TOPIC:

Hawk Eye wrote: Even if cases of Covid-19 in Australia reduce to almost zero without widespread testing to detect asymptomatic cases of Covid-19, we are taking far too much risk.

The danger of asymptomatic individuals passing it on to others who in turn can pass this on again is the real danger.

In my opinion the current restrictions must remain in place for at least another three months after the last case in WA has been diagnosed. During that time the testing of as many people as possible INCLUDING those who do not present with symptoms,is essential to substantiate the risk of removing them.

That is the only safe exit strategy, which is based on widespread testing.

Resuming footy is not an essential part of this process.

Yep agree 100% HE. There's only 2 outcomes available here...we either nearly all get it at some point over the next year or so and become immune through herd immunity or a vaccine is developed.

Stand the Test wrote: What impact did Spanish flu have on the 1919 WAFL season?

google is your friend, StD.

Bazza wrote: The numbers of new cases are now in rapid decline, with most of not all comimg from OS or Ships, Im getting the feeling we are pretty much on track to knock this thing out.

I reckon if we can restart in a couple of weeks on a local basis only, that is keep the borders closed by open locally we should be OK.

I reckon this would be good for local business and be great for the WAFL to start up and get some decent crowds and entertainment for people.

Going by today's news, we are going to be in lock-down for at least 3 months, possibly up to 6. Even if cases do keep dropping like it seems to be doing, the state government won't become complacent. But having said that, they are going to make a month by month review of the situation is my understanding. Also the approaching colder weather as we move away from the warm summer could present problems? The common flu is more prevalent in winter than summer, perhaps the chinese virus is too?
Too many positive cases were due to air travel. Now the WA border and regional boundaries are closed, there shouldn't be any problems with interstate, intrastate or international arrivals. One would assume the only aircraft arriving would be cargo flights? I now think we'll be lucky to start the Wafl at the beginning of June. Will depend on the medical advice at the time. The only sure answer would be if a vaccine was developed soon. But then tests need performing which all takes time. Then how much is made available? How quickly is a vaccine distributed for public use, because the general public will be at the bottom of the ladder. Have heard two conflicting reports on a vaccine being developed and is difficult to know which one to believe?

Can someone define what “community transmission” is? I’m a bit confused. Has there been community transmission or not? What is classified as community transmission? I’m assuming a healthcare worker contracting the virus after treating a COVID-19 patient is NOT community transmission.

I find it hard to believe there has been no community transmission. If there hasn’t been any then what are we panicking about?

DD wrote: Can someone define what “community transmission” is? I’m a bit confused. Has there been community transmission or not? What is classified as community transmission? I’m assuming a healthcare worker contracting the virus after treating a COVID-19 patient is NOT community transmission.

I find it hard to believe there has been no community transmission. If there hasn’t been any then what are we panicking about?

What the hell do I know, but I'll try.
Fairly certain I heard the premier say "community transaction" is where the coronavirus spreads in such a way that the source of its infection is not known.
If someone is diagnosed with COVID-19, their infection is linked to recent travel history to a place where the disease is widespread, or has come in contact with someone who is already infected.
But when the transmission is not traceable, it's called a community transmission.
If that makes sense.

Stand the Test wrote: What impact did Spanish flu have on the 1919 WAFL season?

None

Hawk Eye wrote: Even if cases of Covid-19 in Australia reduce to almost zero without widespread testing to detect asymptomatic cases of Covid-19, we are taking far too much risk.

The danger of asymptomatic individuals passing it on to others who in turn can pass this on again is the real danger.

In my opinion the current restrictions must remain in place for at least another three months after the last case in WA has been diagnosed. During that time the testing of as many people as possible INCLUDING those who do not present with symptoms,is essential to substantiate the risk of removing them.

That is the only safe exit strategy, which is based on widespread testing.

Resuming footy is not an essential part of this process.

Whilst I agree Football is along way from essential, I think my OP has been miss understood as it was not the sole activity I was thinking should be up and running straight away, my view is a gradual ramp up of activities and relaxation of restrictions within reason.

Testing is really the key here, and with a stronger body evidence building that community transmission is not a threat then a staged relaxation can start, other countries are doing this who have had far more intense out breaks than us.

I'm very firm on keeping the WA borders in strict lockdown for at least 3 months perhaps more like 6.

Also it might shock people but flights are still coming into Australia from China, apparently Shanghai flight are still operating.

Stand the Test wrote:

jackspratt wrote:

Stand the Test wrote: What impact did Spanish flu have on the 1919 WAFL season?

google is your friend, StD.

I have a friend?!?

Mr google is not particular.

westaussieguy wrote:

DD wrote: Can someone define what “community transmission” is? I’m a bit confused. Has there been community transmission or not? What is classified as community transmission? I’m assuming a healthcare worker contracting the virus after treating a COVID-19 patient is NOT community transmission.

I find it hard to believe there has been no community transmission. If there hasn’t been any then what are we panicking about?

What the hell do I know, but I'll try.
Fairly certain I heard the premier say "community transaction" is where the coronavirus spreads in such a way that the source of its infection is not known.
If someone is diagnosed with COVID-19, their infection is linked to recent travel history to a place where the disease is widespread, or has come in contact with someone who is already infected.
But when the transmission is not traceable, it's called a community transmission.
If that makes sense.

Correct wag. It's where someone contracts the virus and it can't be traced back to a person who has travelled overseas or jumped off a cruise ship meaning it's possible that person got it from someone who is asymptomatic which is a worry as the carrier probably doesn't even know they have it and won't until tested. Given the carrier isn't showing symptoms, under the current testing regime the chances of getting tested are pretty slim so will have the potential to go on infecting people. At the moment around 550 people or 10% of cases fall into the category of getting infected by community transmission.

Watched a fair bit of BBC last night.

Austria, which went very hard very early on shutdowns have seen good results and are now starting a gradual re opening, Denmark the same, eben Italy is looking at some mild relaxations.

Iceland is interesting one , they started mass testing way back on 5 February and have tested a huge portion of the population. Local infections have been stopped some time ago and the only cases located had been imported from the UK, Icelandic testing is indicating that COVID has been active in the UK for a lot longer than they initially suspected.

The key is to identify and isolate the cases as early as possible.