Share how COVID-19 Quarantine has affected you.

[krow113]

Is funny /sad.

Last year lots of $$ around as our 'leaders' could only figure out things a few days in advance , too busy stealing EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR  they can...

This year not so much...

Was thinking it may All Be Over for your long suffering scribe...

10K in work just appeared however , so maybe a little soon to toss in the towel...

[BradG]

I ate a party pack of doritos today....that's how good a Saturday I was having.

[Jeff]

1 hour ago, BradG said:

I ate a party pack of doritos today....that's how good a Saturday I was having.

Still in your Jim Jams I hope

[GazzaS]

My wife and I got our first jabs of Pfizer today.  Her by design, and I lucked out due to other ppl cancelling.

[DocRob]

1 hour ago, GazzaS said:

My wife and I got our first jabs of Pfizer today.  Her by design, and I lucked out due to other ppl cancelling.

I'm completely pfizered since more than a month and a half and a bit astonished, that they vaccinate so slow in Oz. On my islands, they start to jab kits above twelve now, with 70% of the inhabitants having at least their first shot. But that's maybe, because it's summer and the government has a vital interest in having secure tourism with Delta spreading.

Cheers Rob

[GazzaS]

15 hours ago, DocRob said:

I'm completely pfizered since more than a month and a half and a bit astonished, that they vaccinate so slow in Oz. On my islands, they start to jab kits above twelve now, with 70% of the inhabitants having at least their first shot. But that's maybe, because it's summer and the government has a vital interest in having secure tourism with Delta spreading.

Cheers Rob

Nobody wants Astra Zenica here.  So that has caused some supply issues.  At first, they were only offering Pfizer to people over 60.  So, I wasn't gonna do it.  But they dropped the age down to 50 so I eventually decided to get it done.  My wife seems to think it will enable us to take a cruise from Sydney to NZ in January.  But I have my doubts.  P.&O. Cruise lines have stopped operations up until Dec. 17 of this year.

The worst thing that can happen is getting caught in New South Wales.  it's a continual Covid hot spot and Queensland, where I live, closes the border regularly.  For instance, a workmate of mine went to Sydney for a wedding a few weeks ago.  They closed the border and he was stuck in NSW at his expense while he self-isolated for two weeks.

I just don't want that hassle/financial burden.

[Wumm]

On 7/30/2021 at 5:54 PM, DocRob said:

I'm completely pfizered since more than a month and a half and a bit astonished, that they vaccinate so slow in Oz. On my islands, they start to jab kits above twelve now, with 70% of the inhabitants having at least their first shot. But that's maybe, because it's summer and the government has a vital interest in having secure tourism with Delta spreading.

Cheers Rob

The slow vaccine roll-out here is a combination of three factors Rob... 

Poor choices, apathy, and the Tyranny of Distance.

About the middle of last year, the Federal Government decided that they would hedge their bets and secure vaccines from a number of different Manufacturers. Key to this strategy was having some independence because of our position way down here at the bottom of the World. Researchers at the University of Queensland were making headway on their own vaccine, and a licence was also granted to produce the Astra Zenica at the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories in Melbourne. Despite the early promise of the UQ vaccine, it turned out that it also unfortunately gave recipients false positive HIV readings, so it fell by the wayside. This left the AZ as the only locally produced vaccine.

To back this up, in November last year, the Feds secured 10 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, and 40 million of the Moderna. This combination alone would have been enough to easily cover the Adult component of our 26 million population. However, when the vaccines were finally approved by our Therapeutic Goods Administration (ATAGI) for use in March this year, the Moderna vaccine was not ready. As of this date, it still has not arrived in Australia. So this left an initial trickle of the 10 million Pfizer and the initial doses of A/Z that Oxford provided until our production started, when vaccinations began in March. 

This wasn't overly concerning at the time, because the initial vaccines went to the elderly, vulnerable and Emergency workers, and there were hardly any active cases here. But soon after, the EU blocked supply of the Pfizer vaccine to Australia, supposedly because we were doing so well with the isolation strategy, and other places needed the supply more that we did. So instead of only 18% of the population fully vaccinated to date, it would be 30% if we'd had those 3 million doses as promised. Again, this wasn't deemed to be a problem, as the messaging from both the Federal and State Governments was 'It's not a race'. There was no urgency shown, as the Authorities relied heavily on the isolation strategy. We'll all get our turn once it's available. Apathy.

