Malta and Luxembourg raced to become Europe’s first country to legalise home growing (Malta won). The new German coalition government has agreed to fully legalise cannabis for adult use – showing how it can be done, by just doing it!
In 2021, five additional US states — Connecticut, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Virginia — legalised cannabis for adult use. That means that an additional 42 million Americans were liberated from the oppressive and failed policy of marijuana prohibition.
State lawmakers also took steps to ensure justice for individuals with prior cannabis convictions. California, Illinois, New York, Virginia, and elsewhere moved to either seal or expunge the convictions of around 2.2 million people who formerly faced the lifelong stigma of a cannabis criminal record.
"oppressive and failed policy of marijuana prohibition.".
We of course are going to have an attempt at this introduced here.
The propose that we will make it illegal for anyone under the age of about 14 today from ever being able to buy or smoke tobacco. Bet that turns out to be a marvelous triumph. I'm not going to bother looking up the details of what the proposal really is because it will be the greatest stuff-up since the US had their eighteenth amendment fiasco.
The Chekist thug has memory-holed his predecessors' atrocities.
Liquidation of the International Memorial
12/28/2021
On December 28, 2021, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation decided to liquidate the International Memorial.
The formal reason stated in the suit of the General Prosecutor's Office is the absence of the label “foreign agent” on some materials. During the hearing, the inconsistency of these claims was clearly demonstrated.
But today, the court finally named not a formal reason, but the real reason for the liquidation of the International Memorial: the General Prosecutor's Office claims that we are misinterpreting Soviet history, “creating a false image of the USSR as a terrorist state,” “lashing out criticism at the state authorities”. And the state, according to our opponents, is beyond criticism.
The decision of the Supreme Court once again confirmed that the history of political terror organized and directed by the state authorities remains for Russia not an academic topic of interest only to specialists, but an acute problem of our time. Our country needs an honest and conscientious reflection on the Soviet past; this is the guarantee of her future. It is ridiculous to believe that the judicial liquidation of International Memorial will remove this issue from the agenda. The entire Russian society needs to remember the tragedies of the past. And not only Russian: the memory of state terror unites all the former Soviet republics.
Of course, we will challenge the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation in all ways available to us. And we will find legitimate ways to continue our work. A memorial is not an organization, it is not even a social movement. The memorial is the need of the citizens of Russia for the truth about its tragic past, about the fate of many millions of people. And no one will be able to "eliminate" this need.
The crocodile tears are falling, forgetting that that time of history was the result of yet another capitalist inspired war that dragged the Soviet Union in by capitalist German aggression
Stalin was a product of those capitalist aggression times. But still a Hero in many ways.
Wash your mouth out with soap – Stalin was the worst of men – a true peer of Hitler.
"Even if you could tear the head off an elephant, if you are without humanity you are no hero."
Not a hero – a totalitarian despot utterly lacking in humanity or indeed any other redeeming features – a ruthless self-serving power seeker that only fascist fanboys and America-hating ignoramuses could admire.
Anyone who supports Capitalist versus Capitalist wars such as the two world wars are partly culpable for the 27 million Soviet Citizen's death toll from WW2, not forgetting the lack of acknowledgments in recent WW2 commemorations for the Soviet contribution on defeating the Fascists. ie Hitler who is more akin to your beloved American Administration than Stalin
Big on projection Byd0nz, but fact free as usual – I don't love the US – they do plenty wrong – but their wrongs do not exculpate totalitarian despots.
No-one who pretends to progressive values can go beyond Churchill's "If Hitler invaded Hell, I would make at least a favourable reference of the Devil in the House of Commons." in respect of Stalin.
Stalin got a lot wrong without external help – though blind prejudice and ignorant folly may pretend otherwise.
I dont hold much out for quotes from a racist like Churchill. He did'nt give a shit about Soviet people neither do the ones spilling crocodile tears over the original subject of the post I was commenting on.
There's going to be a lot of angry NZers tonight. Person who has just tested positive for omicron, came over the border, did 7 days in MiQ and was meant to do 9 days in self isolation. Went into the Auckland CBD on Sunday and Monday. Including to a night club and bars.
The infected person was active in Auckland's CBD on December 26 and 27.
Among the places visited was the Impala Nightclub.
They also visited Sunny Town Chinese Restaurant in Lorne St, Partridge Jewellers, Ahi Restaurant and Soul Bar.
Meh, was always going to happen. Better to get omicron out and about early as all the data is pointing to it having a hospitalisation rate of less than .01%
11000 cases and 60 hospitalised in NSW. Hardly scary stuff
[next time you want to make a claim of fact about covid, put up a link to back it up. See Fireblade’s comment and link below for actual NSW rates – weka]
I didn't say you made it up, I said you have to provide a link to the claim of fact. This is important. You're presenting an argument based on facts, Fireblade presented a different set of facts, if you provide back up we can actually talk about the views rather than someone's randome reckons on the the internet. This isn't FB, we're here for the robust debate.
you said 60 in hospital btw. Not 625. I don't know what you're on about, and I'm not going to parse a google search to try and figure it out. Make the argument if you can.
You realise that this is a contagious disease and the 0.0125% rate isn't fixed in stone. At some point the hospitalisation rate can't get any higher because there aren't enough beds.
I used the same set of facts as fireblade, 625 total minus the 550 odd from the day before came to 68 hospitalisations. On the day when 11000 odd new cases came in.
I gave you daily cases and daily hospitalisations. Apples with apples, not single apples with the sum total of the harvest.
What? Fact. There are people who are hoping this is the beginning of community spread for Omicron because it is a far, far milder version of Covid than Delta meaning fewer deaths and serious illness among those infected.
If by "precaution" you mean the likes of Vit D, zinc etc, well those things don't prevent infection, but lessen severity of infection. I'm living exactly the same way today as I did yesterday, and will continue to live that way tomorrow.
I guess if I get determined to avoid infection and any chance of future immunity, I might throw in a Listerine gargle in the event of Omicron spread, if I'm around dense groups of people (hit those at a rate of ten to the dozen these days) …maybe a 1% Johnsons baby shampoo nasal rinse too. (the irony 🙂 )
You can make up whatever shit about me you like Weka. Though alternatively, you can if you like, and only for the sake of comprehension, read my comment.
Curious. When you write of "people around me who are also at risk from covid", I assume you are referring to people who are at a higher risk of severe illness or death rather than just risk of infection, yes?
If so, and seeing as how Omicron seems to essentially waltz past that double vaccination, the Listerine and Johnston's shampoo gargle and washes are worth reading up for anyone sensibly concerned for their well being.
I know that for me, seeing as how data is sparse on effects in those with no immunity (either from pharmaceuticals or previous infection) – then hey.
It's a simple question Bill: are you hand washing, mask wearing, scanning/signing in, social distancing etc as advised to prevent spreading covid?
