Police Officer Returns to Work After Potential Vaccine Clot

A 40-year-old Brisbane police officer who developed blood clots after receiving the Pfizer vaccine has returned to work. 

 

Federal health authorities are working to determine if there is a connection between the vaccination and the blood clots the man developed shortly after, having already limited the Pfizer vaccine to Australians aged under 50.

 

Meanwhile, Pfizer said it had undergone comprehensive assessment of the vaccine’s aggregate safety data and said blood clots aren’t a risk associated with the jab.

Drop in Yr 12 Qualifications Due to COVID

Fewer Year 12 students gained senior school qualifications in 2020, a year characterised by severe disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

91% of Year 12 students received a QCE in 2020 compared with 95% in 2018. 

Fewer students also completed a university subject or school-based apprenticeship in 2020 compared with three out of the past four years.

 

Art Design Festival to Whip Through Brisbane's Suburbs

The Brisbane Art Design Festival is set to take over Brisbane next month, showcasing local artists’ work in no less than 60 venues across the city.

The festival, which will run from the 7th to the 30th of May, will start in the CBD before making the rounds by utilising Brisbane’s extensive network of public display facilities.

Museum of Brisbane Director and event organiser Renai Grace says the event is an opportunity for Brisbane residents to enjoy the “incredible talent within our city.”

Women Avoiding Public Spaces Due to Fears of Sexual Violence

Australian women are stopping walking in public places due to the fact they are scared. One woman had been walking her dog for ten years but stopped due to having things thrown at her and hearing about continuous assaults in the news.

 

Monash University’s XYX Lab and CrowdSpot believe they can start addressing the issue once they understand what spaces women feel safe in.

 

Angry NSW Drivers Destroying Traffic Cameras

New South Wales drivers are destroying speed and phone detection cameras after a big increase in fines for traffic offences.

 

9News obtained material that shows the attacks, including hammers being smashed into them, being set on fire, sprayed with graffiti and punctured tyres. Official reports show attacks on the operators of mobile speed camera vehicles as well.

 

European Union Sues AstraZeneca

The European Union is launching legal action against AstraZeneca for breach of contract, alleging the the pharmaceutical company failed to deliver an adequate number of COVID-19 vaccine doses to the bloc.

AstraZeneca says the move is “without merit,” and that it would “strongly defend itself in court,” after a protracted dispute over supply issues that has seen the company consistently downgrade its delivery targets.

Brisbane City Council no longer responsible for Anzac Square

Brisbane City Council will no longer be responsible for Anzac Square under new legislation handling care of the city space to the state government. Under the new legislation, the QLD Veterans’ council will be responsible for the ANZAC day trust and will advise the government on veterans’ issues. The QLD government says the latest move will continue to safeguard Queensland’s pre-eminent state war memorial for all generations.

 

UQ Researchers focus on premature children transitioning to school

University of Queensland School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences researchers are focusing on making sure children born prematurely are ready for school when they are old enough. Doctor Tomomi McAuliffe says 50% of premature children born before thirty two weeks often experience difficulties when starting their school education and developing skills. An online intervention is being developed to increase successful transitions to school as researchers are urging parents to share

Increase in RSV Virus in Brisbane

There has been a fourfold increase in cases of a potentially severe RSV virus across greater Brisbane in the last 4 months. 74% of the cases were recorded among children under 10, an increase of 45% from last year. The virus can cause inflammation and mucus to build up quickly in children’s airways making it difficult for them to breathe. The surge in cases has prompted QLD health to urge people to continue to be cautious and anyone experiencing symptoms to get tested and isolate.