Than as Gaz says, opinions started to turn against the Astra Zenica. There was a death of an otherwise healthy A/Z vaccinated person, then another. To date there has been 7, with many more deaths of people with co-morbidities that are considered to have contributed to their clots. The Media latched onto these deaths, highlighted them to create fear in the community, then criticised the Government for not having clear messaging around the issue! This feeds the ani-vax component of the community, who go out and protest on the streets.

The Queensland Government have abandoned A/Z and won't administer it. Our Chief Health Officer says it kills healthy young people, and to follow the Science. The Federal Government says that ATAGI recommends it, and to follow the Science. ATAGI has changed it's stance on A/Z half a dozen times; first it's safe, then it may kill random healthy people (but that's OK because it's highly unlikely), then it's good for everyone, then it's no good for people under 40, and finally now it's better you have it whatever your age because cases are increasing now. The Federal Government has indemnified Doctors from prosecution who administer A/Z and their Patients have a bad or fatal reaction; but there is no support offered to the individual if it's you or your loved-one who's life is ruined by submitting to a medicine that the Government encourages you to take while knowing it can kill or disable you for the rest of your life.

So which Science should you follow? 

We are a large Country, over two-thirds the size of the United States, but with only 26 million people and not a population of 350 million. The Pfizer can't always be kept in the temperatures required to be effective once it get to Outback locations. We have so much Astra Zenica product now that we're giving it away; to Indonesia, Vietnam, PNG and Polynesia for instance. But for some in Regional Australia, A/Z is the only option available. 

I'm not Anti-Vax in any way, shape or form. My Mother's twin died of Polio in the 1940's before a vaccine was available... Had fate decided differently I would not be alive today. I just believe that the Government should not be approving medicines that they know can kill otherwise healthy people. And I know that many other Australians agree with me.

S

[BradG]

A vaccine so safe we need to indemnify the doctor from liability if he kills you.....yeh, that's really encouraging for people....yeeeesh. From what I hear from friends, you get asked 15 questions relating to your health and clotting now, which I think both my parents would fail.

I am also opposed to this vaccine passport they want to introduce. What a good way to create two classes of people within society and what about those who do not carry a smart phone, like me.

[GazzaS]

On 8/2/2021 at 8:32 AM, BradG said:

A vaccine so safe we need to indemnify the doctor from liability if he kills you.....yeh, that's really encouraging for people....yeeeesh. From what I hear from friends, you get asked 15 questions relating to your health and clotting now, which I think both my parents would fail.

I am also opposed to this vaccine passport they want to introduce. What a good way to create two classes of people within society and what about those who do not carry a smart phone, like me.

Smart-clay-tablet?

 

[Drifter]

Here in South Africa, we are on day 495 of national lockdown. We moved to adjusted level 3 from adjusted level 4, 2 weeks ago. Level 5 is the most severe lockdown, confined to home with no travel allowed, except with a permit.

I have lost 2 jobs due to Covid. Have been unemployed for 3  months, started a new job yesterday. The Delta version has hit hard, problem is people dont follow rules like waring masks, social distancing etc. Our 9:00 Pm until 04:00 AM. 

I now see they have founf Delta Plus as well. 

If you have loads of time, I can expand into pages and pages.

 

[Winnie]

On 8/1/2021 at 5:32 PM, BradG said:

I am also opposed to this vaccine passport they want to introduce. What a good way to create two classes of people within society and what about those who do not carry a smart phone, like me.

Well, certain countries requires vaccine certification anyway, so this is just an added piece of paper to carry when traveling for those of you never having traveled to exotic countries...

Nothing new or fancy about it.

[Wumm]

On 8/2/2021 at 8:32 AM, BradG said:

I am also opposed to this vaccine passport they want to introduce. What a good way to create two classes of people within society and what about those who do not carry a smart phone, like me.

I am in complete agreement with Brad. He's talking about having to show that you're Covid vaccinated to access a shop on the local High Street, not to travel abroad.

