Is the virus mutating into different strains? Your COVID-19 questions answered

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Do you support Victoria's current restrictions, while other states are easing their rules? Take our poll and tell us what you think in the comments below. And here's our latest 'since you asked' explainer, answering readers' questions:

Those four give humans only mild colds and coughs but, as Doherty suggests, "when they first jumped [from animals] into people they probably hit us just as hard as this [virus]”.While coronaviruses might be less changeable than other types of viruses, there is still the prospect that, if or when we have a vaccine, COVID-19 could mutate to evade our immunity over time, evolving and lingering each year much like seasonal flu.

Achieving "herd immunity" through vaccination will likely still mean small flare-ups of the virus for some time even if it doesn't mutate around our immunity. But it will make a huge difference to the overall shape of the pandemic.US President Donald Trump offered an optimistic view, back in February, of how the coronavirus pandemic would unfold: “In theory, when it gets a little warmer [the virus] miraculously goes away,” he said.

SARS was beaten back after nine months – just as summer arrived in the northern hemisphere. But experts say it was fast containment, including exhaustive case detection and isolation, that put an end to it, not the weather. New early research out of four major labs in the US has found the virus is also"remarkably" resilient in the airIt is still unclear how much of the virus you would need to inhale to get sick. But researchers from America'sfound, unlike SARS and MERS, particles of the new virus could still infect cells in a dish and looked intact under the microscope after 16 hours.

But the WHO raised eyebrows back in March when it emphatically "fact-checked" the idea that coronavirus might be airborne as "incorrect" over Twitter., where a pathogen primarily spreads by lingering in the air. Experts agree that's not how COVID-19 is moving through the community.

A growing number of scientists, including infectious disease expert Professor Raina MacIntyre and aerosol scientist and WHO advisor Professor Lidia Morawska, agree the risk from aerosols has been underestimated.

On paper, early studies into the new virus show mixed results – some found it in the air of hospitals treating patients, some didn’t. All viruses start to break up once they leave the body and different conditions will speed that up - usually the warmer the better.

Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy has urged people not to "waste" masks and notes they should be handled carefully and changed regularly .Right now, health authorities say anyone who spends more than two hours in an enclosed room with an infected person has been exposed to the virus. But Professor Morawska warns there needs to be more focus on the need to opt for natural ventilation by throwing windows open wherever possible rather than using air circulation systems.

 

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Golf and some sports should be opened

Yep

Victoria was on the verge of bankruptcy before the virus. Not a bad strategy to cripple the state,apply for a twenty billion package,sounds like trump denying every wrong, deflecting most questions and pointing out to other issues. Some restrictions ok

Was there a condition for entry that you must be a public servant?

Can’t see parents or grandparents and create ISO bubbles- but we can pack into JBHIFI touch everything on the shelves and sing kumbaya... nice report about domestic violence skyrocketing today, and suicides going through the roof- hope the trade off has been worth it...

The government never wanted the restrictions, public and media pressure got them there, so of course they're rushing to relax them. If not for that pressure we'd be in a much worse state now.

This is why DanielAndrewsMP won in a historic landslide. The majority love him, only the right wing ferals that listen to 3AWNeilMitchell & think Andrew Bolt & Rita Panahi are intellectuals are against Australias greatest Premier.

I wonder how many who wanted the restrictions to continue are receiving the new $550 covid supplement with their current social security payment and don't want to lose that?

devalara44 Each state needs to do what is best for their state. The situations are different in each one and a flat approach won’t work. Andrews is doing exactly what is right for Vic, Anna is doing what is right for Qld (with the option to pull back7.

Big numbers in favour of restrictions in Victoria.

Yes, I support Daniel Andrews completely, he is the only premier who seems to have understood what real leadership is about. Our greatest resource is a healthy community. If only he was PM.

