Daily review 14/05/2019
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5:31 pm, May 14th, 2019 - 94 comments
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Daily review is also your post.
This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day.
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- A place of greater safety?
Aotearoa New Zealand has committed to trying to extirpate the virus that causes COVID-19 from its shores. To do that, as a society we’ve moved to “Level 4”. That means adapting to unprecedented restrictions on our personal freedoms, particularly to our rights to move freely and associate with friends and ...9 mins ago - The police and public trust
When the Prime Minister declared a state of emergency last week, she handed the police powers to enforce it. And almost immediately, we started hearing about heavy-handed, arbitrary "enforcement" by police who (at best) cared more about order than law, or (more likely) had no idea what the rules were ...25 mins ago - Life in Lock Down: Day 4
. . Lock Down: Day 4 – A photo essay with observations . March 29: Usual wake up routine as RNZ snaps on my radio-clock. Jim Mora’s voice slowly enters my conciousness; there’s talk of a second wave of covid19 taking hold in South Korea; the week in Parliament – ...2 hours ago - COVID-19 vs New Zealand
Yesterday, New Zealand recorded its first Covid-19 related death on the West Coast. Unfortunately this is unlikely to be the only fatality, with the virus now being found in every region of the country.However despite the significant danger, people are still unfortunately breaching lockdown rules.There’s really only one main very ...2 hours ago - Rāhui day 4
The kids did surprisingly well today – meltdown count was about 3, and mostly fairly short ones. (And a fourth while I was writing.) Game-wise I had a go at Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark. It’s a fairly standard RPG with turn-based combat and what they call a “mature storyline” (it ...16 hours ago - Letter to a friend
by Don Franks Hi David, Nice hearing from you, I’m glad to hear you’re getting by okay in these grim times. You asked how’s it going for us back here in New Zealand. You would have heard that the whole country is locked down and with breaks for exercise and ...17 hours ago - Life in Lock Down: Day 3. . Lock Down: Day 3 – A photo essay with observations . March 28: First day of the first weekend in Lock Down. It feels like it’s been weeks since only Level 3 was declared last Tuesday, only four days ago. Woke up this morning to RNZ; coffee; toast, ...1 day ago
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- A test of civil society.
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- A “new Society” post-COVID19 will definitely emerge. The question is: on what path?
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by Equipo Jurídico Pueblos and Gearóid Ó Loingsigh (25/03/2020) An escape plan in question On the night of March 21st and the early morning of the 22nd, the forces of the Colombian state stormed into the Modelo prison in Bogotá, murdering 23 prisoners and injuring 83, in response to the ...3 days ago - We are not AmericaWhen the government banned semi-automatic weapons in response to a terrorist atrocity, gun-nuts were outraged. Mired in toxic American gun culture, they thought owning weapons whose sole purpose was killing people was some sort of "constitutional right", a necessity for "defending themselves" against the government. Now, the Court of Appeal ...3 days ago
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- The Warehouse – where everyone gets a virus. . 24 March 2020 9.46AM Number of covid19 cases in Aotearoa New Zealand: 102 . As of 11.59 on Thursday, most of New Zealand will go into “lock down”. People will be expected not to travel to work; not to socialise; and to stay home. I will not be ...3 days ago
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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The scale of what we face right now is unlike anything we have ever seen before. Overcoming it is our common purpose. ...5 days ago - Winston Peters urging New Zealanders overseas to stay put
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is encouraging New Zealanders overseas to stay where they are amid the COVID-19 pandemic. "We are reaching a point where the best option for most New Zealanders offshore is to shelter in place, by preparing to safely stay where they are.” "This includes following the instructions ...6 days ago - New Zealanders overseas encouraged to shelter in placeRt. Hon. Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Foreign Minister Winston Peters is encouraging the tens of thousands of New Zealanders travelling overseas to consider sheltering in place, in light of COVID-19. “Since 18 March, we have been warning New Zealanders offshore that the window for flying ...6 days ago
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- 1BT grants for Northland plantingHon. Shane Jones, Minister for Forestry Forestry Minister Shane Jones has announced two One Billion Trees programme grants of more than $1.18 million to help hapu and iwi in Northland restore whenua and moana. “Many communities around Aotearoa have benefited from One Billion Trees funding since the programme was launched ...3 weeks ago
- New Zealand reaffirms support for Flight MH17 judicial processRt. Hon. Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahead of the start of the criminal trial in the Netherlands on 9 March, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has reaffirmed the need to establish truth, accountability and justice for the downing of Flight MH17 ...3 weeks ago
- PGF investment in green hydrogenRt. Hon. Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister The Government is investing $19.9 million through the Provincial Growth Fund in a game-changing hydrogen energy facility in South Taranaki, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters announced today. “The development of alternative energy initiatives like this one is vital for the Taranaki region’s economy. ...3 weeks ago
- Coronavirus support for PacificRt. Hon. Winston Peters, Minister for Foreign Affairs Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand is partnering with countries in the Pacific to ensure they are prepared for, and able to respond to the global threat of Coronavirus (COVID-19). “There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the ...3 weeks ago
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The Government has fast-tracked up to $1 million to help Air New Zealand move urgent freight to and from New Zealand, with the first flight to Shanghai leaving tonight, Transport Minister Phil Twyford announced today. Phil Twyford says it’s crucial that trade in vital goods such as medical supplies and ...4 hours ago - Tariff concessions on COVID-19 related productsNew Zealand will temporarily remove tariffs on all medical and hygiene imports needed for the COVID-19 response. Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi said today that the New Zealand Customs Service will apply tariff concessions to all diagnostic reagents and testing ...2 days ago
- Clarification of modification to wage subsidy schemeMinister of Finance Grant Robertson has clarified that the changes to the wage subsidy scheme announced yesterday mean that employers should be passing on the full subsidy to workers, except in the case where the person’s normal income is less than the level of the subsidy. “We still want employers ...2 days ago
- Face masks flowing to DHBsMedical face masks from the national reserve supply are now being distributed to District Health Boards, while at the same time local production is being ramped up. Yesterday more than 640,000 masks were sent to DHBS – that is an immediate two week supply, with more to follow in coming ...3 days ago
- COVID-19: Further steps to protect New Zealanders’ jobsThe Government has made modifications to the wage subsidy scheme to ensure people don’t lose their jobs during the national lockdown. These changes will soften the impact of COVID-19 on workers, families and businesses, and position them to exit the lockdown and look to recovery, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. ...3 days ago
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- Urgent tax measures for economic recoveryUrgent legislation has been passed to support the package of economic and social measures needed to recover from the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. “The COVID-19 Response (Taxation and Social Assistance Urgent Measures) Bill will cushion New Zealanders from the worst economic impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Revenue Minister ...5 days ago
- Further support for farmers and growers as drought persistsFrom tomorrow, Government support for farmers and growers affected by drought will be expanded and extended across the country, with access to Rural Assistance Payments (RAPS) available throughout the North Island, parts of the South Island and the Chatham Islands, Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced. “These challenging conditions have ...5 days ago