Vaccine Passports are an unnecessary form of segregation. Some in the Community aren't eligible to receive vaccinations yet, or live in a regional area where they aren't available. Until we get to 80% community vaccinations, everyone is subject to lock-downs and restrictions whether fully vaccinated or not, as apparently you can still carry and pass on the Virus through breakthrough infections. However, once we reach the 80% mark, which is the level of coverage the Authorities here are promoting, it won't matter who's vaccinated or not as this is the level they're telling us we need to get to to lessen the severity of the Virus. 

This of course will all change at a whim, as is their wont.

S

[BradG]

On 8/5/2021 at 9:21 AM, Winnie said:

Well, certain countries requires vaccine certification anyway, so this is just an added piece of paper to carry when traveling for those of you never having traveled to exotic countries...

Nothing new or fancy about it.

I am not opposed to vaccination requirements to travel overseas. You are correct, it is nothing new, my dad tells me of having to get vaccinated against certain diseases back when he was travelling the world in the 70's. However what they are proposing out here and what is having to show your papers to get your hair cut, or visit a cinema or sporting event. Also some business' are trying to implement mandatory vaccination on their staff, which I believe could be illegal. It's certainly illegal to ask any health questions in a job interview, so I can't fathom how demanding staff be vaccinated isn't against the law.

[Winnie]

Here in Canada they have made it so that in certain locales depending on the restrictions, a business can ask to see your card, that they can scan, only information they get is your name and a green background that tells you're vaccinated twice. nothing else shows. This does not disclose any HIPAA info so isn't a problem. Also a workplace can make it a requirement, the government is looking into just that for ANY government employee working for federal. I had to get a vaccination card to go to southern Africa as close as 2014, so I'm not opposed to the little added extra. Also they made certain events contingent upon the spectators having both vaccines. I get that some people are opposed, but this is literally how Polio and Smallpox were literally eradicated.

[Martinnfb]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/federal-government-mandatory-vaccinations-1.6140131
 

I’m not sure if this mandatory move with withstand the human rights tribunal. There’s a big difference between regulation and dictatorship. Reminds me about socialistic regime in Czechoslovakia back in the day. 

[GazzaS]

Glad I'm not going to Victoria.  As an NFL fan, I generally prefer getting into the 'Red Zone'.

Taken from Farcebook.

[BradG]

Prime Minister just said that vaccination is not a path to end lockdowns, they are both to be used at the same time....well there's a great way to encourage people. Governments addicted to power, they will keep locking us in our houses no matter how many people are vaccinated, they just admitted it.

[Wumm]

Unfortunately, the Prime Minister has lost control of the situation as regards Covid-19. He has no power over the individual States, who are all following their own rules to varying degrees of success. Couple that with every Man and his Dog blaming him for the Vaccine failures, and he's on a hiding to nothing at the moment.

What is becoming clear however; is that there will be no end to lock-downs and restrictions until the people running the particular State you happen to live in decide it to be over. They have complete control of their populations, the ability to imprison or deny entry to out-of-State visitors (in clear breach of the Constitution), and declare emergency laws based on dubious evidence in the name of Health directives. There is no consistency in decisions, nor common sense or reason in many cases.

They can do this for as long as they want. They can break Individuals' lives and Businesses with the stroke of a pen, and there's nothing anyone can do about it. So long as there's still active cases; whether vaccinated or not, we'll all be isolating and wearing masks until they decide enough.

Every time you enter a commercial Premises here in Queensland, it's compulsory to log onto the Government App and scan in on your 'phone (or sign in if you don't have one). The Government has passed legislation that allows the Proprietor to Barr access should you refuse. There is no choice or other options. If you force the issue, the Police are summoned and you get fined. If you resist further, you get arrested.

This also includes your Workplace... My Employer requires me to clock on and off to account for the time to pay me. But I also have to scan into the Government App to first get inside, or Security can deny you access. The Union have been told that everyone must comply, or be sent home without pay... The Union position is that the Employer has the information if and when it may be required in the case of a Covid-positive Employee, in which case we will all be sent home to quarantine for 14 days as the Factory will be shut down for cleaning. Nonetheless, it's now become a condition of earning a wage that you must tell the Government where you are at all times; work, rest or play. As it was in this case...

Police at the entrance of the local Hardware store...

