Corona Virus

**Arapiles** · 27th April 2020, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by Arapiles

This is the actual WHO report:

"Immunity passports" in the context of COVID-19

“Some governments have suggested that the detection of antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, could serve as the basis for an “immunity passport” or “risk-free certificate” that would enable individuals to travel or to return to work assuming that they are protected against re-infection. There is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from COVID-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection.

“Most of these studies show that people who have recovered from infection have antibodies to the virus. However, some of these people have very low levels of neutralizing antibodies in their blood,⁴ suggesting that cellular immunity may also be critical for recovery. As of 24 April 2020, no study has evaluated whether the presence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 confers immunity to subsequent infection by this virus in humans.”

The issue WHO appears to be concerned about is that some people who recovered had low levels of antibodies - that’s old news, and the explanation for it hasn’t been settled. WHO is then saying that all people with antibodies may not be immune - but there’s no evidence of that either way - it hasn’t been shown in the case of the people with low antibodies and it’s not been shown in the case of people with strong antibodies.

It’s an incredible stretch to then say, from that, that vaccines won’t work, which is what I’ve seen in other news reports.

So, not just me that found what WHO was saying a bit odd:

UK COVID-19 Daily: WHO Immunity Clarification

WHO Immunity Clarification

The World Health Organisation issued a clarification ..... It took down the old tweet and instead said:

"Earlier today we tweeted about a new WHO scientific brief on 'immunity passports'. The thread caused some concern & we would like to clarify: We expect that most people who are infected with #COVID19 will develop an antibody response that will provide some level of protection.”

"Prof Babak Javid, principal investigator, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, and consultant in infectious diseases at Cambridge University Hospitals, said: "The initial WHO statement was very confusing and highlights how technically precise language such as ‘no evidence to support’ can have very different meanings to scientists and the general public. In the clarification, the WHO acknowledges that although it is true that we just don't know whether natural infection provides long-lasting immunity, or to what degree of protection (ie. 'no evidence'), this does NOT mean they do not expect some degree of immunity to be afforded by natural infection, quite the opposite.""

DiscoMick · 27th April 2020, 08:57 AM

I understood the Covidsafe data was stored on an Amazon server here in Australia, unlike the German ap which stores the data on the phone itself. Is that wrong?
If it was stored on my phone I might consider it, but the government's privacy record is so poor I'm reluctant to give them any data about me that they don't already have.
So, where the data is stored is a crucial issue for me.

DiscoMick · 27th April 2020, 08:59 AM

On a lighter note, here are Sam Neil and Hugo Weaving doing Coronavirus. Watch the bath scene. Hilarious.

The comedian of COVID-19: Actor Sam Neill's 'cheering up' business
The cheering-up business - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

**Pickles2** · 27th April 2020, 09:55 AM

Only one phone for Wifey & I, which is hers, & she signed up for the Ap this morning. No hesitation at all by us, as soon as we heard about it, we thought it was a great idea.
She's got that many Aps on her phone, one more ain't gonna make any difference, and the reason for it, sounds very good to us. Anything at all that will help stamp out this nightmare that is affecting us all, and will assist in helping to keep us safe in the future, is fine by us.
Pickles.

**ramblingboy42** · 27th April 2020, 09:59 AM

Well said Pickles.

It's an ill wind that blows no bastard any good.

**SBD4** · 27th April 2020, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by ozscott

Just read the Govt paper. Satisfied about safeguards. Installed App.

Paper is here:

COVIDSafe app FAQs | Australian Government Department of Health

Cheers

...and this response to a Privacy Impact Assessment for those wanting to understand more about the approach being taken to protect the privacy of those that install the app:

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/defa...y-response.pdf

**RANDLOVER** · 27th April 2020, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

I understood the Covidsafe data was stored on an Amazon server here in Australia, unlike the German ap which stores the data on the phone itself. Is that wrong?
If it was stored on my phone I might consider it, but the government's privacy record is so poor I'm reluctant to give them any data about me that they don't already have.
So, where the data is stored is a crucial issue for me.

The app was originally going to be called the "Corona Reporting App" or "CRAPP" for short.

I thought the data was supposed to be on your phone, and only downloaded to the server if you tested +ve or came into contact with someone who had.

**vnx205** · 27th April 2020, 10:39 AM

I have had no great difficulty living with the current restrictions on movement and socialising. It is disappointing that I can't visit my grandchildren but we have had some great video meetings.

I have no concerns about downloading the COVIDSafe app.

I had no difficulties installing the app.

What I am going to have enormous difficulty with is that I will have to develop the habit of taking my phone with me when I go out.

Currently my phone almost never leaves the house.

**Saitch** · 27th April 2020, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by vnx205

I have had no great difficulty living with the current restrictions on movement and socialising. It is disappointing that I can't visit my grandchildren but we have had some great video meetings.

I have no concerns about downloading the COVIDSafe app.

I had no difficulties installing the app.

What I am going to have enormous difficulty with is that I will have to develop the habit of taking my phone with me when I go out.

Currently my phone almost never leaves the house.

…...................and if I do take mine from home, it stays in the vehicle when I go into a shop, servo, bottlo etc (not necessarily in that order) so, in my case, is it worth downloading?

Edit: I probably will download it though as I'm a pure soul and have nothing to hide from authorities.

**Tombie** · 27th April 2020, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Excellent article. Hopefully it will calm some unnecessary fears.
Leave bats alone so you don't get bitten, and fence off livestock from bat roosting areas, and there isn't a problem.
Get vaccinated if you ever need to handle bats.

This little guy assured me he’s Covid-19 free.

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