- COVID-19: Temporary changes to Education ActParliament has passed amendments to legislation that give the Secretary of Education stronger powers to act in the fight to limit the spread of COVID-19, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “They are part of a suite of changes passed under the COVID-19 Response (Urgent Management Measures) Legislation Bill,” Chris ...5 days ago
- Canada, Australia, Chile, Brunei and Myanmar join NZ and Singapore in committing to keeping supply a...Canada, Australia, Chile, Brunei and Myanmar have joined forces with New Zealand and Singapore by committing to keep supply chains open and remove any existing trade restrictive measures on essential goods, especially medical supplies, in the face of the Covid-19 crisis. Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker today welcomed ...5 days ago
- COVID-19: Rent increase freeze and more protection for tenantsImmediate freeze on rent increases Tenancies will not be terminated during the lock-down period, unless the parties agree, or in limited circumstances Tenants who had previously given notice can stay in their if they need to stay in the tenancy during the lock-down period Tenants will still be able to ...5 days ago
- Working together to protect businesses and workersAs New Zealand unites to lock-down in the fight against COVID-19, the Finance Minister is urging all businesses and workers to stay connected over the next four weeks. “We understand the extreme pressure many businesses are under right now. I know most business owners think of their workers as family ...5 days ago
- State of National Emergency declared to fight COVID-19A State of National Emergency has been declared across the country as the Government pulls out all the stops to curtail the spread of COVID-19. “Today we put in place our country’s second ever State of National Emergency as we fight a global pandemic, save New Zealanders’ lives and prevent ...5 days ago
- Prime Minister’s statement on State of National Emergency and Epidemic NoticeMr Speaker I wish to make a Ministerial Statement under Standing Order 347 in relation to the recent declaration of a State of National Emergency. Having considered the advice of the Director Civil Defence Emergency Management, the Minister of Civil Defence declared a State of National Emergency for the whole of ...5 days ago
- Deadline for domestic travel extendedPeople needing to travel on domestic flights, trains and Cook Strait ferries to get home before the country moves into level 4 lock-down tomorrow night will be able to continue using the passenger services until midnight on Friday, Transport Minister Phil Twyford said today. Domestic passenger services, particularly ferries, have ...6 days ago
- Mortgage holiday and business finance support schemes to cushion COVID impactsThe Government, retail banks and the Reserve Bank are today announcing a major financial support package for home owners and businesses affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19. The package will include a six month principal and interest payment holiday for mortgage holders and SME customers whose incomes have been ...6 days ago
- Government working to keep air freight movingMinister of Transport Phil Twyford has today announced details of the Government’s support package to keep key air freight moving and ensure New Zealanders retain access to essential goods during the four-week level 4 lockdown. “The Government is working with airlines and air freight operators to ensure New Zealand’s key ...6 days ago
- New Zealand moves to COVID-19 Alert Level 3, then Level 4 in 48 hoursNew Zealand moved up to COVID-19 Alert Level 3 – Restrict New Zealand to move up to COVID-19 Alert Level 4 – Eliminate, in 48 hours Two-staged approach to give people and businesses time to prepare Level 3, from tomorrow Non-essential businesses must close All events and gatherings must be ...7 days ago
- Prime Minister: COVID-19 Alert Level increasedGood afternoon The Cabinet met this morning to discuss our next actions in the fight against COVID-19. Like the rest of the world, we are facing the potential for devastating impacts from this virus. But, through decisive action, and through working together, do we have a small window to get ...7 days ago
- Govt takes significant economic decisions as NZ readies for Alert Level 4 in COVID-19 fightThe Government is announcing significant further support for the economy, workers and businesses as the country unites to prepare for Alert Level 4 in the fight against COVID-19. Cabinet today agreed to remove the cap on the Government’s wage subsidy scheme, which will inject a further $4 billion into the ...7 days ago
- Govt backs RBNZ move to support economy with lower interest ratesThe Government is backing the Reserve Bank’s latest action to support the economy by reducing longer-term interest rates, meaning lower costs for businesses and mortgage holders, and a lower currency to help our exporters. The Minister of Finance has signed a memorandum of understanding and a letter of indemnity with ...1 week ago
- Government statement on commercial cooperation during COVID-19The Government has asked the Commerce Commission to take account of the exceptional circumstances created by COVID-19 when monitoring business behaviour in coming weeks. “The purpose of my request to the Commerce Commission is to make sure businesses can work together in ways that will allow them to provide ...1 week ago
- New Zealand temporarily closes diplomatic posts in Barbados and Myanmar due to COVID-19The New Zealand Government has temporarily closed its High Commission in Bridgetown, Barbados and its Embassy in Yangon, Myanmar due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Due to the increasing scarcity of air links in and out of Bridgetown and Yangon, and the pressure COVID-19 is placing ...1 week ago
- Supporting Māori communities and businesses throughAssociate Health and Whānau Ora Minister Peeni Henare has today announced the Government’s plan to support Māori communities and businesses in the face of COVID-19. “Our Government’s $12.1 billion economic package will help many Māori whānau, workers and businesses, whether it’s through wage subsidies, income support and worker redeployment, or ...1 week ago
- Guidelines for hospitality establishments releasedThe Government and the hospitality industry have worked together to produce guidelines to assist with managing and reducing transmission of COVID-19, Health Minister David Clark announced today. The guidelines developed between the Government, Hospitality New Zealand and SkyCity Entertainment Group, set out how the new restrictions on physical distancing and ...1 week ago
- Nation steps up to COVID-19 Alert Level 2Four stage Alert System for COVID-19 announced New Zealand moved up to COVID-19 Alert Level 2 – Reduce Contact New Zealanders over 70 and those with certain medical conditions told to stay at home as much as they can to reduce risk of contact with the virus Workplaces to implement ...1 week ago
- PM Address – Covid-19 UpdateKia ora koutou katoa I’m speaking directly to all New Zealanders today to give you as much certainty and clarity as we can as we fight Covid-19. Over the past few weeks, the world has changed. And it has changed very quickly. In February it would have seemed unimaginable to ...1 week ago
- NZ and Singapore commit to keeping supply and trade links open, including on essential goods and med...New Zealand and Singapore have jointly committed to keep supply chains open and to remove any existing trade restrictive measures on essential goods, especially medical supplies, in the face of the Covid-19 crisis. Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker welcomed the commitment. “This is an important collective response, and ...1 week ago
- Joint Ministerial Statement by Singapore and New Zealand -Covid-19 situationJOINT MINISTERIAL STATEMENT BY SINGAPORE AND NEW ZEALAND AFFIRMING COMMITMENT TO ENSURING SUPPLY CHAIN CONNECTIVITY AMIDST THE COVID-19 SITUATION The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious global crisis. As part of our collective response to combat COVID-19, Singapore and New Zealand are committed to maintaining open and connected supply chains. We ...1 week ago
- Transit between Australia and New ZealandTravel restrictions, closing our border to almost all travelers came into force from 23:59 on Thursday 19 March 2020 (NZDT). All airlines were informed of these restrictions before they came into force. Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway says “The transit of passengers between Australia and New Zealand has been agreed upon and ...1 week ago
- $100 million to redeploy workersThe Government has allocated $100 million to help redeploy workers affected by the economic impact of COVID-19, with the hard-hit region of Gisborne-Tairāwhiti to be the first helped, Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford, Forestry and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones and Employment Minister Willie Jackson announced today. Phil Twyford ...1 week ago
