Chris Martenson has named this the Honey Badger Virus (because nothing can stop the spread of this thing). In another video Dr John Campbell (UK) says he believes he will get this virus at some time and is hoping it is the weaker strain.
Posting because some of the official information coming through is behind by several weeks and I’m hopeful that if more people get quality information it will get officials in charge of giving advice to check where their sources (WHO/CDC) are getting info before disseminating it.
This could have been avoided if WHO “let’s not call anything a pandemic” hadn’t prioritised the world economy over public health back in January 23rd.
I predict that as unbelievable as it is that if NZ doesn’t act more aggressively (more flight bans, better advice) we will see shutdowns/quarantines here.
I have been following Chris Martenson since the end of January and have been really impressed by his daily reporting of coronavirus.
His video on the 22nd February showed Italy to have 4 cases. They have nearly 4000 now. Their schools and universities are closed and the country looks like it is going into lockdown.
We have 300 cases of TB each year, and each year the disease kills 1.5 million people throughout the world. That might surprise you given the lack of media attention about TB. As the song says, don’t believe the hype.
“In 2018, an estimated 10 million people fell ill with tuberculosis(TB) worldwide. 5.7 million men, 3.2 million women and 1.1 million children. There were cases in all countries and age groups…TB is spread from person to person through the air.”
There’s been about 100,000 cases of coronavirus which represents 1% of cases of TB. Another way of looking at it is, since January 1, 2020, more people have become millionaires by winning Lotto than have been hit by the virus in NZ. It might help to put you at ease. 🙂
We thought we had reached an understanding with you but I cannot see any change or improvement in your commenting behaviour. If you continue down this track, you will be banned for at least this election year.
The other e-mail address is now in the Blacklist, permanently, which means that each time you’re using it your comment will not appear at all and go straight to Trash from which it cannot be retrieved.
Consider this your final warning and please don’t attempt to come back with excuses or what have you; just change your behaviour, thanks – Incognito]
I have no idea what you are talking about. You said to take my comments to OM which I’ve done. If there is something egregious about the facts I’ve mentioned, you are welcome to say so.
And I use the same email address and have only one that I use. If you don’t agree, you can email me privately.
[I don’t care if you use one e-mail address only but cannot type it correctly on a consistent basis; they come from the same IP address so unless there are more than one Ross in your household using the same IP address it is you in both cases. As I said, that mistyped e-mail address is now Blacklisted, forever.
I do care about you making work for Moderators. You ignore all warnings and plead ignorance (i.e. stupidity; follow the links in my previous Moderation note to you) despite all the work Moderators put into you so that you can keep your commenting privilege here. Again, you dig in and put the onus back on me to e-mail you, despite being warned. Weka and I have already explained to you previously that the onus is on you to change your behaviour.
Banned for a month for ignoring Moderation, digging in, and making more work for Moderators. Next ban will be take you out till well after the elections – Incognito]
It's not a matter of whether someone 'agrees' you have typed your email address wrong – the blog software reads them as different, so it gives them different icons that make it look like more than one of you is commenting. Computers are not very smart.
@ Incognito We (the RNZN) were looking at the option of operating a submarine fleet in the 1980's. I was involved in the working out the operational costs from the perspective of the training of officers and the manpower requirements. In some respects significantly cheaper than the operational expense of 3 new frigates.
TB is also preventable as well as curable. Also thousands of people won't get it all at once. Also the novel virus doesn't exist outside the human body so if we can stop it's spread we can stop it forever.
The cure rate is not 100% and resistance to treatment is a growing problem. Treatment is not straightforward. Please educate yourself before commenting on TB, thanks.
Also the novel virus doesn't exist outside the human body so if we can stop it's spread we can stop it forever.
This is misleading too. The virus can persist and survive outside the body and remain infectious (virulent) for quite some time, depending on environmental factors. However, contaminated surfaces cannot cough or sneeze, which is why hand hygiene is so important, critical, in fact. In addition, stop touching your face. These are simple cheap (!) easy-to-follow and highly effective measures that don’t involve Draconian measures by the State as suggested by a few other commenters here
Incognito – fair enough regarding TB (but at least there IS a treatment and a vaccine) and true regarding it can exist outside the body on surfaces (but probably no more than a few days at most according to what I have heard – sorry can't recall where – either a RNZ interview or Dr John Campbell probably).
It is true I don't know much about TB and I am grateful to live in a country and a time where it is rare (my dad had it as a young man and my mother's oldest sister was killed by it at age 18).
You are not understanding the exponential nature of this virus.
The system will be overwhelmed with frightening speed – heck, I just saw a news item saying NZ's hospital system is already at breaking point WE HAVE 5 CONFIRMED CASES!!!
To understand just how brutal this will be for our health system check out this thread that focuses on the US but exponential case explosion is the same anywhere. And pray(!)
I imagine a lot of people are talking about the virus today.
Next time I’ll look at another country’s data.
[Ed, please don’t revert to your old bad habits of spamming the site with the same stuff over and over again, thanks. Moderator patience and time are wearing thin in election year so we will be weeding out ‘noise’ and other time-wasters – Incognito]
[Ed, this is another of your bad habits: posting links without any description/commentary from you and any good reason why we should click/watch/read them. You’re taking up bandwidth and attracting Moderator attention, which are not smart actions. If you keep this up, you’ll be put back in the Blacklist without a moment’s hesitation – Incognito]
Ed, thanks for the link, will have a listen later.
Due to the massive ammount of scaremongering via social media, a friends daughter (in her early 20's), had a misinformation fuelled anxeity attack when her mum had to fly up north yesterday. I'm talking a don't fly or you may die misinformation melt down, her mum was only flying from one regional airport to another. The daughter isn't even a germaphobic, I felt so sorry for them both, ended up in a major argument.
That toxicity has real negative effects. It's why it appears unlikely Warren will endorse Sanders, quite apart from the pragmatic consideration that a President Sanders would very unlikely to actually achieve any progressive gains, whereas a President Biden might actually get through a few small stumbling baby steps of progress.
If any candidate was "toxic" I would have said it was Joe Biden. However it depends on what one means by that word. It is all too easy to apply labels like "toxic" which reflect only one's own particular bias.
Biden has been completely useless in the primary debates. His eloquence is diametrically opposed to Obama's. But then this is the nation that elected Reagan (twice) and Trump and…..
the publication of phone numbers and home addresses belonging to two women who worked for the Nevada Culinary Union after it produced a fact sheet critical of Sanders’s health care plan.
totes not objectively toxic /sarc
And there are other examples in the vox article that you failed to address when you simply took issue with a description while ignoring the basis behind it. But I guess you don't need to refer to source documents when you have so much faith in your cause. hmmm.
Fortunately it appears some leaders like AOC and Bernie himself have taken on board lessons from 2016 and are already talking up the importance of unity around whoever becomes the nominee.
Anybody who prioritises their hurt feelings about snake emojis on the internet above trying to prevent people dying from not having healthcare – what shall we say – has a 'problem'.
Contrast this (frankly) silly whining from Warren with the dignified and respectful words from Sanders when she announced she was pulling out.
Toxic behaviour on the internet is just a commonplace. Calling Sanders supporters a 'çult' as you just did, is also a minor example of it.
As well as sifting facts and trying to counter misinformation, Bloomfield will be negotiating with district health boards, who retain autonomy even in a crisis scenario. Bloomfield has himself said that people often tell him to send letters to DHBs demanding action. He has to explain that's not how the health system is set up.
