Tweet of the Week

 

On 14/8 NZ had 5 new Delta cases in Auckland. @jacindaardern imposed a REAL lockdown, it went up to 84 cases a week ago, and today is 11.

On 21/6 Sydney had 5 Delta cases. @GladysB didnt do anything, today we have a new record high 1542 cases. That's why SHE CANT face the press

— Finnigans 💉💉天有道地有道人无道 (@Thefinnigans) September 10, 2021

Lede of the Week

"NSW Police have slapped former Prime Minister Tony Abbott with a $500 fine after he was photographed maskless in Manly on Wednesday.

The infringement notice was issued after he was snapped chatting with a friend at the beach by a concerned bystander who promptly took photographs and reported him to police." [news.com.au, 10 September 2021]

Cartoon of the Week

Matt Golding

Meme of the Week

 

From the Twitterverse

Deputy Premier John Barilaro seeks to reassure the NSW people that the Berejiklian Government "worked with industry to design this roadmap" to COVID-19 "freedoms"

'Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the NSW Government has worked with industry to design this road map, which is our biggest incentive to get vaccinated, to reach the 70 per cent target as soon as possible. “Our roadmap outlines the freedoms that twice vaccinated people will enjoy once we reach 70 per cent double dose which means a meal with loved ones or a drink with friends is just around the corner”' [NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Nationals MLA for Monaro, 9 September 2021]

Despite NSW Delta Variant Outbreak COVID-19 infection numbers, hospitalisations and deaths still climbing to record levels across the state this week, on Thursday 9 September 2021 the Berejilkian Coalition Government issued these two media releases.

NSW Deputy Premier & Nationals MLA for Monaro John Barilaro, media release, 9 September 2021:

Lockdown lifted in parts of regional NSW

Parts of regional NSW currently deemed low risk and which have seen zero COVID cases for at least 14 days will emerge from lockdown at 12:01am Saturday 11 September, but will continue to operate under restrictions to ensure the safety of regional communities.

Local Government Areas (LGAs) still seeing COVID case numbers will continue to follow stay-at-home orders and will be monitored by NSW Health with updates provided as circumstances develop.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said regional communities are doing an incredible job following health advice and getting vaccinated which has made the easing of lockdown in some areas possible.

“Today, I can announce that while unfortunately many regional LGAs will remain in lockdown due to COVID case numbers, for other parts of the state, stay-at-home orders will be lifted allowing more freedoms for those communities,” Mr Barilaro said.

“This decision is based on NSW Health advice, and the LGAs which remain in lockdown will continue to be monitored and we will update those communities on a regular basis.

“My strong advice to everyone in regional NSW is to get vaccinated as soon as you can. Our communities need to continue to get vaccinated so that when NSW reaches 70 and 80 per cent, restrictions can ease significantly.”

The following freedoms will be available to all people in regional LGAs where stay-at-home orders have lifted:

Gatherings in the home and public spaces:

• Up to five visitors will be allowed in a home (not including children 12 and under).

• Up to 20 people can gather in outdoor settings.

Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms:

• Hospitality venues can reopen subject to one person per 4sqm inside and one person per 2sqm outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside.

• Retail stores can reopen under the one person per 4sqm rule.

• Personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons can open with one person per 4sqm, capped at five clients per premises.

• Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can open under the one person per 4sqm rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people.

• Sporting facilities including swimming pools can reopen.

Schools

• Schools will re-open with Level 3 COVIDSafe measures in place.

Stadiums, theatres and major outdoor recreation facilities:

• Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can reopen with one person per 4sqm, capped at 5,000 people.

• Up to 500 people can attend ticketed and seated outdoor events.

• Indoor entertainment and information facilities including cinemas, theatres, music halls, museums and galleries can reopen with one person per 4sqm or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity.

Weddings, funerals and places of worship:

• Up to 50 guests can attend weddings, with dancing permitted and eating and drinking only while seated.

• Up to 50 guests can attend funerals, with eating and drinking while seated.

• Churches and places of worship to open subject to one person per 4sqm rule, with no singing.

Travel:

• Caravan parks and camping grounds can open.

• Carpooling will be permitted.

Masks:

• Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, on planes and at airports.

• Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask when outdoors.

• Children aged under 12 will not need to wear a mask indoors.

