Who thinks Australia and NZ have got it right ?

[marilenagrace]

What do you think ? Do you think that keeping everyone out of the country is the right approach long term to deal with covid ? Do you wish we did that here in the UK ?

I'm in the US. The delta variant was first detected in my state a couple of months ago, yet cases, hospitalisations and deaths are still decreasing. I'm not worried at all tbh, and no one else seems to be either, including the media. The pandemic is over, in the US at least.

I don't anymore. The rules on international travel are silly, they are looking into international students returning but you can't go see family- because that's not economically advantageous. The recent Victorian lockdown was and is a flipping joke and was unnecessary- and will keep happening. We shut down with 40 cases, all caused by a hotel quarantine breach in another state between Indian repatriated people. They are continuing repatriation flights from India, but won't allow Australians out to other lower risk countries. I'm done with it and if I could get out of here- I would in a heartbeat, but stuck here due to a child and a divorce.

I'm not worried at all tbh, and no one else seems to be either, including the media.

The media reaction to the Delta thing seems to be really different in the UK and the US---no idea why. Since the vaccine appears to work fine against all these variants (well enough to prevent serious illness, at least), I struggle to get excited either.

In one respect I think the Australians were right with hotel quarantine. Which incidentally would have given business to a struggling part of the economy and stopped some of the so-called 'work' trips to Dubai or business trips that were not 100% necessary, and reduced or even prevented the Delay variant over the last few weeks.

@Kokeshi123

I'm not worried at all tbh, and no one else seems to be either, including the media.

The media reaction to the Delta thing seems to be really different in the UK and the US---no idea why. Since the vaccine appears to work fine against all these variants (well enough to prevent serious illness, at least), I struggle to get excited either.

Because it's not spreading in the US like it is in the UK.

Since the vaccine appears to work fine against all these variants

Oh you're one of those - I guess if the million explanations you've already had haven't got through, nothing I can add will make any difference.

[quote YellowMonday]@namechange34 I agree, I'm very concerned how we're going to move away from "covid 0" as vaccination rates increase. I can only hope with the digital vaccination passport launching, that the Fed Government is actually planning out what the next phases will look like.

For those in the UK, how badly is the delta variant impacting you? Sounds in the media as a step back? Anyone in the US, with rules dropping (masks, social distancing, etc) any fears what will happen when the delta variant reaches you?[/quote]
Your policy really has to remain covid 0. If one case gets through, it will spread, evolve and undo all the hard work your country has done so far.

The difference the vaccines will make is that it will be a lot easier to contain the virus. Full lockdowns shoudn't be needed any more. I'd expect quarantines to continue, although they may replace hotel quarantine with tests and home quarantine. But the overarching policy has to remain, to track down and isolate ALL cases.

This will continue until it's apparent that in the fight between vaccines and covid, vaccines have won - and that's some way off yet.

us.cnn.com/2021/06/14/health/us-coronavirus-monday/index.html

The US is definitely concerned about it - and I think will use it to get a final push on a vaccination programme that has stalled for now.

So it is definitely spreading - I think our population density etc has meant we have had it first I think others will.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-57633457

seems like covid will always find a way in

From tonight, half of Australians are in lockdown.

The only positive if finally seeing anger towards our government for their completely inept management of the vaccination program. Our roll out is under 5% - this is one of the worst numbers globally!

State Premiers are now calling to reduce international arrivals significantly as the government still is yet to start planning for quarantine facilities, and outbreaks are traced back to hotel quarantine. Because hotels are not fit for purpose!

I'm feeling the anger this week.

@PrincessNutNuts

I'm still optimistic that after Lockdown 4, 5, or 6 people will be looking at NZ with envious eyes and demanding to know why we're not doing what they're doing.

Let's face it, we know what we're getting with the current government. They'll do some more stuff that makes things worse such as kick off the second wave with Eat Out To Help Out. Or kick off the third wave by removing masks in schools and hiding the extent of it from the public. Then they'll do too little too late which leads to another lockdown.