- More support for wood processingThe Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is ramping up support for Tairāwhiti’s wood processing sector to bolster the region’s economy at a time of heightened uncertainty, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced today. Following earlier announcements today of a regional support package for Tairāwhiti, Minister Jones has also announced a ...1 week ago
- Govt steps in to protect Air New ZealandThe Coalition Government has stepped in to protect Air New Zealand with a significant financial deal that protects essential routes and allows the company to keep operating. The Government and Air New Zealand have agreed a debt funding agreement through commercial 24-month loan facilities of up to $900 million*. The ...1 week ago
- Stronger border measures to protect NZers from COVID-19The Government has taken further measures to protect New Zealanders from the COVID-19 virus, effectively stopping all people from boarding a plane to New Zealand from 11:59pm today, except for returning New Zealanders, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today. New Zealanders’ partners, legal guardians or any dependent children travelling with ...2 weeks ago
- Action on indoor gatherings and events to protect public healthThe Government has reinforced its commitment to protecting the health of New Zealanders from COVID-19 through the cancellation of indoor events with more than 100 people. “Protecting the health of New Zealanders is our number one priority, and that means we need to reduce the risks associated with large gatherings,” ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealanders advised not to travel overseasThe New Zealand Government is advising New Zealanders not to travel overseas due to COVID-19, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced. “We are raising our travel advice to the highest level: do not travel,” Mr Peters said. “This is the first time the New Zealand Government has advised New Zealanders ...2 weeks ago
- Disabled people can’t be allowed to fall through the cracks of the Covid-19 crisis
Robyn Hunt writes on the challenges facing disabled people and what needs to be done to support them as we go into lockdown, and beyond.Disabled people at higher risk need more help. Many of the almost one quarter of New Zealanders who are disabled are doing it hard as the ...27 mins ago - Southern media firm digs in during Covid-19
An online focus is coming back to bite newspaper companies, the Otago Daily Times’ editor says. David Williams reports. Despite advertising falling off a cliff, and its community papers dormant, the group editor of the country’s third-biggest publisher says there haven’t been layoffs and it’s unlikely any of its newspapers ...39 mins ago - What’s on RNZ News at midday – Mar 30
Cabinet ministers will patch into a video conference this afternoon to discuss the Covid-19 lockdown, including complaints about high prices at supermarkets. ...44 mins ago - Region Asks For Help From The Highest Level
Talks will be ongoing between local leaders and Government in an effort to have them deploy both personnel and other resources to Tairāwhiti to support regional measures to contain COVID-19. Mayor Rehette Stoltz, Gisborne District Council ...45 mins ago - Select Committees Must Defer Submission Deadlines In Light Of COVID-19 CrisisThe New Zealand Taxpayers' Union is joining calls for the Government to extend submission deadlines for Select Committees during the immediate fallout of the COVID-19 crisis. New Zealand Taxpayers' Union spokesman Louis Houlbrooke says, "Old political ...46 mins ago
- Supermarket Pay Rises Welcomed But All Essential Workers Are Worth A Living WageFIRST Union welcomes the announcements made by supermarket chains Foodstuffs and Progressive Enterprises that workers will receive lockdown pay increases but is cautioning that the details of these promises matter and all essential workers should be earning ...1 hour ago
- Reporting the Covid-19 unknown: How reporters in Philippines do their job
By Imelda V. Abano in Manila The novel coronavirus now sweeping the globe has left many countries struggling to cope with rising numbers of infections and journalists grappling with how to best cover this evolving public health crisis. In addition to questions about how governments, health care systems and ...1 hour ago - Air NZ freight flights to begin tonight
The government has fast-tracked up to $1 million to help Air New Zealand move urgent freight in and out of the country - with the first flight to Shanghai leaving tonight. ...2 hours ago - Do Māori Made Easy with me: Week one – pronunciationJoin Leonie Hayden as she works through the first four weeks of Scotty Morrison’s Māori Made Easy.Kia ora e te whānau, welcome to MME with me! I know a lot of us have this little green book on our shelves. Maybe you bought it and never got round to opening ...2 hours ago
- Judicial Review Being Prepared On Government’s Decision To Shut Down Parts Of The Fourth EstateThe Free Speech Coalition is preparing to launch an urgent judicial review of the Ministry of Culture and Heritage’s decision to deem non-daily newspapers and publications not an essential service for the purposes of the COVID-19 Level-4 nationwide shutdown. ...2 hours ago
- Answers Needed For PPE Concerns In Home SupportIncreasingly concerned home support workers are worried that without adequate personal protective equipment and mandatory protocols for risk assessments, they may end up spreading COVID-19 around the homes and communities they work in. The news that 21 ...2 hours ago
- Fruit industry facing hurdles with harvest due to restrictions
The kiwifruit industry is fighting for survival as it tries to pick and pack the season's crop while enforcing Covid-19 restrictions. The apple industry is also predicting problems with at least 10 percent of the crop not likely to be picked. The nationwide lockdown has come right in the middle ...2 hours ago - RBNZ to ramp up support for businesses and banks
The Reserve Bank is ramping up support for businesses and banks by accepting corporate debt and other assets as security for loans to banks. The latest measure is designed to pump more money into the economy through the banking system. Assistant governor Christian Hawkesby said the aim is to encourage ...2 hours ago - The best of NZ social media in week one of lockdownThe first days of national lockdown have truly brought out the best in our social media stars. Alex Casey counts down the classics. Yesterday I got served with the Instagram notification that normally only pops up around Christmas-time. “You’re all caught up!” it chirps, “you’ve seen every post from the last ...3 hours ago
- Glenn Colquhoun, The Lockdown Letters #4: A note to Hone TūwhareIn our new series The Lockdown Letters, some of New Zealand’s best writers tell us what they’ve been up to in the days of Covid-19 alert level four. Today, writer and doctor Glenn Colquhoun goes full epistolary, with a letter to Hone Tūwhare – and his Travelling Band of Constant Companions.Kia ...3 hours ago
- NZ’s $5 billion foreign student industry faces dramatic dropBy John Gerritsen of RNZ News The $5 billion foreign student industry is facing a massive downturn with as many as half of this year’s enrolments now in doubt. Immigration New Zealand figures show that of 76,203 valid study visas at 15 March, 60,348 were in New Zealand, and ...3 hours ago
- High School 2.0: It’s time for education to prepare for the new normalAs New Zealand looks toward an uncertain future in all areas of life, Auckland school principal Claire Amos sees an opportunity to change high school education for the better. The last week has been an interesting one for school leaders. Monday arrived, it was all on – schools were closing the ...4 hours ago
- What’s in the newspapers – Mar 30
Supermarkets are set to open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday as the Government places extra scrutiny on their behaviour and pricing. ...5 hours ago - What’s on RNZ News at 8am – Mar 30
The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told Morning Report, she’s expecting the country to be restricted to visitors for some time after the lockdown period ends. ...5 hours ago - A major scorecard gives the health of Australia’s environment less than 1 out of 10Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Albert Van Dijk, Professor, Water and Landscape Dynamics, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University 2019 was the year Australians confronted the fact that a healthy environment is more than just a pretty waterfall in a national park; a nice ...5 hours ago
- For public transport to keep running, operators must find ways to outlast coronavirusSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yale Z Wong, Research Associate, Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies, University of Sydney ZMinimising health risks has rightly been the focus of discussion during the coronavirus outbreak. This includes efforts to protect both frontline public transport employees and the travelling public. ...5 hours ago
