Anastrophist

Australia to provide military support to Gulf states Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirms the Australian Defence Force will deploy an E-7A Wedgetail aircraft to the Gulf to help protect and defend the region, providing long-range reconnaissance acti...

I wonder how the rusted ons feel about Australia getting involved?

I feel devastated for Australian soldiers who’ll likely be targets.

NZ, Canada and the UK are refusing to get involved.

Why us?

#auspol

www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03...

Screenshot of a Queensland Health update from the Queensland Government dated March 2, 2026. It reports 33 people hospitalised with COVID-19, with most aged 75+. 607 cases were diagnosed in the past week. It also lists 28 influenza hospitalisations and 561 cases, and 39 RSV hospitalisations with 536 cases, with age breakdowns provided for each virus.

Queensland Weekly Respiratory Surveillance Report: 2 March 2026

Reported cases:

🔹COVID: 607 (+28.6%)
🔹Influenza: 561 (+2.3%)
🔹RSV: 536 (+10.2%)

Hospitalisations:

🔸COVID: 33 (-2.9%)
🔸Influenza: 28 (Stable)
🔸RSV: 39 (+18.1%)

Source: health.qld.gov.au/clinical-pra...

Screenshot of a CIDRAP news brief titled “Up to 56,000 people died from COVID-19 or RSV last year,” written by Liz Szabo, MA and published today at 8:41 a.m. The article includes a photo of a hospitalized patient in a hospital bed connected to medical tubes and monitoring equipment in an intensive care setting.

According to data published last month by the CDC

🔹From July 2024 to June 2025, RSV caused an estimated 190,000–350,000 hospitalisations and 10,000 to 23,000 deaths deaths.

🔹During the same time, COVID-19 was linked to 290,000–450,000 hospitalisations and 34,000 to 53,000 deaths.

NSW Health COVID-19 wastewater surveillance charts showing gene concentrations per 1,000 people from August 2024 to the week ending 28 February 2026 for four catchments: Bondi, Liverpool, Quakers Hill, and Burwood Beach (Hunter). Levels are currently low across all sites, with recent trends varying by location. 🔹 Bondi: ⬇️ DOWN 🔹 Liverpool: ⬆️ UP 🔹 Quakers Hill: ⬆️ UP 🔹 Hunter: ⬇️ DOWN

(3/3) NSW COVID-19 Sewage surveillance program: 5 March 2026

Week ending 28 February 2025:

🔹Bondi: ⬇️DOWN
🔹Liverpool: ⬆️UP
🔹Quakers Hill: ⬆️UP
🔹Hunter: ⬇️DOWN

@NSWHealth

Source: health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/c...

Header from the NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report for the week ending 28 February 2026, published by NSW Health. A banner states that Influenza, COVID-19 and RSV are all at a low level of activity, followed by a summary noting influenza and COVID-19 remain low while RSV activity has been increasing but overall levels remain low.

Section of the NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report showing interpretation and case totals for the week ending 28 February 2026. COVID-19 notifications increased 7.2%, influenza decreased 13.2%, and RSV increased 19.8%. Weekly totals: COVID-19: 954, Influenza: 500, RSV: 864.

Bar chart from the NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report showing weekly COVID-19 notifications in New South Wales from August 2024 to February 2026. Cases peak around June–July 2025 at over 4,000 weekly notifications before declining. Latest week: COVID: 954 (+7.2%)

Chart from the NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report showing the number of COVID-19 positive tests and test positivity from NSW sentinel laboratories between August 2024 and March 2026. Test positivity recently rose to 3.8%, with 264 positive tests from 6,954 PCR tests in the week ending 1 March 2026, reported by 2 laboratories.

🧵(1/3) NSW respiratory surveillance reports: 5 March 2026

Week ending 28 February 2025:

🔸COVID positivity rate: 3.8% (+0.2%)

🔸Number of laboratories reporting COVID: 2 out of 4

🔹COVID: 954 (+7.2%)
🔹Influenza: 500 (-13.2%)
🔹RSV: 864 (+19.8%)

Source: health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/c...

Screenshot of a Forbes article titled “Long COVID — Here’s What To Know And The Challenges Ahead,” written by Omer Awan and published March 2, 2026. The image shows people wearing masks and teal “Long COVID Moonshot” shirts seated in a hearing room during a U.S. Senate hearing on Long COVID research in Washington, D.C.