"In an emergency situation the public health person's dream is to have complete command and control, because things are a lot easier," [former MoH boss during the SARS outbreak, Colin] Tukuitonga says. "But that's not how it is. So it's a process of negotiation."
After taking the job – and after attending a leadership programme at Oxford University – Bloomfield said he subscribed to a "convene and collaborate" and "ensuring direction not giving direction" model of leadership, rather than command and control.
Sounds like just the right man for the job. We're lucky to have him. But he's got an uphill task countering the scare-mongerers and those who are ideologically opposed simply because he holds a top government position within the Health portfolio.
the MOH stuffed up on measles, with the pacifica,and they failed to understand the risks with coronavirus when it was signaled early ( by experts on complex systems theory,and risk analysis).
I take it he/she is claiming that the MOH was responsible for the out-break of measles in Samoa. I thought it was the fault of the mad anti-vaxxers who convinced vulnerable people not to vaccinate their children.
It was a screw up from NZ in general, too. We should have realised the possibility of exporting cases to the Pacific.
But a NZ administrator fucked Western Samoa for the 1918/19 influenza pandemic, too. Fucked them badly, killing 20% of the population compared to American Samoa's zero fatality number from effective quarantine efforts. So we're complete shit at not infecting our smaller neighbours, and we really need to improve that.
The United States of America has a relatively very small population compared with such great nations as China, India, Europe or even Asia.
It almost boasts a devastating and Non Democratic Health system. And dabbles around with a confused torturous unveiling of endless ballots and delegates which manipulate Elections. 327 Millions of people.
I cannot see much point in worrying about Mr and Mrs Dysneyland. They are happy in their Fantasy World ooing and aarring over the great puffy mushroom known as Donald Trump.
They have just about the lowest wages of any decent OECD country on earth. And they have no intention of ripping the Money Money Money out of the putrid Wealthy Stinky Pot that is called America.
Do you realise you are comparing the popn of a country to regions of many countries. The USA vs Europe or Asia is not equivalent. Maybe the comparison of Nth / Sth America to Europe or Asia would be a better comparison.
An excellent article by Rob Urie in which he links the plague of neoliberalism with the plague of coronavirus. As he writes, this offers an opportunity to look at the way we treat each other.
40 years of neoliberalism has reorganised the political economy so that many are economically marginalised. This means workers will have little choice but to spread the virus, as they have no money and little paid time off.
The mortality rate and contagion factor recently reported for Coronavirus (links at top) place it above the modern benchmark of the Spanish Flu of 1918 in terms of potential lethality. What should make people angry is how the reconfiguration of political economy intended to make a few people really rich has put the rest of us at increased risk. These are real people’s lives and they matter.
I dislike Simon Bridges enormously and fear for our country if he becomes PM.
I have a very low opinion of him, but was utterly disgusted to see how low he would sink when he was criticising the govts response and mentioned hand washing. I fear there are many (possibly more likely men) who will pick up on this message and scoff at the idea of washing your hands properly. Bridges is despicable.
I have read today which I now cannot locate for love nor money – the best idea to come out for helping to combat this pesky virus.
A doctor in Wellington is going to suggest to the Ministry of Health that we set up at various regions around the country drive-in clinics specifically for people presenting with coughs, sniffles etc. To use small vacant car parks and set up pop up containers or similar and staff it with a doctor and nurse of a young age because they are less vulnerable to getting very sick. There they can be treated and advised what to do. That way these sick people have no need to get out of their car and can be advised to go straight home and isolate until they can determine if they are negative etc.
This way they are freeing up doctors' surgeries where there are lots of people usually in waiting rooms. Apparently after an infected person has left the surgery they then have to sanitize the waiting room etc which is time wasting and leaving healthy people at risk including the doctors, nurses and patients.
It seems a really sensible idea. Too many people are ignoring advice given frequently to stay away from the doctors and medical centres and presenting there at great concern for everybody. Apparently I read a couple of other countries have already set this kind of drive in clinic up and it has been successful. It remains to be seen if our authorities will follow and set up clinics like this in localities all over NZ so people can do their bit to keep this virus under some sort of control.
Check out page numbered 129 (on the page, note the pdf pagination) of the NZ Influenza Pandemic Plan: what you describe sounds like "Community-based assessment centres". Main difference is that they're using community halls and suchlike rather than drive-through (you can't Xray a driver for pneumonia even if you have a portable machine).
It is a consideration in the "stamp it out" phase (which we are mostly in at the moment), so we might start seeing them if we get a cluster outside of imported cases.
They'll really kick in if/when it becomes observably established in the community.
That inspires a lot of confidence that our services of state will be on to things and bring the country through this. It should be required reading for everyone.
Also interesting to see how the early phases of the process are rolling out now, and if my partner's doctor visit on Friday is any indication, we could be past the early stages already.
The situation at the doctor was probably more late summer colds and panic showing through.
While it's still at the "stamp it out" phase, the rest of the plan is about slowing the course of the disease and lessening its extent. It's like the difference between a tsunami and a high tide with associated flooding. One overwhelms everything at the same time, the other gives services time to respond to events on the ground a bit more effectively.
The situation at the doctor was probably more late summer colds and panic showing through.
It was a walkin clinic in Queenstown, triage nurse on reception, normally just reception, partner went in with suspected UTI (has history) and triage just pulled antibiotics out of the drawer, get out of here. Normally consultation and sample test.
Don't understand how we don't have it here after CNY and all the Americans around from most of the outbreak states. Pretty much all blissfully unaware of what's happening.
the advice I saw circulated early on was telling people if they suspected they had CV to go to a doctor. We're really not very good at this yet, but getting better.
'A stiff cross-breeze in winter never did me any harm and it ensured the walls were always mould-free when the guvnor came round to run the white glove along the mantel and inspect the nippers.'
if you want me to take your comments seriously I suggest don’t start them by having a go at me. I’m not going to read a really long comment from someone who engages like that.
As already mentioned, there’s a general rule here of not telling authors what to do.
Chuckle chuckle. I won't watch the clip. I don't want to see some religious leader saying something like, "And if you die or get very ill it must be God's will, God's great plan for you."
Days after a legislator in Assam claimed cow-dung could cure coronavirus, another in Uttarakhand has said that ancient Hindu rituals and cow urine can kill the virus in the “air and within the body”.
Sanjay Gupta, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator from Laksar area in Haridwar, made the comments on Friday while speaking to reporters in Gairsain of Chamoli district where the budget session is underway.
He was talking about the steps that should be taken to curb the spread of the deadly virus, which has killed thousands of people and infected more across the world.
Yeah, and you can imagine how he's going to respond to the big numbers when they come in:
It's good news folks. I can tell you that. It's good news. We have 330 million people and only 500,000 have caught this bug thing called coronary virus or whatever its called. We have some wonderful experts, perfect experts, who say it might go up to one million by the end of the week and 5 million after that but we're prepared. Nowhere else in the world is as well prepared as the United States. We're the best. 🙄
"DairyNZ grossly overstated the potential negative impacts of the reforms on the sector and on the wider New Zealand economy, when its own modelling shows the opposite. In our opinion DairyNZ is trying to avoid having to meet mandatory freshwater limits and is instead seeking to substitute what it euphemistically calls “good management practice” which is not going to cut the mustard."
All wrong the person who guided the World through the global financial crisis was Barack.
Wide ball.????.
Australia needs to invest more time and money into protecting their wildlife.
In Aotearoa we have to preserve our wildlife environment waste of time trying to kill the vermin next minute our wildlife is losing their whare to human developments.
