Open mike 15/01/2021

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, January 15th, 2021 - 57 comments
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57 comments on “Open mike 15/01/2021 ”

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  1. Jimmy 1
    15 January 2021 at 9:01 am

    I feel a lot more confident regarding our borders and MIQ facilities with Chris Hipkins being the lead. I think he is doing a good job and seems competent when fronting the media. David Clark really was useless in comparison to Hipkins and dropped the ball too often.

  2. Red 2
    15 January 2021 at 9:30 am

    Probability would suggest we are almost guaranteed another outbreak, irrespective how many times the media prat on “how lucky are we” chippy Jacinda worship or not Lets hope the health sector is prepared this time

    • Drowsy M. Kram 2.1
      15 January 2021 at 10:13 am

      Based on NZ's COVID-19 health outcomes to date, is it really the case that "David Clark really was useless", and that the preparation of our health sector was poor?

      Goodness gracious, if that's really is the case, then the UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care must be considerably worse than useless, and there can be no words to describe the (lack of) preparedness of the UK health sector.

      The reality is that the team of nearly five million (with some exceptional leadership and a little bit of luck) did a spectacular job of eliminating COVID-19 (stamp it out), and that MIQ staff have done an amazing job to protect the general population (keep it out) while facilitatating international travel. In the first two weeks of 2021, 5,735 people arrived in NZ, and 6,771 people left.

      Life goes on, and it seems there are still some who don't know how lucky we are to live in this country. Yes, I know it’s not all roses, but there’s truly no place I’d rather be at the moment.

      It's certainly good advice to be prepared for the next incursion of COVID into the general population. Visit https://covid19.govt.nz/health-and-wellbeing/

      Protect yourself and others from COVID-19

      • Stay home if you’re sick
      • Keep track of where you’ve been
      • Wear a face covering
      • Wash your hands
      • Cough or sneeze into your elbow
      • Clean surfaces
      • Maintain physical distancing
      • alwyn 2.1.1
        15 January 2021 at 1:01 pm

        " In the first two weeks of 2021, 5,735 people arrived in NZ, and 6,771 people left.".

        And you call that facilitating international air travel?

        In the first 2 weeks of 2020 there were about 25,000 people per day going each way by air in and out of New Zealand. Thus we now have roughly 1 person travelling for every 60 we had at the same time last year. Those numbers are taken from the same link that you provided.

        Just for comparison I have looked at what the figures would be for each Interislander trip between Wellington and Picton if we reduced the traffic volumes in the same way.

        Each ferry would carry 3 passengers. Three quarters of the ferry would carry a car. 1 in five ferries would carry a rail wagon and 1 in every 14 would carry a truck.

        https://www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/blog/history-of-the-nz-interislander-nz-ferry/#:~:text=Fun%20facts%20about%20the%20Interislander%20Ferry&text=Between%20our%20three%20ferries%2C%20we,21%2C000%20trucks%20and%20210%2C000%20cars.

        I would call that isolated. I certainly wouldn't say that travel had been facilitated.

      • Jimmy 2.1.2
        15 January 2021 at 1:52 pm

        The UK health bloke may be useless, I honestly don't know. But remember we had significant advantages due to our isolation and time on our side to get prepared. Heathrow I believe has around 80 million people go through it a year, that's around 220,000 per day! And don't forget Gatwick (46m) and Manchester (28m) airports. (Auckland airport a mere 20 million per year so only around 1/7th of the quantity). Just imagine the numbers carrying covid in to England in the early days.

        I agree I would much rather be in NZ than anywhere else though as we have done a much better job than the UK.

        • McFlock 2.1.2.1
          15 January 2021 at 4:41 pm

          Because it's impossible to reject an international flight plan?

          We spent the first six months of the pandemic with people warning us our economy would collapse if we stopped international tourism and had a lockdown.

          turns out we just bit the bullet and took the medecine early, and saved ourselves a lot of disease and economic hardship.

    • Incognito 2.2
      15 January 2021 at 10:49 am

      Let’s hope the NZ population is prepared this time. You know, the ‘team of five million’; are you one of us?