Curious. When you write of "people around me who are also at risk from covid", I assume you are referring to people who are at a higher risk of severe illness or death rather than just risk of infection, yes?
No. Until we know how omicron impacts on long covid rates, including from asymptomatic infection, I will continue to protect myself and others. It's not hard, it builds resiliency, and it future proofs us for another pandemic. Or the next variant.
Mmmm…you know that washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, avoiding crowded spaces and respecting personal spaces is what some of us do as a matter of course…whether we're living in the Time of Plague or no, no?
Not having partaken of the Pfizer Product doth not a barbarian make…
And you still haven't answered my easy to answer question 🤷♀️ That's three opportunities to do so.
It's not an irrelevant question. If people are arguing that we're better off with letting omicron have free rein, then it's reasonable to want to know if those people are not taking precautions to limit spread and help protect people. It's also not unreasonable to think they probably aren’t given the position on omicron.
The question you asked was (quote) have you stopped taking precautions then?
The relevant portion of my answer was, and for the fourth time – (quote) I'm living exactly the same way today as I did yesterday, and will continue to live that way tomorrow.
Three weeks ago (or however long ago that was) I could sign into some places that I can no longer sign into – that's changed. But since 'yesterday'? Or in light of today's news? And tomorrow?
As I already pointed out, (fifth time now) nothing changes.
btw – I don’t advocate giving Omicron “free rein” – never have. There are people in society who need protection. That has always been the way with Covid, but the “powers that be”, by dint of the way they have distributed a leaky vaccine, obviously beg to differ on that point.
Pendant away all you like. I asked really clearly,
are you hand washing, mask wearing, scanning/signing in, social distancing etc as advised to prevent spreading covid
You've now implied that you sign in and will continue to do so. What about the rest? Really odd that you just won't say.
As I already pointed out, (fifth time now) nothing changes.
I don't know what you were doing before, so this doesn't answer my question.
btw – I don’t advocate giving Omicron “free rein” – never have. There are people in society who need protection. That has always been the way with Covid, but the “powers that be”, by dint of the way they have distributed a leaky vaccine, obviously beg to differ on that point.
What do you advocate then? Because I thought you were arguing that we will be fine with omicron because it's mild, will protect us from Delta, and therefore we should stop restrictions.
I advocate for a public health response that's based on health and best medical practice – not politics, as has been the case to now.
As said elsewhere, all of the data from across nations indicates, that in terms of raw numbers and regardless of observed infection rates, Omicron inflicts far fewer instances of serious illness and results in fewer deaths than Delta. Seeking to preserve the presence of Delta when it's observed that Omicron displaces Delta is medical malfeasance that will cost lives.
I've been looking forward to this day. The milder omincron will hopefully wipe out Delta and all the fear mongering will cease. I am also looking forward to the day in the not too distant future that people start to realise how illogical and mad many of the rules are. This was evident to me today as I walked into a packed food court and every person sitting was maskless, while those walking within the space had to wear a mask, makes no sense. Now that Omicron's come to the party, hopefully it will bring some sanity when the fearful and mindless realise it's nothing but a sniffle. Woop woop!
Done – it's been a while but now that the new regime has entered full swing guess I will be in often to check out just how the liberals are narrating the situation 🙂
Would love to know what you are talking about. I guess you are metaphorically tapping the side of your nose to those who know what you mean ……no second thoughts sounds as though it could be a bit 'wrong' wing as we call it now.
I have not met anyone who is afraid. I have met many who are sensible and continuing to mask up, physically distance etc. It is not life as it was pre Covid and adapting to a new way does not mean people are afraid or being reckless.
To add to that, the unvaccinated are banned from using the food court arent they? But they are allowed to walk past and around the food court within the mall. Shameful really isn't it. Like an overnight private takeover of public interests.
What pisses me off the most is that the media was running this relentless campaign, day after day, about people missing out on MIQ. And the government caved and let people self-isolate at home and then the inevitable happened. How many people will now say "why do I have to self-isolate when that guy didn't?".
The media never had stories about the medically vulnerable or the elderly and how grateful they were for covid-19 being kept out of NZ.
Wow!! I am booked in for my booster at the hospital on Jan 12th. This is getting quite worrying. I don't think those who frequent bars and clubs will give up their New Year Parties, so stay home and celebrate small. Get your booster, use all other methods to be safe as many of us could not survive this. Keep your spirits up and those saying we are just scaremongering.. you go first we will wait to see how you do. Older and yes wiser.
Thing that worries me is whether the people who say it's the beginning of the end of covid will stop doing all the things to prevent spread, or if they will now believe that there's no point.
The vast majority of us will Patricia…do what your Mum told you to do…drink plenty of fluids, take your vit c, your vit D3 (about 5000IU) your Zn (about 20mg) eat your veg and get plenty of sleep. Keep the doors and windows open.
Agree Weka, the jury is still out on the potential impact of Omicron on our community. It seems to spread rapidly and therefore possibly put pressure on our health system with the sheer numbers needing care.
I had not realised the bloke had breached his isolation when he went out and about. We were lucky once with the Aussie tourist in Wellington who did a full weekend of sightseeing with Delta but did not pass it on.
So booster, masking, scanning in, physical distancing. Apart from the booster, due January, I have not stopped doing the masking etc, even while out in the streets. In my suburb most people are masked when out, in fact today I saw only three who were unmasked. Two of whom, elderly folk, were coughing out, not into their elbow or tissue or handkerchief. They had the look of tourists and also had the 'do not approach me because I will bite your head off' belligerent look. So I moved as far away as I could from them until they had passed. Just bad manners, and as Rosemary says people 'shoulda' been doing this mouth covering Covid or no.
We have decided not to go out for NY though amazingly, bearing in mind Covid whichever variant, we have two invites. 'They' can do it – my good health matters more than a one shot wonder party in a crowded house……….
To those here not worrying, and being happy about the anticipated arrival of Omicron, perhaps look at the current hospitalisation figures and deaths in Denmark I linked to on Open Mike. 30 deaths a day (27th Dec.) as the hospitalisation rate rose lagging behind soaring case numbers, mostly happy clappy Omicron. Denmark has the same pop. as NZ.
I'm aware of the numbers in the UK (v low) and South Africa (v low) – and that the numbers in those countries are hospital patients who returned a +ve test – meaning the already low numbers are inflated somewhat.
In Denmark, what is the %age of Omicron v Delta, and how do they tabulate their hospital Covid numbers?
I know there is a view that we minimise the impact by slating the figures as they (the unfortunates with Omicron) apparently have been admitted to hospital with other ailments and just coincidentally tested positive for Omicron. Some sort of weird rationalising is going on. I have read also that some counting Omicron are now seeking another definition of what a 'case' of Covid is (omicron variant) Apparently the argument is that unless you have been either prescribed something or admitted to hospital then you should not have your 'case' counted.
