We havenât failed on the virus
Suppression of the virus bred vaccination complacency. But with the most at risk twice-jabbed and zero fatalities in 2021, our COVID-19 saga may be heading for a happy ending by yearâs end.
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COVID-19 is an alien that has Earth by the throat, with teams of the worldâs most brilliant scientists desperately working on new vaccines and detectors before the virus changes form again; governments in the free world imposing restrictions unheard of in peacetime and economies brought to their knees. Itâs a real-life, science fiction drama.
In the local version, Australia sees itself having gone from the worldâs Superhero, with extraordinarily low infection and death rates, to a failed state, watching other countries planning their economic reopening parties while we stagger along with lockdowns and public health orders. Cancel Culture has taken on a whole new meaning.
Workers and youth condemn Australian government ban on citizens returning from India
Since it was imposed earlier this month, opposition has mounted against the Australian government’s anti-democratic ban on citizens returning from India, where they face the prospect of COVID-19 infection and even death, amid that country’s coronavirus catastrophe.
The government has rejected condemnations of the blockade from civil liberties organisations and legal experts as a violation of the human right of citizens to return to their country of origin. Instead, the ban will remain in force, until at least May 15, when it is set to elapse.
Government ministers have outlined plans for just six repatriation flights, grossly inadequate given there are 9,000 stranded Australian citizens, more than 600 of whom are confirmed to be vulnerable. Citizens who test positive will not be permitted to board and will be left to their fate in the Indian hospital system. At least one Australian permanent re
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Justin Rose during a Team GB Olympic team announcement at Royal Troon Golf Club, South Ayrshire in 2016. Picture: PA Covid has had a huge impact on all sport, particularly at grassroots level. It will be no surprise if many clubs and teams fail to survive the lockdown. My former rugby club is already fearing that after more than a year away, players will have found other things to fill their evenings and weekends. At the other end of the spectrum, professional elite sport has continued, albeit largely behind closed doors. It’s likely the devastating financial impact on professional sport will become apparent in the coming months. There is however, one sporting event that is too large to fail. As far as the Olympics are concerned, the biggest show on earth must go on.
Luna Rossa have taken a 4-nil lead in sailing s Prada Cup challenger final against INEOS Team UK
Luna Rossa have taken a 4-nil lead in sailing s Prada Cup challenger final against INEOS Team UK 15 February 2021
The move to Covid-19 alert level three in Auckland means Wednesday s races are postponed.
The Wellington Phoenix are ruing a 28th-minute red card in their 2-nil A-League football loss to the table-topping Central Coast.
They remain 11th on the 12-team table.
Manchester United have lost ground on cross-town rivals Manchester City at the top of the English Premier League football ladder.
United have been held to a 1-all draw by West Brom to sit seven points behind City, who also have a game in hand.