bing181

Yes, the Coetzee Telegraph interview. “What we have to worry about now is that when older, unvaccinated people are infected with the new variant, and if they are not vaccinated, we are going to see many people with a severe [form of the] disease,” she said." It seems that others there are even more concerned, e.g. "omicron’s speed in infecting young South Africans has alarmed health professionals." "Worried scientists in South Africa are scrambling to combat the lightning spread across the country of the new and highly transmissible omicron COVID-19 variant as the world grapples with its emergence." https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/covid-variant-threat-worldwide-scramble-81417682

I'll just drop this Red Herring in here that has nothing to do with the point being discussed.

Sure, but this seems to be based on taking a quote from the Chair of the South African Medical Association out of context: she was specifically referring to younger people with no underlying health conditions, and specifically warned that it could hit people who are older/at risk much harder.

Yes, and I always find this one particularly idiotic. Whether it's through infection or vaccination, it's your body's immune system that provides immunity. The vaccine only "teaches" your immune system what to look for and is then rapidly broken down/destroyed (within days), leaving your body to do its thing.

And no again: "People who are fully vaccinated against covid-19 are far less likely to infect others, despite the arrival of the delta variant, several studies show. The findings refute the idea, which has become common in some circles, that vaccines no longer do much to prevent the spread of the coronavirus." “... the data are super crystal-clear that the risk of transmission for a vaccinated individual is much, much lower than for an unvaccinated individual.” https://www.newscientist.com/article/2294250-how-much-less-likely-are-you-to-spread-covid-19-if-youre-vaccinated/

No. Plenty of studies around like this one showing that "It's likely that for most people vaccination against COVID-19 will induce more effective and longer lasting immunity than that induced by natural infection with the virus." https://www.immunology.org/coronavirus/connect-coronavirus-public-engagement-resources/covid-immunity-natural-infection-vaccine (If on the other hand, you can dig out the x26 figure, now's the time.)

I have a Belgian passport, so if that's the case I'm in trouble.

Rate for most age groups is around 90%, higher in the over 65's. 12 -17 year olds are catching up, nearly 80%. But it's not uniform, and there are some areas with lower vax rates, and these are also the ones driving the cases. (funny how that works ...). These are also, incidentally, the areas where the right-wing National Front is strongest (funny how that works again ...). There had been protests when it first came in, especially around mandating vaccinations for health workers, but that died down fairly quickly. Once again though, this was (just) another reason to get out on the streets, and on the back of the Yellow Vest (gilet jaune) protests almost had a "what are we here for today again?" feel to it. But overall, and considering how grumpy and anti-authoritarian many French people are, it's at least tolerated without too much pushback. You also have to remember that we've had terrorist attacks here over the last few years, so people are kind of used to security and bag-checking going into shops, trains etc., and it's just one more check. The passport is basically a QR code on your phone, so it's fairly painless. I think the overall vibe is that people really appreciate being able to just do stuff - we had on/off lockdowns for nearly 15 months, and restaurants/cafes were closed from October to May, so there's a kind of willingness to comply given the alternatives. Also, more recently, seeing what's happening around us in Europe, people are appreciating that there isn't another lockdown here, or even (for the moment at least) a threat of one. Macron will walk in his reelection at this rate.

Not all of Europe, touch wood.

Mask wearing cuts infections by 53 per cent (Link to the original study (BMJ) included in the article) https://www.newscientist.com/article/2237475-covid-19-news-mask-wearing-cuts-infections-by-53-per-cent/#ixzz7CpklpyN9

COVID-19 vaccine gives 5 times the protection of 'natural immunity,' data show https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/10/covid-19-vaccine-gives-5-times-protection-natural-immunity-data-show

Not sure if you're aware, but we have these things called vaccines, which in comparison to natural immunity after Covid infections offer (much) better protection over a longer period and more consistent delivery.

But as we're seeing, vax in itself isn't enough. Still need everything else: masking, social distancing, etc., especially in enclosed spaces.

Hmm. Yes, but not as simple as that. Not all these countries have the same take-up (or rules) when it comes to non-vax measures, especially masking. e.g., the difference between what you see on the Tube in London and the Metro in Paris is night and day. Same for things like cinemas, there's a big difference across countries. As for schools, in France, masks are compulsory, in Austria not (or not all the time). etc. etc. Sticking with kids, there's also a difference in vax rates. France, Spain and Italy have over double the vax rates of 12-17 year olds than say, Germany. On top of all that though, the main reason is that it's now winter. Everyone's cooped up indoors, ventilation is non-existent, and just as in 2020, and as we see every year with viruses like flu, rates go through the roof in Europe at this time of year. One of the reasons why the mediterranean countries like Spain and Italy are doing better for the moment, but presumably even they will feel the pinch once we get into December.

Apart from being BS, this is just confirmation bias. You blindly trot out whatever you want no matter how dodgy your sources are when it supports your POV, yet everything else is supposedly suspect.

Laughable, especially in the present context. These AFL players are surrounded by experts (Darren Burgess has a Doctorate) in a whole heap of fields, many of them focusing on physical preparation, health and medicine, who they trust completely. Yet when it comes to a Covid Vaccine - but not other kinds of vaccines, such as pain-killers etc. - they Do Their Own Research.

For the same reason we vaccinate against Rubella.

And Liam is a specialist in what scientific field?

"Defender Liam Jones named as Blues player hesitant to receive Covid-19 vaccination, reports say." https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/carlton-blues/afl-news-2021-carlton-senior-player-refuses-covid19-vaccine-afl-vaccination-policy/news-story/8e6a0d9f0140e55e1ee9b6622c8f03b0

Comments around the place from WCE supporters that a key forward (not the one with a beard) is holding out.

And ... "A Blues player is yet to follow the AFL's COVID-19 vaccination policy." https://www.afl.com.au/news/686927/blue-blow-player-yet-to-be-vaccinated-career-hangs-in-the-balance

Not for much longer. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-02/sa-number-of-health-staff-refusing-covid-19-vaccination-revealed/100589336

You're commenting in a thread about a guy who has a PhD in ... sports science. Burgess makes the decisions he does because of science. See his comments re not telling Steven May about the severity of his hamstring for but one example.

Richmond.

If she wants it ... Less aggravation doing commentary. Equally though, she wouldn't be doing the course if she didn't have ambitions in that direction.