"Long COVID — Here’s What To Know And The Challenges Ahead"

"Despite entering the 6th year since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus has not disappeared and the long-term consequences of infection continue"

Source: web.archive.org/web/20260303...

Section of the Victorian Respiratory Surveillance Report (6 March 2026) titled Laboratory surveillance – Case notifications. Over the past week, COVID-19 notifications increased 20%, influenza decreased 10%, and RSV increased 24% in Victoria.

Chart from the Victorian Respiratory Surveillance Report (6 March 2026) showing weekly COVID-19 notified cases in Victoria from 2 March 2025 to 28 February 2026. Cases peaked around 1,500–1,600 per week in mid-2025, declined through late 2025, and remain lower in early 2026 with a recent increase. Latest data (week ending 28 Feb 2026): 345 cases last week, up from 288 two weeks earlier +20% increase Activity remains well below the mid-2025 peak but has risen slightly in recent weeks.

Chart from the Victorian Respiratory Surveillance Report (6 March 2026) showing weekly influenza notifications in Victoria from 2 March 2025 to 28 February 2026, broken down into Influenza A, Influenza B, and combined A+B cases. Notifications peaked around 5,000 cases per week in mid-2025, then declined through late 2025 and early 2026. Latest data (week ending 28 Feb 2026): Influenza (total): 176 cases (−10%) from 195 two weeks earlier Influenza A: 122 cases (−16%) from 146 two weeks earlier Influenza B: 53 cases (+8%) from 49 two weeks earlier Overall influenza activity is currently low compared with the mid-2025 peak.

Chart from the Victorian Respiratory Surveillance Report (6 March 2026) showing weekly RSV notified cases in Victoria from 2 March 2025 to 28 February 2026. Cases peaked around 2,100 per week in July 2025 before steadily declining. Latest data (week ending 28 Feb 2026): 161 RSV cases, up from 130 two weeks earlier +24% increase Current RSV activity remains low compared with the mid-2025 peak, though notifications have risen slightly in recent weeks.

Victorian Weekly Respiratory Surveillance Report: 6 Mar 2026

From 22 Feb to 28 Feb 2026:

🔸COVID positivity rate: 3.2% (+0.3%)

🔹COVID: 345 (+20%)
🔹Influenza A: 122 (-16%)
🔹Influenza B: 53 (+8%)
🔹RSV: 161 (+24%)

Source: health.vic.gov.au/infectious-d...

Screenshot of a Respiratory infections dashboard dated Friday 6 March 2026 showing COVID-19 statistics. Reported data: 192 new cases this week, 978 cases year to date, 2,082 cases at the same point last year, fewer than 5 deaths year to date, and 84 deaths last year.

South Australia Weekly Respiratory Update: 28 Feb to 6 Mar 2026

Reported cases:

🔹COVID: 192 (-6.3%)
🔹Flu: 67 (+9.8%)
🔹RSV: 58 (+11.5%)
🔹Pertussis: 29 (-21.6%)

Reported deaths in 2026:

🔸COVID: <5
🔸Flu: 0
🔸RSV: 0
🔸Pertussis: 0

Source: sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/conn...

Weekly update on acute respiratory infection activity in Tasmania, published 6 March 2026 (data to 1 March 2026). Activity levels are low for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, with overall acute respiratory illness activity reported as low and stable.

Tasmania sentinel laboratory PCR testing results for the week ending 1 March 2026. COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2): 25 positive from 746 tests (3.4%) RSV: 19 positive from 746 tests (2.5%) Influenza A: 12 positive from 746 tests (1.6%) Influenza B: 1 positive from 746 tests (0.1%).

Section of the Tasmanian Respiratory Surveillance Report on COVID-19 whole genome sequencing. Chart shows notifications by variant sub-lineage over the last 12 months to 15 Feb 2026, including NB.1.8.1, PE.1, PQ.2, PQ.3.1, XFG.3, and XEC.4, with some sequences grouped as “others.”

Tasmania MONTHLY COVID Update: 6 Mar 2026

From 6 Feb 2026 to 6 Mar 2026

🔸COVID Positivity rate: 3.4% (+0.9%)

🔹COVID: 25 (+38.8%)
🔹Influenza A: 12 (-25.0%)
🔹Influenza B: 1 (-66.6%)
🔹RSV: 19 (+58.3%)

Source: health.tas.gov.au/health-topic...