It astounds me that the Daniel Andrew's government are still enforcing strict lock down restrictions on the majority of its citizens and businesses, yet Federal and State governments have given the green light for NRL and AFL Football codes to recommence.

No.

You are part of the problem. You audience is completely brainwashed, therefore I do not accept your Poll. Plain and simple. Regardless even if it's correct, I'm happy to be the 20 percent that doubt a treasonous Govt. I stand proud and fight for the truth.

NZ and Victoria should look at the bubble first as a test case since we both have the sesame ideals.

Victoria DanielAndrewsMP needs to close the border as Cedar meats worker with the virus came from Sydney

Dan should look to some other states/territories on how to successfully handle things.

YES i support DanielAndrewsMP

Yes they have a higher population density so more stringent measures required longer.

The other day I saw so many people waiting in a queue to get in Kmart. That really freaked me out. 😨 while so many people approve the restrictions many just don't care. That would be enough to get virus spread again.

Until such time as that “curve” heads south without new cases I’ll never support lifting a lockdown.

I think the pile-on needs to be an Olympic sport! 😂👏🏻

One question is! If you have a paper cut do you cut your whole hand off just to be safe!

Typical lefty rag!

Stay safe Victoria

For Christ sakes what does that tell you. We agree with Dan Andrews and want safety first.

Yes definitely. I think it should be extended until after there's 0 cases for at least 3 or more weeks.

Only if it keeps Sam Newman off the golf course.🏌️‍♂️

Don't forget

Daniel Andrews is doing everything possible to protect Victorians. Stop trying to create division. You should be thanking him.

Better safe than sorry!

Queensland hasn't had a massive outbreak like Victoria just had. Apples and oranges. Dumb poll.

NSW response has been inadequate and inconsistent! Our premier in NSW tells us that she expects more of our school children to catch the virus , but she wants them to go to school anyways. Our teachers are being sacrificed. Our Prime Minister is keeping his children home...

Nope

Good try you liberal stooges

So many replicants

Typical naive Age readers.

Yes vote looks like bullshit to me.

Guess your readers are out of touch. Wonder why?

What are you going to do if the citizens of Victoria out vote the conservatives and Murdoch and co, try to strong hold Victoria against their will. Who will you represent and report

Things have worked fairly well in Victoria so far, but people are starting to get jumpy. But let’s not lose sight of reality. Relaxing too early is asking for a resurgence which would undo all the effort to date and add many months to the pain - emotional and financial.

Let’s not bother with these shit polls until after the State of Emergency is lifted.

Theres no restriction on the number of times a single person can vote? I just voted three times. ripe for manipulation

The new outbreak at a meat industry is proof what can happen I'm going bonkers but rather stay alive and keep my family alive .

The tortoise and the hare. Simple👍

DebCansdell This...👇👇👇 is why Victoria are doing the correct thing. auspol MSM

Looks like this survey is going to disappear!

We are all champions!!

Bishop64 Commonsense in the south while idiots party on the Gold Coast

The outrage is just the usual Murdochmedia bullshite!

In New York City, an epicenter of the pandemic with more than one-third of all U.S. deaths, the rate of death for people 18 to 45 years old is 0.01 percent,

The recent Stanford University antibody study now estimates that the fatality rate if infected is likely 0.1 to 0.2 percent, a risk far lower than previous World Health Organization estimates that were 20 to 30 times higher and that motivated isolation policies. WakeUp

There is still a virus out there no one is immune to. The curve may have flattened but a lot of (especially elderly) people are going to get sick when restrictions are lifted.

spiceyweiner13 Victoria has new cases - the majority are now community transmission

Give many of the most vocal people on Twitter have been those attacking Dan Andrews it shows the majority support what he is doing and just want on get on with it not have public spats with self declared experts. It aint over till its over.

TheIPA

davidbewart i think the state leaders are doing their best..each seem to be acting with advice from their medical officers.

RandaltsRandal Yes 100%. We must avoid a 2nd wave if possible.