      • Red 2.2.1
        15 January 2021 at 11:14 am

        Yep in principal on the approach, not so much the spin and politics of it all , the team of 5m thing ( vomit inducing) , canonisation of certain individuals, smugness of nz in contrasting other countries without realising how much advantage we have to most other nations, releasing not so complementary reports on health sector performance very late and after the election, attempts to make this a left and right issue Apart from that on board

        • Drowsy M. Kram 2.2.1.1
          15 January 2021 at 11:59 am

          Red, what makes you think that there's a (general?) lack of realisation of the advantages (e.g. remote island, delayed risk of exposure, small well-educated population, competent leaders and dedicated public health workers focussed on protecting the health of citizens) that NZ has wrt this global pandemic?

          IMHO "the team of 5m thing" that you find so nauseating was a masterstoke, both politically and as a subtle modifier of behaviour.

          Like it or not, we're all (right and left) in this together – COVID's quite the levellersmiley

        • Incognito 2.2.1.2
          15 January 2021 at 12:00 pm

          I’m glad to hear that despite your visceral reaction and many reservations, you’re one of us and that’s all that matters in this pandemic; all the other stuff is just a distracting sideshow. This doesn’t mean stop criticising the authorities, including experts, as long as it is done with a positive outcome in mind. Often, we react to a particular message because of the messenger and/or the tone used but then we forget/ignore the message, which is lost in the noise in our brain. When people stop listening and start reacting instead, the connection is lost. Once the connection is gone, the cohesion will weaken, and before we know it, we are (back to being) a bunch of five million individuals mimicking Brownian motion.

          • alwyn 2.2.1.2.1
            15 January 2021 at 2:19 pm

            "You know, the ‘team of five million’; are you one of us?"

            "I’m glad to hear that despite your visceral reaction and many reservations, you’re one of us".

            My, my. That sounds dreadfully like the mad orange man talking to the group of Congresswoman who disagreed with him. You remember them I assume?

            Trump of course, completely ignoring the fact that most of them had been born in the USA, ranted that

            "So interesting to see 'Progressive' Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments … … … … now loudly and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful Nation on earth, how our government is to be run."

            and "Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came"..

            https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/07/14/trump-tells-congresswomen-go-back-counties-they-came/1728253001/

            Are you going to tell people who think, and god forbid say, that the Government really hasn't done very well at all should leave the country? It does sound a bit like that you know when you start sorting the population into "them" and "us".

            • Drowsy M. Kram 2.2.1.2.1.1
              15 January 2021 at 2:37 pm

              The number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 infections has just topped the 2,000,000 mark.

              Wouldn't dream of saying "people who think, and god forbid say, that the Government really hasn't done very well at all should leave the country" – how bizarre.

              As to whether or not the NZ Government has done a good, bad or indifferent job of handling the COVID-19 pandemic so far, well we're all 'entitled' to our opinions.

              The question is, can you be a team player while holding our Government to account? That's behaviour I could admire.

            • Incognito 2.2.1.2.1.2
              15 January 2021 at 3:41 pm

              The comment that you actually replied to provides the context. Despite that, you seem to jump to all sorts of weird and wonderful fiction. You really do crack me up, at times 😀

              I take it from your bizarre rant, which is over-saturated with false equivalences AKA strawmen and pig-fucker statements, that you don’t see yourself as an integral part of NZ society AKA ‘the team of five million’. That’s ok with me, as long as you don’t create an unsafe situation for us New Zealanders who wish to do their bit ensuring that we’re all staying safe and well.

  3. Morrissey 3
    15 January 2021 at 10:30 am

    Breaking News

    —from HECTOR STOOP in Beirut, for Daisycutter Sports, Jan. 15, 2021

    Syria to send military and financial support to America's 'moderate rebels', to help them fight for democracy in their country. Afghanistan and Iraq to assist by flying in peacekeeping forces which will set up long-term bases in key American flashpoints.

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErqqLP8WMAItCze?format=jpg&name=small

    • gsays 3.1
      16 January 2021 at 8:50 am

      I have twice tried to reply with something funny, something along the lines of asking whether they had set up a Give-a-little page.

      Fear of upsetting those that see US democracy as paramount or at least more important than Venezuela,Vietnam, Honduras etc or being quickly labelled a white supremacist apologist has put me off.

      A good nights sleep has emboldened me.

  4. Reality 4
    15 January 2021 at 10:38 am

    Red, the health sector is overdue for some recognition and appreciation of the mammoth organisational task they have undertaken in the last 10-11 months. It's been learning as they go in so many ways, with the last pandemic 100 years ago, before mass travel worldwide was ever thought of or undertaken. Mistakes made, but quickly rectified. Staff being redeployed to new roles, endless behind the scenes issues to deal with. Mind boggling. And Dr Bloomfield's role has been appreciated widely.

