Austria Protests, No Fake media may say there were one hundred People. The Truth is there were10,000’s of Austrian People.
Austria Ends COVID Lockdown for Vaxxed as Tens of Thousands Protest Mandatory Jabs
Austria lifted its lockdown on Sunday for people with a “2G” pass, meaning they were vaccinated against COVID-19 or recently recovered from the illness.
People without the certificate are only allowed to leave their homes to go to work or for other essential purposes. There is an 11pm curfew for restaurants and an FFP2 mask is required on public transport and in indoor spaces.
Many cultural venues will be able to reopen on Sunday although some of the rules depend on the region.
For cultural gatherings or events, there are caps on the number of people depending on whether it is indoors or outdoors.
Austria imposed a national lockdown in late November shortly after placing restrictions on the unvaccinated. Since then, daily infections have come down significantly as the chart below shows.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands gathered in Austria’s capital Vienna on Saturday to protest mandatory Covid vaccines and home confinement orders for those who have not yet received the jabs, The Local reported.
Police said an estimated 44,000 people attended the demonstration, the latest in a string of huge weekend protests since Austria last month became the first EU country to say it would make Covid vaccinations mandatory in February.
A partial confinement since last month ends on Sunday for the vaccinated, but those who have not received the required doses will have to remain at home.
“No to vaccine fascism,” read one protest sign. “I’m not a neo-Nazi or a hooligan,” said another, “I’m fighting for freedom and against the vaccine.”
Vaccination is to be obligatory from February for all residents older than 14, except in the case of a dispensation for health reasons.
Nobody will be vaccinated by force, the government has said, but those who refuse the shot will have to pay an initial fine of 600 euros ($670), which can then increase to 3,600 euros ($4,000) if not settled.
Fifteen resources communities are set to share in just over $47 million thanks to joint Palaszczuk Government and resources sector funding.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles announced the first round of projects from the $100 million Resources Community Infrastructure Fund (RCIF).
“20 projects will give 15 communities improved and additional local facilities for sport, recreation, social and mental health support, affordable housing, disability accommodation, education, healthcare and transport,” Mr Miles said.
“It’s a diverse range of projects to meet the diverse needs of resources communities across the state.”
The RCIF was created to improve economic and social infrastructure in resources communities in order to enhance wellbeing and access to services, support jobs and boost the economy as part of Queensland’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.
“The resource sector is vital to our economy and employs around 84,000 workers, directly supporting more than 15,000 Queensland businesses.
“Despite the challenges COVID-19 has brought, our resources sector has been able to continue operating throughout the pandemic, helping support our economy.”
Minister for Resources Scott Stewart said the Fund is a voluntary partnership between the Queensland Government, resource companies, and the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).
“The government has partnered with resource companies to see investments in the communities that support them,” Mr Stewart said.
“These communities are critical to rebuilding Queensland’s economy. And these new community infrastructure projects will create more jobs and more opportunities for regional Queenslanders.
“Not only will the 20 projects support even better facilities for their regions, they will also create more employment, creating an estimated 186 jobs for Queenslanders during construction.
“Projects will be delivered by councils and not-for-profit organisations providing tangible benefits for the community, including the resources sector workers and their families who live there.
Chair of the Expert Advisory Committee Tony Mooney said the committee really made sure the needs of resource communities were put first.
“Whether it’s a new public swimming pool, better places to play and watch sport or additional community support facilities, the committee wanted to properly consider the social and economic impact being made through this funding” Mr Mooney said.
“We are so glad that this has come to fruition and look forward to seeing these projects being delivered in their communities.”
Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane welcomed today’s announcement of the first 20 projects to be delivered as part of RCIF Round 1.
“As the peak state body for coal, metal and gas explorers, producers and suppliers, the QRC is proud our industry has been able to contribute $70 million to the RCIF and work with the state government to support resources communities,” Mr Macfarlane said.
“We are always looking to ensure jobs for Queenslanders in the regions, and many of these projects do just that and more for our communities.”
BHP Mitsubishi Alliance Asset President Mauro Neves said BMA was proud to be a major contributor to the RCIF.
