Macca

It's a new variant so we adjust our thinking accordingly ... we are not dealing with old info

Yes ... clamp down on a number of International flights until we find out more info on the new variant Or take your chances and ignore (and hope for the best)

The issue at hand is whether we ban travel from 6 African countries The to and fro with regards to nearly everything else belongs in the general discussion area And yes, it is related to footy because if we get a new strain, all bets are off

It's not about politics or which side one supports ... it's about governance We all deserve better. One side pulls the trigger too quickly and the other sits on their hands too much Each issue is separate so in my view, we should be closing our borders to these African nations where this new variant has emerged. Morrison needs to use some common sense. What is the rest of the world doing? And of course it's footy related because if we need any more lockdowns possibly dealing with a stronger strain of covid, we're going to need hubs etc and we go through the whole process again and again. Another interrupted season With the Delta variant only and because of our high vaccination rate, we've got a chance at managing the whole situation Better to be safe than sorry The World Health Orginisation has now identified the new strain as a variant of concern ... calling it 'Omicron' And closing the border to 6 African nations is not panicking

Singapore, Japan, Netherlands & soon enough the whole EU and probably the USA as well (cutting off flights from 6 African nations) Morrison is saying that there is nothing to be concerned about unless there is something to be concerned about. Yes, Prime Minister We are a highly vaccinated country but you don't invite trouble. There's a chance this new variant could lessen the effectiveness of vaccines (apart from a whole lot of other factors)

The UK has just closed its borders to 6 African countries. Not time to panic but it is time to act (and swiftly) We should follow suit with regards to our borders

Could be the D/land NFL tipping comp curse at work t_u Those who have won have often struggled the following season (although Gorg did go back-to-back and Clint has buttered up well after his 2 wins) But all the others have not even gotten on the podium the following year

So a few days after Jamie Kah wins her day in the Supreme Court, Racing Victoria decides to make Jamie ineligible to win the Jockey Premiership Never mind that Jamie has served a 3 month disqualification and never once complained It's a poor move by RV in my opinion. Petulent & spiteful with no need Jamie would get much better treatment in NSW ... the champion jockey could take her talents to the Northern beaches and who could blame her? It's any wonder that NSW & Sydney racing is fast becoming the No.1 destination in Australia

And the overseas model of players missing games through covid is what will happen here It seems they just get on with it and in one game last year the Denver Broncos (NFL) took the field with a makeshift Quarter Back More so a case of you win some, you lose some but the reaction will be different in footy re Star players missing big games and finals (especially a GF) And covid will be popping up everywhere regardless of all the precautions in place. Of course, many contracting covid will be fully vaccinated

Stafford has 3 wins at Lambeau in the last 6 seasons. Not too shabby, all things considered Although Rodgers was injured early in 1 loss and was out injured for another of the losses Playing all those years in Detroit, Stafford will be well used to inclement weather

@Gorgoroth @Dappa Dan @DeeSpencer @JV7 @Dee Zephyr @Go the Biff @titan_uranus @Clintosaurus @DemonDave @layzie Go the Biff has made a decisive move in the tipping comp! Passing 'Chiquita Lodge', Gorg has also moved up from midfield. Backmarkers DemonDave, layzie & Macca have made their moves as well It's a bunched field but we're only 2/3rds of the way through the race Leaderboard - Tipping Comp 8 - Go the Biff, 6 - Clintosaurus, JV7, Gorgoroth 5 - Dee Zephyr, DemonDave, layzie, Macca 3 - titan_uranus, DeeSpencer Freezing cold & snowing up at Lambeau to a point where there is a sheep weather alert ... that includes Rams so venture forward with trepidation, LA! 1 point only to play for this week so good luck

