web analytics

Open mike 17/04/2020

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, April 17th, 2020 - 302 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

302 comments on “Open mike 17/04/2020 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Tony Veitch (not etc.) 1
    17 April 2020 at 6:42 am

    At 10 am (NZ time) Trump will be holding a press conference about opening America up again – aka how the USA will commit economic suicide and plunge the whole world into depression.

    Go on to Trump's twitter to watch what might prove to be a turning point in 'Merican civilisation! History being made from the mouth of a narcissist idiot genius!

    • Barfly 1.1
      17 April 2020 at 7:37 am

      A very stable genius with bigly hands who will have builded the bigliest recovery in the story of the wurld you'll see!

    • Andre 1.2
      17 April 2020 at 7:52 am

      Voldemort: "Now, you put your faith in me."

      The yam Voldedolt: " When someone's the president of the United States, the authority is total"

      Also the kumquat Pol Pot: "I don't take responsibility at all"

    • RedLogix 1.3
      17 April 2020 at 7:53 am

      The exact opposite is going to happen.

      Only relatively small and isolated nations like NZ are going to be able to eradicate CV19 by lockdown. (And look at how difficult we are finding it.) Everywhere else it's going to become endemic until we can implement at least one of three other strategies, high intensity testing, effective treatment or vaccination at scale.

      (Big Fat Caveat. This is a thoroughly damned nasty disease that you don't want to get. Researchers are still learning unwelcome aspects, silent asymptomatic transmission is more common than thought and long term chronic complications are appearing.)

      Lifting the lockdown does not mean abandoning all defense. There will still be social distancing, increased hygiene, restrictions on gatherings, and testing will continue to ramp up. Each state of the USA will adapt their measures to their circumstances. It will continue to be messy and inconsistent and almost certainly there will be more deaths and suffering than necessary.

      It will be made worse by a political system that was in turmoil anyway, although I would argue the shock of this will crisis precipitate a more rapid resolution of the culture wars than might have otherwise been the case.

      But from every other perspective the USA is on the cusp of a massive regeneration. They have physical security, food security, energy security and still by far the largest military. Their economy is not highly dependent on the rest of the world. No matter how hard they try to stuff it up, the USA will remain the largest and most prosperous nation.

      The big one I am watching for is the return of industry into the NAFTA region. Watch for a resurgence of high end manufacturing into the USA itself. Watch for petrochem processing to take off on the back of almost free natural gas supplies. Watch for Mexico to become the centre of low end industry within NAFTA. Watch for the financial expertise within the City of London merge into Wall Street.

      The Americans have so much wriggle room they can afford to make mistakes that would be the finish of many other nations.

      • AB 1.3.1
        17 April 2020 at 10:16 am

        " the USA is on the cusp of a massive regeneration..."

        That is the populist vision that got Trump elected – a fortress USA much less dependent on the world, with well-paying jobs repatriated from Asia, immigration tightly controlled, and an ability to impose its will on others through military power (or the threat of it) that is unrestrained by international norms and institutions.

        Internally it is likely to be accompanied by further consolidation of monopoly capitalism into stronger corporate entities that are have penetrated all the organs of state power – creating a state-corporate nexus immune to the democratic will. Economic inequality would become greater, life more precarious for many, policing more militarised and surveillance ramped up. While the front-end would continue the displays, conventional pieties and formal showpieces of the American republic, the back-end starts to look proto-fascist. The whole society then resembles an Amazon warehouse. This was all happening anyway – but a Trump regeneration accelerates it, and a Biden regeneration does nothing to stop it.

        • RedLogix 1.3.1.1
          17 April 2020 at 10:32 am

          That is the populist vision that got Trump elected – a fortress USA much less dependent on the world, with well-paying jobs repatriated from Asia, immigration tightly controlled, and an ability to impose its will on others through military power (or the threat of it) that is unrestrained by international norms and institutions.

          It's not so much a vision as a reality. Let's deconstruct that para:

          1. The North America is a geographic fortress, few large countries have such defendable borders.

          2. It always has been relatively independent of the world, it's exports as a fraction of GDP are among the very lowest in the world.

          3. It is strategically energy independent. If you include Alberta and the Latin American countries where it can source oil from very easily, it's totally secure.

          4. As a by-product of the shale oil revolution it has unlimited quantities of natural gas at extremely low prices. This is the ideal feedstock for a vast range of materials.

          5. As the CCP became increasingly strident and overtly hostile, the US was already starting to move it's supply chains back to the USA. CV19 will only accelerate this move dramatically. Some will land up in SE Asia, Vietnam, Thailand and some to Mexico … but the high end, high tech industries will come back to the USA. As the CCP continues to threaten Taiwan, the semiconductor industry will relocate to somewhere more secure.

          6. In an increasingly unstable world there is every incentive to co-locate your supply chains into the most secure place possible.

          7. The demographics of the NAFTA region (and wider Latin America) support a consumption led growth pattern for decades to come. Not only will they make stuff again, they have the markets to sell it to … again all within their own security envelope.

          8. And from Clinton onward the USA has been gradually withdrawing from these global institutions, either from neglect or by side-stepping them. Trump is now taking a wrecking hammer to what is left and insulting all their old allies to boot.

          I don't mean to suggest the USA is invulnerable, but it's geopolitical fundamentals are so much better than anywhere else. The logic of an economic resurgence in a period where it is clearly re-trenching it's connections with the wider world is hard to argue against.

          Whether this translates into a social regeneration is another question; and that greatly depends on how their political turmoil resolves itself over the next 5 -10 years. Because right now the USA doesn't even know what it wants for itself, much less anywhere else in the world.

          • aj 1.3.1.1.1
            17 April 2020 at 1:08 pm

            The North America is a geographic fortress, few large countries have such defendable borders.

            Not from air (or space). As vulnerable as any other country.

            • Climaction 1.3.1.1.1.1
              17 April 2020 at 1:16 pm

              Fairly ridiculous comment. Are you somehow suggesting nuclear war is the outcome of America retrenching it's economy?

            • RedLogix 1.3.1.1.1.2
              17 April 2020 at 2:27 pm

              Climaction is more or less right. While the USA is as physically vulnerable to ICBM's as anyone else, only Russia is a serious peer in terms of MAD. While US foreign policy in the past two decades has been appallingly negligent toward them, unless the Americans criminally provoke their homeland directly, a slowly decaying Russia is very unlikely to attack the USA

              Anyone else attacking the USA with nuclear weapons must have a death inviting annihilation on themselves. And the question is why? Such weapons are only used as a last resort. An America withdrawing from the world is less likely than ever to provoke a first strike by any nation. (The open exception might well be non-state actors such as terrorists.)

        • McFlock 1.3.1.2
          17 April 2020 at 12:41 pm

          The thought scratching the back of my brain is that maybe some section of repugs, like Stephen Miller, are actually hoping covid helps address what they see as their demographic problem: i.e. kills or controls many of the melanin-advantaged poorer USians.

          • joe90 1.3.1.2.1
            17 April 2020 at 12:53 pm

            Someone else has noticed.

          • Andre 1.3.1.2.2
            17 April 2020 at 12:56 pm

            That would just be an indicator of intracranial malfunction among America's Pest and Blightest. Since the data indicates the strongest correlation of dying from COVID is old age, and old age is very strongly correlated with an increased likelihood of voting Repug.

    • Cinny 1.4
      17 April 2020 at 8:50 am

      He promised yesterday it would be a big day today…. I wonder if he will be on time for a change.

      Will there be slides???? Dim the lights and all that lololz.

      There are many live streams to watch it on, will post a couple when it starts, some streams leave their live chat open should people wish to troll participate or educate the MAGA crowd.

      And where is Fauci?

    • RedLogix 2.1
      17 April 2020 at 8:04 am

      At some point in the 70's I had hair half way down my back. I'm curious now to see if I can repeat this ….cool

      • Forget now 2.1.1
        17 April 2020 at 8:23 am

        Back hair is very hard to shave. Maybe you should get someone to help you get the bits between your shoulders if your part of the country goes down to level 3 next week? 😉

      • Anne 2.1.2
        17 April 2020 at 9:50 am

        No you can’t RL @ 2.1, it’ll look like something the cat dragged in.

        Phil Goff had a beautiful head of long thick wavy dark brown hair. I thought it was a bit rich that a bloke could have hair like that while mine had to remain short because it was so fine. crying

  3. dv 3
    17 April 2020 at 8:15 am

    In the discussion about taxes yesterday I didn't see a Transaction tax suggested.

    I would be easy to implement, difficult to dodge and would catch money transfers overseas etc.

    A bit like the credit card charge

    • RedLogix 3.1
      17 April 2020 at 8:22 am

      Yes. This was always the one I liked the most; it penalised those actors using money purely for it's commodity value more than anyone else because they tend to make far more transactions.

      To be seriously effective however it needs to be seen in the context of a global trading currency and common rules that apply to all tax jurisdictions.

      • dv 3.1.1
        17 April 2020 at 8:32 am

        Have you any inkling of how much money flows thru the banks?

        • RedLogix 3.1.1.1
          17 April 2020 at 8:39 am

          Nope. The general idea of an FTT is that the rate would be set so low as to be less than chump change for the kind of transaction most people would do. (Wild arse guess, something in the region of 0.1%)

          It really only have an impact on the the big players in the financial sector. Imagine what it could do to dampen the high frequency stock market traders.

