23 replies

Rod H

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 06 Mar 2015

Total posts 273

I see from the ABC News web site that the Qld. Premier has requested and been given approval for 100 Army Personnel to man the border with NSW.

Things are really starting to get serious when we have to go to this extent.

This whole sad affair will only ease when most people are fully vaccinated and that won't be until well into the latter part of this year.

Until then we have to follow the rules and hope for the best.

Nich

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 07 Jun 2021

Total posts 13

Agreed.. and the draconian closure of international borders is another sad affair. What is sadder still is that it is like NSW wanted the infection numbers to go up at the start as it served their 'get vaccinated' message. I am usually a very rational man... but even I'm starting to sniff a conspiracy here! When asked why we didn't lock down Bondi straight away as we did with Northern Beaches, the response was 1. geographically not as easy (OK.. can see it but doesn't stop us trying). And 2. this strain is more virulent... now unless I'm mad, that is a stronger reason to lock down tighter?

Stuffed it. And genie is well and truly out of the bottle now.. and even with the vaccination numbers increasing, it feels like we have months of extension to the reopening of international borders. Gutted and angry.

PERflyer

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Member since 15 Aug 2017

Total posts 47

I think realistically COVID zero is done in this country. They will still say zero is the aim and try for that but it's just biding time while the remaining jabs get done. There's nothing like a outbreak to increase jab uptake. I'm in WA and we have the lowest vaccination uptake in the country sadly we are very complacent over here. I hope NSW & VIC take some pain now for what will be long term gain in the form of higher vaccination rates and hopefully the lockdowns will be a thing of the past for them later this year if there's a positive in there.

Last editedby PERflyer at Aug 19, 2021, 10:34 AM.

kimshep

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Member since 11 Oct 2014

Total posts 412

Originally Posted by PERflyer

I think realistically COVID zero is done in this country. They will still say zero is the aim and try for that but it's just biding time while the remaining jabs get done. There's nothing like a outbreak to increase jab uptake. I'm in WA and we have the lowest vaccination uptake in the country sadly we are very complacent over here. I hope NSW & VIC take some pain now for what will be long term gain in the form of higher vaccination rates and hopefully the lockdowns will be a thing of the past for them later this year if there's a positive in there.

Last editedby PERflyer at Aug 19, 2021, 10:34 AM.

Somehow, I'm inclined to think that your comment regarding "NSW & VIC taking some pain" may be a tad insensitive. Given that Melbourne has experienced some 200 days of lockdown in the past 12 months and endured over 800 deaths, I'm sure that it has had more than its fill of pain. Not to mention that Sydney is now in its 9th week of lockdown. Using WA complacency as an excuse for failure to vaccinate is poor form at best, in my opinion.


XWu

Member since 09 May 2020

Total posts 197

Originally Posted by Rod H

I see from the ABC News web site that the Qld. Premier has requested and been given approval for 100 Army Personnel to man the border with NSW.

Things are really starting to get serious when we have to go to this extent.

This whole sad affair will only ease when most people are fully vaccinated and that won't be until well into the latter part of this year.

Until then we have to follow the rules and hope for the best.

I understand security forces need help but using federal troops to police and enforce interstate borders is a disturbing trend. I can't remember if any other states had been granted troops specifically to deploy them this way or not. I am aware that they have been used to maintain law and order and isolation checks etc and NSW had previously asked for (and received, I think) military support to use drones to monitor bush tracks, and patrol main roads into the state (but not specifically man the border checkpoints although I think they have been spotted at these places) during the NSW/Victoria closure in July 2020.

I know it sounds pedantic differentiating “patrolling the main roads near the borders/assisting security enforcement in the ‘burbs” and “running the border checkpoints” but frankly I would never have thought it possible for Aussie troops to be doing Checkpoint Charlie between states if you asked me in 2019.


Last editedby XWu at Aug 20, 2021, 02:15 PM.
Last edited by XWu at Aug 20, 02.16 PM.
Last editedby XWu at Aug 20, 2021, 02:17 PM.

TheFreqFlyer

Member since 05 Oct 2017

Total posts 89

Originally Posted by XWu

Originally Posted by Rod H

I see from the ABC News web site that the Qld. Premier has requested and been given approval for 100 Army Personnel to man the border with NSW.

Things are really starting to get serious when we have to go to this extent.

This whole sad affair will only ease when most people are fully vaccinated and that won't be until well into the latter part of this year.

Until then we have to follow the rules and hope for the best.

I understand security forces need help but using federal troops to police and enforce interstate borders is a disturbing trend. I can't remember if any other states had been granted troops specifically to deploy them this way or not. I am aware that they have been used to maintain law and order and isolation checks etc and NSW had previously asked for (and received, I think) military support to use drones to monitor bush tracks, and patrol main roads into the state (but not specifically man the border checkpoints although I think they have been spotted at these places) during the NSW/Victoria closure in July 2020.

I know it sounds pedantic differentiating “patrolling the main roads near the borders/assisting security enforcement in the ‘burbs” and “running the border checkpoints” but frankly I would never have thought it possible for Aussie troops to be doing Checkpoint Charlie between states if you asked me in 2019.


