THE front page article, "Kids need jab", (Herald, 6/9), at least mentions some of the caveats the Doherty model places against any scheme to easing lockdowns (and state border closures), which is more than the NSW Premier's morning briefings do. But it doesn't explain what these caveats mean.
Most of the Doherty modelling assumes low (30 or less nationally was the original figure; it may have changed when the Delta variant was considered) daily case numbers, a transmission potential (TP) number of one or less, and an effective national test, trace, isolation and quarantine (TTIQ) system will be required before we can open up. There is a very long way to go before that state is reached in NSW.
With a daily new caseload well over 1000, and a TP number of about 1.3, it's obvious conditions in NSW are "sub-optimal", to use the model's euphemism. The Doherty modelling predicts those sorts of conditions, with a vaccination level (two injections, remember) of 70 per cent, will result in an exponential rise in case load. Eighty per cent of the population fully vaccinated won't do a lot better. The 40,000 new cases per day, and 80 deaths, which Queensland's Premier was attacked for quoting, are there in black and white as a possible scenario under a regime with 80 per cent vaccinated but high caseloads and sub-optimal TTIQ.
The other pertinent fact that doesn't seem to be generally mentioned in all the exhortations about getting vaccinated, and the promises about opening up, is that none of the vaccines currently being injected anywhere in the world give actual immunity against this virus. You can still catch COVID-19. You can still die of it. You can still finish up in an ICU with it. You can still get it again after you've been infected. But if you've been vaccinated, all those things are less likely to happen, for six months or so anyway. Maybe Ms Berejiklian is right. Maybe things will get better in October, after only another few thousand casualties. But I think she's trying to draw to an inside straight. If I were Premier McGowan, Marshall, Palaszczuk, or Gutwein, I wouldn't be too keen on getting pulled into that sort of high risk gamble, either. I do agree with you, though. The kids need two jabs.
Barney Ward, Edgeworth
Scheme was 'corporate corruption'
I LISTENED with interest as Stuart Robert, Minister for Employment, attempted to defend the indefensible refusal to retrieve tens of millions of dollars of JobKeeper overpayments to corporate mates whose companies posted huge profits.
The same Stuart Robert who presided over the infamous Robodebt scheme. Robodebt harassed and harangued recipients to repay trivial amounts of Centrelink overpayments, some tragically committing suicide.
Stuart Robert tried unconvincingly to explain how clawback provisions built into the JobKeeper scheme would harm business confidence. What a spurious, patronising and cowardly example of sophistry. Can we extrapolate from this ridiculous argument that welfare payments without Robodebt would inspire consumer confidence? Just as farcical.
JobKeeper, noble in intent appears to be nothing more than corporate corruption in practice. Aided and abetted by the most contemptuous, venal deceitful and incompetent government we've had to endure, at least in my lifetime.
Until we have a federal ICAC, independently funded with retrospective Royal Commission-type powers this government and others inspired by it will continue to be nothing more than the cold, ominous shadow predatory, rapacious corporations cast over the population.
John Lawton, Belmont
JobKeeper was totally botched
THE JobKeeper scheme was set up to help secure jobs for companies that would suffer a 30-50 per cent fall in revenue.
As it turned out many companies that applied for it actually increased their revenue, some substantially. As they didn't meet the criteria, and their own revenue met the cost of wages they paid, the money needed to be returned. Some have repaid it, many others have not. It doesn't matter if there was no "claw back clause" they have received money that they were not entitled to, and if they keep it they are committing fraud.
It should have been set up in a similar way to welfare payments, where each fortnight you declare your income, and your payments are adjusted accordingly. If you make a false declaration you are made to repay the money.
The government has botched this, in the same way as they have botched so many aspects of the pandemic. So we just write off this $13 billion that has been paid to companies that were not entitled to it do we?
At the same time, hundreds of thousands of people sit on waiting lists for things like public housing, women"s refuges and the like due to lack of funds. If it was a Labor government they'd be hounded from office.
Jan Phillip Trevillian, Fennell Bay
Sending the right message
IT'S a good gesture by Australia Post and Beyond Blue on the front page of the Herald, 6/9, giving away free postcards to send to someone, postage free.
