COVID-19 in Australia

[JPNZ]

Those harsh lockdowns look like they will be extended beyond 13th September. Nearly 5 weeks in and still having daily increases over 100 cases is mind boggling. The state could easily add another 4 weeks on as I doubt anything will be eased until daily cases reach the low teens.

To be fair, it took 2 weeks to start seeing cases drop - we peaked around 2 weeks ago. In 2 weeks we have dropped from 700 a day down to 100. We have nearly 2 weeks to go and I think case numbers will fall a lot more.
THere is also a ton of political pressure to open up so I fully expect that we will see restrictions reduced on the 13 Sept. Whether that is the right thing to do is another question.

Actually the peak was 4 weeks ago beginning of August. Two weeks ago daily numbers were only low 200's so its only dropped 45-50% ish to today. Two more weeks and another 45% drop are still around 50 cases a day around the 12/13th September. Will that be enough to reduce levels?

[Farva]

Those harsh lockdowns look like they will be extended beyond 13th September. Nearly 5 weeks in and still having daily increases over 100 cases is mind boggling. The state could easily add another 4 weeks on as I doubt anything will be eased until daily cases reach the low teens.

To be fair, it took 2 weeks to start seeing cases drop - we peaked around 2 weeks ago. In 2 weeks we have dropped from 700 a day down to 100. We have nearly 2 weeks to go and I think case numbers will fall a lot more.
THere is also a ton of political pressure to open up so I fully expect that we will see restrictions reduced on the 13 Sept. Whether that is the right thing to do is another question.

Actually the peak was 4 weeks ago beginning of August. Two weeks ago daily numbers were only low 200's so its only dropped 45-50% ish to today. Two more weeks and another 45% drop are still around 50 cases a day around the 12/13th September. Will that be enough to reduce levels?

You need to be a little careful picking a single days results and projecting it. The 7 day moving average for the 31/8 was 96, whereas the 7 day moving average for 14 days before was 265. That is a drop of 270%. Do that again and we are at 35 cases, and this data is 2 weeks old anyway due to delays between exposure and test results - https://www.covid19data.com.au/trends.
But it might not be enough! Regardless, we will reduce restrictions. Like I said, the politics are such that we will need to open up somewhat.
I think Melbourne will go to level 3 for a few weeks then slowly open up over the next few months.

[JPNZ]

You need to be a little careful picking a single days results and projecting it. The 7 day moving average for the 31/8 was 96, whereas the 7 day moving average for 14 days before was 265. That is a drop of 270%. Do that again and we are at 35 cases, and this data is 2 weeks old anyway due to delays between exposure and test results - https://www.covid19data.com.au/trends.
But it might not be enough! Regardless, we will reduce restrictions. Like I said, the politics are such that we will need to open up somewhat.
I think Melbourne will go to level 3 for a few weeks then slowly open up over the next few months.

A bit like Auckland at the moment, deciding between an extension or yoyo'ing back and forth between levels. It will be a lot easier for Melbourne to add on two more weeks at Level 4 now rather than opening up and falling back into Level 4 in 3-4 weeks time.

Guess we will find out in 8 days

[Farva]

You need to be a little careful picking a single days results and projecting it. The 7 day moving average for the 31/8 was 96, whereas the 7 day moving average for 14 days before was 265. That is a drop of 270%. Do that again and we are at 35 cases, and this data is 2 weeks old anyway due to delays between exposure and test results - https://www.covid19data.com.au/trends.
But it might not be enough! Regardless, we will reduce restrictions. Like I said, the politics are such that we will need to open up somewhat.
I think Melbourne will go to level 3 for a few weeks then slowly open up over the next few months.

A bit like Auckland at the moment, deciding between an extension or yoyo'ing back and forth between levels. It will be a lot easier for Melbourne to add on two more weeks at Level 4 now rather than opening up and falling back into Level 4 in 3-4 weeks time.

Guess we will find out in 8 days

I tend to agree. As much as I hate this level 4 lockdown, Id prefer a little bit more pain now if it meant we could get back to life as normal sooner.

[JPNZ]

Victoria has recorded 81 new cases of coronavirus and 59 deaths, following a delay in the reporting of aged care fatalities in July and August.

The state's death toll has soared to 650, with the spike in fatalities due to the delayed reporting of 50 aged-care related deaths that occurred in the past two months. Nine Victorians have lost their lives in the past day.

The daily case tally returned to a double-digit figure after 113 cases were recorded on Thursday.