After 17 months, unimaginable death, a record NHS backlog, record economic carnage, huge disruption to our children's education and three lockdowns.

Anyone still supporting the government's strategy knows what they are getting.

You must be dreading July 19th. Most of us can't wait

I think the penny is slowing dropping in Aus that they are going to have to live with Covid/ deaths etc at some point. Europe moves on and they are still reacting like it’s 2020.
They seem to have plenty of AZ so really need to change the messaging around that and improve its image so people take it. Vaccination is all our way out of this.

Article about the extra challenges Delta has brought for Australia

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-57647413

From tonight, half of Australians are in lockdown.

Yes a very brief (couple of weeks) proper lockdown. To quickly get on top of the small number of cases. Swift proactive action to suppress and contain.

Vaccination rollout clearly varies depending on the state, and yes it's slow compared to UK. But then there's not the urgency of the UK. Slow but steady. Two family members in their early 40s have already had their Pfizer. One fully jabbed, the other has their second next week.

Meanwhile in the UK.

www.itv.com/news/2021-06-29/covid-two-oxford-vaccines-produce-low-level-of-antibodies-against-delta-variant-study-shows

[quote CornishYarg]Article about the extra challenges Delta has brought for Australia

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-57647413[/quote]
They're planning to tackle it though (unlike the UK).

Things like cutting the numbers allowed in at a time for quarantine.

Makes sense.

Australians are going to struggle to live with the number of covid deaths they’ll be even when 100% of adults and kids are vaccinated

They’ll regret their policy

Zero covid will never exist and they’ve scared their residents into even flying home in some cases

Deaths after vaccinations will be higher for Australia which will be hard for them to open up to

My family have been living mostly normal lives very happily for the past year Watapalava. Including no school disruption. They're very grateful to be there and not the train wreck that is the UK.

Many Australians are in no hurry to open up. They will do slowly. But the UK will be one of the last places they'll let it. Understandably, as we're a very high risk country.

Like I said. Slow but steady. Their vaccine rollout is slower than ours but they don't have our urgent need. They'll get there, and in the meantime unlike us live mostly normal lives.

Much healthier economy there too.

Zero Covid just isn’t sustainable if even the Aussies can’t keep it out with all there precautions and strict controls.

www.smh.com.au/world/europe/the-truth-about-what-vaccines-are-achieving-from-a-country-getting-it-right-20210628-p5852n.html

This is interesting imo.
U.K. is the country getting it right. Comments interesting, attitude is changing in Australia.

Hahahaha!
The UK is getting it right... I've heard it all now.

That definitely doesn't represent the views of the majority there. (Or anywhere).

And there's a major difference between eliminate/zero, versus suppress and contain. Small numbers of cases are easily and quickly contained, suppressed, managed, and treated.

Just joining this for the first time having kearny from a friend that vaccine rates are only 5%
Wow

*learnt

Slow but steady. They're not in the desperate state that the UK is in.

Hare and tortoise too. Especially given the recent news about AZ.

www.itv.com/news/2021-06-29/covid-two-oxford-vaccines-produce-low-level-of-antibodies-against-delta-variant-study-shows

Covid: Two Oxford vaccines produce low level of antibodies against Delta variant, study shows

The current lockdown has been traced back to a Fedex cargo flight. They should consider stopping all international flights including cargo, otherwise the risk of letting Covid in is always there.

They don't need to stop cargo. What they are talking about doing (very sensibly) is making changes to their quarantine. Cutting the numbers allowed in, mandatory vaccination for quarantine workers etc. Sensible tweaks.

But even with 100% vaccinations they’ll be covid deaths

They’ll never be able to open fully

Never

Don’t forget there are a lot of separated families in Australia currently

Australians who haven’t been able to return home

For now they believe their border measures are temporary but this could go in forever

Even with all vaccines they’ll never have zero covid without closed borders

Many of us have family in Australia and not all Australians are happy with this as a long term solution

There is no opening and keeping cases to as low as they have them now

Never gonna happen