    A relative has a friend returned to NZ after many years in the US (and we all know the chaos there). He went to the Cinderella pantomime in Wellington recently. Fun references were made throughout about Dr Bloomfield. At the same performance Dr Bloomfield was in the audience and this friend said he wanted to go up and hug Dr Bloomfield. Heartwarming anecdote.

    • Jimmy 4.1
      15 January 2021 at 11:21 am

      Everyone wants to hug Bloomfield. He has done an amazing job under extreme pressure. Hopefully he has a lot more support now with Hipkins than he did when Clark was minister of health. As per my above comment at 1.0, Hipkins is doing a good job too, but Ashley will be the crowd favourite.

      • Incognito 4.1.1
        15 January 2021 at 12:09 pm

        I don’t want to hug Dr Bloomfield, I prefer social distancing. He’s a good leader of a good team and fortunately his political bosses have let him get on with his job without getting in the way and interfering.

        • Phillip ure 4.1.1.1
          15 January 2021 at 6:54 pm

          one could assume Bloomfield read that report…when it was first presented..

          how can he not deny accusations he took part in covering up that report..?

          so about the most charitable view of that..

          is that he was at the behest of his political masters..

          'cos if he were independent..there for the people..he would have demanded action/disclosure..way back then..

          but he didn't..did he…?

          so no…I don’t wanna hug him..

          I want him to tell us why..?

          • Incognito 4.1.1.1.1
            15 January 2021 at 8:55 pm

            If only I knew what you’re rambling on about, I could try parse your comment. As it is, it reads like something you hear at 1 am in the pub from somebody who’s had a few too many. Maybe best to call it a night, eh?

            • Phillip ure 4.1.1.1.1.1
              15 January 2021 at 9:37 pm

              what don't you understand about that Bloomfield query…?

              he knew…he covered up…

              (hardly a quantum mechanics equation .is it..?..

              quite simple really..)

              • McFlock …
                15 January 2021 at 9:48 pm

                What did Bloomfield "cover up"?

                • Phillip ure …
                  16 January 2021 at 7:35 am

                  the report showing the failures @ the border…

                  that was presented to the govt in September..

                  that the govt sat on untill post-election/the last possible day to release..

                  all the while campaigning on their brilliance @ doing..what the report showed they weren't doing that well..

                  but nothing to see there…eh..?

                  and if national did that…you would be aok with that..?

                  I don't think so. .somehow..

                  • McFlock …
                    16 January 2021 at 1:01 pm

                    Links are wonderful things, dude.

                  • weka …
                    16 January 2021 at 1:27 pm

                    Please provide evidence to back up your assertion that AB covered up "the report showing the failures @ the border…"

                    Evidence needs to be a link along with a brief cut and paste of the pertinent point, and a brief explanation if needed.

                    Count this as a moderator request.

                    • Phillip ure …
                      16 January 2021 at 6:35 pm

                      link not needed..it is common sense..

                      the report was about what he was running…

                      so of course he saw it..

                      and he said nothing…

                      and no..there is no link to Bloomfield saying 'i covered it up'..

                      that is the conclusion I have come to..

                      this is my opinion..perhaps one not yet voiced by anyone else

                      and the direct link to my brain is still a work in progress.

                      I'll let you know when it is up and running…

              • Incognito …
                15 January 2021 at 10:31 pm

                The Uncertainty Principle most definitely applies to your comment, which states that the more often one reads your comment, the less sense it makes.

            • Jilly Bee 4.1.1.1.1.2
              15 January 2021 at 10:28 pm

              Thanks for that Incognito – I was starting to think that Phillip has been indulging in one two many orifice pluckscheeky

    • Red 4.2
      15 January 2021 at 11:43 am

      Your friend is obviously a sensitive soul, good on her but at the end of the day just an emotional response, has no real relevance to facts If Dr Bloomfield was not so geeky nerdish loveable type but an alpha and get out of my way male, get the job done, bugger if people like me or not etc would her response have been the same even if this person had done a better job, ie no second lock down etc

      • Incognito 4.2.1
        15 January 2021 at 12:03 pm

        Subconscious sexism 😉

      • Drowsy M. Kram 4.2.2
        15 January 2021 at 12:47 pm

        Won't someone please think of the 'alphas' laugh

      • Stuart Munro 4.2.3
        15 January 2021 at 8:02 pm

        The Alpha Male is, evidently, a myth – which being so, that divisive stereotype need no longer be paraded as a model of leadership, but assessed on its merits, if any. In situations demanding conflict it may suffice, but for generating compliance there are better approaches.