Last editedby XWu at Aug 20, 2021, 02:15 PM.
Last edited by XWu at Aug 20, 02.16 PM.
Last editedby XWu at Aug 20, 2021, 02:17 PM.
With so few cases declared (compared with much of the rest of the world) it frightens me to think what kind of powers the authorities would have if Australian states and territories declared thousands of cases daily? I can imagine a virtual 24 hour curfew and mandatory testing of the whole population, for one.

Rod H

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 06 Mar 2015

Total posts 273

TheFreqFlyer

Sushh! Don't let the illustrious premiers hear your thoughts as they may well reckon it's a good idea then were all well and truly stuffed!!!

TheFreqFlyer

Member since 05 Oct 2017

Total posts 89

Originally Posted by Rod H

TheFreqFlyer

Sushh! Don't let the illustrious premiers hear your thoughts as they may well reckon it's a good idea then were all well and truly stuffed!!!

LOL. Good point though!

PERflyer

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 15 Aug 2017

Total posts 47

Originally Posted by kimshep

Originally Posted by PERflyer

I think realistically COVID zero is done in this country. They will still say zero is the aim and try for that but it's just biding time while the remaining jabs get done. There's nothing like a outbreak to increase jab uptake. I'm in WA and we have the lowest vaccination uptake in the country sadly we are very complacent over here. I hope NSW & VIC take some pain now for what will be long term gain in the form of higher vaccination rates and hopefully the lockdowns will be a thing of the past for them later this year if there's a positive in there.

Last editedby PERflyer at Aug 19, 2021, 10:34 AM.

Somehow, I'm inclined to think that your comment regarding "NSW & VIC taking some pain" may be a tad insensitive. Given that Melbourne has experienced some 200 days of lockdown in the past 12 months and endured over 800 deaths, I'm sure that it has had more than its fill of pain. Not to mention that Sydney is now in its 9th week of lockdown. Using WA complacency as an excuse for failure to vaccinate is poor form at best, in my opinion.


That's ok you can think that however my point was some pain now for NSW & VIC will benefit them in moving on quicker than everyone else I would suggest in the form of them probably getting to much higher vaccination quicker. Please don't read into it any further than that.

I'm in WA and can assure you complacency is the reason we have the lowest vaccination rates. No one here is worried about the virus and the premier has claimed he will keep COVID zero even after 80% vaccination. People here are complacent as they just haven't been exposed to the virus much


Last editedby PERflyer at Aug 20, 2021, 08:59 PM.

guesswho2000

Member since 27 Mar 2019

Total posts 8

I am hoping this latest situation finally puts a lid on this ridiculous notion that zero is achievable. Just need to get McGowan to take his rose tinted spectacles off now. If anything resembling normal is ever going to come back re international travel, there will be cases, and not just a few like we've got in Vic right now. It's about managing that and living with the situation, not endlessly locking down half the country. I'm done with this, well and truly done.

PERflyer

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 15 Aug 2017

Total posts 47

Originally Posted by guesswho2000

I am hoping this latest situation finally puts a lid on this ridiculous notion that zero is achievable. Just need to get McGowan to take his rose tinted spectacles off now. If anything resembling normal is ever going to come back re international travel, there will be cases, and not just a few like we've got in Vic right now. It's about managing that and living with the situation, not endlessly locking down half the country. I'm done with this, well and truly done.

Agree 100%.

kimshep

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 11 Oct 2014

Total posts 412

Originally Posted by PERflyer

Originally Posted by kimshep

Originally Posted by PERflyer

I think realistically COVID zero is done in this country. They will still say zero is the aim and try for that but it's just biding time while the remaining jabs get done. There's nothing like a outbreak to increase jab uptake. I'm in WA and we have the lowest vaccination uptake in the country sadly we are very complacent over here. I hope NSW & VIC take some pain now for what will be long term gain in the form of higher vaccination rates and hopefully the lockdowns will be a thing of the past for them later this year if there's a positive in there.

Last editedby PERflyer at Aug 19, 2021, 10:34 AM.

Somehow, I'm inclined to think that your comment regarding "NSW & VIC taking some pain" may be a tad insensitive. Given that Melbourne has experienced some 200 days of lockdown in the past 12 months and endured over 800 deaths, I'm sure that it has had more than its fill of pain. Not to mention that Sydney is now in its 9th week of lockdown. Using WA complacency as an excuse for failure to vaccinate is poor form at best, in my opinion.


That's ok you can think that however my point was some pain now for NSW & VIC will benefit them in moving on quicker than everyone else I would suggest in the form of them probably getting to much higher vaccination quicker. Please don't read into it any further than that.

I'm in WA and can assure you complacency is the reason we have the lowest vaccination rates. No one here is worried about the virus and the premier has claimed he will keep COVID zero even after 80% vaccination. People here are complacent as they just haven't been exposed to the virus much


Last editedby PERflyer at Aug 20, 2021, 08:59 PM.
You know, common sense says that a little bit of pain or a proverbial "good kick up the backside" of the complacent / intellectually challenged or just plain stupid .. is the best method for resolving 'complacency'. Wishing that pain on someone else (NSW/VIC) is just sheer vindictiveness.