[Enzedder]

I see that the "Karen" who tried to incite an anti-gathering gathering (sans masks) has evidently been fined $20k. Please let that be true - can any Aussies confirm?

[Carter's Choice]

76 new cases in Victoria today. 11 deaths, 10 of whom were in Federally regulated Aged Care.

[Carter's Choice]

Solid data continuing to come out of QLD.

[Carter's Choice]

Just watching the Victorian CMO speaking. 515 deaths in Victoria (75%) have been in Aged Care. A poster just asked whether Clogs's idea of re-opening the rest of the community but throwing all our resources into aged care is feasible? Professor Sutton replied that it is impossible to contain spread in Aged Care if there is widespread transmission in the community. So Clogs, does he lack "nuance"?

[Carter's Choice]

[Carter's Choice]

Big anti-lockdown protests in Melbourne today. Clogs, I assume you attended these protests given your longstanding opposition to any form of lockdown. Is this article correct in saying that protesters attacked and punched the police?

Riot police break up lockdown protest, dozens arrested
By Zach Hope, Ashleigh McMillan and Kate Rose
Updated September 5, 2020 — 1.17pmfirst published at 11.19am


Dozens of people have been arrested at an anti-lockdown protest in central Melbourne as the riot squad and police on horseback were used to disperse crowds.

About 200 people had gathered at the Shrine of Remembrance late on Saturday morning after people used social media to tout "Freedom Day" rallies in capital cities around the country – including in Melbourne where stage four lockdown restrictions are in place.

About 100 police were in and around the Shrine early in the day mounted officers were used to move the crowd on about midday amid chants of ‘Dictator Dan’ and ‘Let the kids live’.

The crowd of several hundred protesters then walked around Albert Park Lake. There was initially little police accompanying the protesters but a helicopter maintained surveillance.

Demonstrators were flying Australian flags and chanting "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie".

Just before 1pm, officers from the Public Order Response Team arrived at Albert Park and several more arrests were made as most of the crowd scattered. Police then circled a small group of protesters who did not run away and made further arrests.

One woman, who would not share her name but she was from France, told media at the Shrine: "we’re not criminal, we’re not doing anything wrong".

"Everyone here have families, they’re here with their friends, they don’t want to get arrested," she said. "There’s so many people who would love to be here today but they can’t."

In one incident, a man charged at police arresting another person and began throwing punches before he was also arrested.

Another man was arrested by police after telling officers any fines would be "unlawful". His white t-shirt sported black hand-written scrawl about Bill Gates.

"We’re trying to educate people, we’re trying to tell people what’s going on," he said after police had him handcuffed.

Another woman toting a hand-painted sign which said ‘end the lockdown, end the suffering’ told the gathered media through tears she was "asking the world to help us".

Police told the woman to move away, as she had already received a fine for breaking the Chief Health Officer’s stay-at-home directions.

Asked about the heavy police presence in central Melbourne on Saturday Premier Daniel Andrews revealed his own car was stopped on the way to work this morning.

"There is a very visible, very significant police presence in the city," he said.

"Some people have forecast that they in a selfish, dangerous and unlawful way protest and police are taking appropriate steps. It is absolutely selfish for people to be out there protesting.

"The only protest we should be engaged in, the only argument, the only fight we should be engaged in as against this virus.

"Let's not any of us do anything that might jeopardise this strategy stopping let's not any of us do anything that might see more coronavirus cases rather than less. That is just not worth it."


Anti-lockdown activists have drawn thousands of their followers onto encrypted messaging apps as Facebook blocks their social media pages.

A channel appeared on chat app Telegram on Tuesday and by Thursday night had garnered more than 5300 members.

Prominent Melbourne-based anti-lockdown activist Raph Fernandez told his followers on Thursday he no longer supports the protest.

"I feel like we are playing right into the hands of authority, at least in Melbourne," he said in a Facebook live video seen by thousands.

Police have drawn criticism in recent days from legal and civil liberty groups for their treatment of alleged organisers accused of inciting the protests.

In one case a pregnant woman from Ballarat was arrested and handcuffed in her lounge on Wednesday while a Melbourne man had his door broken down on Friday morning when police arrested and charged him with alleged incitment.

Multiple people were also arrested at similar protests in the Sydney CBD on Saturday morning.

A NSW Police spokeswoman confirmed a police operation was underway in response to an unauthorised protest at Hyde Park.

"At this stage, a number of people have been arrested including a man who allegedly assaulted an officer," she said.

"The officer did not require medical treatment and the operation is ongoing."

Eyewitnesses said about 50 to 60 people were in attendance at 11am and described "a few violent arrests".

