Western Australia about to join the rest of the world as Omicron takes hold

@JudyEv (341713)
Rockingham, Australia
January 24, 2022 1:02am CST
Here, in Western Australia, we’ve been leading a charmed life as far as Covid-19 is concerned. We’ve had next to no infections. When a positive case happens, there is contact tracing and a huge push to contain the outbreak. Our border to the Eastern states has been closed and air flights into Perth restricted. So far these measures have worked very well. However, things have changed over the last few weeks and it seems Omicron is now slowly seeping into our communities. The border is still closed but we recorded 24 local cases on Sunday. Previous to that, we’d been in single-digit case numbers. Cases have been recorded in several metropolitan suburbs and now cases are appearing in the south-west tourist resorts. We get our booster shots on February 1 so we’re hoping they will help protect us. Our sister-in-law has bought us five RATs (rapid antigen tests) as some pharmacies are running out of there. There is also talk that one pharmaceutical company is stockpiling them and not allowing them out into the community. It would be pretty shameful if that is true, but I wouldn't put it past them. Photo is mine showing the view from last week from our hotel window
33 people like this
37 responses
DE
@DaddyEvil (137460)
• United States
24 Jan 22
There is a site in the US that allows each household to order four of the rapid tests for free... Pretty ordered them for us but I have to wonder how good the tests are. The instructions plainly state that they work "best" when a person is having obvious signs of Covid and may not work at all if the person doesn't show the signs or shows minimal signs of the virus. (The larger the viral load in a person's body, the more accurate the test is supposed to be.) The instructions with the test also say to take the test again at a national testing facility to make sure the RAT gave a correct response... It seems weird to me that you can't trust the RAT kit... Why bother with them, then?
9 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341713)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Jan 22
Exactly but we can use them if we get symptoms. They say the sniffer dogs have a higher success rate. I wrote about them last week or so.
5 people like this
DE
@DaddyEvil (137460)
• United States
24 Jan 22
@JudyEv Yes, I read your discussion.
3 people like this
Lena Kovadlo
@lovebuglena (44713)
• Staten Island, New York
24 Jan 22
My mom was trying to buy a rapid test from Walmart but there was never a button there to add to the shopping cart, even though her friend ordered hers from there. And then her friend send her a link to the free rapid test and she ordered that. If this is the same one you are talking about what's the use of it if it's not really effective?
3 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (471968)
• Switzerland
24 Jan 22
Omicron spreads fast, we had the same problem in Switzerland, 8 cases the first week, that quickly jumped to thousands of new cases in less than one month. The actual vaccines do not protect against Omicron, but we should get a "mild case" should we be infected. I go nowhere, just to play safe. We are allowed to have 5 free tests each every month.
6 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (471968)
• Switzerland
24 Jan 22
@askme123 Not that I know, the authorities confirmed that we still have some deaths from Delta, not Omicron.
4 people like this
askme123
@askme123 (6228)
•
24 Jan 22
Did your country have any deaths resulting from Omicron?
4 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341713)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Jan 22
We are going away next weekend but after that, we'll pretty much be isolating as much as we can.
6 people like this
Judy Story
@jstory07 (139779)
• Roseburg, Oregon
24 Jan 22
That is not good news. I hope you and your husband stay safe.
4 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341713)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Jan 22
Thanks. We will be being even more careful now about where we go.
3 people like this
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (181177)
• United States
24 Jan 22
Beautiful view. I'm sorry that Omicron is starting to spread. I sent for 4 free COVID tests. Every citizen of the US can order one set. Stay healthy.
4 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341713)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Jan 22
My sister-in-law has managed to get hold of some for us. Hopefully, we won't need too many but I guess this is going to go on for yonks (ages).
3 people like this
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (181177)
• United States
25 Jan 22
@JudyEv I think you're right. We are in the third year. Maybe it will get milder as time goes on.
2 people like this
The Fly One
@aureliah (24316)
• Kenya
24 Jan 22
That view is breathtaking. Hoping that Omicron will be manageable.
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341713)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Jan 22
@aureliah Thanks. We'll be trying to.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341713)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Jan 22
It was bound to hit us sooner or later. Let's hope our hospitals are prepared for it.
1 person likes this
The Fly One
@aureliah (24316)
• Kenya
25 Jan 22
@JudyEv Lets hope so. Stay safe
2 people like this
Simone
@Janet357 (75646)
•
24 Jan 22
I was really shocked by the number miss Judy. This is so unusual indeed of your country to have so many daily cases. I want to think omicron is air borne.
3 people like this
askme123
@askme123 (6228)
•
24 Jan 22
@JudyEv it is still cause for concern because that daily count might escalate
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341713)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Jan 22
24 local cases is very low. They are having thousands a day in the eastern states.
4 people like this
bonnie
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
24 Jan 22
what a lovely view.Is that a coaster ride or what going up and down out there?
3 people like this
bonnie
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
24 Jan 22
@JudyEv it really looks interesting.
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341713)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Jan 22
That's a fantastic new bridge which hasn't been there very long. I keep meaning to write about it so thanks for the reminder. I hope you're managing to stay warm.
3 people like this
Nawsheen
@Nawsheen (28643)
• Mauritius
24 Jan 22
That's an amazing view. I would love to rest under those trees right now. It's boiling hot over here. As far as covid is concerned please take great care. Stay safe
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341713)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Jan 22
Thanks. We're having hot weather here too. We'll be doing all we can to stay safe.
2 people like this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (68888)
• United States
24 Jan 22
“They” say that omicron isn’t as severe as the other variants. I pray that’s true!! I can’t get my booster until after my nuclear stress test next week. But then, I’ll be right there at that hospital and if they say I can get it after the test, I’ll get it!