The droughts will be hitting dry stock farms hard especially if they don't recirculation water and troughs system in place there stock will die of dehydration as they can not sell them because of the virus.
If all or half of the computer based mahi is based at home there carbon footprint will be lower drastically and the world’s carbon footprint will be lowered.
It has been great that new roads have been planted in native trees. But we need to plant more native trees were ever they can be planted to feed our native wildlife.
There you go our government is handling this situation quite well.
Some people like a Bull market more money to be made the big players that is.
The worms will live in every hostIt's hard to pick which one they eat the mostThe horrible people, the horrible peopleIt's as anatomic as the size of your steepleCapitalism has made it this wayOld-fashioned fascism will take it awaySongwriter: Twiggy Ramirez Read more ...
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Oh, I weptFor daysFilled my eyesWith silly tearsOh, yeaBut I don'tCare no moreI don't care ifMy eyes get soreSongwriters: Paul Rodgers / Paul Kossoff. Read more ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Bob HensonIn this aerial view, fingers of meltwater flow from the melting Isunnguata Sermia glacier descending from the Greenland Ice Sheet on July 11, 2024, near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. According to the Programme for Monitoring of the Greenland Ice Sheet (PROMICE), the ...
In August, I wrote an article about David Seymour1 with a video of his testimony, to warn that there were grave dangers to his Ministry of Regulation:David Seymour's Ministry of Slush Hides Far Greater RisksWhy Seymour's exorbitant waste of taxpayers' money could be the least of concernThe money for Seymour ...
Willis is expected to have to reveal the bitter fiscal fruits of her austerity strategy in the HYEFU later today. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/TheKakaMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Tuesday, December 17 in The Kākā’s Dawn Chorus podcast ...
On Friday the government announced it would double the number of toll roads in New Zealand as well as make a few other changes to how toll roads are used in the country. The real issue though is not that tolling is being used but the suggestion it will make ...
The Prime Minister yesterday engaged in what looked like a pre-emptive strike designed to counter what is likely to be a series of depressing economic statistics expected before the end of the week. He opened his weekly post-Cabinet press conference with a recitation of the Government’s achievements. “It certainly has ...
This whooping cough story from south Auckland is a good example of the coalition government’s approach to social need – spend money on urging people to get vaccinated but only after you’ve cut the funding to where they could get vaccinated. This has been the case all year with public ...
And if there is a GodI know he likes to rockHe likes his loud guitarsHis spiders from MarsAnd if there is a GodI know he's watching meHe likes what he seesBut there's trouble on the breezeSongwriter: William Patrick Corgan Read more ...
Here’s a quick round up of today’s political news:1. MORE FOOD BANKS, CHARITIES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS AND YOUTH SOCIAL SERVICES SET TO CLOSE OR SCALE BACK AROUND THE COUNTRY AS GOVT CUTS FUNDINGSome of Auckland's largest foodbanks are warning they may need to close or significantly reduce food parcels after ...
Iain Rennie, CNZMSecretary and Chief Executive to the TreasuryDear Secretary, Undue restrictions on restricted briefings This week, the Treasury barred representatives from four organisations, including the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi, from attending the restricted briefing for the Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update. We had been ...
This is a guest post by Tim Adriaansen, a community, climate, and accessibility advocate.I won’t shut up about climate breakdown, and whenever possible I try to shift the focus of a climate conversation towards solutions. But you’ll almost never hear me give more than a passing nod to ...
A grassroots backlash has forced a backdown from Brown, but he is still eyeing up plenty of tolls for other new roads. And the pressure is on Willis to ramp up the Government’s austerity strategy. Photo: Getty ImagesMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
Hi all,I'm pretty overwhelmed by all your messages and emails today; thank you so very much.As much as my newsletter this morning was about money, and we all need to earn money, it was mostly about world domination if I'm honest. 😉I really hate what’s happening to our country, and ...
A listing of 23 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, December 8, 2024 thru Sat, December 14, 2024. Listing by Category Like last week's summary this one contains the list of articles twice: based on categories and based on ...
I started writing this morning about Hobson’s Pledge, examining the claims they and their supporters make, basically ripping into them. But I kept getting notifications coming through, and not good ones.Each time I looked up, there was another un-subscription message, and I felt a bit sicker at the thought of ...
Once, long before there was Harry and Meghan and Dodi and all those episodes of The Crown, they came to spend some time with us, Charles and Diana. Was there anyone in the world more glamorous than the Princess of Wales?Dazzled as everyone was by their company, the leader of ...
The collective right have a problem.The entire foundation for their world view is antiscientific. Their preferred economic strategies have been disproven. Their whole neoliberal model faces accusations of corporate corruption and worsening inequality. Climate change not only definitely exists, its rapid progression demands an immediate and expensive response in order ...
Just ten days ago, South Korea's president attempted a self-coup, declaring martial law and attempting to have opposition MPs murdered or arrested in an effort to seize unconstrained power. The attempt was rapidly defeated by the national assembly voting it down and the people flooding the streets to defend democracy. ...
National has only been in power for a year, but everywhere you look, its choices are taking New Zealand a long way backwards. In no particular order, here are the National Government's Top 50 Greatest Misses of its first year in power. ...
The Government is quietly undertaking consultation on the dangerous Regulatory Standards Bill over the Christmas period to avoid too much attention. ...
The Government’s planned changes to the freedom of speech obligations of universities is little more than a front for stoking the political fires of disinformation and fear, placing teachers and students in the crosshairs. ...
The Ministry of Regulation’s report into Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Aotearoa raises serious concerns about the possibility of lowering qualification requirements, undermining quality and risking worse outcomes for tamariki, whānau, and kaiako. ...
A Bill to modernise the role of Justices of the Peace (JP), ensuring they remain active in their communities and connected with other JPs, has been put into the ballot. ...
Labour will continue to fight unsustainable and destructive projects that are able to leap-frog environment protection under National’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. ...
The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Track legislation being passed today. ...
The Green Party says the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows how the Government is failing to address the massive social and infrastructure deficits our country faces. ...
The Government’s latest move to reduce the earnings of migrant workers will not only hurt migrants but it will drive down the wages of Kiwi workers. ...
Te Pāti Māori has this morning issued a stern warning to Fast-Track applicants with interests in mining, pledging to hold them accountable through retrospective liability and to immediately revoke Fast-Track consents under a future Te Pāti Māori government. This warning comes ahead of today’s third reading of the Fast-Track Approvals ...
The Government’s announcement today of a 1.5 per cent increase to minimum wage is another blow for workers, with inflation projected to exceed the increase, meaning it’s a real terms pay reduction for many. ...
All the Government has achieved from its announcement today is to continue to push responsibility back on councils for its own lack of action to help bring down skyrocketing rates. ...
The Government has used its final post-Cabinet press conference of the year to punch down on local government without offering any credible solutions to the issues our councils are facing. ...
The Government has failed to keep its promise to ‘super charge’ the EV network, delivering just 292 chargers - less than half of the 670 chargers needed to meet its target. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop subsidising the largest user of the country’s gas supplies, Methanex, following a report highlighting the multi-national’s disproportionate influence on energy prices in Aotearoa. ...
The Green Party is appalled with the Government’s new child poverty targets that are based on a new ‘persistent poverty’ measure that could be met even with an increase in child poverty. ...
New independent analysis has revealed that the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, failing to set us up for the future and meeting upcoming targets. ...
The loss of 27 kaimahi at Whakaata Māori and the end of its daily news bulletin is a sad day for Māori media and another step backwards for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice. ...