Chart showing weekly COVID-19 notifications and test positivity in Western Australia (2023–2026 YTD). Blue bars represent PCR-confirmed cases and the black line shows percent positivity. Latest week reports 92 notifications with ~1.8% test positivity, remaining at low levels compared with earlier peaks.

Chart showing the 7-day average of COVID-19 patients in hospital and ICU in Western Australia (2023–2026 YTD). Blue bars represent hospitalised patients and orange bars ICU patients. Hospitalisations peaked during earlier waves but are now low at about 19 patients per day, with ICU cases currently zero.

Chart showing SARS-CoV-2 levels in Perth wastewater and COVID-19 notification rates (WA, 2023–27 Feb 2026). Wastewater concentrations and case rates peaked during earlier waves but have since declined. Levels rose slightly in the past week but remain low overall.

Dashboard showing SARS-CoV-2 variant lineages in the Perth metropolitan area (31 Aug 2025–22 Feb 2026). Top chart shows variants detected in clinical samples and the bottom chart shows wastewater samples. Recent weeks show NB.1.8.X and XFG.X among the dominant variants, with smaller proportions of KP.3.X, XEC.X, and recombinant lineages.

WA weekly COVID update: Week ending 1 March 2026

🔸COVID positivity rate: 1.7% est. (-1.0%)

🔹Reported cases: 92 (-8.0%)
🔹Hospitalisation: 19 per day (Stable)
🔹ICU: 7-day average is 0 (+0.0%)

Source: health.wa.gov.au/Articles/F_I...

Australia Weekly COVID Update, 6 March 2026. TAS up +38.8%. QLD up +28.6% (33 in hospital). VIC up +20.0%. NSW up +7.2%. SA down -6.3%. WA down -8.0% (avg 19/day in hospital). ACT Health ended weekly reporting for 2025; will resume in autumn/winter 2026. NT no longer publishes COVID data. Aged care: The Australian Government no longer publishes weekly COVID-19 case data for residential aged care facilities.

AUSTRALIA Weekly COVID Update: 6 March 2026

🔹TAS: ⬆️ (+38.8%)
🔹QLD: ⬆️ (+28.6%) 33 in hospital
🔹VIC: ⬆️ (+20.0%)
🔹NSW: ⬆️ (+7.2%)

🔸SA: ⬇️ (-6.3%)
🔸WA: ⬇️ (-8.0%) Avg 19/day in hospital

🔹Aged Care: The Australian government ended weekly COVID-19 reporting.

Screenshot of a CIDRAP news article titled “Metformin not effective in treating long-COVID symptoms, study finds,” written by Liz Szabo. Below the headline is a photo of a woman holding her hand to her forehead, appearing fatigued or distressed, representing symptoms associated with Long COVID. The article is labeled as a news brief about Metformin and its lack of effectiveness for treating long-COVID symptoms.

"Metformin not effective in treating long-COVID symptoms, study finds."

"Although a number of studies have found that a diabetes drug called metformin reduces the risk of long COVID, new research finds that it does not reduce symptoms of the condition."

Source: www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/met...

Graphic titled “National COVID-19 Risk Table (U.S.)” from the Pandemic Mitigation Collaborative (PMC) model, dated March 9, 2026 (pmc19.com/data). The table shows the probability that at least one person is infectious based on the number of people in a group. Risk rises from 1.2% with one person, 11% in a group of 10, 25.2% in a group of 25, 44% in a group of 50, 68.7% in a group of 100, 90.2% in a group of 200, and 96.9% in a group of 300. A note explains that in a room of 25 people representative of the U.S. population, there would be about a 25% chance of exposure without testing or isolation protocols.

National COVID-19 Risk Table (U.S.) dated Mar 9, 2026

Chances Anyone is Infectious:

🔸1 in 87 people infectious (1.2%)

🔹1 person: 1.2%
🔹10 people: 11.0%
🔹20 people: 20.7%
🔹50 people: 44.0%
🔹100 people: 68.7%
🔹300 people: 96.9%

Babies with COVID-19 develop more serious disease than those with RSV, US data reveal

"Babies with COVID-19 develop more serious disease than those with RSV, US data reveal."