Online, organisers have also said they would protest at Sydney Olympic Park later on Saturday.

[Carter's Choice]

Better numbers coming out of Melbourne again today. The best daily data since late June.

[Carter's Choice]

[Enzedder]

Just watching the Victorian CMO speaking. 515 deaths in Victoria (75%) have been in Aged Care. A poster just asked whether Clogs's idea of re-opening the rest of the community but throwing all our resources into aged care is feasible? Professor Sutton replied that it is impossible to contain spread in Aged Care if there is widespread transmission in the community. So Clogs, does he lack "nuance"?

One of the aged-care homes that I deliver meals to here in Hamilton immediately closes up for all visitors once we go to level 3 - and the staff stay on the premises (i.e. they don't go home). Some had to take unpaid leave as they could not stay on-site

[mat the expat]

Just watching the Victorian CMO speaking. 515 deaths in Victoria (75%) have been in Aged Care. A poster just asked whether Clogs's idea of re-opening the rest of the community but throwing all our resources into aged care is feasible? Professor Sutton replied that it is impossible to contain spread in Aged Care if there is widespread transmission in the community. So Clogs, does he lack "nuance"?

One of the aged-care homes that I deliver meals to here in Hamilton immediately closes up for all visitors once we go to level 3 - and the staff stay on the premises (i.e. they don't go home). Some had to take unpaid leave as they could not stay on-site

Nearly 95% of Australia's Aged care fatalities were in Privately run (but Publicly subsidised) Homes.....

There had better be a reckoning for the Ferrari driving spivs who infest this sector

[Steve]

Cases are a red herring. Deaths and ICU numbers are all that matters

[JPNZ]

Those harsh lockdowns look like they will be extended beyond 13th September. Nearly 5 weeks in and still having daily increases over 100 cases is mind boggling. The state could easily add another 4 weeks on as I doubt anything will be eased until daily cases reach the low teens.

Looks like this has happened now, L4 extended two more weeks to the 27th September.

Had a beer yesterday with a mate who made it out of Managed isolation in Auckland last Sunday, had spent 3 years in Melbourne with his wife (both kiwis) sold up everything and moved back to NZ. In hindsight now that L4 has been extended it was a good decision.

Thoughts are with the other Vic board members

[Carter's Choice]

The curve continues to flatten in Melbourne

[CrazyIslander]

Good job

[Clogs]

Just watching the Victorian CMO speaking. 515 deaths in Victoria (75%) have been in Aged Care. A poster just asked whether Clogs's idea of re-opening the rest of the community but throwing all our resources into aged care is feasible? Professor Sutton replied that it is impossible to contain spread in Aged Care if there is widespread transmission in the community. So Clogs, does he lack "nuance"?

Is there widespread transmission in the community?

[Carter's Choice]

Just watching the Victorian CMO speaking. 515 deaths in Victoria (75%) have been in Aged Care. A poster just asked whether Clogs's idea of re-opening the rest of the community but throwing all our resources into aged care is feasible? Professor Sutton replied that it is impossible to contain spread in Aged Care if there is widespread transmission in the community. So Clogs, does he lack "nuance"?

Is there widespread transmission in the community?

Is that a genuine question or are you trolling?

[Clogs]

I see that the "Karen" who tried to incite an anti-gathering gathering (sans masks) has evidently been fined $20k. Please let that be true - can any Aussies confirm?

The video has sparked debate about Victoria's use of emergency powers, with the president of the Australian Human Rights Commission expressing serious concerns about the arrest.

Commissioner Rosalind Croucher said she was dismayed by the handling of the situation and warned that human rights must be protected — even more so during a crisis such as the coronavirus pandemic.

"Arresting people pre-emptively for the act of organising peaceful protests or for social media posts is something that happens all too often under authoritarian regimes, and it should not be happening in a democracy like Australia," said Elaine Pearson of Human Rights Watch.

[Enzedder]

Just watching the Victorian CMO speaking. 515 deaths in Victoria (75%) have been in Aged Care. A poster just asked whether Clogs's idea of re-opening the rest of the community but throwing all our resources into aged care is feasible? Professor Sutton replied that it is impossible to contain spread in Aged Care if there is widespread transmission in the community. So Clogs, does he lack "nuance"?

Is there widespread transmission in the community?

Isn't that question irrelevant to CC's post though? Also, your reply to my question has left me scratching my head. Has she been fined, do you know?