If people are wondering why we are still getting a number of covid cases in Victoria, there are at least 7 municipalities that are lagging behind the rest with regards to vaccination rates The following percentages and real numbers apply to those aged 16 and over It's important to note that Victoria overall is sitting at 89.60% fully vaccinated Yarra 75.3% (approximately 22,000 people not fully vaccinated) Stonnington 80.2% (20,000) Darebin 79.0% (30,000) Maribyrnong 81.20% (15,000) Melbourne 72.9% (46,000) Moreland 80.3% (31,000) Port Phillip 77.9% (23,000) As as we've seen from the overseas models, even 80% vaccinated just isn't a big enough percentage to quell covid And nearly all of those municipalities listed above are inner city and high density Other patterns within those municipalities could be indentified as well Footnote; The percentages and real numbers are based on historic population numbers for each of the municipalities ... and those numbers might be a bit skewed with the (now) lower numbers of overseas students. So for instance, the numbers for 'Melbourne' may or may not be correct

Not vaccinated, no entry. Not a threat, common sense. Greater good and all that. We are still in the mode of curtailing the spread of covid (for good reason) I'm not really into handouts but maybe some sort of taxation break to push things closer ... dangle some sort of carrot You got any ideas apart from a cash incentive?... didn't Albanese have an idea to offer $350 per person to hurry things along? My preference is 100% double vaxxed and I've noticed we've achieved that percentage for first dose in the nations capital. Seems a stretch but surely we can get to 97% if 95% is achievable While I've got you LDvC ... if we assume that covid positive footy players have to sit it out, do we do the same with close contact players to that covid positive player? (or players) Coaches as well? What if that scenario happens on the morning of a match? If we have hard and fast rules then the teams are going to have players in and out of the side (remembering that double vaxxed players can still contract covid)

The 2nd paragragh I agree with ... so many unknowns abound. Here in Australia though (sport aside) we'll have a much easier time of it For instance, if we had pro-rata cases similar to the UK (over 44,000 covid cases today) we'd be pushing 20,000 cases per day (140,000 in a week) Then our hospitals would be at breaking point ... but we're heading towards 95% double vaxxed so in my view, we won't hit those sorts of numbers at all With regards to Molnupiravir, yes there will be issues of availability but it's still a huge game-changer. How many do we have at high risk in ICU? We should be able to look after the extreme cases (if we keep the covid numbers down) Google up Fareed Zakaria for his views on the new antiviral medication

You worry too much dieter Deal with what you need to deal with and stop concerning yourself with doomsday thinking

With regards to the footy re covid Crowds will be back but capacity crowds can't be expected or to be concerned about (at least in the short term) A certain percentage will be covid-shy and won't want to be subjected to crowded situations (more so the over 55's) That thinking could change though if the covid cases drop to much lower levels (specifically here in Victoria and to a lesser extent, NSW*) And more people are now used to watching live sport at home in HD on huge screens ... a much cheaper alternative I can see membership sales being maintained and/or increased though (across the board) That connection and support will be continued We could hit 60k-65k members but will we pack out the MCG consistently? Initially yes but after that? *A healthy attendance of 24k attended the Western Sydney Wanderers vs Sydney FC game last night

And I cannot blame anyone for talking through their hip-pocket. A lot of people have gone out of business because of the lockdowns You just have to let people vent in these special circumstances I know a couple who own a gym and there were a few times where they were staring at bankruptcy... somehow they have scraped through (but they are heavily out-of-pocket) One of 1000's of stories ... their dreams squashed. They either do something else or start all over again Part of the protest group? High probability for many (in my view)

And let's not forget the huge game-changer ... Molnupiravir. Already available for emergencies and just approved in the UK And I don't even want to think about a new strain IRW ... all bets are off if that happens!

My only concern is that unless those 12yo or younger get vaccinated they have a greater chance of contracting the disease (albeit in a much milder way) More so aged 5 - 11 And of course if they bring the disease home to unvaccinated family members, the disease keeps spreading There was an article about a week or 2 ago where high profile health professionals from 4 effected countries warned Australia about the measures we still had to put in place ... one of those measures was to get the young vaccinated. The other issues surrounded keeping vigil on safeguards and to not let our guard down But we're coming up to school holidays so I'm expecting a mass vaccination of the children once the new school year starts. There was talk of late 2021 (Pfizer) but no approval yet