- Delivery workers are now essential. They deserve the rights of other employeesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tyler Riordan, PhD Candidate, The University of Queensland Along with home delivery of groceries, pharmaceuticals and alcohol, demand for food delivery is booming. Services such as Uber Eats and Deliveroo have become essential to cafes and restaurants that can now only sell ...5 hours ago
- Thinking like a Buddhist about coronavirus can calm the mind and help us focusSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nishanathe Dahanayake, PhD Candidate, Ethics/Philosophy, University of New England The coronavirus pandemic is challenging our health, work, family, food and fun. It’s also disturbing our peace of mind and forcing us to question our own existence. We are each asking our own ...5 hours ago
- ICYMI Business: Chorus and Stride hopeful
ASB sees 6 percent GDP fall in 2020; Chorus, King Salmon and Stride reassure their profits are still on track; Augusta withdraws fund on rent relief fears; US stocks slide again; US jobs data looms ...6 hours ago - The Bulletin: When are we getting out of lockdown?Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Conditions for leaving lockdown explored, nation’s first death from Covid-19 reported, and Australian govt continues to discriminate against NZers.When will the Covid-19 lockdown across New Zealand end? Short answer – when it’s actually safe to do so. Officially, the current state ...7 hours ago
- Covid-19 live updates, March 30: Australia bans gatherings of more than two as it nears 4,000 casesFor all The Spinoff’s latest coverage of Covid-19 see here. Read Siouxsie Wiles’s work here. New Zealand is currently in alert level four. The country is shut down, apart from essential services. For updated official government advice, see here.The Spinoff’s coverage of the Covid-19 outbreak is funded by The Spinoff Members. To support this work, join The ...7 hours ago
- Coronavirus: PM backs families battling to keep seniors in their bubblePeople over 70 and those with underlying health conditions faced the lockdown four days before the rest of the country - but some of the elderly still aren't taking any notice. ...7 hours ago
- A photo essay on the one thing to keep you sane in the lockdown: bookshelves
Steve Braunias presents a photo essay of the one thing that New Zealanders are holding close to their hearts during the Lockdown: their bookshelves. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's bookcase at Premier House in Wellington. The photograph which she posted this weekend on her Instagram page reveals two novels by Elizabeth ...7 hours ago - Glimmer of hope for Lake Alice victims
Police start “initial” investigation into abuse at a notorious psychiatric hospital. David Williams reports The Government has missed a 90-day deadline for responding to a United Nations committee over torture at Lake Alice’s child and adolescent unit in the 1970s. However, in a move that might represent a glimmer of ...8 hours ago - Emma Espiner: Sunday at Countdown
Emma Espiner makes a slow and deliberate trip to the supermarket yesterday, where she finds we are approaching social distancing in a very New Zealand way It took me three attempts to go to the supermarket. Two days ago I saw the cheerless conga line snaking around the car park ...8 hours ago - Society’s ‘invisible bonds’ come into the light
Dr Neal Curtis looks at all the points of implicit trust within society, and how Covid-19 is revealing how important this trust is As I stood in the queue to get into our local supermarket it was encouraging to see how carefully people were engaging in social distancing to minimise ...8 hours ago - Practise, practise, practise: The Black Fern and the law
From growing up on the remote East Cape to becoming a Black Fern and a lawyer, Ruahei Demant wants to show young Māori that anything is possible. In the long run, Ruahei Demant wants to be a sports lawyer. But in the short term, the Black Ferns first-five is juggling her ...8 hours ago - Like being randomly pricked with a pin … and worse
Having toughed it out alone with Covid-19 and survived, one Kiwi man learned the hard way how self-isolation really can save lives, writes Jill Herron Choosing to self-isolate early with only Sophie the spaniel as company led to a lonesome, rough ride through Covid-19 for a Christchurch asthmatic – but ...8 hours ago - Love in the times of Covid-19
As we begin what could become a long period of self-isolation, we encounter a dilemma. On the one hand, epidemiological research and recent global events show us the dangers of not responding swiftly to Covid-19. With community spread now within our shores, it is critical that we follow government orders ...8 hours ago - The fears of community health and care workers
Community health and care workers talk of their fear of infection - for themselves, their vulnerable clients and New Zealand Over the last few days, Newsroom has written several articles about the fact that thousands of home and community health care workers, who care for elderly, disabled and sick people, have ...8 hours ago - Covid-19: Petitions launched demanding ‘hazard pay’ for essential workersCalls are growing for extra payment for those who continue to head out to work every day, including many on very low wages.The Spinoff’s coverage of the Covid-19 outbreak is funded by The Spinoff Members. To support this work, join The Spinoff Members here.Two petitions have been circulating over the weekend ...9 hours ago
- History, hope, and Covid-19Covid-19 will transform society, just as the plague and smallpox transformed nations centuries ago. This time, however, we have something they didn’t, writes historian Ayelet Zoran-Rosen.Throughout history, epidemics and pandemics have been a threat to people and states. They strike societies with little or no notice, upend their social and ...9 hours ago
- Christchurch, coronavirus and the ‘new normal’
The Covid-19 epidemic is only the second time New Zealand has entered a state of national emergency. Newsroom’s Sam Sachdeva had first-hand experience of the first - the devastating Christchurch earthquakes - and tries to make sense of how the two compare. There is so much that is new about New ...9 hours ago - The virus as a Vector for power use switch
In another of his interviews with key industry CEOs on their response to the Covid-19 crisis, Rod Oram talks with Simon Mackenzie of lines company Vector, who expects permanent changes in where and why people consume electricity even once the lockdown ends At mid-afternoon on Wednesday, nine hours before New ...9 hours ago - Facebook hires AAP for NZ fact-checking
In the lead-up to the general election, Facebook has launched a fact-checking service for New Zealand and the Pacific, Marc Daalder reports Facebook has contracted the Australian Associated Press' fact-checking division to serve as a certified agency to review content pertaining to New Zealand and the Pacific and rate its ...9 hours ago - Govt’s ComCom Covid-19 directions illegal and irrationalThe Consumers' Union of Aotearoa has issued a challenge against Kris Faafoi's ministerial press statement which instructed the Commerce Commission to relax its standards for supermarkets and telecommunications companies[*]. ...9 hours ago
- Public gatherings restricted to two people and all foreign investment proposals scrutinised, in new ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra No more than two people are to gather together in public spaces, and playgrounds will be closed in the latest restrictions in the coronavirus crisis. Meanwhile the government will now scrutinise all foreign investment proposals ...13 hours ago
- Give people and businesses money now they can pay back later (if and when they can)Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Linda Botterill, Professor in Australian Politics, University of Canberra The novel coronavirus sees Australia facing major unprecedented health and economic crises. The key to preventing a downward spiral of the economy is to avoid a collapse in incomes of newly laid-off workers ...15 hours ago
- How Ardern’s coronavirus kindness theme can become contagiousThe South African ‘Don’t Panic Buy’ jingle. Video: ENCA/PickNSave PACIFIC PANDEMIC DIARY: By David Robie, self-isolating in Auckland under New Zealand’s Covid-19 lockdown as part of a new Pacific Media Watch series. A South African celebrity jingle that has gone viral at the end of this week could easily ...17 hours ago
- Government says Australia’s coronavirus curve may be flatteningSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The federal government says there are signs the coronavirus curve may be flattening in Australia. Scott Morrison told a Sunday news conference the rate of increase in cases had fallen to about 13-15% a day ...20 hours ago
- Broadband and data usage surges as New Zealanders reach outWhether to connect with friends and colleagues, catch up on news, or stave off the boredom with bingeable TV, we’ve all been on our devices a lot more than normal.Vodafone has released a summary of its traffic stats for the past six days, which compares phone calls, broadband, and mobile ...21 hours ago
