C19 and Tennis

[JazzNU]

Strange way to phrase it. I mean, he couldn't attend the Vienna Open last week because he wasn't vaccinated, so yeah it became news. But glad he is now and hopefully when his arm doesn't fall off some other skeptical players will get it in the next month.

[dryrunguy]

"Needles to say..."

[ti-amie]

I read Thiem's statement to make sure he said he's been vaccinated not that he was immunized.

[JazzNU]

[skatingfan]

Canada will require all professional and amateur athletes entering Canada to be fully vaccinated as of Jan 15, 2022.

[Suliso]

Canada will require all professional and amateur athletes entering Canada to be fully vaccinated as of Jan 15, 2022.

As opposed to all other foreigners crossing the border?

[skatingfan]

As opposed to all other foreigners crossing the border?

Athletes are currently exempt from the mandatory vaccination policy.

[Deuce]

As per the above...

Unvaccinated Athletes No Longer Allowed Into Canada as of Jan. 15th

This is a good thing.

I'm wondering, however, if the definition of 'fully vaccinated' will change in time. There is evidence that the effectiveness of the vaccines which protect against COVID-19 deteriorates with time - the current time frame seems to be that they begin to lose their effectiveness approximately 6 months after dosage is administered. And so will a person still be considered 'fully vaccinated' 8 months after their second dose? 10 months after? For how long?
There will (hopefully) come a time when two doses is no longer enough to be considered 'fully vaccinated' - not only for athletes, but for everyone, obviously.

[ponchi101]

Plenty of news around that only vaccinated players will be allowed to play at the Aussie. No more conditionals.
So time to wonder if any of the top players that were waiting for this decision will skip or get their shots. Specially, of course, Novak.
Although with the difficulty to get proof (reliable proof) one has to wonder if somebody will try to pull the "fake ID" stunt.

[ti-amie]

[ponchi101]

Yep. It is contradictory, although he expands a bit more in the full quote.
But, no, the Australian Govt should not make an exception for Novak. This is a minor request that will actually benefit him.
Again, I wonder how he will prove he had his shots. This will not end anytime soon (the controversy, not the pandemic, which will surely continue into my 70's).

[skatingfan]

This will not end anytime soon (the controversy, not the pandemic, which will surely continue into my 70's).

You know you set yourself up for this, so . . .

If the pandemic is going to continue into your 70's then it should be over really soon then, right?

[oliver0001]

In its submission, Services Australia acknowledged with “the emerging adult vaccine requirements there may be potential risk around forging of vaccination records”.

But it claimed “harsh penalties” were already in place, including fines of up to $6,660 if a vaccination provider breaches their obligations and $26,640 and two years in prison for “offences committed relating to protected information”.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-n ... ent-warned

Other countries have even harsher rules for forged vaccination certificates. For example, in Germany you can get fined for up to two years in prison. There is a high-profile case right now, where the soccer coach of Bremen had to step down after allegations have emerged that he might have used a fake certificate.

[ponchi101]

...

You know you set yourself up for this, so . . .

If the pandemic is going to continue into your 70's then it should be over really soon then, right?

Ha Ha Ha...
(You made me drop my dentures... )

[ti-amie]

Health care professionals on the level of Dr. Fauci are already prepping to treat this thing as an endemic per dry's last posting I think. Ponchi may not be far off here.