Hmm, I'd always previously thought highly of the intellectual capacities of West Australians - but your cogent 'explanatory' gives me serious reason to doubt my prior belief.

It's pretty obvious that with no or relatively few infections in WA, that your State should be smart enough to resolve it's complacency and start paying attention to the (non-stop) advertorial messages to get vaccinated - while you have the chance. Either that or the rest of us will be looking at your State with a wry but somewhat morbid "we told you so" when WA cases start to seriously multiply. Enough said. I'm done with this ..

PERflyer

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 15 Aug 2017

Total posts 47

Originally Posted by kimshep

Originally Posted by PERflyer

Originally Posted by kimshep

Originally Posted by PERflyer

I think realistically COVID zero is done in this country. They will still say zero is the aim and try for that but it's just biding time while the remaining jabs get done. There's nothing like a outbreak to increase jab uptake. I'm in WA and we have the lowest vaccination uptake in the country sadly we are very complacent over here. I hope NSW & VIC take some pain now for what will be long term gain in the form of higher vaccination rates and hopefully the lockdowns will be a thing of the past for them later this year if there's a positive in there.

Last editedby PERflyer at Aug 19, 2021, 10:34 AM.

Somehow, I'm inclined to think that your comment regarding "NSW & VIC taking some pain" may be a tad insensitive. Given that Melbourne has experienced some 200 days of lockdown in the past 12 months and endured over 800 deaths, I'm sure that it has had more than its fill of pain. Not to mention that Sydney is now in its 9th week of lockdown. Using WA complacency as an excuse for failure to vaccinate is poor form at best, in my opinion.


That's ok you can think that however my point was some pain now for NSW & VIC will benefit them in moving on quicker than everyone else I would suggest in the form of them probably getting to much higher vaccination quicker. Please don't read into it any further than that.

I'm in WA and can assure you complacency is the reason we have the lowest vaccination rates. No one here is worried about the virus and the premier has claimed he will keep COVID zero even after 80% vaccination. People here are complacent as they just haven't been exposed to the virus much


Last editedby PERflyer at Aug 20, 2021, 08:59 PM.
You know, common sense says that a little bit of pain or a proverbial "good kick up the backside" of the complacent / intellectually challenged or just plain stupid .. is the best method for resolving 'complacency'. Wishing that pain on someone else (NSW/VIC) is just sheer vindictiveness.

Hmm, I'd always previously thought highly of the intellectual capacities of West Australians - but your cogent 'explanatory' gives me serious reason to doubt my prior belief.

It's pretty obvious that with no or relatively few infections in WA, that your State should be smart enough to resolve it's complacency and start paying attention to the (non-stop) advertorial messages to get vaccinated - while you have the chance. Either that or the rest of us will be looking at your State with a wry but somewhat morbid "we told you so" when WA cases start to seriously multiply. Enough said. I'm done with this ..

You can make it something that it wasn’t all you like. I’m speaking the reality. There is no wishing from me. The reality is some pain now for NSW & VIC should allow them more freedoms than others quicker due to the higher vaccination they should get out of it. Some optimism for them that there is light at the end of the tunnel in a couple of months or so.


I would agree with you re WA should see the need to up the vaccination rate. We aren’t that smart over here on the contrary we seem to think we can live covid zero forever which we know isn’t the way forwards.


No worries, I was just correcting your attempt to make out I was wishing bad on NSW & VIC when I see light at the end of the tunnel for them if they hang on a bit longer.



Rod H

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 06 Mar 2015

Total posts 273

This whole topic of Borders closures and lock downs is becoming quite emotional.

We have to be very careful this whole thing doesn't blow up in our faces!

I see that there are a lot of protesters being fined for breaches of the restrictions but they could be in for quite a shock.

No doubt they will have been advised " not to pay the fines " and they wont.

If my understanding is correct an unpaid fine will seriously damage ones credit rating so maybe they should think seriously about that given that they don't care about their fellow citizens well being they should consider their actions more closely.

I do understand the terrible frustrations and financial woes but we cannot let this virus have a free reign until we are mostly vaccinated. When we do have most vaccinated it will just be another flu variation requiring an annual booster or even 6 monthly.

We just have to be patient as it is happening.

Not long to go .


ozpeke777

Member since 11 Jul 2020

Total posts 5

I personally think once we reach 80 percent vaccination rates in Australia the borders should remain open our hospitals should be able to manage the 20 percent of the population who can't get vaccination due to a medical condition or those who refuse to get vaccinated.

I also think our covid-19 vaccination records should be loaded onto our passports so when entering any overseas destinations customs/border force have the information right there.

If I cannot get international travel insurance for covid-19 after providing proof of vaccination because the insurance companies will not cover vaccinated people, it pointless travelling overseas. Should you have mild symptoms that puts you in hospital even for a day or two and you rack up an expensive hospital bill that you have to pay out of pocket or the travel insurance is that expensive to purchase it deters a lot of people from travelling overseas.

Last editedby ozpeke777 at Aug 23, 2021, 07:53 AM.

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