Austria unvaccinated lockdown

[MRex]

How is this expected to actually work in practice? I have only seen basic UK news articles, interested mostly to understand the practical implications.

Personal views without knowing detail: I simply don't see any way this can be achieved without infringing on personal freedoms of unvaccinated and vaccinated quite significantly. I'm very pro-vax in general and for covid, but I hope the UK doesn't start anything like this, seems like it would just have anyone digging their heels in and cause a lot of social unrest issues.

I’m not in favour of locking down unvaccinated but if I could get one thing happening to high degree for winter I’d choose boosters over all rise

Although the direction of travel seems to be towards impact on unvaccinated so I guess that takes some pressure off vaccinated, which I am. I’d be glad not to have further restrictions.

@RafaIsTheKingOfClay

No I’m in the UK. We did have some unseasonal RSV, but right now the RSV levels are where you’d expect them to be, with the exception of the fact that they are currently falling rather than rising. The typical peak for RSV is in December.

U.K. flu levels are very low still. Lower than normal for this time of year even in a ‘good’ flu year. So what I’d expect to see right now is hospitals in a slightly better position than normal. Whatever is causing the pressure in children’s services, it almost certainly isn’t a combination of RSV and flu.

Well it doesn’t seem to be COVID, given the figures of hospitalisations in young people.

I'm more in favour of masks and testing and also improved ventilation in public places

I don't necessarily disagree, but Austria and Germany have had these in place, and more, for months, and it hasn't stopped a surge in cases. So what next?

How it will be enforced

In Austria enforcement will be by checking that those out and about have their vaccine passport. A stop and check, if you like. They will have powers to go into venues and check your status. It's all a bit Orwellian.

Only a bit?

Since the vaccine take up in Austria is one of the lowest in Europe this might result in some of those who've refused vaccination having a change of mind.

Me and partner have had a chat about this one today. I think it's unreasonable (double vaxxed here - both of us are). He says that if it reduces the number of unvaxxed who are taking up hospital space for others, by keeping them away from places they can catch it, then he's all for it.

I see where he is coming from. But that's like banning alcohol to avoid any alcohol related illness taking up space from other illness, or refusing to treat anyone overweight for anything. And so on.

Uk full vaccination rate - 68%

Austria full vaccination rate - 64%

There’s really not a huge amount in it. There’s 4% difference

@Caspianberg

Uk full vaccination rate - 68%

Austria full vaccination rate - 64%

There’s really not a huge amount in it. There’s 4% difference

The region that is locking down the unvaccinated doesn’t have 64% of the population fully vaccinated. Austria itself isn’t locking down (for now, at least).

Well yes I know that, I live there… but the same in any country. It isn’t 68% in every region of the uk either, as that’s the average.

I should have said that the take up rate in the area of Austria where these restrictions are happening is very low. Apologies.

Do Austria people believe in bodily autonomy @Caspianberg?

Do they think that is a good/essential thing?

Austrian - sorry

@Caspianberg

Well yes I know that, I live there… but the same in any country. It isn’t 68% in every region of the uk either, as that’s the average.

Exactly. Take up in the area of England that I live in is below the national average. It's frustrating.

@Sian73

Do Austria people believe in bodily autonomy *@Caspianberg*?

Do they think that is a good/essential thing?

Well seemingly those who've introduced the restrictions feel the intervention is necessary where there are high rates of vaccine refusal.

Body autonomy - I don’t think there’s more or less people that anywhere else in the world. Seems about average. I would prob say 95% of people I know have been vaccinated, but maybe that’s my area. Not sure

Dystopian. What a disgrace!

Caspian what happens with financial support / work?

We were in lockdown but had furlough

Can people go to work so not that strict? I’m guessing so

They can go to work I believe.

Work - it depends on where. I don’t know exactly. Previously there was financial support.

If anyone wants to stay updated I recommend ‘kleinezeitung’ or ‘der standard’ online news. Both in German, but can auto Google translate.

I think people who advocate unvaccinated people to be put on restrictions whilst they themselves (vaccinated people) can still be contagious should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.

I am vaccinated by the way but I think its disgusting the hypocrisy some people spout

I’m really confused by this. Confused that’s it actually happening - actually legal - people unquestioningly go along with it - are happy about it in fact - some gloating even.

Has nothing been learned from history? Perhaps some are ignorant of our past.

This is a slippery slope. Can people not see that - in Austria (@Caspianberg) or even here?

Why are only a few able to see this?

The thing is, @Sian73, what are these people actually ‘banned’ from that they weren’t until now?

They can go to work, they can send their kids to school, they can go shopping and exercise - so people can be out and about and say it’s for one of the above reasons.

Many, many places in Europe already have what we call in German-speaking countries a 2G policy now - only vaccination or recovery gives you a Covid pass. So unvaccinated people weren’t able to go to restaurants or a concert or a football match or church or a museum before this mandate, anyway. It’s been this way for a couple of months.

The only places I can think of that they couldn’t access right now - and maybe could before - is beauty salons/hairdressers and gyms. My local gym has asked for proof of vaccination since June though, as they’re a private business and entitled to ask for whatever they like. So again, these people wouldn’t have been going to the gym anyway.

I’m not sure that makes it any better @EileenGC It just sounds like people have become conditioned to losing their freedom.

@Sian73 I share your concerns. The unthinking obedience is very disturbing. Discrimination against a government-defined group has happened before and it didn’t end well.