- Rushed Vaping Bill During Covid-19, Grossly UnfairNew Zealand vaping representatives have joined forces to condemn the Government continuing with its plan to rush legislation through Parliament to regulate vaping despite the Covid-19 lockdown. The Vaping Trade Association of New Zealand (VTANZ), ...21 hours ago
- Locked down and locked out in Australia
Celebrated Kiwi author and expat Ian Brodie adds his voice to pleas for the Australian government to relax welfare rules and help more than half a million vulnerable New Zealanders, writes Jill Herron. Brothers in arms, we are not. That’s the call from award-winning Kiwi author, photographer and film tourism ...22 hours ago - Review: Netflix’s addictive Tiger King will leave you feeling grubby for watchingThe new true crime documentary sensation shares many of the flaws of its own subject, writes Sam Brooks.Joe Exotic, the man at the centre of Netflix’s new documentary series Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, is a star. There’s an unnerving charisma that burns through the tattooed eyeliner, the sickly ...22 hours ago
- NZ lockdown – Day 4: First death in New Zealand from coronavirusBy RNZ News New Zealand’s Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern have confirmed the country’s first death from the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. Dr Bloomfield said New Zealand had its first death today, after a woman who was initially diagnosed with influenza died. The woman ...22 hours ago
- Covid-19 in NZ – Sunday’s numbers charted
How is Covid-19 spreading within the country? Newsroom is collating information as it's available to paint a picture of what's happening. There were 63 new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand, down from the previous day's 83 new cases. Details of how many tests have been completed are now being released ...23 hours ago - PNG’s Health Minister Jelta Wong ‘sidelines’ Kramer in virus briefingsPapua New Guinea will have only one press release in the afternoons at 4:00pm daily to give updates on the Covid–19 in the country in a reshuffle of information briefings. Health Minister Jelta Wong announced this when visited the office of the PNG Nurses Association accompanied by his department’s ...23 hours ago
- First Covid-19 death in New Zealand
New Zealand has had its first death linked to Covid-19. The patient, a woman in her 70s on the West Coast, was admitted to hospital with what was thought to be influenza complicated by underlying health conditions. She was later diagnosed with Covid-19. The woman's family has asked for privacy ...1 day ago - President Lú-Olo declares Timor-Leste state of emergency over coronavirusPacific Media Watch The President of Timor-Leste, Francisco Guterres Lú-Olo, has declared a state of emergency to enable the government to address the global Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. The state of emergency started last night at midnight and it will run until the night of April 26. Timor-Leste’s National Parliament ...1 day ago
- Cut Traffic Speeds To Reduce Pressure On Hospitals, Say Cycling AdvocatesIt’s time to lower traffic speeds to reduce crashes and free up hospital beds, say cycling advocates. "This will reduce harm and ease the burden on our health workers and emergency services," says Patrick Morgan from Cycling Action Network. ...1 day ago
- Pacific coronavirus: French Polynesia Covid-19 tally rises to 34By RNZ Pacific The number of people testing positive for Covid-19 in French Polynesia has risen by four to 34. The update from the government said the hospitalisation rate is unchanged with one person in care. Last night a curfew was declared for the first time, forcing residents across ...1 day ago
- Ohura Medieval Market Day, and the fight to keep a small town standingIt’s a town where people often feel the rest of the country has given up on them, in the middle of a region where every place feels isolated. So how did Ohura become an unlikely centre of Medieval Combat sports in New Zealand? Alex Braae spent three days there finding ...1 day ago
- Coronavirus – analysing the data makes you think we could do with more of it
If you want to understand some of the thinking behind the policy response to the spread of coronavirus, you might want to read the paper from the Imperial College COVID-19 Response Team, which is credited with accelerating the introduction of the current lockdown measures in the UK. The paper builds ...1 day ago - The Pink Jumpsuit: An essay about the bubbles we live in‘It seems like someone else’s dream of my past.’ For Emma Neale, the painting ‘Wanderlust’ by Dunedin artist Sharon Singer stirs memories of her childhood, and new understandings of guilt and forgiveness.There were gifts from my father when he came home from overseas trips. Love offerings; a bit like those ...1 day ago
- Māori Party delay launch to fight Covid-19The Māori Party is delaying the launch of its new-look party to fight Covid-19 in Māori communities. ...1 day ago
- Resuscitating a virus-ravaged economy – the answer lies in the soil and the exports it generates
Westpac is forecasting 200,000 jobs will be lost in NZ as a result of the response to the coronavirus pandemic. Chief economist Dominick Stephens estimates economic activity during the four week lock-down would decline by a third, despite the government and the Reserve Bank having “done a lot to calm ...1 day ago - Renée, the Lockdown Letters #3: Help yourself to my rhubarbIn our new series The Lockdown Letters, some of New Zealand’s best writers tell us what they’ve been up to in the days of Covid-19 alert level four. Today, Ōtaki author Renée.I have a wild tomato flopping all over the path down the back of the veg garden. I picked a ...1 day ago
- Covid-19 live updates, March 29For all The Spinoff’s latest coverage of Covid-19 see here. Read Siouxsie Wiles’s work here. New Zealand is currently in alert level four. The country is shut down, apart from essential services. For updated official government advice, see here. The Spinoff’s coverage of the Covid-19 outbreak is funded by The Spinoff Members. To support this ...1 day ago
- Covid-19 scams: Here’s what you need to look out forOnline criminals have been making the most of Covid-19 by preying on people’s fear and doubt. Here are some of the calling cards of these con artists.With most New Zealanders tucked up at home, digital devices are proving to be critical tools for staying connected with each other, making good ...1 day ago
- A visit to the supermarket
Author and illustrator Sarah Laing draws a rite of passage in The Lockdown. Reprinted with the permission of the author from Let Me Be Frank, Sarah Laing's blog devoted to "Reading. Writing. Parenting. Angsting." Let Me Be Frank is also the ...1 day ago - Life on paws: How to deal with your pets during lockdownAs New Zealand adjusts to a month of lockdown, many pet owners have questions about their furry friends. Alex Casey had a chat with the SPCA – here’s what she learned. AC: My cat had a disgusting abscess on his tail and now has to get his stitches out. ...1 day ago
- No shops, no launches – but the NZ book scene is finding new ways to reach people under lockdownBooks editor Catherine Woulfe takes an energising walk around the lockdown block of New Zealand books. When the bubbles settled over us they settled over the books too. Libraries were the first to shut down, then the physical bookstores and finally, the hammer blow: online sales and indeed any notion of ...1 day ago
- Gavin Ellis: Time for adversity journalism
Journalism commentator and former editor Gavin Ellis says media organisations play a vital role in keeping the community informed and, if possible, safe. They also have a crucial part to play in the maintenance of public order and morale, just as they did in the 1940s. With the country in ...1 day ago - We’ve been forgotten: midwife
The country has millions of protective gowns, gloves and eyewear – midwives ask: Where are they? David Williams reports Two days into a national lockdown some midwives didn’t have any protective equipment, adding to concerns about safeguards for frontline health workers. On Friday, announcements were made by the Health Ministry ...1 day ago - Fiji: A paradise under pandemic rules
Convincing its citizens to take lockdown seriously will be a major challenge for Fiji’s government, writes Mandy De Vries. My husband, Howie, and I are lucky enough to live on the beautiful Coral Coast in Fiji. We started a tourism operation here two years ago which was, until recently, booming. ...1 day ago - We’re better placed now than GFC or 1987
New Zealand’s businesses and government are far better prepared for the rapidly escalating global health and economic crisis than they were for the Global Financial Crisis in 2008-09 or the stock market crash in 1987, says Rob Campbell, one of the country’s most experienced corporate leaders. “Executive teams and boards ...1 day ago - What lockdown could do for your business idea
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Today, on TS.