"Where do you live? Why are you here? Is it essential that you buy a wrench because your kitchen pipe has burst? Where are you going after here? Give me your details."

"Why do you need my details? I've already logged onto the App..."

"I can ask you for your name, age and address at any time and you must comply."

On 8/14/2021 at 6:20 AM, Martinnfb said:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/federal-government-mandatory-vaccinations-1.6140131
 

I’m not sure if this mandatory move with withstand the human rights tribunal. There’s a big difference between regulation and dictatorship. Reminds me about socialistic regime in Czechoslovakia back in the day. 

It's becoming a little too Stasi-like for my comfort here. This used to be a free Country.

S

[BradG]

We in Melbourne just got harsher restrictions including a curfew. Now, please tell me how exactly, being locked at home between 9pm and 5am will stop the virus spreading? Does it spread further at night? The Premier also had a tantrum because some people gathered outside to drink some beers at a pub that was selling them as take away. The police were called, but determined the business and the people there had not broken any laws. However, this afternoon he banned removing your mask to drink beer. However I can still remove my mask to drink a coffee, or a cola. How petty and vindictive was that. Where is the science to say that drinking beer outside is more dangerous than drinking a coffee.

They also closed skate parks for kids and banned using outdoor exercise equipment in parks. Really? Is the virus spreading in parks? No, no it isn't, in the next breath they were admitting that the virus is spreading because people are still having illegal gatherings like the 70 odd people who held an engagement party.

So here we are, with harsher restrictions that are pointless all because some people didn't follow the restrictions already in place. Insanity, bloody insanity. Oh and if you were wondering, we had 20 cases today. In contrast, you guys in the UK are virtually free, despite having 20,000 cases a day. It seems Australia will never get out of the cycle of lockdowns and restrictions no matter how many people are vaccinated.

[Wumm]

On 8/16/2021 at 6:50 PM, BradG said:

They also closed skate parks for kids and banned using outdoor exercise equipment in parks. Really? Is the virus spreading in parks? No, no it isn't, in the next breath they were admitting that the virus is spreading because people are still having illegal gatherings like the 70 odd people who held an engagement party.

Unfortunately with the Delta strain becoming the predominant variant of the Virus, and according to the Medical Journal of Australia, children aged 5 to 12 are at five times more risk of contracting Covid than the elderly cohort that were the early Pandemic concern.

https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2021/215/5/covid-19-children-time-new-strategy

The other two measures, while seemingly unreasonably harsh under the circumstances, are most likely a function of the extended Victorian lockdown last year... I don't think your Premier wants a repeat of that situation. While drinking in a public space has always been illegal here, I can see how the consumption of alcohol reads to people letting their guard down. Curfews however, are and have always been all about control.

Which is what's been sorely missing in New South Wales... Over a thousand cases per day now, and it took them so long to implement consistent restrictions that they've lost control of the outbreak there. The NSW Premier is even talking about easing restrictions before Christmas when the Nation reaches the 80% vaccinated level... Despite possibly having hundreds of daily positive cases still. I can't see it happening.

S

[biggtim]

On 8/15/2021 at 1:09 AM, Wumm said:

It's becoming a little too Stasi-like for my comfort here. This used to be a free Country.

Ditto.

[Bomber_County]

Crunch week this coming week, my company are putting staff in a position which I am personally not happy with, so…….basically I maybe retiring this coming week……..

[nmayhew]

42 minutes ago, Bomber_County said:

Crunch week this coming week, my company are putting staff in a position which I am personally not happy with, so…….basically I maybe retiring this coming week……..

Out of interest (and don’t say the company) but what are they about to do that you think is a no-no?

I am fortunate in that I am able to work from home at present and can socialise / be a hermit as I choose.

[Bomber_County]

12 hours ago, nmayhew said:

Out of interest (and don’t say the company) but what are they about to do that you think is a no-no?

I am fortunate in that I am able to work from home at present and can socialise / be a hermit as I choose.

Mandatory return to the office but without any guidance on social distancing, masks or COVID prevention / mitigation measures. Their attitude is, there is no pandemic just get back in the office and get on with it……..the main reason for taking umbrage to this stance, is that my wife is clinically vulnerable because of underlying health issues. So I have to protect her and be mindful of what I may be subjected to…….

[smitty44]