Yesterday the Government passed cruel legislation through first reading to establish a new beneficiary sanction regime that will ultimately mean more households cannot afford the basic essentials. ...
Today's passing of the Government's Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill–which allows landlords to end tenancies with no reason–ignores the voice of the people and leaves renters in limbo ahead of the festive season. ...
After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has today launched a Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as the All Out For Gaza rally reaches Parliament. ...
After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...
In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...
The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...
Thank you for the invitation to speak with you tonight on behalf of the political party I belong to - which is New Zealand First. As we have heard before this evening the Kinleith Mill is proposing to reduce operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing “lossmaking paper production”. They say that they are currently consulting on the plan to permanently shut ...
Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...
Kiwis planning a swim or heading out on a boat this summer should remember to stop and think about water safety, Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop and ACC and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “New Zealand’s beaches, lakes and rivers are some of the most beautiful in the ...
The Government is urging Kiwis to drive safely this summer and reminding motorists that Police will be out in force to enforce the road rules, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“This time of year can be stressful and result in poor decision-making on our roads. Whether you are travelling to see ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand will move swiftly to support dozens of internationally-trained doctors already in New Zealand on their journey to employment here, after a tripling of sought-after examination places. “The Medical Council has delivered great news for hardworking overseas doctors who want to contribute ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced four appointments to New Zealand’s intelligence oversight functions. The Honourable Robert Dobson KC has been appointed Chief Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, and the Honourable Brendan Brown KC has been appointed as a Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants. The appointments of Hon Robert Dobson and Hon ...
Improvements in the average time it takes to process survey and title applications means housing developments can progress more quickly, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk says. “The government is resolutely focused on improving the building and construction pipeline,” Mr Penk says. “Applications to issue titles and subdivide land are ...
The Government’s measures to reduce airport wait times, and better transparency around flight disruptions is delivering encouraging early results for passengers ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Improving the efficiency of air travel is a priority for the Government to give passengers a smoother, more reliable ...
The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...
The Government will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds says. “The redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that ...
The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...
People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced a new appointment to the board of Education New Zealand (ENZ). Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. “I would like to welcome Dr Erik Lithander to the ...
The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. “It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...
Two more criminal gangs will be subject to the raft of laws passed by the Coalition Government that give Police more powers to disrupt gang activity, and the intimidation they impose in our communities, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. Following an Order passed by Cabinet, from 3 February 2025 the ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Justice Christian Whata as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Whata’s appointment as a Judge of the Court of Appeal will take effect on 1 August 2025 and fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon Justice David Goddard on ...
The latest economic figures highlight the importance of the steps the Government has taken to restore respect for taxpayers’ money and drive economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Data released today by Stats NZ shows Gross Domestic Product fell 1 per cent in the September quarter. “Treasury and most ...
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse ...
Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, and Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, today launched a further Public Safety Network cellular service that alongside last year’s Cellular Roaming roll-out, puts globally-leading cellular communications capability into the hands of our emergency responders. The Public Safety Network’s new Cellular Priority service means Police, Wellington ...
State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...
The Government has welcomed decisions by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Ashburton District Council confirming funding to boost resilience in the Canterbury region, with construction on a second Ashburton Bridge expected to begin in 2026, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering a second Ashburton Bridge to improve resilience and ...
The Government is backing the response into high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “Cabinet has approved new funding of $20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response including rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 ...
Legislation that will repeal all advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays has passed through first reading in Parliament today, Media Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “As a growing share of audiences get their news and entertainment from streaming services, these restrictions have become increasingly redundant. New Zealand on ...
Today the House agreed to Brendan Horsley being appointed Inspector-General of Defence, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Mr Horsley’s experience will be invaluable in overseeing the establishment of the new office and its support networks. “He is currently Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, having held that role since June 2020. ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government has agreed to the final regulations for the levy on insurance contracts that will fund Fire and Emergency New Zealand from July 2026. “Earlier this year the Government agreed to a 2.2 percent increase to the rate of levy. Fire ...
The Government is delivering regulatory relief for New Zealand businesses through changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act. “The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, which was introduced today, is the second Bill – the other being the Statutes Amendment Bill - that ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed further progress on the Hawke’s Bay Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS), with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board approving funding for the detailed design of Stage 1, paving the way for main works construction to begin in late 2025.“The Government is moving at ...
The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood ...
Court timeliness, access to justice, and improving the quality of existing regulation are the focus of a series of law changes introduced to Parliament today by Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee. The three Bills in the Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment Bill package each improve a different part of the ...
A total of 41 appointments and reappointments have been made to the 12 community trusts around New Zealand that serve their regions, Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says. “These trusts, and the communities they serve from the Far North to the deep south, will benefit from the rich experience, knowledge, ...
The Government has confirmed how it will provide redress to survivors who were tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit). “The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care found that many of the 362 children who went through the Lake Alice Unit between 1972 and ...
It has been a busy, productive year in the House as the coalition Government works hard to get New Zealand back on track, Leader of the House Chris Bishop says. “This Government promised to rebuild the economy, restore law and order and reduce the cost of living. Our record this ...
“Accelerated silicosis is an emerging occupational disease caused by unsafe work such as engineered stone benchtops. I am running a standalone consultation on engineered stone to understand what the industry is currently doing to manage the risks, and whether further regulatory intervention is needed,” says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister ...
Mehemea he pai mō te tangata, mahia – if it’s good for the people, get on with it. Enhanced reporting on the public sector’s delivery of Treaty settlement commitments will help improve outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders, Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka says. Compiled together for the ...
Mr Roger Holmes Miller and Ms Tarita Hutchinson have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “I would like to welcome the new members joining the Charities Registration Board. “The appointment of Ms Hutchinson and Mr Miller will strengthen the Board’s capacity ...
More building consent and code compliance applications are being processed within the statutory timeframe since the Government required councils to submit quarterly data, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “In the midst of a housing shortage we need to look at every step of the build process for efficiencies ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey is proud to announce the first three recipients of the Government’s $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund which will enable more Kiwis faster access to mental health and addiction support. “This fund is part of the Government’s commitment to investing in ...
New Zealand is providing Vanuatu assistance following yesterday's devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. "Vanuatu is a member of our Pacific family and we are supporting it in this time of acute need," Mr Peters says. "Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu, and we will be ...
The Government welcomes the Commerce Commission’s plan to reduce card fees for Kiwis by an estimated $260 million a year, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.“The Government is relentlessly focused on reducing the cost of living, so Kiwis can keep more of their hard-earned income and live a ...
Regulation Minister David Seymour has welcomed the Early Childhood Education (ECE) regulatory review report, the first major report from the Ministry for Regulation. The report makes 15 recommendations to modernise and simplify regulations across ECE so services can get on with what they do best – providing safe, high-quality care ...
The Government‘s Offshore Renewable Energy Bill to create a new regulatory regime that will enable firms to construct offshore wind generation has passed its first reading in Parliament, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.“New Zealand currently does not have a regulatory regime for offshore renewable energy as the previous government failed ...
Summer reissue: Was it a false measurement, a full-blown conspiracy or just some mild incompetence? Mad Chapman uncovers the truth of Maddi Wesche’s final throw. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julie Old, Associate Professor, Biology, Zoology, Animal Science, Western Sydney University Dmitry Chulov, Shutterstock At this time of year, images of reindeer are everywhere. I’ve had a soft spot for reindeer ever since I was a little girl. Doesn’t everyone? ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Grozdana Manalo, Career Services Manager (Education), University of Sydney hedgehog94/Shutterstock Getting casual work over summer, or a part-time job that you might continue once your tertiary course starts, can be a great way to get workplace experience and earn some extra ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ty Ferguson, Research associate in exercise, nutrition and activity, University of South Australia Peera_Stockfoto/Shutterstock It’s never been easier to stay connected to work. Even when we’re on leave, our phones and laptops keep us tethered. Many of us promise ourselves we ...
