YOUR VIEWS

REGARDING Surfers Paradise SLSC, I am a former President, Captain, Secretary and Nippers President and a 50-plus year member so I feel my opinion is worth something in this debate.

I will not be staying away from the surf club I love and helped build through tough times to where it is today.

Whether anyone’s opinions are valid or not, it is the law and must be respected.

Would you drive on the righthand side of the road if you didn’t like it?

Surfers Paradise Surf Lifesaving Club president Trevor Hendy has a responsibility to act in the best interests of all our members, Nippers, Patrolling, Life and Associates. SHANE O’CONNOR OAM LIFE MEMBER SURFERS SLSC

CONFUSED about Covid?

Listening to the various experts, all speaking with conviction, is enough to confuse anyone. While awaiting further studies on the Omicron variant the magic words “herd immunity” has again come to the forefront.

Studies in South Africa to date suggest the Omicron strain while more contagious is mild and less likely to require hospitalisation or result in death. Some experts say the studies there are stilted because the low rate of immunisation and the high infection rate has brought about natural herd immunity.

We are told that the vaccinated and unvaccinated can catch, carry, and spread the disease.

However, the vaccinated are better equipped to stave off serious symptoms.

One camp of experts says catching Covid is a good thing that will bring about natural herd immunity. The other pushes for mask mandates, isolation, vigilant hygiene practices and social distancing. In other words, very little has changed. I understand the caution, but which is the right course?

I also understand our medical people are under severe stress. Many of them are out there testing. Some are isolated due to close contact and a few jobless because they are unvaccinated. This leaves those at the hospital faced with a tremendous workload.

And then there is the uncertainty in the business and job sector along with those who wish to travel.

How do we balance our socalled strategy of living with Covid?

No virus can survive if it keeps killing its hosts. Perhaps Omicron is more contagious but less deadly to ensure its survival? I will leave that to the experts. But we cannot go on like this. Someone needs to make up their mind and decide how we are going to live with Covid, beginning with a stop to mixed and confusing messages and ending with a cohesive strategy. ROBERT JANSSEN, GOLD COAST

FOR those of us on the Gold Coast who live near the airport it has been bliss since it has been grounded. On Thursday, 23 December, at least two have started taking off parallel north along the coast creating noise up until then.

Like many on the bottom of Gold Coast we have got used to the aircraft taking off and landing however the latest effort would be the one that broke the camel’s back.

I wonder how the wealthy at the top of the coast would get on if the airport could be moved near them. D.J. FRASER, CURRUMBIN