Hi Joe, alright, I will bite, please elucidate.
Were you discombobulated by something on TS?
Was it a day that comments or input were particularly challenging?
Or is it a merely a word to increase our vocabulary?
The pro-plague dog and pony show on OM.
Still name calling eh J90. You've said in comments that you're unhealthy. No need to wish to drag others down to your level.
Vaccines, shed virus, maim and kill. That science is settled.
If you read some of the links you could, if so inclined find a way to move on from the name calling, and just accept that you are unhealthy, and others are not responsible for yours, or any other human beings health.
You should watch this Joe. Not throw insults and sulk.
14m mark quote:
That vaccine is actually killing children…it’s not just sort of a differential effect…it’s killing children …it’s not because it saves boys…the vaccine is killing children…
Vaccines, shed virus, maim and kill. That science is settled.
Do you have any links to this 'settled science'?
*yawn*
What bored you?
Was it the hundreds of thousands of children killed per year by vaccines in the African countries used for experiments
Africans, many more female than males…killed by vaccines…millions of them…
Does that bore you?
Why?
[Citations needed]
Cite?
I've linked 1.1.1.1 you the video…hundred of thousands of children…annually.
Ahhh.
One persons pro plague is anothers scare mongering up profits to big pharma.
I think it was on RNZ this morning, we were urged to get the flu jab.
On the upside my vocab has increased with conglumrified.
I've never had a flu jab and never really had cause to get one.
I think I have only really had the flu twice in my 38 years. I know it can only be twice because when you have you KNOW you have it
Heh, from the talk this morning you would think it was as common as a common thing.
This is where resistance for the mass medication arguements arises for me.
Talk of denying children early education unless they are immunised is the thin edge of a dispicable wedge.
I got looking and talking about measles in Aotearoa. In the area I live in (Mid Central Health), there hasn't been a hospitilization from measles this year.
yup, that's the problem we face. Tigers aren't scary if nobody's really seen one.
If our expensive scare-tiger is really good at keeping tigers away, people forget how bad tigers are and stop maintaining the scare-tiger. But then the tigers come back.
HPH is not a source I would be ever cite…a so called medical professional who links to Gorski, and writes in a style completely out of the Gorski name calling training manual.
Highly inappropriate for a so called medical professional…
HPH has also be accused of misconduct in an open letter to the WHO.
lol coming from you, that's a compliment.
In the many years since a childhood pertussis infection one of my brothers has endured respiratory problems, chest infections, pleurisy, pneumonia, courtesy of his chronic bronchiectasis. Influenza might well be the biggest threat to his life and every year I worry that this might be the winter.
I'm grateful he has the opportunity to be vaccinated.
That does sound a grim history for your brother.
It is good he can get a flu jab.
How many sad stories have you got to share about your family joe?
Stories that apparently empower you to use bigoted insults towards others who have been damaged or killed by vaccines…or who just wish to exercise their right to bodily autonomy and to say no…or their parental right to say no for their children…
I'm grateful he has the opportunity to be vaccinated.
And that is well and good. Just leave it there when other people make a choice not to vaccinate themselves or their children…especially after a vaccine injury or death to their loved one...
You should extend concern for your bothers well being …outwards in a more positive way…eh Joe.
For many families polio and pertussis were life changing events.
But don't let that get in the way of your supercilious dog wanking
Sure. and of so it is for all the mothers and parents of vaccine damaged and dead kids…
Why should your experiences enable you to be so callous towards others..
Because pro-plague scum are a threat to the public health measures that put an end to most communicable diseases.
But it has been proven , that they are not..
Why are you still pushing that total nonsense around?
Do you have developmental issues you might like to also share – that is an honest question?
Because we know polio and pertussis deaths actually do happen by the hundreds of thousands if left unchecked. Not your imaginary numbers.
490,000 Indians damaged by the polio vaccine though…in only one single part of one country…
How many…where are the numbers you're referring to?
You are so under informed…what is that prevents being able admit it, and just quietly step out of the discussion?
You did say millions of African children per year.
How many children die in Africa each year?
Have fun looking that up. I'm amazed big pharma has gotten away with it for so long.
Bit late for you is it…
Have a look at what I wrote and the link I posted to joe..
Death of any variety is not fun..
Whats with your commentary and calling events like death and vaccine damage fun..?
You are an apologist…worse than that you're an uninformed apologist…
Which means you don't care at all about the discussion you're involved with and you're engaging in bad faith.
God – you sound like Ed.
How many hundred thousand? Because depending on the age definition of "children", you're still claiming about 1% (at a lower bound) of Africa's child mortality is due to experimentation of vaccines.
Which is a not-very-credible claim.
I’m off to bed.
You've just thrown hundreds of thousands, and then millions of African kids under the hypocrisy bus, and try to smear joe90 with your own budget brand 'special' sauce.
Hypocrite 🙄
At rough math, one-two seems to be claiming that a double-digit percentage of all child deaths in Africa are caused by vaccine experimentation.
Which is a pretty bold claim.
@ joe. That is where your credibility just falls over.
You have your stories of your family and then put your repeated dog wanking epiphet after it, then its hard to have any empathy for you, let alone your arguement for vacination.
Surely, at least a canine is satisfied.
It's appropriate when responding to a self-absorbed cretin.
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=dog%20wanker
Yep, just undermining your position.
you put the urban dictionary reference in last time, I didn’t look then either.
Anyhoo, off to bed.
One shouldn’t under estimate the benefits of sleep.
