Good morning all, it’s Wednesday, I’m Matilda Boseley, and let’s jump into the day’s news.
You might remember yesterday prime minister Scott Morrison blamed issues with vaccine supplies as the sole reason the federal government has failed to reach their inoculation targets.
Four million Australians were meant to be vaccinated by the end of March but only about 855,000 had received the jab by Monday.
Morrison said this was due to 3 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine being blocked from leaving Europe for Australia, “pure and simple.”
But Scott, it looks likes it isn’t that pure or simple because the EU has come out to deny these claims.
A European Commission spokesman said at a news conference on Tuesday the only export request rejected out of nearly 500 received has been a shipment of 250,000 doses to Australia in March, which was well known.
We cannot confirm any new decision to block vaccine exports to Australia or to any other country.
A European Commission spokeswoman told Reuters that while the bloc had rejected only one of 491 Covid-19 vaccine export requests since it enhanced export transparency in late January, seven requests were currently being reviewed – and therefore shipments were on hold until a decision was made.
She declined to say whether a new shipment to Australia was among those being reviewed.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has now just gone on ABC radio and said the EU had made it very clear they weren’t going to allow vaccine exports before its own contracts had been filled, but it doesn’t appear Australia submitted a formal request for more. Frydenberg mentions only the original application for 250,000 doses that was blocked last month and a request for 1 million doses for Papua New Guinea.
Trade minister Dan Tehan has also spoken to the media this morning but was fairly vague on what exports were exactly blocked.
There was an application put in to provide vaccines to Australia and that – that application was blocked*.
Now, what the EU seems to be saying now is that they will not block any future shipments so we should take that as wonderful news**. That means there’s 1 million vaccines hopefully on their way to PNG sooner rather than later and also all the other contracts that we have with AstraZeneca will now be able to be honoured and AstraZeneca will be able to send those to Australia.
*It’s unclear if this is the well-known 250,000 does blocked or the mysterious 3.1m.
**I’m not convinced this is what they were saying.
In Queensland, a well-known Papua New Guinea politician has died of Covid-19 in hospital.
The 77-year-old former Eastern Highlands governor Malcolm Smith contracted Covid-19 in PNG and was flown to Australia for treatment in late March as his condition became life-threatening.
Dr Pamela Toliman
(@PamelaToliman)Eastern Highlands is grieving the loss of former Governor, Mal “Kela” Smith CMG.MBE.DFC. Mal, the founder and owner of the Pacific Helicopter Group, wore many hats, including Chair of the Goroka Hospital Board. He will be greatly missed 💔 COVID-19 doesn’t discriminate. #PNG pic.twitter.com/vNejrWtH1s
He died on Monday while in the intensive care unit at Redcliffe Hospital, with a number of politicians in both countries expressing their condolences.
Queensland Health says it not unusual to offer medical support for PNG citizens:
PNG is one of Queensland’s closest neighbours, and when we can offer support to our neighbours, we can, and we will …
Since the beginning of the pandemic, aeromedical crews have transferred a number of Covid-positive, and potentially Covid-positive patients to Queensland.
His death will not be counted in the official Australian Covid-19 toll as he was diagnosed in PNG.
With that, why don’t we kickstart the day. There is certainly plenty to cover!
Are Steroids Harmful? Uses, Side Effects, And Dangers
Are Steroids Bad for You? Uses, Side Effects,
and Dangers
When it comes to understanding whether steroids are bad for you, it’s essential to examine both their potential benefits and the risks associated with their use.
Steroids, a group of organic compounds, are often discussed in contexts like sports performance and medical treatments.
While they can offer significant advantages
in certain situations, they also pose serious
health dangers.
What are Steroids?
Steroids are a class of chemical substances produced by the body’s endocrine system,
which includes hormones like testosterone. They play
a crucial role in various bodily functions, including immune
response, bone density, and muscle function. In medical
settings, steroids are used to treat conditions such as inflammation, certain muscle-wasting diseases, and hormonal imbalances.
Main Uses and Potential Benefits
The primary uses of steroids vary widely, from enhancing
athletic performance to treating serious health issues. For athletes, the
main benefits often revolve around improving speed, strength,
and muscle mass. Strength athletes may use steroids to boost their power output and
achieve greater muscle growth. In cases of muscle-wasting diseases, such as HIV/AIDS-related wasting syndrome, steroids can help preserve muscle mass
and improve quality of life.
Athletes Looking to Improve Speed and Power Output
One of the most common reasons athletes turn to steroids is to gain a competitive edge.
By enhancing muscle strength and endurance, these substances can allow individuals
to train harder and recover more efficiently.
However, this comes with significant risks, as outlined below.
Strength Athletes Looking to Increase Muscle Mass and Strength
For weightlifters and bodybuilders, the goal is often to build muscle mass and
achieve a leaner physique. Steroids can help accomplish this by stimulating muscle growth through
mechanisms like hyperplasia, where muscle cells grow rapidly.
Those with Muscle-Wasting Diseases
In medical contexts, steroids are often prescribed to patients suffering from muscle-wasting conditions.
These treatments aim to slow muscle atrophy and improve overall
physical function, offering a crucial quality-of-life benefit for many
individuals.
Possible Side Effects
While steroids can offer benefits, they come with a list of potential side effects that necessitate careful consideration. These include both immediate and long-term risks:
Side Effects for Women
The use of anabolic steroids by women may lead to adverse effects such as virilization, where female users develop masculine characteristics like facial hair, deepening voice, and increased muscle mass.
Can Be Dangerous
Steroids can have severe consequences when used improperly or in excessive
doses. Overuse can result in organ damage, including
liver failure and kidney dysfunction, while also increasing the risk of cardiovascular issues.
The hormonal imbalance caused by steroids can disrupt natural bodily functions and lead to long-term health complications.
Frequent Blood Work is Important
Regular monitoring of blood work is essential when using steroids,
especially for those with pre-existing conditions or who are at higher risk for
adverse effects. This includes checking liver function tests, cholesterol levels, and other
indicators of potential harm.
Risk of Infection
Steroid use can suppress the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections.
This is particularly concerning for immunocompromised individuals, who are already at
higher risk due to conditions like HIV/AIDS or cancer.
Illegal in Most Places
The possession and use of steroids without a proper prescription is illegal in many regions.
Misusing these substances can lead to criminal charges, further complicating their acquisition and usage.
May Be Mentally Addictive
Steroid abuse can also lead to mental health challenges, including dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
The psychological effects of steroid use can manifest as mood swings, paranoia, and feelings of inadequacy, even after stopping
use.
Is There a Safe Dosage?
While steroids may have legitimate medical uses under professional supervision, their abuse
or misuse outside regulated settings poses significant risks.
The safest approach to steroid use is through proper medical
guidance, such as prescribed doses for specific conditions under the watch of a healthcare
provider.
Other Types of Steroids
There are various types of steroids, each with its own uses and effects.
For example, corticosteroids differ from anabolic steroids in their functions, though both belong to the broader category
of steroid hormones. Understanding the differences is crucial for safe and effective use.
The Bottom Line
The answer to whether steroids are bad for you depends
on the context and manner in which they are used.
While they can offer significant benefits in certain medical treatments and
sports performance, their misuse comes with serious health risks.
Frequent blood work, adherence to prescribed dosages, and close monitoring by
healthcare professionals are essential when using these substances.
How We Reviewed This Article:
To ensure accuracy and provide reliable information, we conducted a thorough review of available data on steroids’ uses, side effects, and dangers.
This involved consulting credible medical sources, sports performance studies, and regulatory guidelines to present a balanced view of the topic.
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