The NZ Media Council upheld the complaint under principle four: comment and fact On 5 September 2024, The Spinoff published a brief article titled Made in Palestine, found in 1970s Hastings, which highlighted an upcoming art exhibition featuring photographs of vintage cosmetic products labelled “Made in Palestine.” The piece, described ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kasey Symons, Lecturer of Communication, Sports Media, Deakin University We are well and truly in cricket season. The Australian men’s cricket team is taking centre stage against India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy series while the Big Bash League is underway, as ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Woods, Lecturer, Nursing, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University FTiare/Shutterstock Summer is here and for many that means going to the beach. You grab your swimmers, beach towel and sunscreen then maybe check the weather forecast. Did you think to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Saman Khalesi, Senior Lecturer and Discipline Lead in Nutrition, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity Australia Dean Clarke/Shutterstock The holiday season can be a time of joy, celebration, and indulgence in delicious foods and meals. However, for many, it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ari Mattes, Lecturer in Communications and Media, University of Notre Dame Australia Late Night With The Devil. Maslow Entertainment Marketing is critical to the success of commercial films, and companies will often spend half as much again on top of the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Francisco Jose Testa, Lecturer in Earth Sciences (Mineralogy, Petrology & Geochemistry), University of Tasmania The Conversation As a kid, it was tough for me to grasp the massive time scale of Earth’s history. Now, with nearly two decades of experience as ...
Te Pāti Māori has had to adopt a new way of debating, operating and even thinking in Parliament in response to the Government’s “onslaught” against te ao Māori, co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says.In an end-of-year interview with Newsroom, the Te Tai Hauauru MP reflected on how 2024 has differed from her ...
Opinion: The latest Trends in International Mathematics and Science report was announced earlier this month, yet it didn’t get the flurry of media attention and political hand-wringing that typically accompanies these announcements. This might be because it presented good news, or you could argue, no news; the results paint a ...
NewsroomBy Dr Lisa Darragh, Dr Raewyn Eden and Dr David Pomeroy
At long last, The Spinoff shells out for a nut ranking. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today.It recently came to The Spinoff’s attention ...
I was one of hundreds of people who lost my government job this week. Here’s exactly how it played out. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a ...
Summer reissue: One anxiously attentive passenger pays attention to an in-flight safety video, and wonders ‘Why can’t I pick up my own phone?’ The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up ...
Summer reissue: Why do those Lange-Douglas years cast such a long shadow 40 years on? The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today. First published June ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Monday 23 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...
The Government’s social housing agency has backed out of a billion-dollar infrastructure alliance that would have built about 6000 new homes in Auckland – less than 18 months after signing a five-year extension.Labour says the decision to rip up the contract and sell off existing state houses could lead to ...
An unrelenting faith in “swift transition” has driven Tauranga Whai to their first Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa championship. At a boisterous Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre, the visiting Tokomanawa Queens were blown away 90-71 in the final.Whai led by 20 points at halftime as their urgent movement and unflinching faith in three-point shooting from anywhere ...
ByKoroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor New Zealand’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) says impending bad weather for Port Vila is now the most significant post-quake hazard. A tropical low in the Coral Sea is expected to move into Vanuatu waters, bringing heavy rainfall. Authorities have issued warnings to people ...
Cosmic CatastropheThe year draws to a close.King Luxon has grown tired of the long eveningsListening to the dreary squabbling of his Triumvirate.He strolls up to the top floor of the PalaceTo consult with his Astronomer Royal.The Royal Telescope scans the skies,And King Luxon stares up into the heavensFrom the terrestrial ...
Spinoff editor Mad Chapman and books editor Claire Mabey debate Carl Shuker’s new novel about… an editor. Claire: Hello Mad, you just finished The Royal Free – overall impressions? Mad: Hi Claire, I literally just put the book down and I would have to say my immediate impression is ...
Christmas and its buildup are often lonely, hard and full of unreasonable expectations. Here’s how to make it to Jesus’s birthday and find the little bit of joy we all deserve. Have you found this year relentless? Has the latest Apple update “fucked up your life”? Have you lost two ...
Despite overwhelming public and corporate support, the government has stalled progress on a modern day slavery law. That puts us behind other countries – and makes Christmas a time of tragedy rather than joy, argues Shanti Mathias. Picture the scene on Christmas Day. Everyone replete with nice things to eat, ...
Asia Pacific Report “It looks like Hiroshima. It looks like Germany at the end of World War Two,” says an Israeli-American historian and professor of holocaust and genocide studies at Brown University about the horrifying reality of Gaza. Professor Omer Bartov, has described Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza as an ...
The New Zealand government coalition is tweaking university regulations to curb what it says is an increasingly “risk-averse approach” to free speech. The proposed changes will set clear expectations on how universities should approach freedom of speech issues. Each university will then have to adopt a “freedom of speech statement” ...
Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – COMMENTARY: By Caitlin Johnstone New York prosecutors have charged Luigi Mangione with “murder as an act of terrorism” in his alleged shooting of health insurance CEO Brian Thompson earlier this month. This news comes out at the same time as ...
Pacific Media Watch The union for Australian journalists has welcomed the delivery by the federal government of more than $150 million to support the sustainability of public interest journalism over the next four years. Combined with the announcement of the revamped News Bargaining Initiative, this could result in up to ...
It’s a little under two months since the White Ferns shocked the cricketing world, deservedly taking home the T20 World Cup. Since then the trophy has had a tour around the country, five of the squad have played in the WBBL in Australia while most others have returned to domestic ...
Comment: If we say the word ‘dementia’, many will picture an older person struggling to remember the names of their loved ones, maybe a grandparent living out their final years in an aged care facility. Dementia can also occur in people younger than 65, but it can take time before ...
Piracy is a reality of modern life – but copyright law has struggled to play catch-up for as long as the entertainment industry has existed. As far back as 1988, the House of Lords criticised copyright law’s conflict with the reality of human behaviour in the context of burning cassette ...
MONDAY“Merry Xmas, and praise the Lord,” said Sheriff Luxon, and smiled for the camera. There was a flash of smoke when the shutter pressed down on the magnesium powder. The sheriff had arranged for a photographer from the Dodge Gazette to attend a ceremony where he handed out food parcels to ...
Chris Martenson has named this the Honey Badger Virus (because nothing can stop the spread of this thing). In another video Dr John Campbell (UK) says he believes he will get this virus at some time and is hoping it is the weaker strain.
Posting because some of the official information coming through is behind by several weeks and I’m hopeful that if more people get quality information it will get officials in charge of giving advice to check where their sources (WHO/CDC) are getting info before disseminating it.
This could have been avoided if WHO “let’s not call anything a pandemic” hadn’t prioritised the world economy over public health back in January 23rd.
I predict that as unbelievable as it is that if NZ doesn’t act more aggressively (more flight bans, better advice) we will see shutdowns/quarantines here.
Thank you for sharing A.
I have been following Chris Martenson since the end of January and have been really impressed by his daily reporting of coronavirus.
His video on the 22nd February showed Italy to have 4 cases. They have nearly 4000 now. Their schools and universities are closed and the country looks like it is going into lockdown.
Yesterday we had 4 cases.
Will we be in lockdown in 2 weeks?