          • dv 3.1.1.1.1
            17 April 2020 at 8:58 am

            500b at 1% is 50 B

            1000b at 1% is 100 B

            NZ income tax is abt 93 b

            • RedLogix 3.1.1.1.1.1
              17 April 2020 at 9:07 am

              You're numbers seem to be too large by a factor of 100.

              500b at 0.1% is 0.5b

              But this is going about it backwards. Politically I'd detemine how much tax I wanted to raise (and it only needs to be some fraction of the total tax take, an FTT is never intended to replace all other taxes) and then do the numbers back from there.

              • dv …
                17 April 2020 at 9:22 am

                I was using 1%.

                But your idea of how much tax I wanted to raise is better

                What is your feeling of how much money moves in and out of the banking system

                AND

                This would cost at !% on a salary of 100k

                abt 2k cf to tax of 23k

                (I work on 100k in and 100k out)

                • alwyn …
                  17 April 2020 at 10:02 am

                  You are actually using 10%. 1% of 500 b is 5 b, not the 50 b you have stated.

                  • dv …
                    17 April 2020 at 12:02 pm

                    OOPs thank Alwyn.

                    ?Any idea of the amount of money that goes through the banks alwyn

                    • alwyn …
                      17 April 2020 at 5:36 pm

                      I don't know the current numbers. However I believe that in 2017 interbank transactions between the New Zealand based banks were about $1.2 trillion.

                      I would guess that intrabank values would probably be another $500 billion. This would be about $1.7 trillion which was about 6 times New Zealand GDP. Each of these would comprise a credit and a debit between 2 accounts so you double the amount to allow for both legs.

                      At your 1% therefore you would therefore be coming up with a tax of $34 billion/year if I have the decimal place in the right place and my numbers are anywhere accurate. That is about the same as the total personal income tax paid in New Zealand.

                      That would not include transactions between an individuals different accounts. Are you going to tax me for putting money into a TD? And then tax me again when the TD matures?

                      None of these numbers include foreign exchange transactions. Those come to about another $4 trillion/year I think. Certainly in March 2020, according to the Reserve Bank they averaged more than $14 billion/day

                      Big bickies aren't they?

                      I haven't bothered with too many links. These are partly memory and partly my guesses. However some of the figures come from these two links.

                      https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/statistics/b4

                      https://www.paymentsnz.co.nz/resources/articles/new-zealand-payments-stats-2017-review/

              • McFlock …
                17 April 2020 at 12:54 pm

                ISTR the old Alliance Party policy was 0.05%, or 5c in every hundred dollars.

                So a million dollar house woule garnish a $500 duty (or a grand if it goes from bank to mortgagee to old owners).

                In January, EFTPOS transactions alone were $8bil. Basically just shy of $100bil a year.

                Thar would get a 0.05% levy of $50million. 1% levy would of course be a $billion.

                • Climaction …
                  17 April 2020 at 4:11 pm

                  and i wonder who pays that at the end of the day. The same consumers who have taken pay cuts to keep their jobs and the business they work for afloat.

                  it never means much to non front line public servants like professors with tenure and ministry analysts who haven't had to do there bit with a 20% reduction. but what a FTT is is the same as GST. it's broad based with no exceptions and is always paid by the final consumer as it's essentially a consumption tax.

                  You'd be better to drop GST to 10% to encourage spending and help out the poorest who spend the most of their income on consumption.

                  • KJT …
                    17 April 2020 at 4:19 pm

                    A large proportion of financial transactions are not to final customers.

                    They are things like share swaps, fund transactions, interbank transfers, profit taking and the like. Computer share trading being one of the largest.

                    The problem is without international agreement on FTT, many of these transactions can simply shift to countries without financial transaction taxes.

                    However that happens now, with income and company tax havens.

                    • McFlock …
                      17 April 2020 at 4:40 pm

                      Pretty much. Someone who gets $20k a year will pay $100 over the year. The bank that transfers billions offshore will pay millions.

                    • Climaction …
                      17 April 2020 at 4:52 pm

                      Simplistic. Costs are either over the line or below the line. above the line are direct costs and get priced in as a direct cost. FTT's are below the line costs as part of the EBIT. they'll be passed on in the form of increased margin requirements that will be probably be over compensated for in the oncharge to consumers as the banks know the maximum liability due for it, but not the actual.

          • KJT 3.1.1.1.2
            17 April 2020 at 9:44 am

            Always liked the idea of FTT.

            We already have a private FTT, a private tax, charged by the banks on credit card transactions.

            Usually buried in the prices everyone pays, so we don't see it.

            A bit more than 1%. 2.5% and up from there.

            • dv 3.1.1.1.2.1
              17 April 2020 at 10:05 am

              Love to see some modeling of the scheme.
              Yes re cc card transactions are already a FTT.

            • Climaction 3.1.1.1.2.2
              17 April 2020 at 4:13 pm

              Of course, because your so simplistic in your thinking that you think only those engaged in financial transactions pay it.

              Yet you've managed to point out the hidden cost of such taxes. No one gets a discount for paying cash do they? everyone pays the credit card rate.

              this recession will only be exacerbated by any measures that restrict demand.

              • KJT …
                17 April 2020 at 4:27 pm

                Every tax has a cost where it is levied.

                It also has a benefit where it is spent.

                Government is going to be driving demand, for some time.

                The broader the base they get the money from, to do it, the better.

                Even your hero, Bill English, said that recently.

                • Climaction …
                  17 April 2020 at 4:57 pm

                  broadening the base spreads in many directions. so have all working tax citizens paying positive tax. happy to scrap WFF as well as implement an FTT? it's the same thing.

                  This government should look at being bold and not just reverting to lame, socialist responses like socking it to industry and the wealthy.

                  Why not cut tax at lower incomes, remove similar benefits to the lose income tax payers so they are net not affected and get rid of that layer of red tape with it's inherent cost to tax and administer the benefits?

                  it'd certainly help develop the manufacturing base you are so fond.

                  • KJT …
                    17 April 2020 at 5:13 pm

                    Unfortunately we need the red tape, to keep large private companies, honest.

                    Right wing memories are so short.

                    Socking it to the wealthy makes them use their money on something useful, like productive businesses, or Government spending on infrastructure.

                    Cutting tax to low income earners, obviously increases demand. Glad you agree.

                    Or, we could have "simplistic" right wing solutions, like tax cuts for the wealthy and austerity for everyone else, which are playing out horribly right now in the USA.

                    Getting rid of GST, has merit.

                    • Climaction …
                      17 April 2020 at 6:23 pm

                      So red tape has to penalise the lowest paid in society to keep private companies honest. Strange logic base you start from, as long as it’s assume you start from anything logical

                      my suggestion has nothing to do with private enterprise. If we can reduce red tape 20% here, 20% there, we’ll be a much better country if we target those savings.

                      and fuck the msd workers. Low and middle income workers shouldn’t pay tax just to give box tickers a job

                    • KJT …
                      17 April 2020 at 7:46 pm

                      Forgotten leaky homes already.

                      How did removing "red tape" go, there?

                    • Climaction []
                      17 April 2020 at 9:25 pm

                      Such false equivalence really demonstrates your lack of understanding of my point.

                      removing bureaucratic red tape administering welfare that only adds to the cost of welfare, reducing the amount to those who need it, is not the same as not having a comprehensive enforced building code.

                      but resort to puerile whataboutisms. A clear demonstration of the shallowness of other people’s slogans masquerading as your own ideas

                    • KJT …
                      17 April 2020 at 10:01 pm

                      Bit of projection there, mate.

                      By the way I've written whole blog posts about removing the excessive bullshit rules, sanctions and penalties around welfare.

                      But, that is not what you meant, was it.

                    • Climaction []
                      18 April 2020 at 9:26 am

                      It is what I meant.

                      if we look at the burdensome cost of administration as a tax like any other, we can then really evolve our thinking as to what tax, our economy and the interplay with the government all look like to the benefit of the whole nation. Not just the mandarins in ivory towers in Wellington who have budgets to spend, jut not to earn

                    • KJT …
                      18 April 2020 at 10:03 am

                      So. Do you favour a sufficient, UBI?

                    • Climaction …
                      18 April 2020 at 12:29 pm

                      No, I favour lower taxes for all as there is less administration cost (tax)

                      letting more people keep more of their money. a few rich people will benefit, but a greater number of people on lower incomes will benefit more in proportion. Something that always seems to be forget in the rush to condemn tax cuts.

                    • RedLogix …
                      18 April 2020 at 12:46 pm

                      letting more people keep more of their money. a few rich people will benefit, but a greater number of people on lower incomes will benefit more in proportion. Something that always seems to be forget in the rush to condemn tax cuts.

                      It's a balance. At the extremes we know that zero tax is unsustainable because there is no social infrastructure to enable people or businesses to function. At the other extreme 100% income tax eliminates any individual incentive to improve their condition. The optimum tax rate must logically lie in between.

                      The right consistently places a higher value on individual freedom of action and favours lower taxes, while the left correspondingly values collective action and higher taxes. You could argue that if both factions are unhappy then you probably have it about right.

                      Having said that NZ's govt fraction of the economy is much lower than most people think. Most developed nations lie in the range of 35 – 45% of the economy, while NZ lies very much at the lower end. Worse still we include retirement provision (NZ Super) into our core govt figures, while in most other nations it's some mix of govt, business and private provision.. This distorts our figures substantially and means core govt taxation in this country is a lot lower than is commonly assumed.

