Could someone double-check my understanding of this? Is the conclusion that Djokovic lied about the order (and specific dates) of his PCR tests, with the goal of entering Australia while still testing positive?
Djokovic's PCR test was manipulated?
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Re: Djokovic's PCR test was manipulated?
#22I find it funny how some countries suddenly make your life a lot easier if you have a positive test history. Canada has a fairly annoying requirement to have a negative PCR test taken within 72h of takeoff (or arrival by car), which can be dicey/expensive in many parts of the world to get, but if you have a positive PCR result from 14-180 days, this requirement drops and travel gets a lot easier than those that never…
This is because Mucosal immunity.
Sure, and in isolation, it's even a reasonable guideline. The issue is that combined with most of the other covid guidance, the incentives are misaligned.
The choices become
1. Follow the majority guidance, wear masks, avoid large gatherings, get vaccinated, get tested often.
In which case you will have to continue paying for testing to travel (and risk not being able to travel at the last minute)
OR...
2. Intentionally go get covid (usually by neglecting all the above guidance). Get a positive result. Avoid expensive testing, have easier travel, get easier access to gatherings.
Re: Djokovic's PCR test was manipulated?
#23I honestly don't even care if he's vaccinated or not. He's one of the best Tennis players of all time, and if he wants to be unvaccinated, he should have the right. However, he doesn't have the right to provide a fraudulent test result in order to enter into a country with its own rules, and a Tennis tournament with its own rules. Covid or not, vaccine or not, this is a scummy move by one of the world's most influential athlete.
Re: Djokovic's PCR test was manipulated?
#24Earlier quoted context omitted.
A rapid or PCR test from within the last calendar day is required to enter the USA. It's pretty hard to get that in many countries now b/c the winter/omicron surge. Plus, it's often expensive.
USA only requires that for air passengers. Requiring overseas checkin agents to be disease doctors was okay, but asking CBP to verify paperwork and stop threats at the border was too much to ask.
Funny story I heard recently: Someone tested positive in Mexico but "had to" get home. Flew to Tijuana, walked across the border (no COVID test needed for land crossing), and caught a flight home out of San Diego.
It still makes sense to protect the airline employees, but I no longer view a pre-flight test as a reliable measure to stop COVID from arriving in the US.
Re: Djokovic's PCR test was manipulated?
#25I wonder why they only show a picture of the non-contested negative test and not the positive one with the disputed URL so we can validate the evidence ourselves.
Re: Djokovic's PCR test was manipulated?
#26Good for Serbia for implementing some centralized system. A PCR test result in the U.S has absolutely no way of being verified, either negative or positive In Israel, which swabs every person who lands at the airport. There is a suspiciously steady stream of people flying in from the U.S who were negative before take off and positive 10 minutes after landing
I do not think that is entirely true - all my PCR tests have contained the name of the lab where the test was performed as well as the performing (or, in some cases), supervising physician.
That does not mean it is easy to verify test results, but it should be possible.
Re: Djokovic's PCR test was manipulated?
#27"And with that, we pass on to the weather." Brilliant.
Re: Djokovic's PCR test was manipulated?
#28I find it funny how some countries suddenly make your life a lot easier if you have a positive test history. Canada has a fairly annoying requirement to have a negative PCR test taken within 72h of takeoff (or arrival by car), which can be dicey/expensive in many parts of the world to get, but if you have a positive PCR result from 14-180 days, this requirement drops and travel gets a lot easier than those that never…
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Re: Djokovic's PCR test was manipulated?
#29Earlier quoted context omitted.
This is because Mucosal immunity.
Sure, and in isolation, it's even a reasonable guideline. The issue is that combined with most of the other covid guidance, the incentives are misaligned. The choices become 1. Follow the majority guidance, wear masks, avoid large gatherings, get vaccinated, get tested often. In which case you will have to continue paying for testing to travel (and risk not being able to travel at the last minute) OR... 2. Intentiona…
Speaking only from my pre-Omicron experience, even mild breakthrough COVID was no joke. I spent a month extremely tired, was prescribed a steroid inhaler and only now feel about 95% back to normal (about a month later).
Choice 2 is valid, yes, but unless Omicron is much, much more mild for most people I wouldn't make that choice for myself.
Luckily I got an official PCR test confirming positivity at the very end of my COVID journey so I can take advantage of that horrible month.
Re: Djokovic's PCR test was manipulated?
#30More fuel to the fire - no reason he should get a pass when other people can't. Sorry - it's only tennis and he's trying to cheat to get in. This isn't to political leaders talking about the fate of their people.
Especially in tennis where tournaments are designed to be 'open', that is semi-professional and allowing for amateur entrants. If he were professionally affiliated with a particular country, that might be an extenuating circumstance.
But as he is a private citizen seeking glory in AU, it's inappropriate to make an exception in this case.