I wonder what the Ministry of Health is planning.
Ed
We have 300 cases of TB each year, and each year the disease kills 1.5 million people throughout the world. That might surprise you given the lack of media attention about TB. As the song says, don’t believe the hype.
Have you watched either Chris Martenson or Dr John Campbell ?
Have you read the WHO report on TB?
“In 2018, an estimated 10 million people fell ill with tuberculosis(TB) worldwide. 5.7 million men, 3.2 million women and 1.1 million children. There were cases in all countries and age groups…TB is spread from person to person through the air.”
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tuberculosis
No I have not read the WHO report on TB.
However, I came to this thread to discuss coronavirus, so for the time being I won't get waylaid by your desire to talk about TB.
There’s been about 100,000 cases of coronavirus which represents 1% of cases of TB. Another way of looking at it is, since January 1, 2020, more people have become millionaires by winning Lotto than have been hit by the virus in NZ. It might help to put you at ease. 🙂
[Ross, again you’re making more work for Moderators. To you, it may seem an innocent minor typo in the e-mail address. To the system and the readership of TS, you look like another user, which is unnecessarily confusing, hampers the flow, and decreases good faith here. This has been mentioned to you before (https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-17-10-2019/#comment-1661862 and https://thestandard.org.nz/the-herald-creates-a-panic-and-trump-things-coronavirus-is-a-hoax/#comment-1688549).
You have also been warned before about derailing and you have used TB before to detract (https://thestandard.org.nz/the-herald-creates-a-panic-and-trump-things-coronavirus-is-a-hoax/#comment-1688553), which is another form of your idiosyncratic ‘nay-saying’, which you have also been warned about before (https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-29-02-2020/#comment-1688282).
We thought we had reached an understanding with you but I cannot see any change or improvement in your commenting behaviour. If you continue down this track, you will be banned for at least this election year.
The other e-mail address is now in the Blacklist, permanently, which means that each time you’re using it your comment will not appear at all and go straight to Trash from which it cannot be retrieved.
Consider this your final warning and please don’t attempt to come back with excuses or what have you; just change your behaviour, thanks – Incognito]
(Ross, you have used that other email address spelling again – note different logo next to your name.)
See my Moderation note @ 8:35 AM.
We thought we had reached an understanding
I have no idea what you are talking about. You said to take my comments to OM which I’ve done. If there is something egregious about the facts I’ve mentioned, you are welcome to say so.
And I use the same email address and have only one that I use. If you don’t agree, you can email me privately.
[I don’t care if you use one e-mail address only but cannot type it correctly on a consistent basis; they come from the same IP address so unless there are more than one Ross in your household using the same IP address it is you in both cases. As I said, that mistyped e-mail address is now Blacklisted, forever.
I do care about you making work for Moderators. You ignore all warnings and plead ignorance (i.e. stupidity; follow the links in my previous Moderation note to you) despite all the work Moderators put into you so that you can keep your commenting privilege here. Again, you dig in and put the onus back on me to e-mail you, despite being warned. Weka and I have already explained to you previously that the onus is on you to change your behaviour.
Banned for a month for ignoring Moderation, digging in, and making more work for Moderators. Next ban will be take you out till well after the elections – Incognito]
It's not a matter of whether someone 'agrees' you have typed your email address wrong – the blog software reads them as different, so it gives them different icons that make it look like more than one of you is commenting. Computers are not very smart.
See my Moderation note @ 11:30 AM.
Thank you Ed. Likewise I do not want to hear from the odious neoliberal Who.
Great to hear from you maui. You point about WHO nailed it.
Have missed the opportunity to discuss world and local issues with such an informed an insightful person.
Right EO, don’t wash your hands then but call in the Army
Feel free to pack your parachute 5 mins before you go up Incognito. But I think I'll be safer in the RNZAF Hercules.
I’d prefer a yellow submarine of the RNZN.
@ Incognito We (the RNZN) were looking at the option of operating a submarine fleet in the 1980's. I was involved in the working out the operational costs from the perspective of the training of officers and the manpower requirements. In some respects significantly cheaper than the operational expense of 3 new frigates.
But no yellow submarines – they are all black.
I’m ok with black although I’d prefer yellow (once inside you can’t see the outside colour).
A KEY difference is that TB has a treatment.
TB is also preventable as well as curable. Also thousands of people won't get it all at once. Also the novel virus doesn't exist outside the human body so if we can stop it's spread we can stop it forever.
Yes.
The cure rate is not 100% and resistance to treatment is a growing problem. Treatment is not straightforward. Please educate yourself before commenting on TB, thanks.
This is misleading too. The virus can persist and survive outside the body and remain infectious (virulent) for quite some time, depending on environmental factors. However, contaminated surfaces cannot cough or sneeze, which is why hand hygiene is so important, critical, in fact. In addition, stop touching your face. These are simple cheap (!) easy-to-follow and highly effective measures that don’t involve Draconian measures by the State as suggested by a few other commenters here
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/331305/WHO-2019-NcOV-IPC_WASH-2020.1-eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y [Section 1.2]
Incognito – fair enough regarding TB (but at least there IS a treatment and a vaccine) and true regarding it can exist outside the body on surfaces (but probably no more than a few days at most according to what I have heard – sorry can't recall where – either a RNZ interview or Dr John Campbell probably).
It is true I don't know much about TB and I am grateful to live in a country and a time where it is rare (my dad had it as a young man and my mother's oldest sister was killed by it at age 18).
You are not understanding the exponential nature of this virus.
The system will be overwhelmed with frightening speed – heck, I just saw a news item saying NZ's hospital system is already at breaking point WE HAVE 5 CONFIRMED CASES!!!
To understand just how brutal this will be for our health system check out this thread that focuses on the US but exponential case explosion is the same anywhere. And pray(!)
https://mobile.twitter.com/LizSpecht/status/1236095180459003909
Ed, you said exactly the same yesterday. I hope you are not planning on daily repeats regardless of what anyone replies.
I was responding to A’s link.
I imagine a lot of people are talking about the virus today.
Next time I’ll look at another country’s data.
[Ed, please don’t revert to your old bad habits of spamming the site with the same stuff over and over again, thanks. Moderator patience and time are wearing thin in election year so we will be weeding out ‘noise’ and other time-wasters – Incognito]
See my Moderation note @ 9:14 AM.
Point taken.
Thank you.
Here is Dr John Campbell’s most recent report.
Friday 6th March
[Ed, this is another of your bad habits: posting links without any description/commentary from you and any good reason why we should click/watch/read them. You’re taking up bandwidth and attracting Moderator attention, which are not smart actions. If you keep this up, you’ll be put back in the Blacklist without a moment’s hesitation – Incognito]
Ed, thanks for the link, will have a listen later.
Due to the massive ammount of scaremongering via social media, a friends daughter (in her early 20's), had a misinformation fuelled anxeity attack when her mum had to fly up north yesterday. I'm talking a don't fly or you may die misinformation melt down, her mum was only flying from one regional airport to another. The daughter isn't even a germaphobic, I felt so sorry for them both, ended up in a major argument.
See my Moderation note @ 9:08 AM.
Thank you for the advice.
If I link to an article or video, I shall explain its content so people can make an informed decision about it.
Sanders, his toxic online supporters, and how they add up to alienate those not in his cult:
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/3/6/21167830/elizabeth-warren-bernie-sanders-rachel-maddow-bernie-bros
That toxicity has real negative effects. It's why it appears unlikely Warren will endorse Sanders, quite apart from the pragmatic consideration that a President Sanders would very unlikely to actually achieve any progressive gains, whereas a President Biden might actually get through a few small stumbling baby steps of progress.