                      We are emphatically not an overtaxed socialist hell-hole … we would have a lot of room to increase taxes.

                    • KJT …
                      18 April 2020 at 4:22 pm

                      Tax cuts are never neutral.

                      Even less so, when the result is less money for the State services that non wealthy people, need.

                      Tax cuts in New Zealand, have always resulted in increased costs to the less wealthy, as Government services disappear, or become more expensive, from the replacement private provision.

                      Power and housing are the obvious examples.

                      The history of tax cuts from 1984, on, has been a massive transfer of wealth from communities, to shareholders, land speculators, and bankers.

                    • Climaction []
                      19 April 2020 at 12:50 pm

                      lumping one policy (tax cuts) in with all the others post 1984 paints a terrible picture. Removing it and looking at lowering the lower tax rates paints a completely different picture.

                      2% reduction in tax on income of 50,000 gives someone on about the average wage an extra thousand dollars a year. Huge for someone on 50k a year. Someone on 200k a year also gets it, but it only represents .5% of their gross income.

                      but fuck everyone on 50k because 1984 and rich people will also get 1000 right KJT?

                      it’s like watching someone dying of thirst refuse a drink of water as it comes from their worst enemy. Excruciating in modern society. I often think unreformed geriatrics and boomers pose the greatest threat to a cohesive society. You keep on reinforcing that view.

  4. ScottGN 4
    17 April 2020 at 8:19 am

    Ursula von der Leyen has issued an apology to Italy for the EU’s extraordinary failure of leadership over the Covid crisis.

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2020/apr/16/coronavirus-eu-offers-italy-heartfelt-apology-over-response-video

  5. Forget now 5
    17 April 2020 at 8:19 am

    If it doesn't make too much extra work for the moderators, it might be nice if the site had a COVID-free commenting space. Obviously it's the most important thing in the world to most people (including myself). However, there are still issues of social inequality and climate change (amongst others) that tend to get drowned out with bewailing every swoop of the Crow.

    It was a while back now when I used to comment under a different name (not Dspare – which got autosuggested to my spam-mail, something else I can't recall now), there used to be a politics-free Weekend Social, and during one election a second evening OM ("Daily Review"?). So it's not like there is no precedence for such compartmentalization.

  6. ScottGN 6
    17 April 2020 at 8:53 am

    Be good to have Daily Review back.

    • Anne 6.1
      17 April 2020 at 9:57 am

      Agreed.

      It is useful for summing up the day's activities and developments on a separate thread for general discussion.

  7. Observer Tokoroa 7
    17 April 2020 at 8:57 am

    Who let Madman – Duncan Garner – llose

    Duncan Garner like a young teenager, rubbished The Ammbassador from China on RNZ TV at 7:30 this morning. He was Rat. Abusive beyond measure.

    He should be Sacked – Permanently. as should the silly woman who assisted him.

    It is possible, even likely that China will remove New Zealand from the List of their Friends. Even take us off Trade.

    He earlier rubbished the Effort our Nation has undertaken.

    • Cinny 7.1
      17 April 2020 at 9:30 am

      duncan is channeling his inner fox news narrative. Fox is hard out blaming china while lamenting agent orange.

    • Rosemary McDonald 7.2
      17 April 2020 at 9:31 am

      Leaving aside Garner's opinion, are you referring to the same ambassador who on the 18th February 2020 it was reported that she admonished NZ for continuing the ban on travelers from China?

      Not very friendly of us since at the time the World Health Organisation was holding the line that all was well and China had this pesky wee greebly well in hand.

      Hindsight is a wonderful thing, eh?

      OT, it may very well be you have personal and vested interest in the preservation of the pre Covid 19 status quo…to some of us this is a wonderful opportunity for a much needed reset.

      My personal opinion is that being isolated, again, will be the best thing that's happened to Aotearoa since….ages.

      • Carolyn_Nth 7.2.1
        17 April 2020 at 10:02 am

        David Parker is working to ensure that NZ's blessed isolation doesn't happen. He was a guest at the epidemic committee yesterday. He, and the NACTs are wedded to international trade relations for business.

        Parker was talking about regional trade blocks rather than global ones. He has been communicating with relevant representatives and officials in south east Asian countries. There is an "not all eggs in one basket" approach.

        His mic or audio feed was not very clear some times. But he seemed to be saying that TPPA requirements were being (temporarily?) waived or ignored – especially with respect to each country trying to ensure their own supplies of PPE and other medical requirements.

        Could Covid-19 be doing what all our protests couldn't? Kill the TPPA?

        • Rosemary McDonald 7.2.1.1
          17 April 2020 at 10:24 am

          "….what our protests couldn't and kill the TPPA?"

          Here's hoping.

          You know, the lightening speed at which this government signed the 'revised' TPPA after all their pre election mouthings convinced me that not voting for Labour was the right choice.

          I very nearly relented and put aside the memories of the betrayals of the last two Labour led governments…but simply couldn't….and gave the Greens both votes instead.

          But back to trade…I'd like us to do a complete reset. If we can manufacture or grow it here…

          • Wayne 7.2.1.1.1
            17 April 2020 at 10:38 am

            Rosemary

            Here's hoping not.

            New Zealand needs to be able to sell its primary products, they are now our only exports. CPTPPA makes it easier to sell them. That was always the gain for New Zealand in TPPA. And will remain so.

            • Rosemary McDonald 7.2.1.1.1.1
              17 April 2020 at 10:41 am

              Yes dear.

              Rest assured that everything is going to back to normal.

              Sending you cyber kindness and kuddles at what must be a challenging time for you and your friends.

              🙂😊🥰

              • Wayne …
                17 April 2020 at 11:47 am

                I dint say everything would be normal. I said our principal exports for the next two years will be primary exports, no tourism, no international students.

                CPTPP will help boost that. While you might think it a bad thing and should be scrapped, clearly the government doesn't.

                And thank you for your thoughts (ignoring the irony in them).

                While it might be sensible to have a bit more production in NZ of some essentials, that is not going to be a generally applicable proposition. Physical trade of goods and IT services will continue, and in the latter case will expand.

            • millsy 7.2.1.1.1.2
              17 April 2020 at 11:35 am

              The TPPA or CTPAA or whatever it is called now, locks in privatisation, low wages, anti-unionism, etc.

          • RedLogix 7.2.1.1.2
            17 April 2020 at 10:49 am

            If we can manufacture or grow it here…

            Everyone senses that the post WW2 period of global growth and relative stability is ending … and everyone is planning to retrench their supply lines to more secure zones.

            But only a some countries will be able to do this without significant cost and without reversion to the economic and conditions that prevailed before WW2.

            • Blazer 7.2.1.1.2.1
              17 April 2020 at 11:55 am

              'relative stability'….this sums up U.S foreign policy post WW2…(37 invasions).

              Henry Kissinger, U.S. Secretary of State, said the following regarding Chile: “I don’t see why we need to stand by and watch a country go communist because of the irresponsibility of its own people.” (1)

        • Molly 7.2.1.2
          17 April 2020 at 11:56 am

          David Parker was present as a member of the select committee. at a hearing I attended for the TPPA roadshow. I stayed for a few different presentations, as well as accompanying a friend.

          His body language – and actual language – for those who had concerns and raised them was boredom in the extreme, dismissive and arrogant. But how he – and others – perked up when the Association for International Business did their presentation – which consisted of no detail, but Go Ahead ASAP.

          I left at that point, having been given confirmation that the ill-organised badly implemented TPPA submission roadshow was the farce I thought it was going to be.

      • Janet 7.2.2
        17 April 2020 at 10:26 am

        I agree with you that being isolated again will be the best thing that,s happened to Aotearoa since ages….. And Lock down has given so many people a break from the grindstone and space to enjoy their families and most importantly the space to think a bit. Its not all bad.

    • tc 7.3
      17 April 2020 at 9:45 am

      Rantings to get ratings, emotional V rational, welcome to the NZ media.

      I thought Bradbury had a point worth considering in amalgamating TVNZ/RNZ leave Mediaworks etc all the ad revenue and let the market decide.

      Watching them grovel for assistance given their immersion in DP, ponytail gate etc is f'n priceless. Yesterday's business model, time to move on and not at taxpayers expense.

      • bwaghorn 7.3.1
        17 April 2020 at 11:56 am

        I no it's wrong of me but I just cant take to tv1s morning show and watch garner and richardson even though I wouldnt cross the road to piss in their hair if it was on fire.

    • Gabby 7.4
      17 April 2020 at 1:04 pm

      Is there a danger that the Chinese government might stop 'investing in' our productive land?

  8. Adrian Thornton 8
    17 April 2020 at 9:01 am

    Just to prove the point that so called 'moderate' centrists on the Left are in fact extremists who will defend their sick depraved Liberal ideology to the determent of the entire planet (let alone their own countries) just like their counterparts on the Right…

    ‘The People Have Spoken. Bastards’: Leaked Labour Report Shows Party’s Own Senior Staff Acted To Keep Corbyn Out Of Power

    https://www.medialens.org/2020/the-people-have-spoken-bastards-leaked-labour-report-shows-partys-own-senior-staff-acted-to-keep-corbyn-out-of-power/

    • Molly 8.1
      17 April 2020 at 12:00 pm

      There are some who don't like being around others that show them in a bad light. Rather than admit failings, and make changes, they will endeavour to pull those people down. The UK Labour Party, unfortunately consisted primarily of this personality type. God forbid they had someone they could trust to do the right thing – their comfortable lives were predicated on being able to act in the blurred lines.

