We must remain patient on vax rates
ACCORDING to University of Sydney modelling, an average double-dose vaccination rate of 80 per cent for the Australian population over 16 years of age (65 per cent of the total population), while initiating a prescribed governmental borders opening, would bring an expected surge in Covid-19 transmission.
The modelling suggests the worst is yet to come if restrictions are removed too soon and too abruptly. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi “to lose patience is to lose the battle”.
It is envisaged that disadvantaged groups will disproportionately represent a lower rate of fully vaccinated Australians within the average of 80 per cent, whereas an average rate of 90 per cent (75 per cent of the total population) will be required to ameliorate the possibility of advantaged Australians flying at the health expense of disadvantaged Australians – a divided societal Covid-19 outcome. Kenneth Gregson
Swansea
A BETTER OPTION THAN COVID
IT is disappointing, and perhaps a little irresponsible, for the Mercury to run a negative story about the AstraZeneca vaccination (“New jab plea for over-60s”, September 2). While we might have some sympathy for Ms Neill, who reports some side-effects of the vaccination, the overwhelming majority of recipients of AZ have had either no, mild or moderate side-effects.
While there may be some cases like Ms Neill’s, if such reporting deters others from getting their vaccinations then
we are all the worse for that.
A few days of after-effects is nothing when compared with a dose of Covid-19.
Neil Cranston Battery Point
DON’T DELAY YOUR JAB
TO those in health and aged or disability care, get the Covid jabs now.
If you don’t, you are not only stupid but selfish.
In a few weeks’ time, if you haven’t fronted for the jab(s), you should lose your job.
Hopefully, the federal government will then preclude you to claim Centrelink payments.
Stewart Edwards Mount Stuart
CAN’T BE COCKY
THE self-congratulatory hype over Tasmania’s current lack of Covid infection and its national lead in double vaccination rates is both illusory and dangerous.
With the oldest population in Australia, with the highest proportion in priority categories 1A and 1B, we had the jump on other states in getting our first jabs. Other states’ first jab rates have now overtaken Tasmania and will soon overtake us with their second dose.
Basking in our earlier success, we are at risk of losing vaccination momentum precisely at the time when we may be most vulnerable.
Now is not the time to take the foot off the vaccination accelerator pedal. Hans Willink
Acton Park
LEADERSHIP FAIL
HOW have we ended up with Scott Morrison as Prime Minister? All spin and no substance! When the Covid pandemic started, Mr Morrison did the right thing and shut our international boarder quickly. However, since then he has failed. Mr Morrison should not have placed so much reliance on AstraZeneca and should have also arranged early and quantity access to Pfizer and Moderna vaccines as well.
Furthermore, it has been very obvious that the current hotel quarantine system is not good enough.
Construction of purpose-built quarantine facilities should have started 12 months ago. We should also be developing the technology to produce our own mRNA vaccines. Mr Morrison has struggled to grasp the idea that we are at war with this virus and extreme urgency is required. Mr Morrison’s current ideas to open things up are unrealistic and will cause our hospital systems to be overwhelmed by those who are as yet unable to or are refusing to be vaccinated.
Up to now our state premiers have done the right thing and saved the day (except for Berejiklian). However, it is pretty clear that there is no one leading any party at the federal government level with the competence to safely guide us out of this pandemic.
Peter Turner
Sandy Bay
WALSH IS WRONG
DAVID Walsh, “No jab no job” is morally wrong and likely illegal.
Remember, being vaccinated does not stop you catching or passing on Covid. The collective mindset is a foundation of communism, socialism. It’s sadly a common theme throughout history practised by many dictators.
To bow to authoritarianism has led many a free thinker, scholar, artist to indescribable suffering.
To enforce, to mandate vaccinations only increases the fear and suspicion among friends, neighbours and communities. It’s important we as individuals continue to champion the right to freedom of speech, freedom of movement, freedom of association and, importantly, bodily autonomy.
Adrian Pickin
Claremont