100% yes

the Age is hell bent on attacking Andrew but he and his government a to smart by half for them

Lib trolls are out

I fully expect the 80% to lock themselves down If Andrews eases some restrictions next week.

'nuff said.

Let’s wait for elimination! We are so close.

Honestly any Journo worth their degree can find copious amounts of peer reviewed research on pandemics and school closures. This is FAR from settled science (as opposed to the climate crisis), and reopening is an experiment based on a hunch. auspol

We've been inundated with responses to this poll both here and on our website. Here is what you're saying:

100%

Absofreakinglutely!

This tyranny will end. So too will commie Dan.

I agree with the restrictions in terms of schools and offices, however I also feel few restrictions should be lifted like meeting family n frens in smaller group

Conservative is better. Gives us options.

Yes because we know what’s behind the push - greed.

22 new cases. State govt being responsible, collecting data to make informed decisions about lifting restrictions. Each has state different restrictions, there4 it is logical that each state will have different process/timing to lift them! covid19australia covid19Vic

I think the current plan outlined by Dan Andrews makes the most sense for our state. Happy to self isolate for longer if it protects the health of all victorians

I'd like to see the results between vic being in full restrictions and the rest of the country relaxed. See who made the better decision.

I don't want to be a guinea pig found out after a week or two to see how the second wave of the virus hits thoses states

Unless people start going out wearing face masks/shields, carrying hand sanitiser and disinfectant wipes, then no one has a chance of protecting themselves.

Dan Andrews allows drug addicts to run free while kids are developing issues due to forced isolation/lockdown, driven by the apathy /laziness from teachers. If teachers cared they would talk to their union- it looks like they care more about entitlements than student outcomes.

I don’t agree , the restrictions now have become manageable , we need jobs not goverment handouts , this is my opinion , there is a better way to get businesses open and still have social distancing , ho to a large sc and most are overcrowded , wtf? Get Victoria moving now ASAP

it may be popular decision, but with severe economic ramifications, lot of people will loose their jobs permanently

even some of the European countries are opening-up, our premier wants us to stay home because he doesn't know the 'way-out'! Federal rule is required

This reassures me that the silent majority of Victorian's have brains

Victorian economy will suffer for a very long time to come under labour

DanielAndrewsMP absolutely Daniel Andrews is doing what he needs & should for our health not his popylarity

Out here in Palasczcuk's rusted, forgotten regions, restrictions have increased people out and about. Schools never closed, teachers never tested. Not SEQ so why should she bother?

People say who this is no worse than the flu,we are an Island , population densities are low ,it only kills the old or infirm (not true),those that think that think that,go volunteer in USA or Sweden. I prefer to listen to our epidemiologist Chief Medical Officer and Government.

I am so grateful to everyone who has self isolated, at great personal cost, to all the essential workers, everyone of them too many to mention, putting themselves at risk. I look at New York and think if not for our team effort we would be there with refrigerated trucks of bodies

Why conduct a survey where all your audience are drips💧? We know the result before you ask, drips can’t think for themselves, they follow their messiahs

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Given current position, low city density by global standards, median age 37, and that we are an island, you'd have to be irrationally pessimistic to think we cannot keep death rate (currently 4 ppl per Million) below the 1990s road toll (100 ppl per Million). auspol

Well done Victoria

As long as there is community spread, relaxing the restrictions can only mean one thing right? It will only nullify our efforts of being homebodies the last few months. StayAtHome KillTheVirus

The policy question is not amenable to polling because the answer requires critical thinking capacity and good math analytical skills which the majority of population are simply not capable of. Example: citing NYC without benchmarking Vic population density. dumbmedia auspol

Good to wait to see what results of increased testing show.

It makes no sense to me that people are having tradie after tradie, who have been in contact with god only knows who, come to their house for unlimited periods, but l am unable to visit my parents...

Add a pinch of salt to make the brain more savoury 🤏

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