If any candidate was "toxic" I would have said it was Joe Biden. However it depends on what one means by that word. It is all too easy to apply labels like "toxic" which reflect only one's own particular bias.
The same considerations apply to the word “cult”.
Agreed Mikesh.
Biden has been completely useless in the primary debates. His eloquence is diametrically opposed to Obama's. But then this is the nation that elected Reagan (twice) and Trump and…..
The comment was about certain blocs of supporters, not the candidates themselves.
Calling his supporters "toxic" would seem to be an even worse faux pas. However, Andre has applied the word "cult" to both Sanders and his supporters.
totes not objectively toxic /sarc
And there are other examples in the vox article that you failed to address when you simply took issue with a description while ignoring the basis behind it. But I guess you don't need to refer to source documents when you have so much faith in your cause. hmmm.
Agent provocateur's maybe?
Some of them, probably.
But enough of them are for real to illustrate that it's a genuine phenomenon and it's a problem. I've come across a few in real life.
Fortunately it appears some leaders like AOC and Bernie himself have taken on board lessons from 2016 and are already talking up the importance of unity around whoever becomes the nominee.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-bernie-biden-trump_n_5e6229fec5b691b525f0f41b
And the she-devil herself, HRC, puts it in a nutshell: successful politics comes from addition and multiplication, not subtraction and division.
Some real charmers.
Anybody who prioritises their hurt feelings about snake emojis on the internet above trying to prevent people dying from not having healthcare – what shall we say – has a 'problem'.
Contrast this (frankly) silly whining from Warren with the dignified and respectful words from Sanders when she announced she was pulling out.
Toxic behaviour on the internet is just a commonplace. Calling Sanders supporters a 'çult' as you just did, is also a minor example of it.
Concise profile of Health Ministry boss Ashley Bloomfield, including his role in the current Covid-19 response: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/120071359/coronavirus-ashley-bloomfield-is-the-face-of-nzs-pandemic-response
Sounds like just the right man for the job. We're lucky to have him. But he's got an uphill task countering the scare-mongerers and those who are ideologically opposed simply because he holds a top government position within the Health portfolio.
Yes, he has the right expertise and temperament. However I can understand people being concerned about whether the whole public health part of our system has enough resources to do its job: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/120063889/coronavirus-ministry-working-to-bolster-workforce-to-contact-and-trace-cases
Hes a hedgehog.
the MOH stuffed up on measles, with the pacifica,and they failed to understand the risks with coronavirus when it was signaled early ( by experts on complex systems theory,and risk analysis).
https://twitter.com/normonics/status/1235937967035777025
26 Jan is not "early". And contact tracing gets overwhelmed when you have lots of cases, yes. We do not have lots of cases in NZ.
Not sure what exactly happened with measles. Are you talking about the Auckland region outbreak, or it getting to the Islands?
I take it he/she is claiming that the MOH was responsible for the out-break of measles in Samoa. I thought it was the fault of the mad anti-vaxxers who convinced vulnerable people not to vaccinate their children.
It was a screw up from NZ in general, too. We should have realised the possibility of exporting cases to the Pacific.
But a NZ administrator fucked Western Samoa for the 1918/19 influenza pandemic, too. Fucked them badly, killing 20% of the population compared to American Samoa's zero fatality number from effective quarantine efforts. So we're complete shit at not infecting our smaller neighbours, and we really need to improve that.
It was a stuff up (samoa) ,both by the ministry and ministers.The problem (almost obvious) was predictable.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/402251/samoa-measles-epidemic-immunologist-furious-at-nz
"…mad anti-vaxxers…"
Jesus Christ, Anne! Surely you recall the two babies who were killed by an incompetent nurse?
An army of anti-vaxxers couldn't have done a better job of dissuading the Samoan mothers from vaccinating their babies.
For goodness sakes…try looking a little deeper, perhaps check out the facts?
Google "Samoan nurse kills babies with vaccine error "
Sighs. Shakes head.
USA – not worth the Trouble !
The United States of America has a relatively very small population compared with such great nations as China, India, Europe or even Asia.
It almost boasts a devastating and Non Democratic Health system. And dabbles around with a confused torturous unveiling of endless ballots and delegates which manipulate Elections. 327 Millions of people.
I cannot see much point in worrying about Mr and Mrs Dysneyland. They are happy in their Fantasy World ooing and aarring over the great puffy mushroom known as Donald Trump.
They have just about the lowest wages of any decent OECD country on earth. And they have no intention of ripping the Money Money Money out of the putrid Wealthy Stinky Pot that is called America.
Over 320 million human beings written off with one fell swoop
Thanks Rob
Thanks Incognito
I could have mapped population to the furthest set of human toes – but I feel that the USA is in deep trouble.
I even doubt that Donald Trump has the Finance to match the Biden Team. Which means that Trump could end in a truly major mud hole.
Trump has played the Fool. Over and Over.
Much of the American valuable workers are being paid a pittance. They must be close to enforced hardship by the Trump merrygo round. Pretty Pathetic.
Ask yourself if you would prefer the American Way.
Regards BJH
Do you realise you are comparing the popn of a country to regions of many countries. The USA vs Europe or Asia is not equivalent. Maybe the comparison of Nth / Sth America to Europe or Asia would be a better comparison.
An excellent article by Rob Urie in which he links the plague of neoliberalism with the plague of coronavirus. As he writes, this offers an opportunity to look at the way we treat each other.
40 years of neoliberalism has reorganised the political economy so that many are economically marginalised. This means workers will have little choice but to spread the virus, as they have no money and little paid time off.
https://www.counterpunch.org/2020/03/06/the-neoliberal-plague/
One key quote
I dislike Simon Bridges enormously and fear for our country if he becomes PM.
I have a very low opinion of him, but was utterly disgusted to see how low he would sink when he was criticising the govts response and mentioned hand washing. I fear there are many (possibly more likely men) who will pick up on this message and scoff at the idea of washing your hands properly. Bridges is despicable.
Exploiting fear in an attempt to gain control….that's what the nat's do, it's not the first time.
Greetings Anker
You are very valuable. Your analysis exceeds many others on here by leaps and bounds.
I personally enjoyed your rebuttal of some silly person writing on here and claiming that the current Government has done Nothing.
How on earth can the Moderators here allow that crappy nonsense Anker ?
I do not think it can be bias. So it must be work overload.
Your earlier Article is spot on Anker. I hope you publish it on here again.
Bjh
You’ll flip your lid when you read this: https://thestandard.org.nz/the-politics-of-hand-washing/#comment-1689681
Thanks so much Observer.
I haven't done an article as such. But yes I did do a rebuttal of "the govt has done nothing"
We should do all we can to encourage those we know to wash their hands properly of Bridges and the National Party.
when you wake up in the morning and you realise you and your country are managed by people who don't give a flying fudge if you and yours live or die.
https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/1236053765503016960
https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/1236047190897934337
Dude's deeply stupid.
https://twitter.com/NYinLA2121/status/1236093108795764736
https://twitter.com/ddiamond/status/1236055907102011393
Good writing is flowing in …
To Ed
A Strong and Thoughtful piece.
Well done !
Bjh
I have read today which I now cannot locate for love nor money – the best idea to come out for helping to combat this pesky virus.