    • bill 8.2
      17 April 2020 at 1:38 pm

      I'm curious as to whether that document makes reference to advice being given to Kezia Dugdale during that time – her teaming up with the Tory Party to campaign against the SNP in Scotland is arguably what swung that election (the Tories enjoyed their biggest gains of a generation at the expense of the SNP, UK Labours natural 'coalition' partner, while Scottish Labour more or less just treaded water)

  9. Reality 9
    17 April 2020 at 9:31 am

    Would like some advice please on why I can’t click on Reply. I have to go to the end of the thread. Thanks.

    Re earlier comments on hair – waking soon after 5 I sometimes tune into Kate Hawkesbury’s ZB session (usually have to tune out quite quickly). Twice I have heard her complain at not being able to go to her hairdresser. Her blonde (or lack of) tresses are causing her great angst! She was complaining this morning Jacinda is talking to us like toddlers and that it must be because she lives with one. What a self obsessed pair she and her husband are.

    • weka 9.1
      17 April 2020 at 10:48 am

      What device are you using?

      • ScottGN 9.1.1
        17 April 2020 at 11:32 am

        I’m using an iPad weka and I can’t use the reply function with it either (though I can do a primary comment). If I want to reply to someone I have to use my iPhone, it’s really bloody annoying. Be great if it could be fixed.

        • weka 9.1.1.1
          17 April 2020 at 12:02 pm

          is this recent or has it been like that for a while?

          Can you shift between the desktop and mobile versions on the ipad?

          • weka 9.1.1.1.1
            17 April 2020 at 12:03 pm

            I'll point Lynn in the direction of this conversation, but I suspect if it's not a new thing it might come down to the numbers of people using certain devices.

          • ScottGN 9.1.1.1.2
            17 April 2020 at 12:18 pm

            It’s been like that for ages. I think I just have the desktop version on the iPad??

            • weka 9.1.1.1.2.1
              17 April 2020 at 12:19 pm

              Can you switch between the two on your phone?

              • ScottGN …
                17 April 2020 at 12:28 pm

                I mostly just open the standard via chrome on my phone. Use the app occasionally. There doesn’t seem to be any difference in the phone?

          • ScottGN 9.1.1.1.3
            17 April 2020 at 12:24 pm

            Reply works using the desktop version on the phone though just not the iPad.

            • lprent 9.1.1.1.3.1
              17 April 2020 at 11:33 pm

              Now that is freaking odd. Needless to say the one thing that I don't have at home is a iPad.

              I'll have a look at the site tester sites for something.

              Weekend is upon me. I guess that will become apparent.

    • bwaghorn 9.2
      17 April 2020 at 11:59 am

      I use a samsung ph and find I can rarely comment while in desktop,(which I like because I can check replies) so change to mobile for commenting.

      • weka 9.2.1
        17 April 2020 at 12:12 pm

        Comment at all? Or using the Reply button?

        • Alice Tectonite 9.2.1.1
          17 April 2020 at 12:30 pm

          I find the reply button intermittent on the desktop version regardless of device or OS. Seems fine on the mobile version (android).

          Desktop version viewed on my phone doesn't let me comment anyway (can't type in comment box).

          • weka 9.2.1.1.1
            17 April 2020 at 12:36 pm

            I've had that not being able to select the text box thing too, but it seems to have some right this year.

          • ScottGN 9.2.1.1.2
            17 April 2020 at 12:48 pm

            How do I open the mobile version on my iPad? Sorry if that’s a dumb question…

            • Forget now 9.2.1.1.2.1
              17 April 2020 at 1:02 pm

              I find the mobile version is pretty janky when it comes to editing comments. Especially if I leave the tab to confirm a fact or quote. Sometimes the comment gets kicked down to the bottom of the thread. Other times (despite the timer having minutes left) I will get that; "you can no longer edit this comment", message.

            • bwaghorn 9.2.1.1.2.2
              17 April 2020 at 4:02 pm

              Go to the bottom of any post and it should have desktop/mobile, touch the mobile.

        • bwaghorn 9.2.1.2
          17 April 2020 at 4:00 pm

          Comment at all .

    • Gabby 9.3
      17 April 2020 at 12:05 pm

      She just realises her audience includes a fair number of fuckknuckles with the capacity of toddlers, e.g. Horeskin.

    • weka 9.4
      17 April 2020 at 12:13 pm

      Lprent are you seeing this conversation?

    • lprent 9.5
      26 April 2020 at 3:33 pm

      Ok. I can only find one possible mechanism.

      The code has a deliberate search for some phrases in the browser string for the type of browser for "bot", "spider" or "crawler" and turns off the Reply link if they are present.

      That was to prevent spiders from crawling down every possible link on the system and in this case triggering replies. I'll turn that off as I suspect that what we have now in hardware wasn't what we had back in 2011 when that check was put in.

  10. Cinny 10
    17 April 2020 at 9:36 am

    Here is a link for watching the live stream of POTUS at 10am our time. FYI, he is not always on time. The comments will be closed for that particular stream.

    Here’s a link for watching it with live chat open, FYI it’s a MAGA chat, and they get very upset when a person shares any facts and doesn’t lament the POTUS. It’s rather amusing if one is in the mood.

    Going to make a cuppa, see you at 10am 🙂

    • Rosemary McDonald 10.1
      17 April 2020 at 9:53 am

      You won't be seeing me Cinny.

      Busy, got shit to do.

      And if I did have the time… I can think of about 63,767647 things I'd rather do than watch and listen to that twat make a twat of himself …again.

      You enjoy.😄

      • weka 10.1.1
        17 April 2020 at 10:09 am

        Lol, me too.

        I'd love it if someone live reported the useful bits though, or even just a summary at the end, assuming it's not only more blather and lies.

      • Cinny 10.1.2
        17 April 2020 at 11:36 am

        LMFAO !!!!

        Ok so he's going to open up the country, has a four phase plan, much like ours.

        He bragged about doing the most tests, thanks to the worldometer link I had a fun time sharing all the countries who have carried out more tests per capita than the USA.

        Trump bragged about ventilators, said he wasn't and hasn't been campaigning (never mind that little film earlier on in the week).

        Fauci was there.

        Judging from the right wing chat, people really want to get back to work, it seems they don't get paid sick leave.

        And yes he is very pale around the eyes, like he's being wearing sunglasses on a tanning bed.

        The MAGA crowd don't want to listen to the health professionals, they calling Fauci and the 'scarf lady' traitors etc. That's how desperate they are to believe trump and validate their own support of him. It's nuts.

        God help 'murica.

        • Peter 10.1.2.1
          17 April 2020 at 12:05 pm

          Much more restrained today. The minders must have got him at his most malleable and mild and persuaded him to wind it back a touch with the big shots already fired this week.

          Those shots proved he's not just the King of America but King of the World. You only have to convince one person that that is the case – him.

          From the entertainment perspective the best stuff is from just out the back, off screen.

          The U.S. Navy Captain Brett Crozier was sacked from his job on aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt. He wrote a 'five page letter' that he apparently shouldn't have written. "I mean who writes five page letters. It's not a literature class," according to the Commander-in-Chief. (Turns out it was four pages.)

          The Literate-in-Chief was very upset. Crozier's crime really, wasn't that he wrote it or didn't follow the chain of command, but he didn't send out a tweet.

          Unfortunately the crew on the ship did not realise they are military people, they are dispensable. A secret enemy might even get them. Ain't no vaccine or bone spurs going to save them.

          "Sailor dies from Covid-19 and almost 600 of crew test positive."

          https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/how-an-outbreak-on-the-uss-roosevelt-became-a-defining-moment-for-the-us-military/2020/04/16/2735f85c-7f24-11ea-8de7-9fdff6d5d83e_story.html

      • halfcrown 10.1.3
        17 April 2020 at 11:56 am

        I like it 100%

        • dv 10.1.3.1
          17 April 2020 at 12:08 pm

          Perhaps he said we are the top in the world, we are the bestest (in cases and deaths)!!

    • ianmac 10.2
      17 April 2020 at 10:10 am

      Have you ever seen the orange one so pale?

    • observer 10.3
      17 April 2020 at 10:25 am

      "It’s rather amusing if one is in the mood."

      True. Gallows humour, laugh-otherwise-you'd-cry stuff. I've indulged on occasion.

      The fascinating part is the medical experts trying to cope with the child, while holding on to their jobs and the facts, which are diametrically opposed …

      Trump: "2 + 2 = 198!"

      Reporter: "Doctor, is that right?

      Doc: "As the president rightly says, 2 + 2 = 4."

      They do this with a straight face, which is truly Oscar-worthy.

    • ianmac 10.4
      17 April 2020 at 10:27 am

      He is staying on a script though he states how wonderful his leadership has been to save the USA (lies) and how well he is helping the Governors to achieve great things.

      Someone else wrote this. Trump does not look well either because he had to give such a speech or because he has a bug.

    • Anne 10.5
      17 April 2020 at 11:31 am

      The bully boy won't answer questions properly and he won't let anybody else answer questions properly either.

      Its all about being great, stupendous, incredible, fantastic, unbelievable, geniuses, beautiful….. and America is the best at everything and has the best doctors and the best hospitals and the best government and lots and lots of ventilators (did you know they cost as much as cars) and everyone is working wonderfully together and we need to build a lot more bridges… we need bridges. The people of America are the bravest people in the world and its all going to be so wonderful yes… its going to be beautiful. You just wait and see.