        The research is here.

  5. tc 5
    15 January 2021 at 11:06 am

    I see OZ MP Dr Fiona martin weighing into her colleagues (George Christensen & Craig Kelly) over "…a duty to our nation to follow the evidence and facts."

    Nada from scotty in marketing or any of his murdoch backed party to pull them into line….no surprises there.

  6. KSaysHi 6
    15 January 2021 at 11:16 am

    I'm sure the DHB criteria for low cost contraception started out well intended. Now it's come down to this.

    Surely other ethnic backgrounds have a need for low cost contraception too. The easy way around this is to make sure you tick Maori/Polynesian on any healthcare form.

  7. Andre 7
    15 January 2021 at 12:22 pm

    In news surprising to nobody with pattern-recognition skills equal or better than a housefly, Don of the Deadbrains is stiffing Oozi Ghouliani. Yep, not paying fees.

    https://edition.cnn.com/2021/01/14/politics/donald-trump-rudy-giuliani-impeachment/index.html

    But Oozi is still trying hard. In an explanation right up there with 'just tucking his shirt in', he sez he wasn't inciting violence with his "trial by combat" remarks. No sirree, that was just an innocent Game of Thrones reference.

    https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rudy-giuliani-trial-by-combat-game-of-thrones_n_600076b2c5b6ffcab9627499

    • Incognito 7.1
      15 January 2021 at 4:21 pm

      Did he have hair dye running down his face when he said that about GoT?

      • Andre 7.1.1
        15 January 2021 at 4:37 pm

        The only info I have is the transcription in the tweet, so no way of knowing. However, when he said "trial by combat", his hands were below the lectern so it's entirely possible he was tucking his shirt in at that moment.

  8. Forget now 8
    15 January 2021 at 1:05 pm

    This struck me as a peculiar sentence for the offence described. Surely there should be assault charges for presenting a weapon during an argument, not simple possession? And yes, the socks had pool balls in them, but their possession seems insignificant beside the sawnoff pistol. Especially since they apperently stayed in the car while the gun was actually pointed at people.

    …19 months’ jail for possessing the firearms, 12 months for possession of an offensive weapon (socks), and three months for possession of cannabis. All terms were concurrent.

    https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/crime/road-rage-gun-pointed-father-and-child-nazi-salute-shouted

    • McFlock 8.1
      15 January 2021 at 4:53 pm

      maybe pled it out on the lesser charges rather than a defended hearing for assault?

      • Forget now 8.1.1
        15 January 2021 at 7:14 pm

        I was thinking that it was in place of possession of an unbrandished kitchen knife. Certainly closer to my idea of a functional weapon. Also why wasn't the white powder residue analysed?

        But I guess that the assault conviction would look bad at the pending domestic violence case. Impressive work from whomever the lawyer was!

  9. Phillip ure 9
    15 January 2021 at 1:41 pm

    ya hafta give a nod to that 'matinee idle' show on rnz..

    it is really good fucken radio..

    a shame it ends today ..

    programming-idea:

    rnz could open one of those unused frequencies they have..

    and as part of their programming.. give these guys a drive show..

    it would be a ratings winner..

    and would also be really good bloody radio..

    and the perfect salve for the end of the working day..for many..

    • Brigid 9.1
      15 January 2021 at 7:01 pm

      o bugga. I forgot again.

      Damn. It is the only thing I listen to (when I remember) ont Natrad these days. Plus Kim of course.

  11. Incognito 11
    15 January 2021 at 7:45 pm

    Why it is good to get information straight from experts.

    But first I wish to issue an expletive about this journalism (First in Australia and then in NZ). It exhibits utter failure to actually truly consult the experts, other than a passing token quote. I call false journalistic balance.

    How good is the AstraZeneca vaccine looking? Look at the data, not news headlines

    https://sciblogs.co.nz/diplomaticimmunity/2021/01/15/how-good-is-the-astrazeneca-vaccine-looking-look-at-the-data-not-news-headlines/

  12. Incognito 12
    15 January 2021 at 7:55 pm

    A thought-provoking article from Jess Berentson-Shaw who left Twitter last year.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/434117/we-need-social-media-systems-built-to-enhance-our-shared-humanity

    Disclaimer: I am not on Twitter and never have been.