“In addition to creating jobs and economic opportunities for central Queensland, we want to make the Bowen Basin a better place to live by investing in our communities,” he said.
“Keeping our communities safe through the COVID-19 pandemic is an ongoing priority for us. Through the RCIF, we can increase our support for the Bowen Basin and back the projects the locals want for their towns.”
All projects funded under RCIF Round 1 aim to improve economic and social infrastructure in our resource communities, to enhance wellbeing and access to services and to generate jobs.
RCIF was established by a voluntary partnership between coal and mineral companies, the Queensland Resources Council and the Queensland Government.
The Queensland Government has committed $30 million to the Fund with participating Queensland resources companies contributing the remaining $70 million.
The Andrews Labor Government is empowering Victorian communities across the state to prepare and adapt to the impacts of climate change with the development of six new community-led action plans.
The Regional Adaptation Strategies provide practical ways for communities to adapt to the impacts of climate change through on-ground action.
Communities across six regions − Barwon South West, Gippsland, Grampians, Hume, Loddon Mallee and Port Phillip – have developed and will lead the implementation of the five-year strategies.
The strategies include preparing for and recovering from emergencies, caring for the natural environment, improving health and wellbeing, strengthening the economy and workforce, improving the resilience of our built environment, and embracing renewable energy.
As part of the implementation of the strategies, $1.5 million will be invested in 54 on-the-ground community-led projects that will commence this financial year to help local communities prepare and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Projects include a citizen science biodiversity monitoring program in Barwon South West, helping low-income households in Bass Coast and South Gippsland to reduce their energy costs and more support to empower Aboriginal communities and Traditional Owner Groups to identify climate adaptation actions.
The development of the strategies was funded by the Labor Government’s $9.32 million Supporting our Regions to Adapt program through the Sustainability Fund.
It builds on other Government climate change investments, including a $1.6 billion clean energy package, $100 million towards zero-emissions vehicles and $92 million for land restoration and carbon farming to help build the state’s resistance to climate change.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio
“Our climate is changing, and the effects are being felt across the state – that’s why we’re supporting communities to act now and adapt to the impacts of climate change.”
“This is another example of how we’re delivering real action on climate change by supporting communities to deliver their local projects and build thriving and sustainable futures.”
The Palaszczuk Government has today announced new response measures to COVID cases, commencing on 1 January 2022.
Minister for Health Yvette D’Ath said that these measures are consistent with Australia’s national plan for reopening.
“Queensland’s management of COVID-19 so far has meant we’ve experienced significantly less cases than other jurisdictions, and after hitting that 80 per cent vaccination target, our borders are re-opening,” Minister D’Ath said.
“To continue moving forward, we also need to acknowledge that the coming months will inevitably bring a rise in cases and increased community transmission.
“For every COVID positive person, there will also be close and casual contacts. Managing the testing, tracing and quarantine of these people – along with bolstering surge capacity in our hospitals – will be key in keeping businesses and borders open.
“As with the restrictions that are set to start on 17 December, what you have to do if you are a close contact will be all about your vaccination status.”
Requirements for casual contacts from 1 January 2022:
Get tested immediately and quarantine until receiving a negative result.
Encouraged to wear a mask outside the home for 14 days.
Requirements for vaccinated close contacts from 1 January 2022:
Quarantine for seven days.
Get a test immediately and on day five.
Move out of quarantine on day eight (if tested negative).
Precautionary measures including mask wearing outside the home and avoiding high-risk settings for days 8-14.
Vaccinated household contacts of close contacts do not need to quarantine, but will need a test on day one and five.
Unvaccinated household contacts of close contacts will need to follow the same quarantine and testing requirements as the close contact, unless they can separate from the contact.
Requirements for un-vaccinated close contacts from 1 January 2022:
Quarantine for 14 days.
Get tested immediately and on days five and 12.
Vaccinated household contacts of close contacts will need to quarantine for seven days, and get a test on day one and five, unless they can separate from the contact.