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341713)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Jan 22
That's true but if your health is already compromised then it could have serious consequences. We get our booster Feb 1 so not long to go now.
2 people like this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (68888)
• United States
25 Jan 22
@JudyEv — I’m waiting until after my stress test to get my booster. They told me (after the fact) that my original shot might affect the outcome of my mammogram, so I’m not going to run the risk of endangering the outcome of the stress test. I’ll be getting it as soon as they say I can. I don’t have anymore appointments until the end of March, so I won’t have to worry about that afterwards!!!! Let us know if you have any side effects when you get it next week!
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341713)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Jan 22
@FourWalls One friend had after-effects but I'm afraid if anyone was going to have after-effects it would be her. I haven't heard of any others other than a sore arm for a day or two.
2 people like this
Fiacre Banks
@xFiacre (13120)
• Ireland
24 Jan 22
@judyev Our tiny province had 5 deaths yesterday and 3072 new infections. Most of our deaths are actually from Delta.
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341713)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Jan 22
Certainly Omicron doesn't seem to be quite as deadly but some are still getting very sick from it.
2 people like this
MARILYN
@Marilynda1225 (83064)
• United States
24 Jan 22
That's a beautiful view from your hotel. Omicron has really spread so rapidly even with all the caution being taken. That's really sad if pharmaceutical company is stock piling Covid tests. I hope you never need to take one.
2 people like this
MARILYN
@Marilynda1225 (83064)
• United States
25 Jan 22
@JudyEv it's good to have them handy but hoping you never have to use them
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341713)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jan 22
@Marilynda1225 I'm hoping these will rot in the drawer.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341713)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Jan 22
Our sister-in-law has got some for us which is really good of her.
2 people like this
Mildred Tabitha
@mildredtabitha (16137)
• Nairobi, Kenya
24 Jan 22
They are stockpiling so they can increase the price in future to make profits. Keep safe
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341713)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Jan 22
Yes, I think that might be the case.
2 people like this
Scott Andersen
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
24 Jan 22
so far we've had three different family members directly exposed (we are all vaccinated and bolstered) and no one has gotten sick!
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341713)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Jan 22
That's really good to hear. We will be trying to avoid direct exposure because of Vince's underlying health issues.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341713)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jan 22
@DocAndersen You would have all been very relieved for your Mum.
Scott Andersen
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
25 Jan 22
@JudyEv so have we. Sadly, my nephew without knowing it, exposed my mom. But she is fully vaccinated and nothing came of it!
2 people like this
Faster16
@Faster16 (3181)
• Indonesia
24 Jan 22
oooh it's so beautiful, I want to go there
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341713)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Jan 22
It's a very pretty area with a lot of lawn and trees.
3 people like this
ShannyBananny
@shaggin (72183)
• United States
24 Jan 22
I’m assuming the pharmaceutical company may be doing that so hospitals will have enough to test people? Here cases are rising all the time but that never surprises me. Sad the casa are rising there. Wonderful the count was so low before now where you are. My husband said omnicron is basically just a light cold. If that’s the case people will be very lucky to only catch them and not one of the other strains that could kill them. My oldest niece has corona right now. I made her some fettuccine Alfredo for her today.
2 people like this
ShannyBananny
@shaggin (72183)
• United States
25 Jan 22
@JudyEv that’s what I was saying to my husband like people with cancer sometimes even a cold is enough to kill them
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341713)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Jan 22
That's nice of you to make her a meal. Omicron does seem to be less deadly but if your health is already compromised then you could still be at risk.
2 people like this
rebelann1949
@rebelann (112959)
• El Paso, Texas
25 Jan 22
What a lovely park and lake. Did you take walks around there or was it too hot for that?
2 people like this
rebelann1949
@rebelann (112959)
• El Paso, Texas
26 Jan 22
I don't blame you.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341713)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jan 22
It was way too hot. We just admired it all from the window.
2 people like this
Fleur
@Fleura (30539)
• United Kingdom
24 Jan 22
It's rife here too, but fortunately it doesn't seem to cause serious illness in the vast majority of people especially if they are vaccinated.
2 people like this
Fleur
@Fleura (30539)
• United Kingdom
25 Jan 22
@JudyEv Indeed, and of course you never know if you are one of the ones with some unknown underlying issue until it's too late!
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341713)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Jan 22
@Fleura Some issues you do know about so that makes you very wary about where you go and who you associate with.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341713)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Jan 22
That's true but for those who already have underlying issues, it might be more serious.
2 people like this
Ruby Hawk
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
25 Jan 22
I wouldn’t put anything past the pharmaceutical companies. They keep medicines so expensive that many people can’t afford treatments.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341713)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Jan 22
They seem completely without ethics.
2 people like this
Ruby Hawk
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
25 Jan 22
@JudyEv They have none that I can see.
2 people like this
Krissttina Isobe
@oahuwriter (26777)
• United States
25 Jan 22
Very sad what omicron is doing! Some days Oahu alone has over 3,000 reported cases!
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341713)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Jan 22
Hopefully, most won't be severe.
2 people like this
Krissttina Isobe
@oahuwriter (26777)
• United States
26 Jan 22
@JudyEv Hoping too.
2 people like this
BANKIM
@banksim (5256)
•
25 Jan 22
omnicorn is spreading in all part of world
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341713)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jan 22
Thankfully it doesn't seem to be killing as many.
2 people like this
BANKIM
@banksim (5256)
•
26 Jan 22
@JudyEv yes it seems to mild then previous wave
2 people like this