COVID-19: Discussion of Impact 😷

[turdall]

I don’t think anyone was happy with stage 4 though.

[TV4]

@bacco007

Do people in hotel quarantine in NZ have to test negative at the end of their quarantine period in order to leave

Yes, a negative test is essential.

[Chris]

@bacco007

No cases in 100 days suggests that it’s highly unlikely to have been in the community all that time

How heavily have they been testing in NZ though? I wonder if the notion that they were “Covid free” brought complete complacency to the country and there’s been a low level of the virus out there. Otherwise it has probably escaped from Quarantine.

@JasonF

whilest i agree i dont think people here in ballarat would be to happy with stage 4. people (manly bussiness are struggling with stage 3 as it is )

What makes Ballarat businesses unique? Melbourne businesses have been under harsher restrictions for longer. I’m not “happy” being in stage 4 either but it was needed to be done and is working.

[JohnsonTV]

South Australia has imposed more restrictions on people living in western Victoria. From next Monday (August 17), residents who live near the border won’t be able to cross into SA to shop, go to school or receive treatment. SA Premier Steven Marshall defended the move, saying it is to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but I think it’s over the top and didn’t take into account western Victoria still has very low number of active cases or no cases at all.

[Squee]

@JohnsonTV

but I think it’s over the top

but you’ve said this for pretty much every additional measure introduced to reduce the spread of COVID anyway so what’s the difference

[Tom_TV7]

@JohnsonTV

I think it’s over the top and didn’t take into account western Victoria still has very low number of active cases or no cases at all.

Does SA want to risk a second wave? I think not and I think this measure is reasonable to minimise any possibility of that happening.

[JohnsonTV]

Problem is they live too far from Ballarat or even Melbourne for some of the services they need, e.g. elective surgery. That leave them with no alternative.

[Tom_TV7]

@JohnsonTV

Problem is they live too far from Ballarat or even Melbourne for some of the services they need, e.g. elective surgery.

Those kind of travel is most likely allowed.

[bacco007]

@JohnsonTV

didn’t take into account western Victoria still has very low number of active cases or no cases at all.

and? Its much easier to have a blanket rule rather then trying to deal with a myriad of ever-growing exemptions that impact limited resources. Thats not to say there wont be exemptions.

[Moe]

Victoria just needs to annex those parts of South Australia within 50km of the border.

Not as a covid measure - just, I’d like to see Mt Gambier’s blue lake while maintaining having never stepped foot in South Australia in my life.

[turdall]

@JohnsonTV

From next Monday (August 17), residents who leave near the border won’t be able to cross into SA to shop, go to school or receive treatment.

I wonder how this is going to work for those communities close to border. These small communities are 5-10 minutes from the town center of Border Town. Asking them to travel the 2 hours to Horsham is quite irresponsible with the current situation. There should be some sort of bubble as is happening between Victoria and NSW. You don’t just catch the virus from crossing the border.

@Moe

Not as a covid measure - just, I’d like to see Mt Gambier’s blue lake while maintaining having never stepped foot in South Australia in my life.

You are missing so much more than just the Blue Lake in SA. The best wines in the world are grown in SA. One of the most beautiful Islands in the world with the most gorgeous beaches as well in Kangaroo Island.

[JohnsonTV]

A bubble is a more sensible solution than an outright ban. South Australia needs to talk to Victoria about this.

[JBar]

How do you control it?

[JohnsonTV]

It should be similar to the current bubble along the NSW-Queensland border.

[Squee]

I don’t think you quite understand the population difference between the NSW/QLD and VIC/SA borders, it would not be viable considering the small population impacted - there’s so few people living adjacent to the VIC/SA border that it would be manageable to handle exceptions case by case.

[Zacgb]

Speculation Warning

I just spoke to someone at work who is employed by our local MP and they have said that an announcement on mandatory masks (to some degree) in NSW will most likely be made in the coming days. She suggested mandatory from Monday.

_

I personally don’t think masks will be made fully mandatory, but mandatory under certain conditions e.g. in Shopping Centres, Restaurants, possibly High Schools? etc.

[Troiboi]

Masks isn’t a big deal in the scheme of things. I was very adverse to the idea until I had to do it here in Vic. Now it’s just another part of leaving the house. Only issue I have now is i keep forgetting it when I’m walking the dogs and have to go back and get it.

Anything to fuck this thing right off!

[Zacgb]

I have a very similar mindset to you. I am currently in retail, and our company have made masks mandatory for the past 2/3 weeks. My first shift wearing one was terrible, I guess I wasn’t use to it. But now, I actually don’t mind them, they are quite warm. Something about people not seeing your mouth is so pleasing

[eddel]

I wear one to do my grocery shopping but that’s it.

I’m in the office twice a week but make those long 11-12 hour days so avoid any sort of crowds on the train.

My issue with masks is that they can breed some sense of complacency. I think making them partially mandatory (ie in enclosed places but not outdoors) is a good compromise because it keeps people aware of their surroundings.

[littlegezzybear]

How does wearing a mask in a restaurant work, I wonder.