[Clogs]

Just watching the Victorian CMO speaking. 515 deaths in Victoria (75%) have been in Aged Care. A poster just asked whether Clogs's idea of re-opening the rest of the community but throwing all our resources into aged care is feasible? Professor Sutton replied that it is impossible to contain spread in Aged Care if there is widespread transmission in the community. So Clogs, does he lack "nuance"?

Is there widespread transmission in the community?

Is that a genuine question or are you trolling?

If you want nuance try this on. There is actually proportionately less widespread community transmission and very high aged care/hospital environment transmission. Many of the cases being recorded come from the aged care/hospital environment and have occurred in clusters. Far fewer are coming from the local maccas or wider community.

Example: My suburb of Williamstown (3016) currently has 6 cases of Covid (down from 19 some 4 weeks ago). The source? The Hazeldean Transition care centre.

https://maribyrnonghobsonsbay.starweekl ... -outbreak/

A large cluster from an aged care facility. Pretty much nothing else from the rest of the 3016 residential population.

A nuanced point for sure.

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/case-locati ... -outbreaks

[Carter's Choice]

NSW's data continues to be really impressive, given they've always had recurring low numbers but never allowed the numbers to blow out.

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

I don't intend to high tail it back to New Zealand just because stage 4 lockdown was extended for a few more weeks.

Sure, everyone's getting a bit over it but the weather's getting better, curfew's getting later, and the crafties taste nearly as good out of a can as they do the local pub's taps.

Plus my salary's still coming in every fortnight. I really do feel sorry for those who are out of work though.

[JPNZ]

Things solidly in double digits now for Melbourne.

Victoria has recorded 55 new COVID-19 cases, indicating the state's daily figures are now firmly in the double digits after the Premier unveiled the road map to recovery. Sadly, eight more Victorians have died. The state's Health Department 'outbreak squad' will be scrutinised when the hotel quarantine inquiry resumes today.

While things in Sydney escalate slightly

NSW has recorded nine new coronavirus cases, including five linked to known clusters and one mystery case with no obvious source which has emerged in south-eastern Sydney.

There have been three new cases linked to Concord Hospital: two additional healthcare workers and the visitor to the emergency department, which we reported yesterday.

[Carter's Choice]

[Steve]

Watching from afar I have to say it looks like Australia has completely lost its mind.

How can a society think it’s acceptable for police to come into your house and arrest you for a Facebook post advocating for a protest . Thin end of the wedge guys..... whether she was chav bogan or landed gentry it shouldn’t matter.


I recall watching plenty of videos of non socially distanced black lives matter protests in Australia too . Why the selective morality ? Either everything protestable is off the table or it isn’t ?

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

Watching from afar I have to say it looks like Australia has completely lost its mind.

How can a society think it’s acceptable for police to come into your house and arrest you for a Facebook post advocating for a protest . Thin end of the wedge guys..... whether she was chav bogan or landed gentry it shouldn’t matter.


I recall watching plenty of videos of non socially distanced black lives matter protests in Australia too . Why the selective morality ? Either everything protestable is off the table or it isn’t ?

Fuck 'em. Victoria needs to stamp this virus out and if fuckwits out there are advocating for mass gatherings they can get what's coming to them. Good on the police.

Good luck organising a protest of any kind in Victoria right now.

[Harveys]

Watching from afar I have to say it looks like Australia has completely lost its mind.

How can a society think it’s acceptable for police to come into your house and arrest you for a Facebook post advocating for a protest . Thin end of the wedge guys..... whether she was chav bogan or landed gentry it shouldn’t matter.


I recall watching plenty of videos of non socially distanced black lives matter protests in Australia too . Why the selective morality ? Either everything protestable is off the table or it isn’t ?

She was doing more than advocating.

[Steve]

Watching from afar I have to say it looks like Australia has completely lost its mind.

How can a society think it’s acceptable for police to come into your house and arrest you for a Facebook post advocating for a protest . Thin end of the wedge guys..... whether she was chav bogan or landed gentry it shouldn’t matter.


I recall watching plenty of videos of non socially distanced black lives matter protests in Australia too . Why the selective morality ? Either everything protestable is off the table or it isn’t ?

Fuck 'em. Victoria needs to stamp this virus out and if fuckwits out there are advocating for mass gatherings they can get what's coming to them. Good on the police.

Good luck organising a protest of any kind in Victoria right now.

I don't agree with what they are protesting for, but defend their right to protest including now in the current climate.You should always be able to contest government decisions peacefully. People run countries, not politicians...thats the idea. Democracy latin from demos " of the people"
BLM got a free pass as it was the cause du jour but they used the full weight of the law on this woman.