Yeah well, I was being slightly flippant adding in a light-hearted prediction in a thread that is a tad serious But of course we can go back-to-back all things being equal. I reckon our biggest issue is if we sit back. The talent and know-how is better than the rest (right now)

Well my view is a realistic view ... using raw data and real numbers. In real terms many countries have far too many of its citizens unvaccinated. We in Australia won't have that issue. An optimist might proclaim that the pandemic is over or perhaps deny that we ever had a problem in the first place (although I'd have a more apt description for the latter category) And I reckon we could reach 96% or 97% vaccinated if we brought in some positive incentives for the unvaccinated. The disincentives would however be having an effect. Reality sinks in eventually With some, you'll never change their minds. The pandemic will never be over for those types as covid isn't going to die off

You edited out the bit where I mentioned ongoing mask wearing with a cautious ongoing approach (in Australia) Personally, I'm not going into party mode but if I was still in my mid 20's it would almost certainly be a different story. Even with the double jab, I do not want to contract covid under any circumstances

Yes there is nuance with different measures still in place in different countries but having close on a 3rd of the people unvaccinated is asking for trouble. There are still outliers either way but the aim has to be 90%+ vaccinated Even at 80% vaccinated the effectiveness of covid is greatly reduced. Bottom line is that Australia is heading for 95% vaccinated where as a country like the USA may not ever get to 65% vaccinated. Real numbers that point to real outcomes We'll possibly level out out at 500-1000 cases per day in Australia (because of our vaccination rates) where as the USA had 119,000 cases yesterday (as an example) The next big task in Australia is getting those aged 12 years or younger vaccinated. And we need to do that as quickly as possible

As faulty mentioned, we have a very high vaccination/take up rate and as we know, the vaccination works so it then just becomes a matter of how many get the vaccine A 59% vaccination rate in the USA and around 70% for a number of European nations isn't going to work. So the pandemic will continue on for the unvaccinated in those countries. A pandemic for the unvaccinated Covid will continue on in Australia as well but the numbers won't be high as there is a real chance that only about 5% will be unvaccinated. 7% tops. Real numbers are trending strongly in that direction And we have brought in measures that will encourage the unvaccinated to get the jab. Effectively, another form of lockdown for those refusing the jab is now in place No vaccine certificate, no entry Hating on and pouring scorn on the unvaccinated isn't the answer though. Gentle persuasion with positive incentives brought in can work. Along with the education process showing these people that the vaccines are effective and safe But Covid is out there and is everywhere (More so in Vic & NSW) so mask wearing along with a cautious attitude when applicable is still needed (in my view)

The countries that are on the verge of going into lockdown again are those countries that haven't got enough people vaccinated The 'Age' has a free to read vaccination rate segment for all countries. As well as the details involving Australia. Google will help with daily Covid cases per day Germany & the UK for instance only have 'about' 2/3rds of its peoples vaccinated So in real terms that means that the UK has about 23 million unvaccinated with Germany sitting at about 27 million unvaccinated. Covid cases are high as a result ... often 40,000+ per day. That number is obviously too high. Covid cases today in the USA hit 119,000 but only 58.74% of Americans are double vaccinated By contrast Portugal has approximately 87.54% double vaxxed and only 291 covid cases today. The UAE is sitting at 89.3% double vaxxed with 2698 cases of covid today Here in Australia we are heading for a 95% vaccination rate for those aged 16 and over (and once those aged 12 and under are vaccinated we'll be at 95% right across the board) Only 178 covid cases in NSW today Make of those numbers what you will but the trends I see gives me confidence By the time we're done we could be in front of just about every country in the world. Setting a fine example Even with the slow availability of the vaccine along with hesitancy rates, NSW is nearly at 92% double vaxxed and Victoria has almost caught up (just on 89% double vaxxed) I'm a born realist so unless another strain of covid appears, I can't see us going into lockdown again So the message is for everyone to do their civic duty and get vaccinated. It's the only way we can curtail this virus In footy terms we'll be able to go the games next season at our leisure ... with a high probability of seeing the Demons go back to back