This strange attitude seems to forget that Covid is a notifiable disease as is influenza. You can get mighty ill with influenza while still being treated at home with bed rest, analgesics, hydration etc. I think you could get ill with Omicron, be treated at home with bed rest, analgesics, hydration. The point for public health is whether you have it or not. How you were treated for it is an answer to another question.
Numbers of hospitalisations requiring serious treatment are low. Number of deaths are low. Number of infections are through the roof.
Both South Africa and the UK (and everywhere else form what I can gather) count as "hospital covid cases" those who have incidentally returned a +ve test. That twists perceptions to believe things are more onerous/serious than they are – it stokes unwarranted fear.
Counting infections as "cases" is misleading – no two ways about that. Bloody stupid, or politically opportunistic, for governments to have detected rates of infection labeled as cases and for those case numbers to drive public policy.
No denying Covid can be serious and even deadly for a small percentage of those who get infected. That the government public health messaging and actions didn't focus on what people might do to lessen the impacts of infection (eg – free vit D, zinc, good sleep, loss of weight, less alcohol etc), and instead went all in on "project fear" and invasive forms of social control is, to my mind, a bloody good reason to be looking at lamp posts in an alternative light.
Yes I saw that. Jury is still out on the impact it may have on our population. We are all wise to still be cautious ie 'treating all wires as live' as they used to say when I was a kid and we had, or seemed to, have constant power cuts while lines were upgraded etc.
Number of deaths and serious illness from Omicron are lower than from Delta everywhere.
The numbers Koff provided are for a country with only about 10% Omicron – ie, most of the deaths being recorded (however they are tabulated) are for Delta.
Food for thought? By all of the available data across multiple countries – insisting that Omicron be "kept at bay" is insisting that unnecessary deaths occur.
Number of deaths and serious illness from Omicron are lower than from Delta everywhere.
Considering the number of vulnerable people that have already died, the global toll, this is no surprise. It doesn't necessarily mean Omicron is less dangerous
Koff. Denmark does more tests than anywhere in the known universe so they're going to detect more cases. It is the deepest winter in Denmark and the Grim Reaper is making his annual harvest. Much of the crop will have Te Virus as well as whatever put them on The List.
The numbers, taken from statistics bureau Our World in Data on December 27th, place Denmark as the country with the highest incidence of the virus.
It should be noted that there is a large variation in the amount of testing undertaken by different countries, with Denmark among the countries that tests the most per resident.
Other metrics show Denmark in a more favourable light.
These include the number of people hospitalised with the coronavirus. 608 people or 105 per one million residents are currently admitted to Danish hospitals with the virus.
The latter figure is significantly lower than in a number of other European countries. In Bulgaria, Poland and Hungary it is over 600, while the figure for France is 250 hospital Covid-19 patients per one million residents.
The week before Christmas saw Denmark register 21 deaths with Covid-19 per million inhabitants. Hungary, Slovakia, Poland and Croatia posted figures up to 4-5 times higher, though it should be noted that different countries have different criteria for the data.
I was around Wellington hospital about a month ago and it was jam-packed. That was without any covid-19 cases at all. It would not take many hospitalisations of covid-19 people to screw up the health care of non-covid-19 people.
I am not sure which 'fear' response I want to respond to first, there's so many to pick from. So I will just go straight for the jugular.
We're all going to die. One day we're going to die of something, could be cancer, heart disease, could be old age, aids, hep c, it could be Covid. Meanwhile most sensible people are doing the best they can to boost their immune system (because we all know that the health system is not doing much of anything for anyone with Covid).
If it's covid that evenually kills you, then you're one of the unlucky 0.05% of the under 70s or one of the 0.15% of the over 70s. Death unfortunately is inevitable. Suppose we can run around screaming that the sky is falling and force everyone to live in caves and wear helmets and ban them from looking at the sky or whatever (someone will be mad enough to want to ban the sky) but regardless of the measures taken it does not change the fact that we're all going to die anyway. Meanwhile Omicron is looking like a splendid choice of Covid to catch (if you have to get one, and you will), I say let's not look a gift horse in the mouth. Now I am off to live and ponder the madness of humans who think that walking into a cafe with a mask on, then sitting down and taking said mask off, while punter after punter are maskless breathing each other's air, germs and any viruses that are there to be breathed in. And the mask serves what purpose? Is that to make you feel better or protect you? There's not a whole lot of protection going on in the cafe scenario, is there? Or do we want to ban cafes next?
we all know that the health system is not doing much of anything for anyone with Covid
Tell that to the over-worked, stressed, under-paid and yet dedicated people who are working constantly to save lives. Say it to their faces. Walk up to them and say "you are not doing much of anything". Go ahead.
Or you could just say "thank you". If you can't bring yourself to say that, just fuck off.
A health care system and individual nurses or what-ever who work within it are two entirely different things 'observer'.
I wonder. Did you rail against the specialists and nurses (heroes to a person not so long ago) who got rendered jobless when they declined injections of m-RNA? And if not, why not?
And for the ones who rolled up their sleeves for two injections, but who will draw a line at the third, will you react to their loss in the same fashion as you did for the first tranche who, because of bureaucracy and politics, can no longer dedicate themselves to ministering the sick and injured among us?
They are not two independent things – people and the system work together to provide hospital level care – without the system organising drugs, food, water and cleaning systems and the qualified people to put those systems into action then our health care would fall apart.
What I will say to their 'overworked' faces is "why, if this is the disaster that everyone's been led to believe it is, why have they stood back and said nothing while their colleagues, good doctors and nurses were let go”.
I will also ask them why so many of the injected (and young people) are filling up the ER with an inordinate amount of heart and neurological problems, and being told they're simply panic attacks and being sent away without any treatment.
I will also ask them why they have continued to follow the directive to not mention anything negative about the injection, while patient after patient turns up with injection related injuries. I have a lot to say to those 'stressed' people whose hippocratic oath is superseded but directives that serve no purpose other than injecting people regardless of the harm it causes.
You can tell me to 'fuck off' all you like but I won't and I will continue to point out the obvious. We are all actually going to fucking die and that's a fact and instead of running around with your eyes closed wailing about the sky falling in and demanding that everyone else close their eyes, open your fucking eyes and let that brain kick back into gear and ask yourself why, if this injection is so safe, why doctors and nurses are putting their careers on the line and refusing to have it.
Meanwhile I think I will hit the sushi shop today with my child and watch as they serve her sushi, while I refuse to give them a pass and I will do that in shop after shop because this discrimination, segregation and abuse of people is where the real sickness lies and that's got far worse repercussions than Covid.
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Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three. ...
Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blogIn 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
Citizen Science writes – Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
Karl du Fresne writes – There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
David Farrar writes – The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time.A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brownannounced ...