A doctor in Wellington is going to suggest to the Ministry of Health that we set up at various regions around the country drive-in clinics specifically for people presenting with coughs, sniffles etc. To use small vacant car parks and set up pop up containers or similar and staff it with a doctor and nurse of a young age because they are less vulnerable to getting very sick. There they can be treated and advised what to do. That way these sick people have no need to get out of their car and can be advised to go straight home and isolate until they can determine if they are negative etc.
This way they are freeing up doctors' surgeries where there are lots of people usually in waiting rooms. Apparently after an infected person has left the surgery they then have to sanitize the waiting room etc which is time wasting and leaving healthy people at risk including the doctors, nurses and patients.
It seems a really sensible idea. Too many people are ignoring advice given frequently to stay away from the doctors and medical centres and presenting there at great concern for everybody. Apparently I read a couple of other countries have already set this kind of drive in clinic up and it has been successful. It remains to be seen if our authorities will follow and set up clinics like this in localities all over NZ so people can do their bit to keep this virus under some sort of control.
Check out page numbered 129 (on the page, note the pdf pagination) of the NZ Influenza Pandemic Plan: what you describe sounds like "Community-based assessment centres". Main difference is that they're using community halls and suchlike rather than drive-through (you can't Xray a driver for pneumonia even if you have a portable machine).
It is a consideration in the "stamp it out" phase (which we are mostly in at the moment), so we might start seeing them if we get a cluster outside of imported cases.
They'll really kick in if/when it becomes observably established in the community.
Thanks for the link to the NZ Influenza Pandemic Plan.
That inspires a lot of confidence that our services of state will be on to things and bring the country through this. It should be required reading for everyone.
Also interesting to see how the early phases of the process are rolling out now, and if my partner's doctor visit on Friday is any indication, we could be past the early stages already.
The situation at the doctor was probably more late summer colds and panic showing through.
While it's still at the "stamp it out" phase, the rest of the plan is about slowing the course of the disease and lessening its extent. It's like the difference between a tsunami and a high tide with associated flooding. One overwhelms everything at the same time, the other gives services time to respond to events on the ground a bit more effectively.
It was a walkin clinic in Queenstown, triage nurse on reception, normally just reception, partner went in with suspected UTI (has history) and triage just pulled antibiotics out of the drawer, get out of here. Normally consultation and sample test.
Ah, fair call. I took it to mean the waiting room was full, my bad.
Probably fair enough in q’town, with its international population.
Don't understand how we don't have it here after CNY and all the Americans around from most of the outbreak states. Pretty much all blissfully unaware of what's happening.
the advice I saw circulated early on was telling people if they suspected they had CV to go to a doctor. We're really not very good at this yet, but getting better.
South Korea was the initiator (if memory serves me right).
What a complete turd sandwich of a diagnosis for Michael Cullen, hopefully the chemotherapy puts things in remission for a good while.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/120098115/sir-michael-cullen-may-only-have-months-to-live-after-cancer-diagnosis
bugger. Always had a lot of respect for him, even if almost never entirely in agreement lol.
Totally the wrong time to have lung problems and need chemo. He'll have to take advice on how to avoid coronavirus risk.
It never is the right time to be diagnosed with lung cancer.
A typically facile response.
Sit beach and read what you've written.
Your posts' own text mentions "landlords" 14 times and the quote mention "landlords a further 10 times.
Your text mentions the word "tenant" or "tenants" 6 times
It mentions the word "responsibility" zero times.
It also has zero factual evidence of a problem that will be fixed by the law.
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
There are general rules here about not having a go at authors or telling them what to write.
The post was clearly about landlords. If you want a post about tenant responsibilities, perhaps you could write your own?
I'd like to see this post.
'A stiff cross-breeze in winter never did me any harm and it ensured the walls were always mould-free when the guvnor came round to run the white glove along the mantel and inspect the nippers.'
Weka, do yourself a favour and think.
You can start by chucking out the crappy "if you think …" nonsense and actually address the points raised, as I did.
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
if you want me to take your comments seriously I suggest don’t start them by having a go at me. I’m not going to read a really long comment from someone who engages like that.
As already mentioned, there’s a general rule here of not telling authors what to do.
Global fuckwittery.
https://twitter.com/FocusNewsNow/status/1235518317344907266
https://twitter.com/jackiekcalmes/status/1236051435999109122
https://twitter.com/TassosMorfis/status/1235996336698396673
Chuckle chuckle. I won't watch the clip. I don't want to see some religious leader saying something like, "And if you die or get very ill it must be God's will, God's great plan for you."
Whatever their stripe, fundies are dangerous.
Days after a legislator in Assam claimed cow-dung could cure coronavirus, another in Uttarakhand has said that ancient Hindu rituals and cow urine can kill the virus in the “air and within the body”.
Sanjay Gupta, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator from Laksar area in Haridwar, made the comments on Friday while speaking to reporters in Gairsain of Chamoli district where the budget session is underway.
He was talking about the steps that should be taken to curb the spread of the deadly virus, which has killed thousands of people and infected more across the world.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/yagna-cow-urine-can-kill-coronavirus-uttarakhand-bjp-legislator/story-q8dsFDD1Qj6mIy1plytPuM.html
A bed time story to scare the beyehua out of everybody.
https://twitter.com/LizSpecht/status/1236095180459003909
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1236095180459003909.html
US is fucked. Was reading today NYNY has 2000 people in quarantine because of suspected covid-19, but they've only tested 100 people.
And something like half a dozen states announced their first cases in one day. And dolt45 is still in denial.
Yeah, and you can imagine how he's going to respond to the big numbers when they come in:
It's good news folks. I can tell you that. It's good news. We have 330 million people and only 500,000 have caught this bug thing called coronary virus or whatever its called. We have some wonderful experts, perfect experts, who say it might go up to one million by the end of the week and 5 million after that but we're prepared. Nowhere else in the world is as well prepared as the United States. We're the best. 🙄
"And dolt45 is still in denial."
If we're lucky. If we're not, it's deliberate.
Hail The Apocalypse
by Avatar (Music Video)
"DairyNZ grossly overstated the potential negative impacts of the reforms on the sector and on the wider New Zealand economy, when its own modelling shows the opposite. In our opinion DairyNZ is trying to avoid having to meet mandatory freshwater limits and is instead seeking to substitute what it euphemistically calls “good management practice” which is not going to cut the mustard."
https://m.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1912/S00370/eds-report-shoots-down-dairynz-conclusions-re-freshwater.htm
Kia Ora The Am Show.
All wrong the person who guided the World through the global financial crisis was Barack.
Wide ball.????.
Australia needs to invest more time and money into protecting their wildlife.
In Aotearoa we have to preserve our wildlife environment waste of time trying to kill the vermin next minute our wildlife is losing their whare to human developments.
I'm not taking that bait.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Newshub.
The price of oil has been down a couple of weeks I have been waiting for the price of fuel in Aotearoa to come down to??????.
I think that it is low using the virus to get employment leverage.
Of course tamariki should be allowed to ride bikes on footpaths those changes sound good.
I still say a bounty should be paid for vermin that are praying on our natives.
Kia Kaha to all the Wahine protesting for their equality.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
Iwi lost heaps of whenua in Aotearoa
The droughts will be hitting dry stock farms hard especially if they don't recirculation water and troughs system in place there stock will die of dehydration as they can not sell them because of the virus.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora The Am Show.
If all or half of the computer based mahi is based at home there carbon footprint will be lower drastically and the world’s carbon footprint will be lowered.
It has been great that new roads have been planted in native trees. But we need to plant more native trees were ever they can be planted to feed our native wildlife.
There you go our government is handling this situation quite well.
Some people like a Bull market more money to be made the big players that is.
Ka kite Ano