      Would someone like to tell me what the hell he's actually taking about? 😕

      Edit: He mentioned all the dead people in his opening gambit then forgot about them. Needed to get that bit out of the way as soon as poss?

      • ScottGN 10.5.1
        17 April 2020 at 11:36 am

        So he capitulated to the governors? Surprise, surprise.

        • Andre 10.5.1.1
          17 April 2020 at 12:02 pm

          It's setting up storylines to be able to take personal credit for giving them the tools to succeed if it goes well, or put all the blame onto them if it goes bad.

          Notably absent is anything around getting federal and state and local resources working together to try for the best outcome for people on the ground.

      • Cinny 10.5.2
        17 April 2020 at 11:40 am

        Would someone like to tell me what the hell he's actually taking about?

        How magnificent he thinks he is, pretty much sums it up.

        Lolz Miss 15 is like… mum you only watch the trump show so you can troll….. no darling I'm trying to educate myself… she's like… nah mum you're trolling 🙂 Smart girl 🙂

        Edit…. It’s disturbing how trump praises himself saying he’s saved so many lives, meanwhile he forgets and seems to dismiss the thousands who have died, apart from as you said a short mention at the start.

        • Andre 10.5.2.1
          17 April 2020 at 11:55 am

          Not sure what kind of education you might get from watching Donny Dingleberry. Truth and facts simply bear no relationship to the words erupting from his sphincter.

          If you have reason to be interested in which particular big spiny bug up his ass is wriggling at that particular moment, then you might get a clue about that. But otherwise, it's just null data, random noise emitted for the purpose of self-pleasuring.

      • Adrian 10.5.3
        17 April 2020 at 11:48 am

        He is talking Authentic American, a language in which the correct syntax and phrasing are entirely superlatives. I was trapped in an AirBnB overseas for a few days with some 20 something Americans and fuck it was tiring.

      • bwaghorn 10.5.4
        17 April 2020 at 12:01 pm

        America is the best at everything ,trump got them to the top of the covid stats in no time at all .

        • Anne 10.5.4.1
          17 April 2020 at 12:34 pm

          I meant to include that:

          Have a look at the charts. America is at the top. We're the best in the world.

      • Tony Veitch (not etc.) 10.5.5
        17 April 2020 at 2:35 pm

        Still his three or four phase plan is a recipe for disaster. States like Wyoming have few cases, but no border controls (or very few) and Americans, by and large, don't wear face masks.

        Cases will spread into those states who open up too early (which means all of them) and another surge is almost guaranteed.

        I hope I'm wrong, and time will tell, but I can't help being grateful I'm living in New Zealand and we have a competent PM and government.

  11. ianmac 11
    17 April 2020 at 9:37 am

    The Mighty Guru has spoken from his throne in Parnell.

    Sir John Key has sounded a warning about how New Zealand's economy will struggle as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but believes New Zealand is in a better position than many countries to beat it.

    Oh boy! Actually he added nothing to that which is general knowledge and that underlines just how his content has always been so vacuous.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12325406

    • tc 11.1
      17 April 2020 at 9:50 am

      Shonky speaks and granny herald echoes it with zero analysis or critique as usual.
      Joyce /Blinglish getting an airing also with the usual waffle from nat’s current crop.
      How many former labour PM's and finance ministers have been asked ?

      • Forget now 11.1.1
        17 April 2020 at 10:05 am

        We'll Dunne was a former labour MP (however embarrassing that fact may be, still better than Prebble). If they were to interview a former labour finance minister, you know it would be Roger Douglas. Former labour PM would probably be Palmer or Moore (actually are they still alive? I have been away from the NZ politics scene for a while).

        • JanM 11.1.1.1
          17 April 2020 at 12:24 pm

          Mike Moore died in February this year. The official opening of parliament was changed into a series of valedictory speeches from all sides of the house

      • alwyn 11.1.2
        17 April 2020 at 10:17 am

        Well I've seen statements by Helen Clark on several occasions. She doesn't need to ba asked, does she? She will bloviate without ever being asked.

        Mostly about the UN these days. She rants on about how useless they are. The pain of discovering that no-one had the slightest interest in having her as Secretary General still rankles.

        Palmer seems to have shut up shop. Perhaps he is redrafting his proposed Constitution for a post-Coronavirus future.

        As for the Ministers of Finance. I would be interested to see what Caygill and Douglas have to say. Is Cullen still alive? Last I saw about him was that he had cancer but I'm not sure what happened to him.

        That's about it though. Not a terribly interesting lot except for Douglas though are they?

        • Forget now 11.1.2.1
          17 April 2020 at 10:30 am

          I would be cautious about lobbing accusations of bloviation from your conservatory there alwyn. I have found that Clark errs towards the terse rather than verbose in her statements, but perhaps she's mellowed with age.

        • Peter 11.1.2.2
          17 April 2020 at 3:21 pm

          Clark will bloviate without ever being asked? Ive seen statements by Clark. I presume that's because she was asked her opinion. I heard that she used to be Prime Minister and worked overseas for a while. I assume that gives her certain unique perspectives and why the media might seek her out.

          What's your excuse?

          • alwyn 11.1.2.2.1
            17 April 2020 at 5:54 pm

            She certainly has a lot to say though, doesn't she? I'm not sure that she is helping New Zealand though.

            Calling Trump foolish about the WHO

            https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/121042512/trump-pulling-who-funding-foolish–helen-clark?rm=a

            Trump doesn't have a clue about Coronavirus

            https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/121079552/coronavirus-nz-podcast-trump-doesnt-have-a-clue-says-helen-clark

            Security Council missing in action

            https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120969978/missing-in-action-the-lack-of-a-globally-coordinated-response-to-covid19

            Does it help New Zealand for a former PM to attack World Leaders. It is certainly something that Key has gone out of his way to avoid.

            • Muttonbird 11.1.2.2.1.1
              17 April 2020 at 6:02 pm

              Clark was involved with and spent a significant part of her life involved with the very organisations she was talking about.

              Key meanwhile was involved with the ANZ's capital rule breaking and their corrupt dealings with the Briscoe family. And he was personally involved in this.

              I'm not surprised he's keeping a low profile…

              …he can’t afford not to.

              • alwyn …
                17 April 2020 at 6:09 pm

                I don't believe Key was on the ANZ Board when the mistakes in the ANZ calculation of Capital adequacy ratios occurred.

                He was there when the ANZ voluntarily reported the mistakes to the RBNZ.

                Who on earth are this Briscoe Family you talk about?

                • Muttonbird …
                  17 April 2020 at 6:17 pm

                  He's been shown to be an absent director on the issue of ANZ's capital holdings, and involved in personal property deals with a corrupt CEO David Hisco.

                  This is why Key's language is so conciliatory. He knows that to go all, 'get some guts' on the government would be to attract serious criticism.

                  His post-political failings have rendered him useless to the National Party's campaign strategy.

                • Incognito …
                  17 April 2020 at 6:33 pm

                  Don’t play dumb, you know it was Hisco.

                  • Muttonbird …
                    17 April 2020 at 6:39 pm

                    Hi Incognito. Have you read alwyn's comments on Michael Cullen at 11.1.2?

                    • Incognito …
                      17 April 2020 at 6:41 pm

                      No, not yet. Any good?

                    • Muttonbird …
                      17 April 2020 at 6:43 pm

                      Enlightening.

                    • Incognito []
                      17 April 2020 at 6:46 pm

                      In the back-end I can only see a date & time stamp but I will have a look in the front-end later. I like being enlightened, especially by Alwyn. I will fasten my seatbelt so that I won’t fall off my chair.

                    • Muttonbird …
                      17 April 2020 at 6:48 pm

                      I'll help.

                      Is Cullen still alive? Last I saw about him was that he had cancer but I'm not sure what happened to him.

                      Deliberate trolling of Cullen and his family, imo.

                      This is me reporting the comment by the way.

                    • The Al1en …
                      17 April 2020 at 7:03 pm

                      A bit weak trying to get someone moderated for that. 3.5/10 at worst.

                    • Muttonbird …
                      17 April 2020 at 7:12 pm

                      I put myself in the position of a family member reading that. You might like to do the same.

                      If you think that is weak, well…

                    • Stunned Mullet …
                      17 April 2020 at 7:15 pm

                      Plenty of people on this site and others who have said far more offensive things than that MB.

                      I doubt Michael Cullen or his friends and family spend much time reading comments on political blogs.

                    • Muttonbird …
                      17 April 2020 at 7:20 pm

                      That others have said worse is no excuse.

                      alwyn knows Michael Cullen is alive and in the biggest battle of his life yet decided to put the boot in anyway.

                      It was a trashy comment by a trashy commenter. I think The Standard would be better off without him.

                    • The Al1en …
                      17 April 2020 at 7:27 pm

                      I could tell your motivation was 2/3 of the complaint.

                    • Muttonbird …
                      17 April 2020 at 7:33 pm

                      Well, we don't comment in a bubble, do we? There was a concerted effort here about a year ago to confine any and all argument to the thread at hand.

                      This is not workable because it requires each commenter to forget any and everything about the commenter they are responding to.

                      alwyn's comment was deliberate and lazy and happened to troll a pretty important member of the NZ political community while he fights cancer.

                      If that was not motivation enough then I gathered all of alwyn's other anti-social comment history as backup.