Stay-at-home orders will remain in place in the following LGAs:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Reportedly the full list of those regional NSW local government areas emerging from lockdown at 12.01am on Saturday includes:

A. Albury Armidale

B. Ballina Balranald Bellingen Berrigan Bland Byron

C. Carrathool Clarence Valley Cobar Coffs Harbour Coolamon

Coonamble Cowra Cootamundra-Gundagai

D. 0

E. Edward River

F. 0

G. Gunnedah Gwydir

H. Hay Hilltops

I. Inverell

J. Junee

K. Kempsey Kyogle

L. Lachlan Leeton Lismore Liverpool Plains Lockhart

M. Moree Plains Murrumbidgee

N. Nambucca Valley Narrandera

O. 0

P. Port Macquaire-Hastings

Q. 0

R. Richmond Valley

S. Snowy Valleys

T. Tamworth Temora Tenterfield Tweed

U. Upper Lachlan Uralla

V. 0

W. Wagga Wagga

X. 0

Y. Yass Valley

Z. 0

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NSW Minister for Health and Medical Research & Liberal MLA for Wakehurst Brad Hazzard & NSW Health, media release, 9 September 2021:

Roadmap to freedom unveiled for the fully vaccianted

Stay-at-home orders for adults who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be lifted from the Monday after NSW passes the 70 per cent double vaccination target, under the roadmap to freedom released today.

The roadmap is subject to further fine-tuning and health advice if circumstances change drastically or if cases within a designated area remain too high.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said we are well on the way to hitting the 70 per cent double dose milestone which will allow the state to open up for those who have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

"I cannot stress enough how important it is for people to get vaccinated – if you have not had both doses of the vaccine by the time we hit the 70 per cent milestone, you will not be able to take advantage of these freedoms," Ms Berejiklian said.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the NSW Government has worked with industry to design this roadmap, which is our biggest incentive to get vaccinated, to reach the 70 per cent target as soon as possible.

"Our roadmap outlines the freedoms that twice vaccinated people will enjoy once we reach 70 per cent double dose which means a meal with loved ones or a drink with friends is just around the corner," Mr Barilaro said.

Only fully vaccinated people and those with medical exemptions will have access to the freedoms allowed under the Reopening NSW roadmap.

The freedoms for vaccinated adults will come into effect on the Monday after NSW hits the 70 per cent double dose target and include:

Gatherings in the home and public spaces

• Up to five visitors will be allowed in a home where all adults are vaccinated (not including children 12 and under).

• Up to 20 people can gather in outdoor settings.

Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms

• Hospitality venues can reopen subject to one person per 4sqm inside and one person per 2sqm outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside.

• Retail stores can reopen under the one person per 4sqm rule (unvaccinated people will continue to only be able to access critical retail).

• Personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons can open with one person per 4sqm, capped at five clients per premises.

• Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can open under the one person per 4sqm rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people.

• Sporting facilities including swimming pools can reopen.

Stadiums, theatres and major outdoor recreation facilities

• Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can reopen with one person per 4sqm, capped at 5,000 people.

• Up to 500 people can attend ticketed and seated outdoor events.

• Indoor entertainment and information facilities including cinemas, theatres, music halls, museums and galleries can reopen with one person per 4sqm or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity.

Weddings, funerals and places of worship

• Up to 50 guests can attend weddings, with dancing permitted and eating and drinking only while seated.

• Up to 50 guests can attend funerals, with eating and drinking while seated.

• Churches and places of worship to open subject to one person per 4sqm rule, with no singing.

Travel

• Domestic travel, including trips to regional NSW, will be permitted.

• Caravan parks and camping grounds can open.

• Carpooling will be permitted.

Non-vaccinated young people aged under 16 will be able to access all outdoor settings but will only be able to visit indoor venues with members of their household.

Employers must continue to allow employees to work from home if the employee is able to do so.

There will be revised guidance on isolation for close and casual contacts who are fully vaccinated, with details to be provided closer to the reopening date.

Masks

• Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, on planes and at airports.

• Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask when outdoors.

• Children aged under 12 will not need to wear a mask indoors.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the easing of restrictions would come as a huge relief to struggling businesses and workers, who just want to get their lives back on track, safely.

"This roadmap gives us the light at the end of the tunnel we all want and will enable our economy to start firing again, driving our state back to prosperity," Mr Perrottet said.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the government will continue to be guided by the health advice, and may still require targeted restrictions to deal with outbreaks.