Unvaccinated household contacts of close contacts will need to follow the same quarantine and testing requirements as the close contact, unless they can separate from the contact.
Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer said the new arrangements would minimise disruption for businesses while managing the risks of COVID-19.
“We acknowledge this is a new normal for everyone, and I know all business owners just want to do the right thing,” Minister Farmer said.
“This provides the clarity and certainty of what managing COVID in the workplace looks like.
“We’ll continue to support businesses through this transition and urge them to visit the Business Queensland website.”
Minister Farmer said it was crucial for Queensland businesses to continue using the Check-In Qld app.
“It’s more important than ever to be visiting and supporting small businesses, but it’s critical that people observe the current requirements and continue to use the Check-In Qld app so you can be notified for contact tracing purposes.”
From now until 1 January, current requirements for close and casual contacts continue to apply.
More information on new close and casual contact arrangements:
Watch: Going Beyond the Script of ‘Dopesick’ and America’s Real-Life Opioid Crisis
KHN and policy colleagues at our parent organization KFF teamed up with Hulu for a discussion of America’s opioid crisis, following the Oct. 13 premiere of the online streaming service’s new series “Dopesick.”
The discussion explored how the series’ writers worked with journalist Beth Macy, author of the book “Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company That Addicted America,” and showrunner Danny Strong to create and fact-check scripts and develop characters. It quickly moved on to a deeper discussion of how the fictionalized version of the opioid epidemic portrayed in the Hulu series dovetailed with the broader reality KFF’s journalists and analysts have been documenting in their work for the past few years.
Providing perspective on the role of public health and treatment were KHN correspondent Aneri Pattani, who has reported extensively on opioid policy, substance use and mental health, and KFF senior policy analyst Nirmita Panchal, whose analytical work focuses on mental health and substance use.
The forum was moderated by Chaseedaw Giles, audience engagement editor and digital strategist at KHN who has written about hip-hop music’s relationship with opioid abuse. It was filmed in KFF’s Washington, D.C., conference centre to an audience of no one (courtesy of covid-19).
The rise of Omicron, the latest SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern, reminds us how quickly things can change during the pandemic.
Only a few weeks ago, we were hearing about a range of potential new COVID-19 antiviral drugs and antibody treatments. Now researchers are asking if such drugs will still work to treat Omicron, with its multiple new mutations. We’ll be hearing more about this in the coming weeks.
However, another approach to treating COVID is to “treat the host”. Rather than target the virus itself, this involves treating the body’s overwhelming response to the virus. This approach is less susceptible to new viral variants.
And for this, we have some progress with, at first glance, an unlikely group of drugs to treat COVID-19 – antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (for example, Prozac) and the related drug fluvoxamine (for example, Luvox). It’s early days yet. But here’s what we know so far.
How could antidepressants treat COVID?
The antidepressants under investigation are SSRIs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. These commonly prescribed mood-altering drugs block “reuptake” of the naturally occurring chemical messenger, serotonin, by nerve cells in the brain; some antidepressants stop serotonin being broken down. These mechanisms leave more serotonin available to pass messages between nearby nerve cells.
There are two ways SSRIs could have an effect on COVID-19.
First, human biology is frugal
Biological “frugality” sets the scene. It takes a lot of effort for the body to make a single important molecule and a huge undertaking if you need hundreds of them. So, biology directs important molecules to multi-task.
For example, we all make serotonin by introducing a few changes to the chemical structure of the essential amino acid tryptophan, commonly present in food.
Serotonin is then tasked with being:
a messenger in the brain
a molecule to cause contraction in the gut
an inducer of platelet clotting, and
a modulator of how blood vessels work, including how they constrict and how they interact with the immune system.
The virus responsible for COVID-19 drives a devastating hyper inflammation in serious diseases. This involves many of the systems serotonin strongly regulates – inflammation, platelet clotting and proper functioning of blood vessels.
So there’s a potential link between drugs that influence serotonin and COVID-19.
Second, drugs can open different locks
Drugs often act as a “key” to open certain locks in the body. However, in some cases, the “key” is not that specific and can surprise us by opening additional, unrelated locks.