                      Sue me.

                    • The Al1en …
                      17 April 2020 at 7:38 pm

                      Would have been more convincing, and less obviously partisan, if you had also reported the above comment about Moore, which states almost exactly the same thing.

                      “Palmer or Moore (actually are they still alive?”

                      “Is Cullen still alive? Last I saw about him was that he had cancer but I’m not sure what happened to him.”

                    • Muttonbird …
                      17 April 2020 at 7:49 pm

                      I've never read a comment by forget now until now. It looks like his was stupid, while alwyn's was deliberate and stupid.

                    • Forget now []
                      17 April 2020 at 8:52 pm

                      More ignorant than stupid surely, Muttonbird? Lazy too, as I chose to ask the community rather than look it up myself (though I honestly couldn't be bothered what with the janky commenting system for mobile contributors).

                      BTW; "theirs", not; "his".

                      [How about you learn to argue your point rather than insult people. First warning – MS]

                    • Forget now []
                      17 April 2020 at 9:23 pm

                      I am not allowed to call myself ignorant and lazy MS? Wow, things have changed a bit around here!

                      That reminds me of a bloke in prison ,who was in for armed robbery because; he'd gone into a dairy and threatened to cut himself up unless they gave him some smokes. Unpleasant sure, but you have to look at the rules from a really strange angle to get to that interpretation.

                    • The Al1en …
                      17 April 2020 at 7:56 pm

                      I think your try is unconverted.

                    • Muttonbird …
                      17 April 2020 at 8:00 pm

                      Ditto. If you want to talk motivation, it looks like you're picking sides because of the commentary here around the way England cheated their way to the CWC trophy.

                      Edit: You edited. The original comment I was replying to was one word, “Unconvincing”.

                    • The Al1en …
                      17 April 2020 at 8:05 pm

                      Yeah, clearly the cricket win and demolition of your rugby team has deeply affected me negatively and made me extra bitter. lol

                      Or it could just be you're swinging and missing on this one.

                    • Muttonbird …
                      17 April 2020 at 8:07 pm

                      Ok. You're fine with what alwyn said. I'll store that away for next time.

                      Have nice night.

                    • The Al1en …
                      17 April 2020 at 8:12 pm

                      I attribute it the same as you did for the Moore comment, but it's obviously not my decision, so you may yet still have your scalp.

                  • alwyn …
                    17 April 2020 at 8:18 pm

                    "Hisco" not "Briscoe"

                    That never even occurred to me. I was not "playing" anything.

                    Even if it had I wouldn't have thought that John Key selling a beach house to him for what would seem to have been fair market value was somehow "corrupt". I suppose if you have KDS anything seems to be corrupt.

                    • Incognito …
                      17 April 2020 at 10:08 pm

                      Of course, it never occurred to you. I’m really struggling to give you the benefit of the doubt. You see, you’re always very quick to correct others and pull out info from decades back, e.g. https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-16-04-2020/#comment-1702946 and https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-16-04-2020/#comment-1703001. It is possible, but not plausible IMO, that you had a temporary hiatus in your razor sharp memory and couldn’t connect the dots.

                      Here are two comments of yours to refresh your memory: https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-24-06-2019/#comment-1631369 and https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-24-06-2019/#comment-1631270.

                    • alwyn …
                      17 April 2020 at 11:45 pm

                      @incognito.

                      I realise that you aren't going to accept this but when I saw "Briscoe family" the only thing that came to mind was Rod Duke's empire.

                      Haven't you ever heard a group of related companies, such as Briscoes and Rebel Sport being referred to as a family? That is what I thought he (or she) meant and I even googled them, and Rod Duke, to see if their was any connection to John Key.

                      And no there wasn't.

                      The idea that someone could mean Hisco, when they typed Briscoe never occurred to me.

                      I mean to say. If I identified someone in a comment as "Mark Cooksley" would you think I was talking about the former All Black lock or would you automatically think I was talking about Michael Cullen?

                      On the other hand when somebody says things like

                      "alwyn knows Michael Cullen is alive and in the biggest battle of his life yet decided to put the boot in anyway.

                      It was a trashy comment by a trashy commenter. I think The Standard would be better off without him."

                      and

                      "alwyn's comment was deliberate and lazy and happened to troll a pretty important member of the NZ political community while he fights cancer."

                      I don't need an explanation of that. I don't have to accept that they telling the truth or that they are making any sense though.

                      [I think that you were trying to say that you realise you’re on thin ice, which is correct.

                      Your tone-deaf comment about Michael Cullen was a factor in the creation of a rather unpleasant thread that also indirectly led to one commenter being banned for a month. However, you don’t take any responsibility for how others may perceive your comment(s), which is why I classify it as tone-deaf.

                      I find your excuse about the Briscoe-Hisco mix-up rather weak. Given the context of the comments and the absence of any known connection between Key and Briscoe, it would not have taken rocket science to figure out what was meant. In any case, this had nothing to do with your tone-deaf comment and all this does is make you sound like a whiny child.

                      So, here we are again, you wasting Moderator time for the wrong reasons and trying to wriggle your way out of it. I’m getting quite sick of this, I have to confess, but short bans don’t seem to work with recidivist commenters such as you. That said, I won’t Blacklist you this time – Incognito]

                    • Incognito []
                      18 April 2020 at 2:48 pm

                      See my Moderation note @ 11:45 PM.

            • Bearded Git 11.1.2.2.1.2
              17 April 2020 at 6:05 pm

              Trump has been a complete idiot over many things. Why would Helen not call him foolish?

              Most of the world thinks the same.

              • Chris …
                17 April 2020 at 6:25 pm

                Why the fuck does Helen Clark feel the need to tell us what she thinks about Trump anyway? Everyone knows Trump's an idiot. We don't need the likes of Helen fucking Clark to tell us what we already know. In fact, why do we need to hear from her at all? She's obviously bored and in need of a bit of attention. I'm sick to death of her throwing her views around as if she's some kind of old wise woman. I wish she'd piss off.

                • Peter …
                  17 April 2020 at 6:31 pm

                  Maybe we hear from her for the same reason we hear from you.

                  To paraphrase just in case you get a sense of it:

                  "Why the fuck does Chris feel the need to tell us what he thinks about Trump? Everyone knows Trump's an idiot. We don't need the likes of Chris fucking whoever to tell us what we already know. In fact, why do we need to hear from him at all? He's obviously bored and in need of a bit of attention. I'm sick to death of him throwing his views around as if he's some kind of old wise man. I wish he'd piss off."

                • Forget now …
                  17 April 2020 at 6:40 pm

                  I feel much the same about you, Chris…

                  I'd listen to a wise woman over a wise-ass any day of the week.

                • weka …
                  17 April 2020 at 6:44 pm

                  I would have thought Clark's background in Health, and the UN, would make her opinions useful. She holds a position of power and knows how to use it, in this case she's acting appropriately in criticising Trump and networking to pressure other powerholders to step up and do what is necessary. This isn't some random reckon, this is deliberate criticism designed to have impact.

                • Bearded Git …
                  18 April 2020 at 12:19 pm

                  I feel similar when hearing John Key spouting off but accept that as a former PM of 8 years he is always going to be asked for his opinion.

                  While Key has his moments, the thing about Helen is that she is super-intelligent and, with that and her background, she is likely to bring an interesting and useful perspective to the debate.

                  • Chris …
                    18 April 2020 at 7:34 pm

                    Perhaps, although I've never really noticed anything overly spectacular in what she's said since leaving NZ politics, but again that doesn't mean much.

                    What gets me about Helen Clark is how she presided over welfare reform that was a continuation of what Richardson/Shipley/Bolger did in the 1990s, and at a time when everyone was expecting the Labour government to at least begin fixing the damage, not continue it. I don't want to say she's 'intelligent' but she certainly knew what she was doing which makes it worse. So much of it went under the radar because we weren't expecting it from a Labour government, but the consequences were immense. She could've at least put the brakes on, but instead we've ended up with way more mess than was necessary because the scene was set for Key et al to go to the next level, which of course they did. We now, of course, have so much more to wind back.

                    Whether justified or not that's my main bias against Helen Clark. When I see or hear her I just think hypocrisy.

            • Drowsy M. Kram 11.1.2.2.1.3
              17 April 2020 at 6:15 pm

              Given Key's political 'legacy', I doubt that he would have to go much out of his way at all to avoid making such attacks. Even if they were called for wink

            • Peter 11.1.2.2.1.4
              17 April 2020 at 6:42 pm

              Does it help anyone for a current USA President to attack World Leaders? It is certainly something he doesn't go out of his way to avoid.

              Clark has as much right to make comment as the guy living over our back fence. Or you. Are you pissed off because her views get attention? Her views get prominence while yours are in places like this for people like me who put carping in the place it belongs?

              Some don't want to hear from the 'been there done that mob' who have some experience and knowledge. We;; not if it's Clark I mean, If it's Key it's fine. Or Rodney Hide. Or Peter Dunne. Or Steven Joyce.

            • RedLogix 11.1.2.2.1.5
              17 April 2020 at 7:39 pm

              HC did a good interview as usual. I admire her persistence in the face of so many failures at the 'multi-lateral' level (as she likes to put it).

              Her defense of WHO is to be expected if a tad selective, but otherwise I always appreciate her highly informed commentary.