"As we work toward reopening NSW, it is vital people continue to come forward and get vaccinated to help protect the community and reduce transmission of the virus," Mr Hazzard said.

When NSW hits the 80 per cent double dose target, the government intends to open up further freedoms around international travel, community sport, major events and other areas.

If you are not booked in for a COVID-19 vaccine, please book an appointment as soon possible.

For the latest information visit NSW government website - COVID-19

Please drive carefully in the Clarence Valley and beyond - our unique coastal emus are precious to us

 

Emu foraging
IMAGE: Clarence Valley Independent

The Coastal Emu range extends from Corindi in the south to Evans Head in the north along a 160km stretch of the northern New South Wales coast and inland to Bungawalbin wetlands and surrounds.

However, the main coastal emu strongholds remain near Yuraygir National Park on the coast and Bungawalbin National Park a little further inland.

With less than 100 of these unique coastal birds remaining, it is becoming rarer to seem them crossing roads at Iluka, Brooms Head and, in the cane fields between Yamba and Maclean.

Every death caused by inattentive or speeding motorists is a tragedy deeply felt and, such deaths occur far too frequently.

During during Autumn and Winter emus will often be seen shepherding small chicks.

Emu male parent with chicks
IMAGE: Clarence Valley Independent

So please when you get behind the wheel in the Clarence Valley don’t drive to the maximum allowed speed limit – especially as you approach curves in the road or crests where the road ahead is not yet visible.

IMAGE: Clarence Valley Independent
Photographer: Steve Otton

Don't be one of the principal causes of imminent extinction for this iconic large flightless bird.

Frontline medical staff not happy with Morrison Government's lack of thought or preparation behind the national plan to re-open Australia

 

Nurses union the ANMF calls on Australian Prime Minister Morrison to address critical concerns before triggering national plan to re-open Australia

ANMF Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Journal, 1 September 2021:

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) has written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison to outline its significant concerns regarding the government’s national plan to re-open Australia and transition the country’s pandemic response based on the Doherty Institute’s COVID-19 modelling and the Commonwealth Department of Treasury’s economic analysis.

In the letter, the union requests that more detailed modelling and analysis be undertaken and considered by National Cabinet before it takes any further steps to re-open the country.

“As you are aware, the nursing and midwifery workforces, as the largest and best distributed components of the health workforce, are fundamental to ensuring that the Australian community remains safe and healthy both during COVID outbreaks and as we seek to gradually move the nation beyond the current ‘suppression phase’ of the COVID-19 response,” ANMF Federal Secretary Annie Butler wrote.

“This means that the impacts of re-opening and transitioning the country’s national COVID-19 response prematurely without adequate planning or sufficient resourcing will disproportionately affect nurses and midwives and their capacity for ongoing delivery of quality care.”

Ms Butler argued the Doherty modelling, which currently underpins the government’s proposed re-opening plan, fails to take into account all the factors affecting this capacity.

Specifically, the ANMF has called on the government to consider the following factors before re-opening:

1. Current health system demand capacity, including expansion capacity, both critical care and general, and management of non COVID health demand

2. Assessment of safe vaccination targets, which include the entire population, not just those currently eligible

3. Vaccination rates needed for vulnerable populations, including those aged over 70 and other high-risk groups

4. Management of anticipated vaccination rollout channels for boosters, once recommended

5. The impact of the Delta and future variants, including on children, particularly in the context of uncontrolled community transmission, as is currently occurring in NSW

6. How the test-trace-isolate-quarantine TTIQ workforce will be fully resourced and maintained without impacting the nursing and midwifery workforces

7. How to ensure all communities across Australia will have equal access to safe healthcare as we progress through the pandemic

Like all Australians, Ms Butler said the ANMF was keen to transition the country’s COVID-19 response from one of strict virus suppression to more relaxed restrictions. However, it cannot happen without first addressing critical concerns, she warned.

“We cannot overstate the importance of ensuring that we do not make this transition until we can guarantee that vaccination rates and appropriate public health measures are sufficient to allow the health and aged care systems and their workforces to be able to continue to deliver best practice care to all those requiring it.”

AMA calls for stronger quarantine model – a need to move away from temporary measures and introduce permanent quarantine solutions

Australian Medical Association, 2 September 2021:

The AMA has called for an urgent stocktake of potential quarantine sites around Australia in a submission to the Chair of National Review of Hotel Quarantine, Ms Jane Halton AO PSM. Ms Halton invited the AMA to provide this submission as part of her further review into Australia’s quarantine arrangements.