This may also explain why a mood-altering drug may be effective in serious infection. As we’ll see later, it may open the lock to influence inflammation.
Sometimes drugs act as ‘keys’ that open different, unrelated locks.
Have people tried SSRIs for COVID?
There have been a number of clinical trials showing favourable COVID-19 outcomes for people taking SSRIs.
In a preliminary study, outpatients with COVID-19 symptoms treated with fluvoxamine were less likely to deteriorate over 15 days compared with those taking the placebo.
Another study found patients hospitalised for COVID-19 who took antidepressants – including the SSRI fluoxetine, and non-SSRI antidepressants – within 48 hours of admission were less likely to be intubated or die than those who didn’t take an antidepressant.
The latest evidence comes from a major independent study published online in late October. This found people diagnosed with COVID-19 who took fluvoxamine reduced their chance of symptoms deteriorating or needing to go to hospital, compared to those who took the placebo.
Although few studies have directly compared fluvoxamine with fluoxetine to treat COVID-19, the bulk of the best quality evidence suggests to date suggests fluvoxamine may have the greatest promise.
However, there are a number of studies on broader effects of other SSRIs including fluoxetine.
What could be happening?
It is likely our frugal biology is at work, in particular the influence of serotonin on platelets and blood clotting.
SSRIs may be reducing the incidence or size of blood clots, heart attacks and strokes we’d usually see in severe COVID-19.
SSRIs could also switch on anti-inflammatory pathways in the body, independent of any serotonin effect. Different SSRIs have different capacities to do this, which may explain why some SSRIs seem to have a greater effect on COVID-19 than others.
For instance, fluvoxamine is a more powerful key to unlock the sigma-1 receptor, which has a significant role in controlling inflammation. Fluvoxamine may also increase melatonin, which has anti-inflammatory effects.
What we still want to find out
Despite promising clinical trials, in particular for fluvoxamine, researchers still want to know:
is this a class effect? In other words, would all SSRIs work? Although fluvoxamine is widely available, it is not on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines, whereas fluoxetine is. So we need to know if these drugs are interchangeable within the class of SSRIs, or even with antidepressants more broadly
we still don’t know the precise mechanism behind why these drugs seem to work. But how much more data would we need before we start treating these patients in hospital?
could fluvoxamine work for vaccinated people? Or is the potential mainly for those unvaccinated, and more likely to have severe disease?
we need further information on possible side-effects of using SSRIs in COVID-19 patients, particularly if we are using doses different to the standard antidepressant dose. However, since SSRIs are existing and commonly used drugs, we already know a lot about how they work in the body, and any possible adverse reactions.
That said, based on the results to date with fluvoxamine in particular, we consider it needs to be added to the list of candidate COVID-19 drugs for further testing and evaluation.
Omicron may not be the last variant of concern. And by “treating the host” with existing drugs – SSRIs being just one example – we can offer patients options that are not at the mercy of future, unknown variants.
SSRIs can be dangerous if used in a dose that is too high for a particular person. These drugs should only be prescribed by your doctor. The drugs also have a number of potential drug interactions, increasing the risk of serotonin syndrome, which can be life-threatening.
As part of the Victorian Government’s new pandemic management framework, Premier Daniel Andrews has made a formal pandemic declaration applying to the State of Victoria from 11:59pm, Wednesday 15 December 2021 until 11:59pm, Wednesday 12 January 2022.
The declaration is made under section 165AB (1) of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 and replaces the current State of Emergency declaration, which expires at 11:59pm on 15 December and will not be extended.
The pandemic declaration was made after consultation with and consideration of advice from the Chief Health Officer (CHO) and Minister for Health. In making the declaration, the Premier was satisfied on reasonable grounds there was a serious risk to public health throughout Victoria arising from the coronavirus pandemic disease.
In advising the Premier to make a pandemic declaration, the CHO noted the widespread community transmission of coronavirus in Victoria and the presence of active cases in the community – a significant proportion of whom require supported care.