            • Anne 11.1.2.2.1.6
              17 April 2020 at 8:11 pm

              You didn't listen to this one through to the end did you alwyn. If you had you would have known that Helen Clark was talking from a position of immense knowledge and experience. Considering the appalling conduct and gross incompetence of the the current POTUS, I thought her choice of words in respect of him were quite diplomatic.

              https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/121079552/coronavirus-nz-podcast-trump-doesnt-have-a-clue-says-helen-clark

              Given she is an integral member of a group of former world leaders and that her standing among them is very high, I would have thought you would be interested in the behind the scenes information she was able to reveal. I certainly was, but you prefer to remain ignorant of the truth because you presumably don't care.

        • Muttonbird 11.1.2.3
          17 April 2020 at 6:05 pm

          This is a really poor comment from you.

          You trivialise the very serious health challenges faced by former minister of finance, Michael Cullen.

          It says plenty about you.

      • Stunned Mullet 11.1.3
        17 April 2020 at 11:23 am

        "Shonky speaks and granny herald echoes it with zero analysis or critique as usual.
        Joyce /Blinglish getting an airing also with the usual waffle from nat’s current crop."

        Don't despair the heralds very good at publishing equal opportunity nonsense from both sides of the track.

        https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12325405

    • observer 11.2
      17 April 2020 at 9:52 am

      Key's gonna Key, but he doesn't even get the gold or silver medals in today's Herald Idiocy Contest. Hosking (obviously) and Peter Dunne (absurdly) have the awards sewn up. World-class levels of stupidity there.

    • alwyn 11.3
      17 April 2020 at 10:21 am

      Wow! I don't know whether you are suffering from Confid 19 but you certainly have a very serious dose of KDS don't you?

      • Barfly 11.3.1
        17 April 2020 at 11:04 am

        The guys an arsehole – even worse he's yesterdays arsehole – KDS should be associated with the fawning sycophants of his bygone era lamenting the passing of whatever they imagined him to be.

      • observer 11.3.2
        17 April 2020 at 11:16 am

        There's a certain nostalgia for Key (Mike Hosking is president of the fan club) and a misguided belief that things would be so much better under good ol' John.

        So for the record, here's Key in March 2020, when the daily news was dominated by the discussion about closing NZ borders to keep out Covid19 …

        More tourists, more virus, bring it on!

        • Stunned Mullet 11.3.2.1
          17 April 2020 at 11:19 am

          Gosh he was officiating at the opening of a hotel….. truly he must be Satan

          • observer 11.3.2.1.1
            17 April 2020 at 11:26 am

            Caricaturing is the weakest of debating points. You can do better.

            No Satan. Not even as bad as Bridges. But the point (as I'm sure you know) is that the nostalgics claim Key would have had some special awareness, and they are exactly the same people who say "Ardern should have known in Jan/Feb! Close the borders, problem solved."

            It was BAU for Key in March – as it was for most of us.

            • Stunned Mullet 11.3.2.1.1.1
              17 April 2020 at 11:37 am

              But the point (as I'm sure you know) is that the nostalgics claim Key would have had some special awareness, and they are exactly the same people who say "Ardern should have known in Jan/Feb! Close the borders, problem solved."

              Really ? Who exactly are these people ….. ?

  13. AB 13
    17 April 2020 at 11:15 am

    Maybe we should be grateful for Mike Hosking? As right-wing C-19 denialists go, he is relatively harmless compared to these gun-toting loons in Lansing Michigan. Though I'd encourage Mike to do a similar drive-by protest outside the Beehive in his Ferrari – proclaiming his divine right to buy ripped jeans even in the face of disease and death.

    • Peter 13.1
      17 April 2020 at 11:48 am

      Recently he was distraught that it was taking him so long to get to his hairdresser because of traffic and roads. Cruelly, when the roads became much more open hairdressers were off limits.

      I see his picture briefly on flicking through the Herald online but have never particularly looked at his hair. Maybe he'll let it go, let it grow and he'll be all woolly. Sort of symbolic of his thinking.

    • ScottGN 14.1
      17 April 2020 at 11:38 am

      The new Taieri seat could be marginal Nat leaning now. It’s gone from being mostly souther Dunedin to mostly rural North, West and South Otago.

      • ScottGN 14.1.1
        17 April 2020 at 11:56 am

        New Lynn might be a tougher ask for Labour too. It’s lost New Windsor and a bit of Blockhouse Bay and picked up all of the Waitakere Ranges out to the west coast beaches.

      • Forget now 14.1.2
        17 April 2020 at 12:54 pm

        The Elections NZ website doesn't have a listing for the Taieri electorate yet, and your link doesn't have a map. But from the description, it sounds like it is likely to go National. It's a good thing we have a (semi)proportional voting system!

        As an aside, I found it amusing that ENZ puts "democracy" in quote marks in its own definition. I am sure that it's not meant this way, but that reads like an admission that our system isn't truly democratic. What with: the 5% threshold, a minimum of 18 years at time of election voting age, and denial of voting rights to some prisoners (there was a recent change so those with less than 3 years remaining till release can vote wasn't there?).

        • ScottGN 14.1.2.1
          17 April 2020 at 3:25 pm

          https://vote.nz/boundary-review-2019-2020/what-are-the-main-changes/

          There’s a map on votenz. Though it is really hard to use. Looks like Dunedin South has shed all of Otago Peninsula, keeps South Dunedin and suburbs west of there. And picks up a big swathe of South Otago down to Balclutha and west towards Lawrence and over the Clutha River towards the Blue Mtns all off Clutha-Southland which is renamed Southland.

          • Forget now 14.1.2.1.1
            17 April 2020 at 5:06 pm

            Urgh! The low resolution on that really hurts my eyes.

            From what I can tell; Taieri will go all the way down to the Clutha – that's farmland, a big crop of National voters. But low population density.

            More interesting to me was the boundary between Dunedin – which seems to have picked up not just the Peninsula, but all of Waverly and Musselburgh. Tainui and Tomahawk too?; Also there's a strange kink around King Edward st, that I'd have to see in finer detail to understand. Otherwise it seems they are keeping the railway as boundary line.

  15. Gabby 15
    17 April 2020 at 11:44 am

    Who is turd-in-humanish-form Hamish Price? Who benefitted from his fuckwitted political advice? Is he on a bottle of meths a day now? Does he screech at pigeons in the park?

    • observer 15.1
      17 April 2020 at 11:54 am

      He accused Jacinda Ardern of "holocaust denial". That isn't just an insult, it may be the worst thing anyone has said about a New Zealand PM. Truly vile.

    • Peter 15.2
      17 April 2020 at 1:46 pm

      Turd-in-humanish-form? Good analogy. Something you might accidentally stand in if an errant dog walker isn't responsible and you have to scrape him off your shoe.

  16. Observer Tokoroa 16
    17 April 2020 at 11:52 am

    Rosemary is very Busy

    So it is difficult to give praise to the Chinese. They are not quite like we lazy Kiwis, with our long noses, and minds locked firmly in the past. Like when got ourselves Slaughted in Gallipoli for some obscure reason.

    One of the good things about the Chinese is that they actually do things, and many of them are staying in New Zealand. They are remarkably intelligent too.

    But I must not go into that. It offends Kiwis.

    The Chinese, if you look at them with justice, are remarkably Peaceful. Compare them over the past century to 100s of other Nations. Or compare them to Aussie ratbags.

    Anyway, Duncan Garner and his female assistant, threw the Kiwi shit- house at the Chinese Ambassador this morning. He kept going and going and going. I was ashamed of him.

    He is not very Intelligent ! Neither was she.

    • bill 16.1
      17 April 2020 at 1:31 pm

      Not much of a one for stereotypes based on nationality, whether they be they negative or positive.

      But the rarely implied suggestion that xenophobia has become more or less woven into the fabric of NZ society is both noted and appreciated by this reader.

    • Gabby 16.2
      17 April 2020 at 1:58 pm

      Doing things for the sake of it isn't necessarily the wise course.

  17. Andre 17
    17 April 2020 at 12:34 pm

    A youngish Berner talks about things that AOC understands that Bernie and his campaign never got their heads around. It's a longish piece in interview format, but well worth the read.

    Look, the Democratic party is a coalition party with five partners: African-American groups, Latino groups, women’s groups, unions and progressive groups. If you’re only one of five factions, maybe one fourth of the party, you should only expect to win about one fourth or one fifth of the victories. You need to work with other groups in the coalition to achieve political success. Sometimes you’ll win, sometimes you’ll lose, that’s how life works. Ocasio-Cortez has figured that out, but not all progressives have.

    https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/04/16/sean-mcelwee-interview-aoc-sanders-191702

    • adam 17.1
      17 April 2020 at 1:09 pm

      Still punching down I see.

    • bill 17.2
      17 April 2020 at 1:22 pm

      No mention in that snippet of the overarching corporate dominance and how that determines the make up and political expression of those "five partners" – or is that teased out in the full piece?

    • Ad 17.3
      17 April 2020 at 4:45 pm

      That's one experienced operator for a 27 year old guy with his own stats business.

      Like a quant version of Hooten, or Nate Silver with actual commitment and experience.

      Great interview.

    • mauī 17.4
      17 April 2020 at 6:15 pm

      You could probably get a job at the Clinton News Network or any other elite propaganda troll farm.

  18. joe90 18
    17 April 2020 at 1:12 pm

    The Economist on excess mortality as a measure of the true toll of the Covid19 crisis.