You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated. While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Māori are yet to see anything from this Government except cuts, reversals and taking our people backwards, Māori Development spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...
The Coalition Government’s refusal to commit to ongoing funding for social housing is seeing the sector pull back on developments and families watch their dreams of securing a home fade away, says Labour Housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty. ...
Changes to minimum wage and benefit indexation means many New Zealanders will get less this year, as the Government gives a big tax break to landlords instead. ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel. “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says. "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board. “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti. “I have asked her to ...
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States. “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research. “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
Kia Ora Gaza A passionate haka reverberated through Auckland International Airport as a medical team of three New Zealand doctors received an emotional farewell from a big crowd of supporters before flying to Turkey to join the international Freedom Flotilla to Gaza. The doctors, who left Auckland yesterday, hope to ...
With submissions closing today, Macassey-Pickard says groups around the country have been supporting a huge range of people to make their submissions. ...
Our response to the new legislation is informed by targeted conversations with practitioners working in the system and through an implementation lens. ...
The new ‘Fast-track Approvals Bill’ would give just three Ministers the power to approve or deny development projects. They would avoid the usual checks and balances that are in place to protect rivers, land, the ocean, and communities. ...
COMMENTARY:By Eugene Doyle Helen Clark, how I miss you. The former New Zealand Prime Minister — the safest pair of hands this country has had in living memory — gave a masterclass on the importance of maintaining an independent foreign policy when she spoke at an AUKUS symposium held ...
The government's released the list of organisations provided with information on how to apply - just hours before public submissions on the bill close. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milton Speer, Visiting Fellow, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Before climate change really got going, eastern Australia’s flash floods tended to concentrate on our coastal regions, east of the Great Dividing Range. But that’s changing. Now ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Finkel, Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow, La Trobe University Sia Duff / South Australian Museum In February, the South Australian Museum “re-imagined” itself. In the face of rising costs and inadequate government funds, CEO David Gaimster, who took the reins last June, declared ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Pearce, Professor, School of Allied Heath, Human Services & Sport, La Trobe University, La Trobe University This week, Collingwood AFL player Nathan Murphy announced his retirement, brought on by his concussion history and ongoing issues. The 24-year-old’s seemingly sudden retirement, ...
The Mental Health Foundation provides support and resources for those facing the loss of their job, so it’s wrong in the very week the Government adds another 1000 jobs to its tally of cuts, that this is happening. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Howard, Senior Lecturer, Discipline of English and Writing, University of Sydney Daniel Boud/Sydney Theatre Company Decay, terror, revulsion. These are three of the central themes of Thomas Bernhard’s rarely performed play The President. The Austrian is one of the greatest ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ye In (Jane) Hwang, Postdoctoral Research Associate at School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock You’d be hard pressed to find any aspect of daily life that doesn’t require some form of digital literacy. We need only to look back ten ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says threats by ministers Shane Jones and David Seymour to reform or close down the Waitangi Tribunal were “ill-considered”, as legal experts say the ministers may have breached Cabinet Manual conventions. “I think those comments are ill-considered and we expect all ministers to actually exercise good ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rob Newton, Professor of Exercise Medicine, Edith Cowan University Pexels/RDNE stock project You’re not in your 20s or 30s anymore and you know regular health checks are important. So you go to your GP. During the appointment they measure your waist. ...
A new poem by Evangeline Riddiford Graham. Mitochondrial Problem I. It was long drive to Kansas for the man and his dog but you have to understand he said She doesn’t fly. Which calls to mind not carsick shitting barking or whining but a dog who chooses not to as ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)Hot off the press, this debut ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Wajnryb McDonald, PhD candidate in Criminology, University of Sydney Less than 24 hours after Ashlee Good was murdered in Bondi Junction, her family released a statement requesting the media take down photographs they had reproduced of Ashlee and her family without ...
Chief executive Shaun Robinson said it has not had any government funding cut, but government-funded contracts have not kept pace with rising costs. ...
The Ministry of Health has delayed the release of its evidence brief on the safety, reversibility and mental health and wellbeing outcomes for puberty blockers. While we wait, Julia de Bres speaks to those with firsthand experience. Best practice gender-affirming healthcare is based on trans people’s self-determination and agency. The ...
Barcelona’s city streets have gone from traffic-clogged to pedestrian-friendly. How? Superblocks. Ellen Rykers explains. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week I read a great interview with renowned urbanist Janette Sadik-Khan by The Spinoff’s Wellington editor Joel MacManus: “You can reimagine streets, ...
Student groups ‘Climate Action VUW’, Schools Strike 4 Climate and VUWSA will be on the street in Wellington today, the last day for submissions on the Fast-track Approvals Bill, with a message that the fight against the Government’s ‘War on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sofia Ammassari, Research Fellow, Griffith University Since 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity has grown exponentially – and so has the formidable organisational machine of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These two factors will be key to delivering the BJP a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendon Hyndman, Associate Professor of Education (Adjunct) & Senior Manager (BCE), Charles Sturt University During COVID almost all Australian students and their families experienced online learning. But while schools have long since gone back to in-person teaching, online learning has not gone ...
Yes, they’re better for the environment. No, that’s not a good enough reason for me to use them. Once every 26 days or so, my period arrives, and if struck by an act of God, I am caught red-crotched without products. How, after 17 years of this, do I still ...
“It will cause significant harm to our environment and communities. It is completely at odds with New Zealanders’ relationship with nature and our need for a low-carbon, sustainable economic future." ...
The Chair of the National Maori Authority, Matthew Tukaki, has warned a Parliamentary Select Committee that fast-tracking legislation is a perilous practice that undermines the core tenets of democracy, transparency, and accountability. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Tenbensel, Associate Professor, Health Policy, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images Since coming into power, the coalition government has adopted a simple but shrewd see-how-fast-we-can-move political strategy. However, in the health sector this need for speed entails ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Hronis, Clinical Psychologist, University of Technology Sydney Darya Sannikova/Pexels Whether you’re watching TV, attending a footy game, or eating a meal at your local pub, gambling is hard to escape. Although the rise of gambling is not unique to Australia, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Wong, Forrest Fellow, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia Have you ever wondered if there are more insects out at night than during the day? We set out to answer this question by combing through the scientific ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carol T Kulik, Research Professor, University of South Australia IR Stone/Shutterstock In Australia, it’s not the done thing to know – let alone ask – what our colleagues are paid. Yet, it’s easy to see how pay transparency can make pay ...
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is sounding a warning to migrants, that running foul of the law may see them leaving the country prematurely. ...
The government’s plan to get 50,000 people off jobseeker support by 2030 has had a rocky start, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Beneficiary numbers are up – and so are ...