The CHO also advised protective measures were necessary to ensure the Victorian health system is not overwhelmed.
The initial pandemic declaration can be renewed within four weeks, if the Premier is satisfied on reasonable grounds the pandemic continues to be a serious risk to public health. After the first declaration, further pandemic declarations can be extended every three months.
The Statement of Reasons and the advice of both the CHO and Minister for Health will be tabled in Parliament. A copy of the pandemic declaration will be published in the Government Gazette.
Once a pandemic declaration has been made, the Minister for Health has the power to make pandemic orders he considers reasonably necessary to protect public health. These powers are similar to the CHO’s power to make public health directions and are in line with powers available in other jurisdictions across Australia.
The new pandemic framework has strengthened parliamentary oversight, with an independent joint investigatory committee and the ability for the Parliament to disallow pandemic orders.
Pandemic orders are made after the Minister for Health considers the CHO’s advice and other factors he considers relevant, including social and economic factors. The orders will be published on the Pandemic Orders Register on the Department of Health website.
Parliament and the Independent Pandemic Management Advisory Committee will oversee the operation of the new pandemic management framework.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“We’ve learned a lot over the past two years of this global pandemic – now, we’re applying these lessons to manage pandemics in the future, support our public health system, keep Victorians safe and keep our vaccinated economy open.”
Queensland’s state border restrictions are easing, allowing travellers from Covid-19 domestic hotspots to enter the state without having to quarantine from Monday.
From 1am, December 13, anyone entering Queensland from domestic hotspots such as New South Wales and Victoria, will have to complete a border declaration pass.
Travellers can arrive by road or air provided they are fully vaccinated and can provide evidence of a negative Covid-19 PCR test in the previous 72 hours.
They will also have to obtain a Covid-19 test on day five after their arrival.
You must receive a negative Covid-19 result before applying for a border pass, unless you live within the border zone area.
More information about getting a Covid-19 test in New South Wales is available here, or testing information for Victoria is available here.
Residents living in the declared border zone will be able to move freely across the border without the need for a PCR test, however, they will still need to be vaccinated and have a valid border pass.
Unvaccinated border zone residents will be restricted to travel for essential reasons.
New border passes can be obtained on the here from midnight, Sunday night.
Road border traffic
Extensive delays are expected at state border crossings on Monday and Tuesday (December 13-14) with anticipation there will be high volumes of returning Queensland residents and travellers driving into the state.
The Queensland Police Service will be conducting compliance activities at the road border checkpoints and motorists may be intercepted for verification of their declaration pass and supporting evidence.
We recommend the following for people crossing road borders:
Ensure your border pass is printed and clearly on display on your windscreen
Do not attempt to cross the border without a valid pass as you will be turned around
Consider travelling outside peak periods and after Monday if possible
Plan for delays exceeding 60 minutes at high peak times
Remain patient and follow the directions of signage and officer’s directions
Remarks by Joe Biden in Meeting with Members of the White House COVID-19 Response Team on the Omicron Variant
Joe Biden: Hello, folks. I’m about to get a briefing from my COVID team on Omicron variant. And we got some encouraging news from Pfizer yesterday. Preliminary lab data has indicated — it shows that — that three doses of the Pfizer vaccine protects avents [sic] — protects against the Omicron
And today, we’ve got even more good news from the FDA and the CDC: 16- and 17-year-olds are eligible for boosters. So, my message is really very straightforward and simple. If you got vaccinated six months ago — and I say to all of you in the press as well, not a joke — I say to all of you: If you got vaccinated six months ago, get your booster right away. We’re seeing a lot more Americans do just that. Fifty million — fifty million people are — now have gotten their booster shots. And we’re getting people their booster shots at a record pace — roughly a million people a day. And America is making progress: 200 million with two shots, and more kids vaccinated than any country on Earth. And we got — we got a lot of work to do, but we’re going to get — we’re going to get through this. We’re going to make it through this. And we’re going to be okay, in my view. And I’m about to get a briefing from my COVID team, as I said. So, thanks. And I’m going to get the meeting started now. Thank you. .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }
