FROM the President who suggested “So, supposedly we hit the body with a tremendous, whether it’s ultraviolet or just very powerful light”, we now have “Get the dam vaccines out NOW, Dr. Hahn. Stop playing games and start saving lives!!!”
If the powerful light was a Star Trek Phaser, another idea from the show he has used, the virus could be killed, although the usual scenario that a Phaser set on “kill” will kill the whole body might be an unfortunate side effect.
The consideration of side effects is vital, and this has recently stopped the research and production of one vaccine being developed by the University of Queensland and the Commonwealth Serum Laboratory. It created some false positive results.
The development of a polio vaccine was hampered by a number of solutions not being tested properly and public support was reduced. Even in the worst of times, medicines must be tested to be safe before they become available to everyone.
The Food and Drug Administration will, or should, not approve any medicines until they are proven safe, and an angry tweet with lots of apostrophes should not be used to influence their work.
***
All, not just some
In the US, both Dr. Anthony Fauci and General Gustave Perna, commander of the Warp Speed operation, have mentioned that vaccines will be available to all who want it, but what about saying, “all people will get it”?
There should be no pandering to those that are anti-vaccines when their ignorance will endanger others.
The COVID-19 pandemic has spread around the world. No one is immune from it yet and unless we get everyone vaccinated, there will still be outbreaks.
***
A faulty service
The world of table tennis has been smashed by a few faults – some doubtful betting patterns.
With most sports out of action due to COVID, including tennis, gamblers looked for other options including even eSports international.
But table tennis seemed to be the new betting option and with that came some unusual results.
The computer betting data indicated a number of gamblers seemed to win on far more occasions than was statistically likely. In time, a police investigation showed that a retired Australian player had inside information and that some matches were predetermined.
In many ways this is disturbing and rather sad as most people involved in running or participating in the sport are honest and want to see their sport as being honest as do the supporters in the stadium or watching at home.
When Australia cheated in a recent test series, they were quickly spotted, punished and removed from the game for an extended time and their punishment was seen as being a good thing.
As a person who owned five percent of a racehorse, I was officially a “registered person” and my phone and probably bank accounts could be examined if there was some suspicion. I had no problem with this as it was for the general good of the sport.
It is also sad to see people so desperate to bet that they would bet on anything and then some people would cheat them. Perhaps it might be best to go to a major casino and then you will know why you are losing, and if mathematically inclined you will know at what rate.
As a side point, I played table tennis for a decade and was never approached to throw a game. Any game I lost was because of my natural ability, or lack of it.
If you have money to throw away look for a charity to give it to. It’s a sure bet that it will be well used. (dfitzger@melbpc.org.au/PN)