Raglan Roast is a staple of Wellington coffee culture. But with five branches across the capital, which one is the best? I am a die-hard Raglan Roast fan. It’s consistently the most affordable cafe in Wellington, and one of the only places you can get a coffee after 3pm. So, ...
Residents of University of Auckland halls are being urged to withhold their accommodation fees from May 1, in a bid to force the university to take student concerns over rent hikes seriously.The University of Auckland is facing a strike from students over the cost of on-campus accommodation. The Students ...
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Opinion: With maths understanding at 42 percent for Year 8 students, there’s no doubt something has to be done. But how? The post Financial literacy should be on all of us appeared first on Newsroom. ...
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Not all mainstreamers are useless:
Not all, but National & Labour make it seem they all are…
"oppressive and failed policy of marijuana prohibition.".
We of course are going to have an attempt at this introduced here.
The propose that we will make it illegal for anyone under the age of about 14 today from ever being able to buy or smoke tobacco. Bet that turns out to be a marvelous triumph. I'm not going to bother looking up the details of what the proposal really is because it will be the greatest stuff-up since the US had their eighteenth amendment fiasco.
The Chekist thug has memory-holed his predecessors' atrocities.
Liquidation of the International Memorial
12/28/2021
On December 28, 2021, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation decided to liquidate the International Memorial.
The formal reason stated in the suit of the General Prosecutor's Office is the absence of the label “foreign agent” on some materials. During the hearing, the inconsistency of these claims was clearly demonstrated.
But today, the court finally named not a formal reason, but the real reason for the liquidation of the International Memorial: the General Prosecutor's Office claims that we are misinterpreting Soviet history, “creating a false image of the USSR as a terrorist state,” “lashing out criticism at the state authorities”. And the state, according to our opponents, is beyond criticism.
The decision of the Supreme Court once again confirmed that the history of political terror organized and directed by the state authorities remains for Russia not an academic topic of interest only to specialists, but an acute problem of our time. Our country needs an honest and conscientious reflection on the Soviet past; this is the guarantee of her future. It is ridiculous to believe that the judicial liquidation of International Memorial will remove this issue from the agenda. The entire Russian society needs to remember the tragedies of the past. And not only Russian: the memory of state terror unites all the former Soviet republics.
Of course, we will challenge the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation in all ways available to us. And we will find legitimate ways to continue our work. A memorial is not an organization, it is not even a social movement. The memorial is the need of the citizens of Russia for the truth about its tragic past, about the fate of many millions of people. And no one will be able to "eliminate" this need.
google translation
The crocodile tears are falling, forgetting that that time of history was the result of yet another capitalist inspired war that dragged the Soviet Union in by capitalist German aggression
Stalin was a product of those capitalist aggression times. But still a Hero in many ways.
fuck western capitalist crocodile tears.
But still a Hero in many ways.
Wash your mouth out with soap – Stalin was the worst of men – a true peer of Hitler.
"Even if you could tear the head off an elephant, if you are without humanity you are no hero."
Not a hero – a totalitarian despot utterly lacking in humanity or indeed any other redeeming features – a ruthless self-serving power seeker that only fascist fanboys and America-hating ignoramuses could admire.
Anyone who supports Capitalist versus Capitalist wars such as the two world wars are partly culpable for the 27 million Soviet Citizen's death toll from WW2, not forgetting the lack of acknowledgments in recent WW2 commemorations for the Soviet contribution on defeating the Fascists. ie Hitler who is more akin to your beloved American Administration than Stalin
Big on projection Byd0nz, but fact free as usual – I don't love the US – they do plenty wrong – but their wrongs do not exculpate totalitarian despots.
No-one who pretends to progressive values can go beyond Churchill's "If Hitler invaded Hell, I would make at least a favourable reference of the Devil in the House of Commons." in respect of Stalin.
Stalin got a lot wrong without external help – though blind prejudice and ignorant folly may pretend otherwise.
I dont hold much out for quotes from a racist like Churchill. He did'nt give a shit about Soviet people neither do the ones spilling crocodile tears over the original subject of the post I was commenting on.
He did'nt give a shit about Soviet people
Neither did Stalin, and, judging by your apology for Stalin, neither do you.
You are are a more generous soul than me Stuart, engaging with such a half wit.
Lenin disagreed – saw Stalin for what he was.
There's going to be a lot of angry NZers tonight. Person who has just tested positive for omicron, came over the border, did 7 days in MiQ and was meant to do 9 days in self isolation. Went into the Auckland CBD on Sunday and Monday. Including to a night club and bars.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-first-community-exposure-of-omicron-in-nz-confirmed-by-ministry-of-health/BT6J5E5L5RF6LOF4V3AGF3N6VM/
I've never understood the new rules. Covid infectiousness periods haven't change much have they?
Meh, was always going to happen. Better to get omicron out and about early as all the data is pointing to it having a hospitalisation rate of less than .01%
11000 cases and 60 hospitalised in NSW. Hardly scary stuff
[next time you want to make a claim of fact about covid, put up a link to back it up. See Fireblade’s comment and link below for actual NSW rates – weka]
Yes it was…and Fireblade’s link shows why.
None of that however detracts from how successful we have been to date,,,,and hopefully 'going forward'…excuse the corporate speak.
NSW has 625 people in Hospital with Covid-19 and 61 in ICU.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-29/covid-updates-testing-case-numbers-interstate-border-travel/100729500#nsw
thanks.
mod note.
11,000 new cases and 68 new hospitalisations. .006%
who made anything up?
https://www.google.com/search?q=covid+nsw&rlz=1CDGOYI_enNZ876NZ876&hl=en-GB&sxsrf=AOaemvJJEEmnoB_juuR6iwsSxw-usTSa9w%3A1640759881689&ei=SQLMYdDAKeeVseMPnN-vqA8&oq=covid+nsw&gs_lcp=ChNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwEAEYADIKCAAQsQMQgwEQQzILCAAQsQMQgwEQkQIyCwgAELEDEIMBEJECMgoIABCxAxCDARBDMggIABDJAxCRAjILCAAQgAQQsQMQgwEyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDoHCCMQsAMQJzoHCAAQRxCwAzoHCCMQ6gIQJzoECCMQJzoECAAQQzoFCAAQkQI6CgguEMcBEKMCECc6BwgAELEDEEM6CggAELEDEMkDEEM6BQgAEJIDOggIABCxAxCRAjoLCAAQsQMQyQMQkQI6BwgAEIAEEAo6CggAELEDEIMBEAo6BAgAEApKBAhBGABQ_A1YxiJguidoBnAAeACAAegBiAHJEpIBBjAuMS4xMJgBAKABAbABD8gBCcABAQ&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp#wptab=s:H4sIAAAAAAAAAONgVuLVT9c3NMwySk6OL8zJecQYzy3w8sc9YamwSWtOXmMM4BL3TU3JTM7MS3XJLE5NLE71yU9OLMnMzxOS5mJzzSvJLKkUEpTi50I1RkiCiwOukEeKi4tDP1ffwDQtp5JnFxO3R2piTklGcEliSfEiVsW81HKF4vzSkgyF8sSc1GKF5Pyi_LzEssyi0mKFYpAaAOV83MOlAAAA
625 in hospital as total omicron cases are approaching 50k based on 7 day averages. .0125%
scary stuff indeed.
I’ve been living in auckland for 2 years, the front line thank you very fucking much.
the stats I’ve just provided give some much needed perspective on the ACTUAL danger. Not the emotive fear mongering of…
Cue dark sinister voice “another covid variant”
I didn't say you made it up, I said you have to provide a link to the claim of fact. This is important. You're presenting an argument based on facts, Fireblade presented a different set of facts, if you provide back up we can actually talk about the views rather than someone's randome reckons on the the internet. This isn't FB, we're here for the robust debate.
you said 60 in hospital btw. Not 625. I don't know what you're on about, and I'm not going to parse a google search to try and figure it out. Make the argument if you can.
and, flattening the curve is still a thing that matters.
The curve is pretty fucking flat at a .0125% hospitalisation rate
You realise that this is a contagious disease and the 0.0125% rate isn't fixed in stone. At some point the hospitalisation rate can't get any higher because there aren't enough beds.
I used the same set of facts as fireblade, 625 total minus the 550 odd from the day before came to 68 hospitalisations. On the day when 11000 odd new cases came in.
I gave you daily cases and daily hospitalisations. Apples with apples, not single apples with the sum total of the harvest.
On the day when 11000 odd new cases came in…
Have you heard of "lag"… ?
Sure have. Checked the 7 day rolling average and used a calculator?
yeah, so you can see why I'm saying explain and link at teh start.
OK. 68 new hospitalisations. In a single day. After a couple of weeks of that, how does that look on medical resources?
Hint: Omicron potentially being milder is not an excuse to relax, if it infects enough people. And Omicron likes infecting people.
You might not care about flattening the curve, many of us do for bloody obvious reasons. Where have you been for the past 2 years.
Here is the Ministry of Health media release about the Omicron case.
https://www.health.govt.nz/news-media/media-releases/first-community-exposures-border-related-omicron-case
Bloody unbelievable really. Unbelievable.
There's going to be a fair few happy and hopeful people in NZ tonight.
have you stopped taking precautions then?
What? Fact. There are people who are hoping this is the beginning of community spread for Omicron because it is a far, far milder version of Covid than Delta meaning fewer deaths and serious illness among those infected.
If by "precaution" you mean the likes of Vit D, zinc etc, well those things don't prevent infection, but lessen severity of infection. I'm living exactly the same way today as I did yesterday, and will continue to live that way tomorrow.
I guess if I get determined to avoid infection and any chance of future immunity, I might throw in a Listerine gargle in the event of Omicron spread, if I'm around dense groups of people (hit those at a rate of ten to the dozen these days) …maybe a 1% Johnsons baby shampoo nasal rinse too. (the irony 🙂 )
What about yourself?
I meant precautions to limit spread: hand washing, mask wearing, distancing, scanning/signing in. I'll take that as a no then.
(and yes, I continue to do those things, for my own sake, and the sake of people around me who are also at risk from covid).
You can make up whatever shit about me you like Weka. Though alternatively, you can if you like, and only for the sake of comprehension, read my comment.
Curious. When you write of "people around me who are also at risk from covid", I assume you are referring to people who are at a higher risk of severe illness or death rather than just risk of infection, yes?
If so, and seeing as how Omicron seems to essentially waltz past that double vaccination, the Listerine and Johnston's shampoo gargle and washes are worth reading up for anyone sensibly concerned for their well being.
I know that for me, seeing as how data is sparse on effects in those with no immunity (either from pharmaceuticals or previous infection) – then hey.
It's a simple question Bill: are you hand washing, mask wearing, scanning/signing in, social distancing etc as advised to prevent spreading covid?
No. Until we know how omicron impacts on long covid rates, including from asymptomatic infection, I will continue to protect myself and others. It's not hard, it builds resiliency, and it future proofs us for another pandemic. Or the next variant.
I'll take that as a no then.
Mmmm…you know that washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, avoiding crowded spaces and respecting personal spaces is what some of us do as a matter of course…whether we're living in the Time of Plague or no, no?
Not having partaken of the Pfizer Product doth not a barbarian make…
some of us being the operative phrase apparently.
(am well aware that many unvaxxed people take precautions 👍 I was referring specifically to what Bill said)
Bill said – I'm living exactly the same way today as I did yesterday, and will continue to live that way tomorrow.
Which implies…absolutely nothing that would be along the line of your disparaging and somewhat stupid response.
And you still haven't answered my easy to answer question 🤷♀️ That's three opportunities to do so.
It's not an irrelevant question. If people are arguing that we're better off with letting omicron have free rein, then it's reasonable to want to know if those people are not taking precautions to limit spread and help protect people. It's also not unreasonable to think they probably aren’t given the position on omicron.
The question you asked was (quote) have you stopped taking precautions then?
The relevant portion of my answer was, and for the fourth time – (quote) I'm living exactly the same way today as I did yesterday, and will continue to live that way tomorrow.
Three weeks ago (or however long ago that was) I could sign into some places that I can no longer sign into – that's changed. But since 'yesterday'? Or in light of today's news? And tomorrow?
As I already pointed out, (fifth time now) nothing changes.
btw – I don’t advocate giving Omicron “free rein” – never have. There are people in society who need protection. That has always been the way with Covid, but the “powers that be”, by dint of the way they have distributed a leaky vaccine, obviously beg to differ on that point.
Pendant away all you like. I asked really clearly,
You've now implied that you sign in and will continue to do so. What about the rest? Really odd that you just won't say.
I don't know what you were doing before, so this doesn't answer my question.
What do you advocate then? Because I thought you were arguing that we will be fine with omicron because it's mild, will protect us from Delta, and therefore we should stop restrictions.
I advocate for a public health response that's based on health and best medical practice – not politics, as has been the case to now.
As said elsewhere, all of the data from across nations indicates, that in terms of raw numbers and regardless of observed infection rates, Omicron inflicts far fewer instances of serious illness and results in fewer deaths than Delta. Seeking to preserve the presence of Delta when it's observed that Omicron displaces Delta is medical malfeasance that will cost lives.
Probably never took any, luck of the Irish is all that's needed.
Ive always wondered whether the luck of the irish was good luck or bad….
Time will tell in this instance I suppose.
It's like we need a facility where the blase can be deliberately infected so they can see how benign it all is.
