Don’t think it’s okay to let it rip, Covid expert warns

More than 1000 people are now in hospital with Covid-19 in Queensland. It comes as a pandemic expert says governments have dropped the ball, warning the only way to slow the third wave was strict public health measures like mask mandates. VOTE IN OUR POLL

There are now more than 1000 people in hospital in Queensland with Covid-19, with 21 people receiving treatment in intensive care.

There have been 15 deaths in the past 24 hours, along with 9650 new cases.

It comes as a top national epidemiologist warned that Queenslanders must not take a “let it rip” attitude to Covid-19, as vaccination and natural infection do not automatically build up immunity.

University of NSW professor of global biosecurity Raina MacIntyre told The Courier-Mail: “People are getting reinfected with the virus and research is showing that reinfections can be dangerous and are more likely to cause long health problems and even death.

“The vaccines were built on the original virus and we have had many strains since then.

“We know immunity wanes.

“We see that immunity can be lost even after the second or third dose.

“Vaccines can help prevent people from ending up in hospital but they won’t stop the spread. That can only be done with strict public health measures like mask mandates.

“Vaccines alone will not save us.”

Prof MacIntyre said national modelling released earlier this year was correct — the same data Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said had failed to predict a third wave.

“The modelling was correct but it was based on certain health measures being kept in place. The modelling was based on the country continuing with vital PCR testing and contact tracing. Both of those things have pretty much disappeared,” Prof MacIntyre said.

The academic said that the ball was dropped by governments once vaccination rates were reached.

“After that it was just leadership with blind optimism. Governments must take the lead and show they are prepared to make strong decisions. Mask mandates have become so politicised. It is not that much of an inconvenience to wear a mask. Queenslanders need to know that vaccines alone are not the answer,” she said.

Professor Raina MacIntyre

Prof MacIntyre said that research shows when masks are not mandated only 30 per cent of people will comply.

Covid-19 was not a mild virus and could cause brain damage and problems with the heart and lungs, the professor warned.

She said if the public was becoming complacent it was taking its lead from governments.

Australia’s chief medical officer Professor Paul Kelly on Wednesday morning said he had made the personal decision to start wearing a mask some weeks ago.

“The main issue here is protecting the most vulnerable … but it is also about protecting our health system,” he said.

“The health system is already under pressure with winter viruses and the flu, so anything we can do (to slow the spread of Covid) will help.”

“By slowing the spread now that helps all of us.”

Dr Kelly reinforced that mask wearing was the main line of defence to protect the country’s health system.

He congratulated those who had already received their fourth dose of a Covid vaccination.

Dr Kelly said that he was asking people to work from home for two important reasons.

“One is slowing the spread, but the second is actually helping businesses with their business continuity,” he said.