Nighty nite.
hey one two you're coming across like a cartoon badguy – slimey insincerity and caustic vibe off your every comment – is that what you want? not cool dude.
Fucken do that count to 10 (TEN) like I taught you – it WILL work. Come on you can do it just fucken try.
Nah bro…you're just looking for things which aren't there…why are you still trying to do that…
Have you not abused my comments enough in recent times…now your trying to paint yourself as something you most definitely are not…
You should really stop pretending to be able to read comments…and start asking your angry mates to stop hurling abusive insults….instead of popping up on mine…again…
Jail jokes, are definitely not cool…bro.
Edit. I see you edited that comment…back to the bad language…and projected anger …again….
two bros eh one two, two? and somehow you're racism is okay? hard habit to break but your anger is destructive – it is NOT okay to be racist at any time one two anytime at all – ffs count to ten one two don't do it cos I say do it no do it for yourself one two do it for yourself lad
Edit. I see you edited that comment…back to the bad language…and projected anger …again….
Why are you so desperate to project you anger issues into others?
Deliberately two bros…I call many people bro…they come from all around the world…and are all ethnic backgrounds…including tanagata whenua, pacifika, african american and many others…
It is very ugly for you to repeatedly cry racism at any opportunity…to other commentators here…
Speaks to who you are as a human being…
Why are you so desperate to project you anger issues into others?
You used the term 'bro' as a weapon against me, knowing I'm Māori . You're too weak to own up to your own weakness – bit of a dilemma eh noddy lol – don't worry I've dealt to dogshit racists for years and I don't forget that stuff mores the pity lol
You're like the boy who cried wolf…
I know you're angry amd abusive through your comments…that's what I know…
And you're absolutely trying to bring non racism into your life…again..I suspect you're probably a racist..you push so hard and are so desperate…
As I said..you don't have a copyright on being a bro…so climb down from the soapbox and stop being such a mind slave..
I do not care one iota what ethnicity you identify as…that is your business…
And Ill use the word bro as and when I choose…
I also believe it to be a form of targeted racism. I can't say I recall 12 calling anyone else on here bro, though of course, they are free to link and prove me incorrect.
Bro you believe whatever you like…
Trying to get in on martys intrepid search for racism..
Takes a disturbed mind to have a default mode which endlessly desires racism to feel self righteous…
Lower than that is the mind of someone who seeks to bandwagon as an uninvolved 3rd party…
Even lower again…the uninvolved band-wagoning 3rd party who is grandstanding …for some reason…that's you…bro.
I can see why you're fighting so hard against the accusation, but it looks like you have no defence, here.
In your attempt to bait and attack MM, you let your racist cat out of the bag. I, like many others, think that bag should have long been tossed into a canal.
Shame on you, 12.
Nope. Just pointing out your 3rd party band wagon rasism grandstanding…
All very low rent..you try to be clever…overly so…it reeks through your confused commentary…
Which condition did you say it was..spectrum?
First it's racism, now you're weaponising autism.
Good job in completely destroying any remaining credibility, and all within half an hour.
Yep, you’re really as sharp as you believe 😆
I like to be sure those I engage with are doing so in good faith…
Also I observe the type of engagement to see if the subject matter could be harmful to the receiver…if I get an indication then I'll stop replying…
You're an interesting case.. having not changed styles since before you disappeared…
Your style is all over the place in an inarticulat, almost manic manner…hence the question..
Marty is an angry abusive with a long history of crying racism at any moment…
You seen similar, in that you're bouncing around trying to find shelter of a sort..comfort in something…Which is why your grandstanding marty bandwagon show is so obvious…
Takes a disturbed mind to provide an echo on a someone else's fake racism callouts..
A disturbed mind…
That doesn't cut the mustard.
You've been caught red handed being racist and belittling autism.
For one who argues against vaccinations partly because they, according to you cause spectrum disorders, shows exactly where your head is in the game.
You're as genuine as a $10 rolex.
Best you take your vegan dog out to shit on your unmowed lawns before heading off to bed to sleep it off.
You never could best me in a debate. No need to think you can now, especially when you're bang to rights.
You're only saving grace is this is very late and tomorrow everyone will move on to the next days bullshit-a-go-round, but we'll always know, won't we, eh? 😉
😆
Just did.
but wees poo, you didn’t beat anyone.
i followed you original link. The one you posted way up above. It’s a boring narrative from an anthropologist. Not someone who should be the sole authority on whether vaccines cause harm. Despite his claims of meeting a guy who supports his observations.
There weren’t “hundreds and thousands” of deaths claimed either? So wees poos, how did that verifiably bullshit claim climb to millions? Extrapolating conclusions from an incomplete and / or unverifiable data set is the cardinal sin of statistics and refutes all arguments made off of it.
So what do you make of joes last missive marty?
good stuff – one two is a poorly constructed yet well executed parody of an utter wanker.
rightio then.
FWIW I have found the links from 1 2 a little more enlightening than what the nay-sayers have offered.
bedtime for me.
te po pai.
"I think it was on RNZ this morning, we were urged to get the flu jab."
Oh, is that what prompted the circus.
You can do better than that Sacha…it was higherstandard that pulled the pin…/open-mike-14-05-2019/#comment-1616524
Busy day. I generally react poorly to stuff that is conveyed with conspiracy language and tactics, even though as you know I am not blind to the weaknesses of current knowledge and systems.
Sort yourself out then and stop making excuses. I said that to you just the other day…
You could always stop sounding like burning jet fuel and behaving like a sealion.
Not me sacha, I had just checked out the furore after (now regrettably) engaging with joe.
One thing I notice through these diatribes is no-one has negated Rosemary's observation of the placenta/breast feeding observation regarding pertussis.
Lots of nasty name calling though.
Bit harsh to give women pertussis to immunise any prospective issue, though.
No idea about how true it is (especially the "naturally" bit). It just seems to me that the implementation of that treatment might be problematic.
Rosemary’s posting (on today’s OM @22.3) of Prof. Christine Stabell Benn’s TEDx talk on the unrecognised effects of attenuated live vaccines was a real eye opener for me.
Interesting to investigate the epidemiology of online vax 'debates' and how they mutate/degenerate into slagging matches. Might be a thesis in it
https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/summer_research/309/
https://carolinaseveriche.me/misinformation-the-anti-vax-movement-and-health-outcomes/
The Anti-vaccination Movement: A Regression in Modern Medicine
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6122668/
Perhaps instead of using pejorative smears and linking to a study which could be viewed as <em>inflammatory…</em>
Perhaps invest some online time into researching the tactics which the vaccine industry and regulators/authorities/academia (also the industry) perform to distort the entirity of a discussion…
In fact the spin put on it since Jenner is nothing short of transparent…
The emperor has no cloths.
Do better than using insulting tropes Drowsy…you're better than that…I reckon…
Did you view Prof./Dr Benn's TEDx talk that Rosemary posted?
Prof. Benn says that the medical establishment are largely ignoring (inconvenient) findings on the unrecognised/unexpected (non-specific) effects (both beneficial and harmful) of vaccines. She thinks that "the main reason for this is the polarised vaccine debate."