We have one…its called NZ
I've been looking forward to this day. The milder omincron will hopefully wipe out Delta and all the fear mongering will cease. I am also looking forward to the day in the not too distant future that people start to realise how illogical and mad many of the rules are. This was evident to me today as I walked into a packed food court and every person sitting was maskless, while those walking within the space had to wear a mask, makes no sense. Now that Omicron's come to the party, hopefully it will bring some sanity when the fearful and mindless realise it's nothing but a sniffle. Woop woop!
please fix username for next comment, ta.
Done – it's been a while but now that the new regime has entered full swing guess I will be in often to check out just how the liberals are narrating the situation 🙂
Would love to know what you are talking about. I guess you are metaphorically tapping the side of your nose to those who know what you mean ……no second thoughts sounds as though it could be a bit 'wrong' wing as we call it now.
haha, all good (there's a kind of a bug on some devices where typos are easily missed in the name and email fields)
Yeah right.
No Tui but drinking a Rose so that will have to do.
A sniffle for many people can lead to unsniffle like conditions eg those who are immuno-compromised or whose breathing can be affected.
"Makes no sense." I must have said those words 3,468,990 times since February 2020.
I'm with you…we must all stop being so afraid.
we must all stop being so afraid
The Covidian Cultists will be having none of that, you hear!
I have not met anyone who is afraid. I have met many who are sensible and continuing to mask up, physically distance etc. It is not life as it was pre Covid and adapting to a new way does not mean people are afraid or being reckless.
"Tough" guys who have anyone and everyone's number, not just Mickys, will call it whatever they like.
People pick their fear: covid or the vaccination or the government…
Tell that to the immuno-crompormised, the medically vulnerable and all the people who love them.
Yep…our household of two ticks those boxes… and yet we remain uninjected and unafraid.
To add to that, the unvaccinated are banned from using the food court arent they? But they are allowed to walk past and around the food court within the mall. Shameful really isn't it. Like an overnight private takeover of public interests.
Fucksake, now Stuff has doxxed the idiot.
Rhythm & Alps promoters will be a tad pissed. Wonder how his contract is worded.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/300487986/covid19-omicron-border-case-active-in-the-community-is-dj-dimension
Stuff are pretty safe doxing him, it'll all fall out in the next few days anyway as various versions of his non-appearance circulate.
the doxxing issue is whether this makes people more or less likely to tell the truth and do the right things.
Twitter are going hard. He's deleted some social media posts, I'm surprised he hasn't closed his twitter account.
I see the Herald has published his picture of himself at the beach. This could get ugly.
Self isolation doesn't work, because while most people can be trusted, there's a non-trivial number of fuckwits in the population.
Could always ankle-tag them, maybe.
non-trivial seems to be an overlooked concept at the moment.
Hong Kong trialled it and went back to MIQ, so it's not unique to NZ by any stretch.
What pisses me off the most is that the media was running this relentless campaign, day after day, about people missing out on MIQ. And the government caved and let people self-isolate at home and then the inevitable happened. How many people will now say "why do I have to self-isolate when that guy didn't?".
The media never had stories about the medically vulnerable or the elderly and how grateful they were for covid-19 being kept out of NZ.
Yeah, you'd have thought not a single reporter had a granny they cared about…
Wow!! I am booked in for my booster at the hospital on Jan 12th. This is getting quite worrying. I don't think those who frequent bars and clubs will give up their New Year Parties, so stay home and celebrate small. Get your booster, use all other methods to be safe as many of us could not survive this. Keep your spirits up and those saying we are just scaremongering.. you go first we will wait to see how you do. Older and yes wiser.
Thing that worries me is whether the people who say it's the beginning of the end of covid will stop doing all the things to prevent spread, or if they will now believe that there's no point.
…as many of us could not survive this.
The vast majority of us will Patricia…do what your Mum told you to do…drink plenty of fluids, take your vit c, your vit D3 (about 5000IU) your Zn (about 20mg) eat your veg and get plenty of sleep. Keep the doors and windows open.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3HQMbQAWRc
Vast majority, that's ok then, never mind the dead people. Or the disabled ones.
Agree Weka, the jury is still out on the potential impact of Omicron on our community. It seems to spread rapidly and therefore possibly put pressure on our health system with the sheer numbers needing care.
I had not realised the bloke had breached his isolation when he went out and about. We were lucky once with the Aussie tourist in Wellington who did a full weekend of sightseeing with Delta but did not pass it on.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/445570/australian-traveller-who-visited-wellington-has-delta-variant
So booster, masking, scanning in, physical distancing. Apart from the booster, due January, I have not stopped doing the masking etc, even while out in the streets. In my suburb most people are masked when out, in fact today I saw only three who were unmasked. Two of whom, elderly folk, were coughing out, not into their elbow or tissue or handkerchief. They had the look of tourists and also had the 'do not approach me because I will bite your head off' belligerent look. So I moved as far away as I could from them until they had passed. Just bad manners, and as Rosemary says people 'shoulda' been doing this mouth covering Covid or no.
We have decided not to go out for NY though amazingly, bearing in mind Covid whichever variant, we have two invites. 'They' can do it – my good health matters more than a one shot wonder party in a crowded house……….
I like this one better…..I think it has Robin Williams in it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65scQU
To those here not worrying, and being happy about the anticipated arrival of Omicron, perhaps look at the current hospitalisation figures and deaths in Denmark I linked to on Open Mike. 30 deaths a day (27th Dec.) as the hospitalisation rate rose lagging behind soaring case numbers, mostly happy clappy Omicron. Denmark has the same pop. as NZ.
I'm aware of the numbers in the UK (v low) and South Africa (v low) – and that the numbers in those countries are hospital patients who returned a +ve test – meaning the already low numbers are inflated somewhat.
In Denmark, what is the %age of Omicron v Delta, and how do they tabulate their hospital Covid numbers?
Not sure where you get the view that omicron is very low in UK
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/25/uk-sets-new-record-for-covid-cases-as-omicron-sweeps-london.html
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-omicron-daily-overview
I know there is a view that we minimise the impact by slating the figures as they (the unfortunates with Omicron) apparently have been admitted to hospital with other ailments and just coincidentally tested positive for Omicron. Some sort of weird rationalising is going on. I have read also that some counting Omicron are now seeking another definition of what a 'case' of Covid is (omicron variant) Apparently the argument is that unless you have been either prescribed something or admitted to hospital then you should not have your 'case' counted.
This strange attitude seems to forget that Covid is a notifiable disease as is influenza. You can get mighty ill with influenza while still being treated at home with bed rest, analgesics, hydration etc. I think you could get ill with Omicron, be treated at home with bed rest, analgesics, hydration. The point for public health is whether you have it or not. How you were treated for it is an answer to another question.
Numbers of hospitalisations requiring serious treatment are low. Number of deaths are low. Number of infections are through the roof.
