica or pay for one of the other ones?

Most of those in aged care that I know of have actually been given the pfizer. I presume that is so they can have their second dose without too much of a time lag. All the workers at hospitals etc (no matter what their age) got the pfizer. How about at least a choice for ordinary citizens over 50?

[eol-products]

If they are going to make it compulsory for aged care workers I would like to see the workers have the choice of what vaccine they want regardless of their age. The Government will most likely be aware that there are staff shortages in aged care and the last they will want is for staff to leave and make things worse than they are now. 

[imastawka]

More than a little worrying -

Delta COVID-19 strain that devastated India now detected in Australian community (msn.com)

[springyzone]

I'm a bit cynical about India.

Way back, many, many months ago, I mentioned to a friend in USA that I thought Indian figures might catch up with the American figures. But here's the thing. Although their total number of covid cases was going up, their reported 'active' cases were amazingly low, day after day. 

I've actually kept records and screen shots of covid stats from the start for certain countries (mainly Aust, NZ, USA and at various times, China, UK & India) and I hesitated to record India's active cases as i believed then and still believe they were a bit of a work of fiction.

Just as I am cynical about China's reported figures. The total number of cases there actually went DOWN over 5000 in one night. Reclassified cases no doubt but their stats are suspicious (in my opinion).

I am not sure india did much to contain the virus or stop the spread. Yes, the new variant is quite catchy but it doesn't seem to be deadlier so 98% of people who get it are going to survive. And with Australia's quicker response and stricter quarantine, I have high hopes we can contain the spread.

It is worrying that the strain is here but stay positive.