• Hospitalised children under 2 with COVID-19 had higher severe illness risk than RSV

• Ventilators: 39% of COVID ICU babies vs 16% with RSV

• Deaths: 2.9% COVID vs 0.4% RSV among hospitalised infants

Disrupted iron levels after SARS-CoV-2 infection may trigger long COVID Problems with iron levels in the blood and the body's ability to regulate this important nutrient as a result of SARS-CoV-2 infection could be a key trigger for long COVID, new research has discovered...

"Disrupted iron levels after SARS-CoV-2 infection may trigger long COVID."

"Problems with iron levels in the blood and the body's ability to regulate this important nutrient as a result of SARS-CoV-2 infection could be a key trigger for long COVID, new research has discovered."

Persistent attenuation of lymphocyte subsets after mass SARS-CoV-2 infection Growing evidence suggests that lymphocyte subsets are declined in COVID-19 patients, but it is unclear if these alterations persist after widespread e…

Study: "SARS-CoV-2 causes lasting immune dysregulation for over 20 months"

"This large multicenter study shows SARS-CoV-2 exposure leads to long-term changes in lymphocyte subsets—including CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, NK cells, and total T cells—persisting for up to 20 months."

AUKUS is binding Australia to a dangerous, unpredictable leader. We need a Plan B now There are three major, unresolved questions with AUKUS that illustrate why this plan is not right for Australia, given the changing nature of the US.

theconversation.com/aukus-is-bin...

Objective assessment of long-term impact of COVID-19 on multiple sensory functions - BMC Medicine Background This ongoing study investigates the impact of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) on broad sensory functions. Methods Sixty subjects aged 27–78 years were recruited who had c...

🧠 Daily Feed of Brain Damage 🧠

doi.org/10.1186/s129...

The impact of testing positive versus negative for COVID-19 on health-related quality of life: cross-sectional evidence from the Alberta post-COVID-19 follow-up survey - Quality of Life Research Quality of Life Research - The novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) can have lasting physical and psychological outcomes, though little is known about the long-term impact of COVID-19 on the...

I'll just leave this here:

👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

doi.org/10.1007/s111...

Thank You, Jonathan....

It's was a lot of fun to chat 😊😊🙏🏻

🤬🤬

More reporting on a multi-virus nasal vaccine:

“Imagine getting a nasal spray in the fall months that protects you from all respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and the common cold, as well as bacterial pneumonia and early spring allergens....That...

1/4

🔹️"Pulendran believes two doses delivered as a nasal spray could be enough to provide protection in people." “I think what we have is a universal vaccine against diverse respiratory threats,” he said.

🔹️"With sufficient funding, he estimates that a universal respiratory vaccine could become...

Pauline Hanson secured taxpayer-funded solar rebate despite calling for subsidies to large-scale renewables to end Exclusive: Spokesperson for One Nation leader says it supports roof-top solar, as Matt Canavan also defends using scheme

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Grifter.

Albanese’s policy on Iran makes us complicit in the collapse of international rules The Albanese government has stood by as the foundations of the international order were destroyed

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Strengthen public education to boost social cohesion Australia has long been regarded as a successful multicultural society, integrating people from many different social and cultural backgrounds. Now, however, the sense of shared community that underpi...

Gift Link: www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/share/22749/...

Exclusive: Joyce on Rinehart’s support for One Nation The former Nationals leader has confirmed Gina Rinehart is among many ‘substantial supporters’ he has brought to the far-right party.

Gift Link: www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/share/22751/...
Read this and you'll see why support fro community independent Michelle Milthorpe in the Farrar by-election is crucial.

Tasmanian mine win doesn’t erase Albanese’s environmental failure ANALYSIS: While a mining company’s scrapping of plans for a tailings dam in Tasmania’s Takayna rainforest is welcome, its revised site reflects how little the environment minister cares.

GIFT LINK: www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/share/22750/...
Where is Albanese’s current minister for the environment, Murray Watt, in this MMG debate? Missing in action or, worse, simply facilitating corporate interests?

Israel's president should not have visited ASIO. It raises serious issues for Labor and the spooks If Isaac Herzog was here in a ceremonial capacity, as the government insists, why was he given a special briefing by ASIO? And did ASIO tell him why it has failed to protect Australians?

www.crikey.com.au/2026/03/06/i...

One Nation senator for NSW still lived in Queensland four months after his appointment, expense reports show In September party said Sean Bell was ‘currently in the process of moving to NSW’ but he claimed $6,600 in chauffeured cars in Brisbane in last quarter of 2025

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...