First India , now....

[rogespeed]

The UK for whatever reason are experiencing an upsurge in covid cases , like 50,000 per day , yes per day ,

UK coronavirus cases will stay high for MONTHS until autumn, say SAGE (msn.com)

The consequences are not only untimely deaths but now proven common lingering organ degradation for 

about 30 - 50 % , depending upon age group,  of those serious enough to be admitted to hospital 

One in two hospitalised Covid patients develop a complication (msn.com)

Some may consider this to add vindication of the current dominant Australian policy of total eradication , having taken advantage of our national socio & economic characteristics that lends itself to sustained and multiple lockdowns if required 

In view of the UK being out of control I would suggest that NT's desert quarantine facility should be the only facility used for returning UK departure expats and misc business people etc - the stable good weather , sunshine , fresh air,  should be of health benefit as well, in case of additional sub-clinical respiratory issues , jet lag , etc  

[not_for_sale2025]

Makes sense to me.

[countessalmirena]

It's clear that part of what is driving the upsurge is COVID-19's Delta variant.

I do agree that we must rethink the quarantine arrangements. Howard Springs continues to be tremendously successful in avoiding the sort of breaches that create leaks into the community and these awful lockdowns.

Thankfully the Federal government has greenlighted sites in several states for separate quarantine facilities that will meet every checklist point. They've got to be near very well-equipped hospitals. They must be located within a reasonable distance of a suitable airport. They can't be so far away from well-populated areas that getting staff would be too difficult, yet they must be sufficiently far away not to pose a breach risk. Transport to the facility from the airport must be easily accomplished without risk to the transporters, and that whole process of transportation means dedicated transporters, drivers, etc., and that means that the work must not be piecemeal so that the drivers must have other work in order to get a reasonable wage.

I hope that some of these facilities will be built and ready to open this year, but that's going to take  clear and dedicated work. None of the usual "take your time" approach, from top to bottom.

I'm looking at you, Mickleham. At the moment, in spite of the Federal Government's wish to have the first stage up and running by the end of this  year, it's more likely that it will be early 2022. That's not bad... but I think it can be done more quickly still.

[rogespeed]

The UK is lifting social restrictions - 60,000+ per day new cases expected - obviously new plan is vaccination through natural infection 

Witnessing England’s response to Covid at first hand has profoundly shocked me | William Hanage | Th...

So what of our people wanting to return ? A dunkirkesque rescue operation ? 

Now seems most will eventually get infected if left stranded  

[rogespeed]

While it might be argued the delta variant is not as lethal as original , but it still is hospitalising many people in the UK 

Now much longer wait-times for non-critical cases - a lot of additional suffering for millions of covid collateral sufferers 

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jul/08/nhs-england-waiting-list-reaches-record-high-second-...

Something we have avoided due to our eradication policy - and to be grateful about 

[eol-products]

Is it less lethal due to many older people now being vaccinated. I suppose you could look at the numbers for how many in hospital to the amount of cases and compare it to last year. Either way I read many people are more concerned about lock downs than getting the virus.  

[springyzone]

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@rogespeed wrote:

While it might be argued the delta variant is not as lethal as original , but it still is hospitalising many people in the UK 

Now much longer wait-times for non-critical cases - a lot of additional suffering for millions of covid collateral sufferers 

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jul/08/nhs-england-waiting-list-reaches-record-high-second-...

Something we have avoided due to our eradication policy - and to be grateful about 

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I think the main problem for us is if we let it rip through the population here, the medical facilities may not be up to handling it. We're not all as lucky as a Trump or Boris Johnson. Only the best of the best hospital attention for them, but it would be in the lap of the gods what hoi polloi get.

The other problem that I see going hand in hand with it all is the way elective surgery gets stopped all the time. I'm at a loss as to why this should be so, unless the outbreak is so severe all beds are taken up. You'd think they could arrange dedicated  clear wards in hospitals and no cross over of staff. But what we are seeing is elective surgery often put on the back burner and it is amazing just what they term elective surgery. I know of one man with a life threatening condition, he could die at any time, but he has been told the op he needs is 'elective'.

On top of that, you have (I suspect) millions of people who are just not going to the doctor (or putting it off) when they fall ill because it is all too hard.

We need to get numbers down asap and as far as possible so medical services are more accessible and we need to get as many people vaccinated asap, before we even think of opening up.

As for those overseas, they will need to adjust to the local conditions they find themselves in. We can only be responsible for what happens in our own country, it is up to other places to govern as they see fit.

[rogespeed]

My noting of overseas situations is not for critique of subject countries , as rightly their circumstances and relevant values are their sole concern and responsibility to their people, but for the learning experience as can be applied where applicable and in context here  - if Australia had have studied the Indian/Delta contagion relative to previous variants more studiously the international cabin crew incursion leakage may have been mitigated against with revised procedures and so possibly avoided the current multi-billion dollar and multiple death crisis

I assume that the interstate removalist viral vectors had been mitigated against....