Whataboutery on my part but you wouldn't see them coming that quick when your house got burgled or if you got a slap of a pint glass in a nightclub.

What I have seen in Australia has reminded me of the policing in Catalonia during their quest to have a referendum. Its insidious and they are not being held to account.

[Steve]

Watching from afar I have to say it looks like Australia has completely lost its mind.

How can a society think it’s acceptable for police to come into your house and arrest you for a Facebook post advocating for a protest . Thin end of the wedge guys..... whether she was chav bogan or landed gentry it shouldn’t matter.


I recall watching plenty of videos of non socially distanced black lives matter protests in Australia too . Why the selective morality ? Either everything protestable is off the table or it isn’t ?

She was doing more than advocating.

Even if she was organising it my point stands.

[Carter's Choice]

This isn't the time to be organising rallies or protests in Victoria, and I think the vast majority of Victorians would support this arrest. The alternative is that the police allow protests to take place. The same right wing media that crucified Andrews and Vic Police for not crushing the BLM protests are now crucifying them for going too hard on these anti-lockdown protests. Which just shows that their issues wasn't with the protests, but with the political persuasion of the Victorian State govt.

[Steve]

What about this fella?

Specifically chooses his words carefully to not encourage others to protest. Just stated that he himself was going to attend.

So they kick his door down before he even has gone? Thats some minority report pre crime stuff right there!

Remember the BLM speaker in Australia saying "fuck Australia i hope it all burns down" right in front of the cops (i can upload it if you want) .Where was her arrest for incitement ?

Once you get into the weeds with these things people can pick holes in it from all sides. They arrested that soldier before any crime had been committed. Fair enough if they arrested him at the end of his road on the day of the protests as he sojourned down ... but before hes even transgressed? nah lads... slippery slope.

If you pinch my birds arse in a night club and i say " im gonna fuckin kill you" should i be arrested for attempted murder?

Once you start policing thoughts and speech rather than actions you've jumped the shark.

[Carter's Choice]

Sorry mate I don't know the background to that arrest. Do you have a reputable link to any info about it, as opposed to a propaganda youtube link which looks to be run by a =n ultra-conservative, anti-ALP, right wing provocateur?

[Steve]

This isn't the time to be organising rallies or protests in Victoria, and I think the vast majority of Victorians would support this arrest. The alternative is that the police allow protests to take place. The same right wing media that crucified Andrews and Vic Police for not crushing the BLM protests are now crucifying them for going too hard on these anti-lockdown protests. Which just shows that their issues wasn't with the protests, but with the political persuasion of the Victorian State govt.

I disagree , especially when you see other comparable "western" democracies have lesser restrictions or alternative ways of dealing with covid. Im not saying any one country has got it right .....because history will decide that in due course. But imagine sitting on your laptop in Melbourne watching on instagram a Swedish or English friend of yours sipping a coffee al fresco with mates in their respective countries ( with worse deaths and cases ) . Then juxtaposing that with a pregnant woman down the road from you being arrested for suggesting a protest against restrictions takes place and being hauled out of her gaf heavy handedly by the coppers.

i just don't understand how people can feel that's acceptable policing.

[Steve]

Sorry mate I don't know the background to that arrest. Do you have a reputable link to any info about it, as opposed to a propaganda youtube link which looks to be run by a =n ultra-conservative, anti-ALP, right wing provocateur?

Who decides what is reputable anymore Ali in any case?

The video seemed fairly even handed to me. I can search for another if you wish but i fear you'll shift the goal posts anyway as your mind is already made up.

Whether he is ultra conservative, alt right or the devil incarnate is immaterial. It should be discussed under its own merits . Thats the problem in modern discourse, its easier to discredit the messenger than it is to unpack the argument. Not an attack on you by the way but its exhausting. I have no skin in the game. Im not Australian or living in Australia.

[Carter's Choice]

Sorry mate I don't know the background to that arrest. Do you have a reputable link to any info about it, as opposed to a propaganda youtube link which looks to be run by a =n ultra-conservative, anti-ALP, right wing provocateur?

Who decides what is reputable anymore Ali in any case?

Individuals decide for themselves. That guy is a lunatic. As a rule of thumb, if anyone proudly appears on Australian Pay TV's most right wing show, Sky News's Outsiders, then their opinion is worthless. It's significantly to the right of America's Fox News.

[Carter's Choice]

The video seemed fairly even handed to me. I can search for another if you wish but i fear you'll shift the goal posts anyway as your mind is already made up.

Just one reputable Australian news site will do.