I hope Australia Post does a better job of delivering the post cards than they did with eight, yes eight, letters last January. We had eight correctly addressed and correct postage, delivered to number 36 and not number 30, fortunately we have good neighbours who brought the mail up to us.
Last September it took almost three weeks to get a letter from the post box outside the Post Office at Waratah Village to reach our address at Waratah West.
Fred Saunders, Waratah West
Only as sophisticated as our loos
IT'S refreshing to learn that I'm not alone in my concern about being caught short, ("City caught short", Opinion, 6/9). I'm reminded of the very kind New Yorker who invited me to use his private facilities when I asked (rather urgently) if there were any bars or public toilets nearby when my wife and I were walking near the Tribeca area of Manhattan.
I claim to have knowledge of most of the toilets around Newcastle and seem to have developed an uncanny ability to seek out those in places unfamiliar to me! They say, "necessity is the mother of invention", but I beg to differ.
I say the urgency of nature's call is the mother of invention. I agree that "a city is only as sustainable, global, liveable and sophisticated as its public toilets".
Sid Gray, Newcastle East
Our city deserves better
I HAVE to agree about the lack of public toilets in Newcastle parks, ("City caught short, Opinion, 6/9).
I am a great-grandmother of 15, with 10 of them being under four years. Before lockdown we were going to different parks once or twice a week.
There are no toilets at Islington Park, none at Mayfield West, none at Warabrook, none at Brickwork Park, Wallsend, none at Federal Park and none in the new proposed park in Federal Park and the list goes on.
I agree with Aaron Buman, the one opposite the Signal Box in Honeysuckle Drive is disgusting. Nobbys walk through is not much better. The hand basin outside is mainly used for kids drinking out of it.
Loretta Paolucci, Wallsend
SHORT TAKES
WHAT a joke and thumbs up to Australians that Prime Minister Scott Morrison can fly a taxpayer-funded private jet to Sydney to see his father for Father's Day when millions of constituents are in lockdown and risk hefty fines for breaking health policy rules to do the same. We would all love the private privilege to be with our loved ones, but unfortunately aren't in the top job so can't break our own rules.
Debra Forbes, Wickham
THE Queensland Premier has had trouble letting the residents of her state return home, but allowed the NRL players and families in for the weekend games. I read in the Herald where a total of 39,615 spectators were at three of the games at the weekend, 20,747 at Knights/ Broncos alone. She seems to think COVID won't go into Queensland with footballers and families, but her own residents returning will infect her precious state. I see $$$$$$. As always
Lorraine Gillett, Fern Bay
SINCE gaining office the LNP and Prime Minister Scott Morrison in particular have come in for a great deal of well-deserved criticism. Of late the volume of this criticism has increased exponentially over a considerable range of topics. This is shown in the latest poll figures. Is it not time the Governor-General acted for the welfare of the nation?
Dr Brian Roach, Whitebridge
IS it just me looking at life through rose-coloured glasses since getting out of 'iso', or has COVID really made many of us kinder, friendlier, more caring and supportive of each other? My job (yes I'm one of the lucky ones still allowed to work) takes me to all corners of our region and whether I'm doing the COVID shuffle in the affluent suburbs or the battlers back streets my "g'day how's it goin'?" which would, prior to this virus, often fall on deaf ears, now seems to be more welcome. Or is it as a workmate suggested, "it's because your mask covers your ugly mug"?
Dave McTaggart, Edgeworth
FINANCE Minister Simon Birmingham became very defensive when 60 Minutes reporter Liam Bartlett reminded him about who pays his salary. "I don't need smart-arse questions." Well minister, a lot of the great unwashed think you and your fellow MPs do need reminding from time to time and your response proved it. It was a response from a person who thinks of himself better than the working man. The way government throws around taxpayers' money to big business and does not claw it back when proved an error was made is just another example of government looking after said big business but then will bully individuals to pay money they can't afford is just so wrong so yes you need to be reminded who you work for and who pays your salary every now and then.
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