On some side effects of the pandemic – Max Hoppenstedt and Jörn Meyn in Der Spiegel:

‘A coronavirus test with the number 7371999 was actually supposed to be Novak Djoković's ticket for unproblematic entry into Australia. That positive test is the most important argument the unvaccinated tennis player has presented for why he should be allowed into the country, despite its strict entry regulations, to play in the Australian Open, which begins on Jan. 17. The PCR test was performed at 1:05 p.m. on Dec. 16, and seven hours later, the positive result was returned.’

(…)

‘The test results also include QR codes, and when DER SPIEGEL scanned the QR code for the test from Dec. 16, things got strange. At 1:19 p.m. on Monday (CET), the result from the scan was "test result Negative." Such a result would have destroyed Djoković's case for being allowed into the country. About an hour later, though, at 2:33 p.m. on Monday, a second scan of the QR code returned a different result: "Test result Positive."’

(…)

‘Does that mean, then, that Djoković's positive PCR test was taken much later than he claims? Was the test further manipulated? And how can it be explained that the digital version of the test result indicated for a short period of time on Monday, Jan. 10 that the result was negative? All such questions could only be answered either by Djoković himself or by Serbian officials. Neither, however, have yet responded to queries sent by DER SPIEGEL.’

(…)

‘If he really was in Belgrade over Christmas and flew to Spain before then flying onward to Melbourne on Jan. 4, then he and his legal representative lied on the Australia Travel Declaration.’

Read the article here.

What’s most interesting about the Djoković-case, besides the fact that it might have highlighted the plight of asylum seekers in Australia, is that it shows how easy it is to falsify test results. Or proof of vaccination.

There is usually, as most of us know, no or mild scrutiny. This is not to say that I’m arguing for better or more control, just to say that Djoković is most probably not an exception. I you feel that you have to travel and they won’t let you travel, it’s not much work to falsify some medical records. Much easier than falsifying a passport by the way.

Laissez-faireism is probably our best option.

Not so fair for those who obey to the rules, but alas, sometimes justice comes in heaven.

And the Djoković-saga will continue for the time being, making tennis slightly more interesting.