She also says this (a direct quote from her TEDx talk, @13:30):
"This makes vaccines the largest untapped resource for improving health globally."
That’s a clear message. Please, don't shoot the messenger.
I posted on Badim months ago, Drowsy…
But I'm talking about your final link and use of the smear AV…
Politely suggest you leave use of that label to the less capable of mind around here..
You don't need to lower yourself to that level…
I admire the passion and energy with which you present your cause, but think your views are wrong.
I respectfully ask that you address this direct quote (@13:30):
"This makes vaccines the largest untapped resource for improving health globally."
If you choose to dismiss Prof. Benn's research because of that quote, then (IMHO) that is your loss, much as it is the loss of the medical establishment.
Antivax is great until the chickens come home to roost…
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10860122
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/09/well/oregon-child-tetanus-vaccine.html
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2019/jan/10/the-forgotten-story-of-di-jones-footballers-died-tetanus
Nat leaders https://www.noted.co.nz/currently/politics/is-judith-collins-the-answer-for-national-party-simon-bridges/
As much as I'd prefer Collins as Leader over Bridges, the die is set, Bridges is leading National into 2020.
If Bridges is rolled this side of the election it will be like Labour 2008 -2017, his supporters will undermine Collins or whoever becomes the leader and guarantee an electoral loss and the policial death of whoever replaced him.
National will lose with Bridges in charge that's pretty much a certainty unless Bridges stands aside voluntarily, which is hardly likely, it makes little sense for Collins to overthrow Bridges and assume the leadership.
Unless Ardern does something incredibly stupid like threatening to ban facebook then 2020 is in the bag.
Sounds like lose lose for the Nats, so all good.
Edit. I didn’t read your last line when i typed above.
Damn near any polly that stood on an agenda of banning FB would get my vote.
After all isnt society better off without a company that facilitates a live stream of a mass murder?
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/05/jacinda-ardern-won-t-rule-out-blocking-facebook-if-used-to-spread-extremist-content.html
There you go
Chur.
Bit of a vote winner you reckon?
As I say below, I am in minority in not being part of FB.
FWIW, FB is just one of those clear signposts, when viewed in retrospect, of the decline of our society.
I am yet to speak to anyone (and I have asked quite a few), that have changed their FB usage/habits, post Chch.
Yet again, it ain't FB that is wrong, it's us- the enablers.
BM do you have any issues with FB live streaming mass murder?
If the question is 'what's even worse?'
TFW you think the kid's are okay and then realise some of those kids are the target audience for shit like this, and they're lapping it up.
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/josephbernstein/youtubes-newest-far-right-foul-mouthed-red-pilling-star-is
Foul mouthx, foul minez.
Richard Harman discusses Winston's attempt to win farmer support: http://politik.co.nz/en/content/Environment/1561/Peters-trying-to-avoid-being-stranded-on-climate-change-Winston-Peters-NZ-First-Zero-Carbon-Bill-methane-targets.htm
"Peters may find he doesn’t get much a reception from dairy farmers on that unless he can deliver on the growing demand for a debate on the use of genetically edited ryegrass which has been developed by AgResearch but which cannot be planted outside the laboratory in New Zealand because of anti-genetic modification legislation."
"The Prime Minister’s former Chief Science Advisor, Sir Peter Gluckman, has called for a debate on this and has said he doubts agriculture will be economically viable if it is to meet the methane targets with access to genetically edited grass. But when the Prime Minister was asked last week whether there was a case to admit the use of the ryegrass she didn’t directly address the question."
I guess that's due to her science advisor not yet having briefed her on the issue. I suspect she may since have requested that briefing!!
The Green caucus will be thrilled at the prospect of having to munch on a genetically-modified dead rat. Or maybe they will draw the line over it. If so, how can they do so without triggering an early election? Genuine question. I hope they reject the fundamentalist GE stance. Farmers need incentives to play ball.
Another sparklingly clever technology from the field of science will save us all, Dennis?
I am curious, is FB the only forum, cyber wise, for a community to organise around?
I have not and will not have a bar of Zuckerburgs dalliance, but it is clear I am in a small minority.
TS is great in that a conversation can be had, there is no advertising and tolerance of dickheads isn't too great.
I am also aware that this just doesn't 'happen'. There is a lot of work in moderation, authors and the computer jiggery pokery.
What other mediums are there?
I have not and will not have a bar of Zuckerburgs dalliance, but it is clear I am in a small minority.
I'm part of that minority. Might be more of us than you realise. The problem is, they're making life difficult for us FB abstainers because just about every cyber outlet is going FB these days and leaving us behind.
"You don't miss what you never had." – I for one am quite happy to be left behind (and ‘alone’), thank-you very much!
Who needs Facebook when you’ve got ‘The Standard‘. [No thunderbolt as yet.]
Hmm, not sure if this is the place to enthuse about low and slow smoking/bbq… unless it was limited to free range mushrooms.
Not making the connection, but it's late & I'm dim(mer). Ah, I see (thanks Google!)
My ‘thunderbolt’ reference was to a hypothetical Zuckerbolt – should have said.
Avoiding upsetting vegans/vegetarians, (he said quietly, as he was supposed to be going to sleep).
Yes facebook is being adopted as the default for quick contact. It feels like early days when Microsoft ruled the waves, and government bought into it wholesale.
@ Anne (5.1) … Particularly agree with your final paragraph.
I'm a non FB user as well and I know plenty more non users of the medium. I value my privacy too much to feel the need to share my personal details with all and sundry.
I enjoy keeping up to date with alternative news sites, such as TS TDB and the like. Much more informative. Personally I'd rather be informed than influenced.
@ mary_a
I'm not au fait with the workings of FB, but it seems to me that it would be reasonably easy to break into a site and harass a person for political or personal reasons. Having had the misfortune to be targeted in such a way more than once, I'm not going to put myself in a position where somebody can do it to me again.
Sensible move Anne.
Survey on disabled housing – Auckland… Have you seen this Rosemary. It might be good to get your oar in. And anyone with disabled access, issues.
Auckland Disability Law
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2019/05/14/research-opportunity-share-your-housing-experiences-auckland-disability-law/
We'll have a look tomorrow, maybe even participate in a survey. Jaded folk that we are…pretty sure these questions have been asked in years past, and still it is not mandatory to future proof all state/social housing. We have finally cleared away twenty years of grot and got our accessible family home ready to be sold. Scouted around a number of agents and settled on the one who wasn't shy about putting 'wheelchair access' in the marketing blurbs. You'd be surprised how many agents think having an accessible house is a turn off to buyers. Luckily we have the Bus to live in if the house sells, as there's bugger all in the way of accessible housing out there!
Rosemary and partner – you are bold adventurers. Hope the sale brings in good money. I hope you will be able to park the bus in places where you find compatible people that will be good friends.
We're not selling the house to make good money…we're selling it because it is too big now the kids have grown and flown and we simply can't afford to keep it.
We will park the Bus in places where we can meet people who won't call me a lying nutter.
Ooh cool, take it sweet Rosemary. Get away from those people they are hurting you. Let us know how you get on and what good things have happened lately, we mustn't let the negative settle on us.
Bloody nora, trump and co go from crazy to utterly nuts.