Both South Africa and the UK (and everywhere else form what I can gather) count as "hospital covid cases" those who have incidentally returned a +ve test. That twists perceptions to believe things are more onerous/serious than they are – it stokes unwarranted fear.
Counting infections as "cases" is misleading – no two ways about that. Bloody stupid, or politically opportunistic, for governments to have detected rates of infection labeled as cases and for those case numbers to drive public policy.
No denying Covid can be serious and even deadly for a small percentage of those who get infected. That the government public health messaging and actions didn't focus on what people might do to lessen the impacts of infection (eg – free vit D, zinc, good sleep, loss of weight, less alcohol etc), and instead went all in on "project fear" and invasive forms of social control is, to my mind, a bloody good reason to be looking at lamp posts in an alternative light.
Yes I saw that. Jury is still out on the impact it may have on our population. We are all wise to still be cautious ie 'treating all wires as live' as they used to say when I was a kid and we had, or seemed to, have constant power cuts while lines were upgraded etc.
Number of deaths and serious illness from Omicron are lower than from Delta everywhere.
The numbers Koff provided are for a country with only about 10% Omicron – ie, most of the deaths being recorded (however they are tabulated) are for Delta.
Food for thought? By all of the available data across multiple countries – insisting that Omicron be "kept at bay" is insisting that unnecessary deaths occur.
Considering the number of vulnerable people that have already died, the global toll, this is no surprise. It doesn't necessarily mean Omicron is less dangerous
Koff. Denmark does more tests than anywhere in the known universe so they're going to detect more cases. It is the deepest winter in Denmark and the Grim Reaper is making his annual harvest. Much of the crop will have Te Virus as well as whatever put them on The List.
The numbers, taken from statistics bureau Our World in Data on December 27th, place Denmark as the country with the highest incidence of the virus.
It should be noted that there is a large variation in the amount of testing undertaken by different countries, with Denmark among the countries that tests the most per resident.
Other metrics show Denmark in a more favourable light.
These include the number of people hospitalised with the coronavirus. 608 people or 105 per one million residents are currently admitted to Danish hospitals with the virus.
The latter figure is significantly lower than in a number of other European countries. In Bulgaria, Poland and Hungary it is over 600, while the figure for France is 250 hospital Covid-19 patients per one million residents.
Neighbouring Sweden and Norway had 51 and 65 hospital patients with Covid-19 respectively in figures dating from just before Christmas, though Sweden’s hospitalisation figures have since spiked markedly.
The week before Christmas saw Denmark register 21 deaths with Covid-19 per million inhabitants. Hungary, Slovakia, Poland and Croatia posted figures up to 4-5 times higher, though it should be noted that different countries have different criteria for the data.
I was around Wellington hospital about a month ago and it was jam-packed. That was without any covid-19 cases at all. It would not take many hospitalisations of covid-19 people to screw up the health care of non-covid-19 people.
With absolutely no resiliency built into our public health system in NZ this could very well be the case.
NZ Hospital System…brought to it's knees by successive negligent governments.
Including this one.
https://www.economy.com/denmark/deaths/not-seasonally-adjusted
I am not sure which 'fear' response I want to respond to first, there's so many to pick from. So I will just go straight for the jugular.
We're all going to die. One day we're going to die of something, could be cancer, heart disease, could be old age, aids, hep c, it could be Covid. Meanwhile most sensible people are doing the best they can to boost their immune system (because we all know that the health system is not doing much of anything for anyone with Covid).
If it's covid that evenually kills you, then you're one of the unlucky 0.05% of the under 70s or one of the 0.15% of the over 70s. Death unfortunately is inevitable. Suppose we can run around screaming that the sky is falling and force everyone to live in caves and wear helmets and ban them from looking at the sky or whatever (someone will be mad enough to want to ban the sky) but regardless of the measures taken it does not change the fact that we're all going to die anyway. Meanwhile Omicron is looking like a splendid choice of Covid to catch (if you have to get one, and you will), I say let's not look a gift horse in the mouth. Now I am off to live and ponder the madness of humans who think that walking into a cafe with a mask on, then sitting down and taking said mask off, while punter after punter are maskless breathing each other's air, germs and any viruses that are there to be breathed in. And the mask serves what purpose? Is that to make you feel better or protect you? There's not a whole lot of protection going on in the cafe scenario, is there? Or do we want to ban cafes next?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I0VsYpX0M4
Far too depressing.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qVJ0jGC_0tU
lol
we all know that the health system is not doing much of anything for anyone with Covid
Tell that to the over-worked, stressed, under-paid and yet dedicated people who are working constantly to save lives. Say it to their faces. Walk up to them and say "you are not doing much of anything". Go ahead.
Or you could just say "thank you". If you can't bring yourself to say that, just fuck off.
A health care system and individual nurses or what-ever who work within it are two entirely different things 'observer'.
I wonder. Did you rail against the specialists and nurses (heroes to a person not so long ago) who got rendered jobless when they declined injections of m-RNA? And if not, why not?
And for the ones who rolled up their sleeves for two injections, but who will draw a line at the third, will you react to their loss in the same fashion as you did for the first tranche who, because of bureaucracy and politics, can no longer dedicate themselves to ministering the sick and injured among us?
They are not two independent things – people and the system work together to provide hospital level care – without the system organising drugs, food, water and cleaning systems and the qualified people to put those systems into action then our health care would fall apart.
The only thing holding together what passes for our healthcare system is the people at the coalface.
The 'system' functions, such as it it does, in spite of the meddling from petty bureaucrats, not because.
This may very well change as those most invested in healing will be forced out, leaving behind those most concerned with maintaining their income.
What I will say to their 'overworked' faces is "why, if this is the disaster that everyone's been led to believe it is, why have they stood back and said nothing while their colleagues, good doctors and nurses were let go”.
I will also ask them why so many of the injected (and young people) are filling up the ER with an inordinate amount of heart and neurological problems, and being told they're simply panic attacks and being sent away without any treatment.
I will also ask them why they have continued to follow the directive to not mention anything negative about the injection, while patient after patient turns up with injection related injuries. I have a lot to say to those 'stressed' people whose hippocratic oath is superseded but directives that serve no purpose other than injecting people regardless of the harm it causes.
You can tell me to 'fuck off' all you like but I won't and I will continue to point out the obvious. We are all actually going to fucking die and that's a fact and instead of running around with your eyes closed wailing about the sky falling in and demanding that everyone else close their eyes, open your fucking eyes and let that brain kick back into gear and ask yourself why, if this injection is so safe, why doctors and nurses are putting their careers on the line and refusing to have it.
Meanwhile I think I will hit the sushi shop today with my child and watch as they serve her sushi, while I refuse to give them a pass and I will do that in shop after shop because this discrimination, segregation and abuse of people is where the real sickness lies and that's got far worse repercussions than Covid.