Australia’s current hotel quarantine has resulted in over 30 breaches, one of which has led to the third wave of infections. Australia needs to move away from this temporary measure and introduce permanent quarantine solutions.

The AMA has welcomed the announcement of the three quarantine facilities announced in recent weeks, however the facilities will take months to complete. The AMA is also concerned about the lack of engagement with the local medical communities in the vicinity of these facilities.

The submission also calls for further examination of the options for expanding home quarantine for fully vaccinated people arriving from lower risk locations. This would alleviate some of the burden on quarantine facilities.

AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid will meet with Ms Halton in the coming weeks to further detail the AMA’s priorities in ensuring Australia has a robust quarantine regime. Underpinning the AMA’s position are two goals: To prevent COVID-19 originating overseas from spreading through Australia, and to ensure that Australians can continue to return here from overseas, ideally in increased numbers.

National Cabinet needs to look at the whole Australian hospital system, not just ICU beds

Doorstop interview, 2 September 2021:

DR OMAR KHORSHID: The AMA is today calling on National Cabinet to look at the capacity of our hospital system, not just ICU beds, but our whole hospital system, to make sure that once we open up, we don’t see a disastrous reduction in the care available to Australians who are sick simply as a result of increase in the risk of COVID in the community from opening up. And of the hospitals having to pivot towards treating COVID without treating all those other conditions that people currently present with.

The reality in public hospitals in Australia right now is that they are full, they are always full, and there are ambulances parked outside, too many of them as we speak, simply because the hospitals don't have the capacity to look after the healthcare needs of Australians. That's before COVID. And we know that as soon as COVID comes into the community, hospitals will have to stop doing elective surgery. They will have to turn their ICUs into COVID ICUs. And that means people not being able to access lifesaving cancer surgery, lifesaving heart surgery, because the ICUs will have very sick COVID patients to look after, patients who stay in the ICUs for weeks and weeks.

Now, we are not worried that our system will fail to look after COVID patients. We think the planning has been done, but we are worried about Australians who get heart attacks, who need surgery, who have a sore hip, who are going to miss out on care if we don't get the planning right. Our hospitals are starting from a position of being completely overloaded, and adding more to that load is only going to make things worse. So we're asking National Cabinet to take that into account with their planning. Is it right to open up at 70 or 80 percent if the hospitals are going to predictably fail within weeks? Which will, of course, send us straight back into lockdowns, which would be extremely disappointing for all Australians or is there a better way to plan to use our system, to make sure that the resources that we do have, limited as they are, can be best pointed towards the most efficient care possible?

Now, we're asking for planning not just around ICU beds, but around all the processes, the staffing, how we deal with COVID in hospitals, how we run our primary healthcare sector, so that we've got the best chance that when Australia does open up to the rest of the world, when we do open up our interstate borders, that we have a healthcare system available to everybody who needs it. It’s a pretty simple ask, but it's a complex task. And we believe that we must use the available weeks and months that we have, to get that planning done so that the healthcare system doesn't become the handbrake on Australia's economy and our ability to open up…...

Maclean & Yamba SES team up with Lower Clarence locals to rescue "Russell" the horse

It probably started out a fairly ordinary day in Mororo for "Russell" the senior rescue horse. At around 30 years of age he was the equivalent of a fit and healthy 85 year-old man.

No one was around to see it happen last week, but moving along the edge of a steep gully Russell stepped on a weak section of the rim, ground collapsed underneath his feet and he fell.

He dropped 4 metres ending up on his side unable to move.

When he didn't come when called for his morning feed his owner began calling louder and heard his faint reply.

On discovering the situation she quickly phoned Triple 0, where police control contacted the SES and wheels were set in motion to raise poor Russell up the steep incline.

It took four SES members, a neighbour with an excavator, a man working in nearby paddocks and the mobile vet from Grafton four difficult hours to bring him up.

The story had the happiest of endings. 

Russell sustained no serious injuries, was quickly on his feet and reunited with his owner.

Ms Wayshner is incredibly grateful to all the people who came together to help her. “I couldn’t hug them because of Covid,” she laughed.

IMAGES: The Daily Telegraph. Original story in The Daily Telegraph, 5 September 2021.