    New perspective on the alleged under counting of fatalities in China and Iran, too.

    So far, Italy’s national statistical bureau has published figures of deaths from all causes for only 1,450 of the country’s 7,900 municipalities, covering the period until March 28th. We have analysed a sample of these areas, including Bergamo, that contain 6.7m of the 10m residents in Lombardy, a region that has suffered nearly half the country’s official fatalities. By March 28th, the excess deaths in this sample had reached more than 9,000 in the previous five weeks, covering the entire period of the outbreak. At that point, the official covid-19 tally was 4,000. This suggests that the true toll was about 120% higher.

    […]

    Spain has experienced a similar epidemic, with its official death toll approaching 19,000 on April 15th, according to data from hospitals. Like Italy, the country’s overall mortality data imply that the actual number is higher, although the extent of the undercounting is less severe. Spain’s national epidemiology centre is publishing regular figures for deaths from all causes in each region. By March 31st, these showed that there had been 13,000 excess fatalities nationwide that month, covering the entire period of the outbreak. The official covid-19 tally at that point was 8,000. This suggests that the true toll was about 60% higher.

    […]

    So far, the number of official covid-19 deaths in the Netherlands has shown a much flatter trajectory than in other western European countries. On April 15th the tally stood at 3,100. However, this is because the national institute for public health, which publishes the daily figures, includes only people who have tested positive for the virus and died in hospital (often with a delay). By April 5th, the latest date for which the national statistical bureau has published data about deaths from all causes, there had been 4,000 excess deaths during the previous four weeks, covering the entire period of the outbreak. The official covid-19 tally at that point was 1,700. This suggests that the true toll was about 140% higher.

    http://archive.li/hVWo9

  19. joe90 19
    17 April 2020 at 1:54 pm

    Skills.

  20. ianmac 20
    17 April 2020 at 2:31 pm

    Charming,

    "This morning on Twitter, Gayford said: "Spare a thought today for anyone suffering a form of cognitive dissonance causing dismay that the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff is empty because the fence at the top is working."

    How true is that for the naysayers?

  22. adam 22
    17 April 2020 at 3:57 pm

    A bit of marxist analysis of where the economy is at. I know the liberals don't want to hear how much their vaunted economic model stuffed up – but three times this century already. It is the time we looked for a more robust and equatable system.

    It's the first 20 min of video, other stuff after that.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_4n5PplieM&feature=em-lsp&ab_channel=RedactedTonight

    • Ad 22.1
      17 April 2020 at 4:43 pm

      How much of this really applies to us – or to Australia – or indeed to China? Or India. Those surely are our relevant economic poles for the next decade.

      I get that the 'nationalization of the credit system" applies to the US Federal Reserve actions. But does that apply to a Reserve Bank reaction like ours? Or the RBA?

      I would be more interested to hear economists talk about mixed economies like ours with states that have vastly expanded in reaction to successive crises. Particularly small economies. And on top of that, whether some of those mixed small economies will do better or worse from the grealy differing economic impacts of the virus.

      I also find it really strange that as a marxist with some grounding in economic history he doesn't cite the Marxists who went through the Depression and World War 2 and came out with the really nuance versions of Marxism appropriate to the new cultural contexts – the Frankfurt Marxists like Adorno and Habermas.

      He would be interesting if he could turn Marxism to the Post-Covid context that we find ourselves in, or to countries other than the United States.

      • pat 22.1.1
        17 April 2020 at 5:12 pm

        the credit system is overseen by the RBNZ (and RBA) but operated by the trading banks….and the real problem is the attached financial derivatives that have been progressively bolted on to that system and now overwhelms it…the banks are now caught in a trap of their own making….unfortunately we are caught with them.

        Given the expected collapse in asset values and employment there is probably no better time to rid ourselves of that burden…along with the political influencers that benefit from it.

        • Ad 22.1.1.1
          17 April 2020 at 5:31 pm

          What do you predict will be the next thing that will occur to the Australasian banking system?

          • pat 22.1.1.1.1
            17 April 2020 at 5:47 pm

            prediction is a mugs game, especially when the players are using a stacked deck….and why specifically Australian Banks?

            • Ad 22.1.1.1.1.1
              17 April 2020 at 5:53 pm

              Because they dominate our banking and mortgage system.

              • pat …
                17 April 2020 at 6:06 pm

                Indeed they do….we best hope the RBA has the inclination and resources to nationalise them if needed…as we should also hope with the RBNZ.

  23. Incognito 23
    17 April 2020 at 4:07 pm

    Some insight into immune response, vaccines, and antibodies.

    We've never made a successful vaccine for a coronavirus before. This is why it's so difficult

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2020-04-17/coronavirus-vaccine-ian-frazer/12146616

  24. David Mac 24
    17 April 2020 at 5:02 pm

    There is little being said about asymptimatic…spelling? cases. Those that distribute the virus with every touch, everyone unaware.

    I think this may be the barb in the hook.

    I also think the argument for us staying hard to the course makes fabulous sense.

    If this muck lingers around the world and we can irradicate it in NZ entirely we will become global darlings, our lamb, milk and heavily screened at the border holidays will become premium products all over the world.

    Lock it down for 4 more weeks, eradicate the mongrel in our island nation and set NZ's Huckleberry trajectory for the next century.

    • Stunned Mullet 24.1
      17 April 2020 at 5:30 pm

      Not wishing to be a killjoy but why if we become free of this virus will our primary produce be in any greater demand than it is at present ?

      It is not as if there is a defined risk from primary produce in those countries affected by coronavirus and as far as I know ?

      • David Mac 24.1.1
        17 April 2020 at 5:53 pm

        If most of the world struggles to be rid of this virus and there is none here we will attract international exposure because of this.

        The can of food grown on an Italian farm may pose no less or more risk than a can from NZ.

        If his Grandad Luigi died from the virus, I can see Antonio reaching for the Watties can on his Milano supermarket shelf and paying a bit more.

        • Forget now 24.1.1.1
          17 April 2020 at 6:18 pm

          I am not saying you are wrong, but; cynical much?

          Also; asymptomatic, without symptoms. If you can spell symptom, just put on an a- prefix and -atic suffix.

          • David Mac 24.1.1.1.1
            17 April 2020 at 6:34 pm

            Cynical or realist? Most people in Italy are going to know a person that died in the last 30 days.

            Are you sure you're concerned about what is important? Assymtabloodymatic You know what I mean, We communicated accurately.

            • Forget now 24.1.1.1.1.1
              17 April 2020 at 6:47 pm

              You were the one who asked what the spelling of asymptomatic was. I will remember not to offer any help to you in the future.

              • In Vino …
                17 April 2020 at 11:04 pm

                David Mac – you are utterly stupid if you think that any European will eat our Watties Baked Beans. Many years ago I gave a sample to my French lady-friend. She spat it out, and said, "Berk! C'est sucré!" (Yuk! It's had sugar added!) She was quite right. Europeans generally have good taste, and will not relish our bad English-inherited sugar-added rubbish. The only baked beans I now like here are Delmaine's no-sugar-added Baked beans with garlic and olive oil added instead.

                I think you are dreaming about virus-free food. I thought most people knew that the Covid19 virus infects us through nose and eyes, unless we manage to breathe it through mouth to nose… If we take the virus through our mouth with food, it goes to the stomach where it is killed by digestive juices – no chance of infection.

                And I sympathise with Forget Now: You mis-spelt asymptomatic and put a (spelling?) admission afterwards. When Forget Now explains it to you, you insult him/her for it. Not admirable.

    • Drowsy M. Kram 24.2
      17 April 2020 at 5:30 pm

      yes 'Covid-19-free' produce for the world, at least until the next one.

    • Incognito 24.3
      17 April 2020 at 5:41 pm

      We can bottle just about anything and sell it overseas for a premium price as 100% Pure COVID-Free. Medical tourism could become the new market with packages including 14 days quarantine in a hotel of your choice.

    • alwyn 24.4
      17 April 2020 at 6:02 pm

      And do you seriously think we can stop people coming to New Zealand from possibly being infected? Suppose that a rigorous quarantine period of 20 days was enough.

      I give you a couple of scenarios.

      Australian PM comes to hold talks with New Zealand Government. Do we lock him (or her) up for 20 days in solitary confinement before the talks can start?

      Our PM goes to New York for a meeting of the General Assembly. When she (or he) returns will we lock them up in solitary confinement for 20 days?

      If not why not?

      • David Mac 24.4.1
        17 April 2020 at 6:09 pm

        We get all people stepping over our border tested. Lab at the airport. Result back in 20 mins. Get off the plane swab, by the time customs are cleared, results back.

        You're a smart guy Alwyn, it's a shame your mental capacity is wasted on why things can't be done.

        • bill 24.4.1.1
          17 April 2020 at 6:15 pm

          Tests produce results in 20 min or so do they? Didn't know that.

          • David Mac 24.4.1.1.2
            17 April 2020 at 6:23 pm

            I don't know much about the test regime Bill but I suspect it's a process that is being internationally honed by the hour.

          • Forget now 24.4.1.1.3
            17 April 2020 at 6:26 pm

            No! No. NONONO… Do not do this!

            Tests are reliant on detecting RNA, which is time sensitive to infection incidence and incubation period. Also even if the sample is adequately harvested and prepared, there is a significant risk of a false negative.

            At what point the viral shedding remains infectious is still hotly debated in the scientific community. As this reply to a comment to a previous study last week (just happens to be in an open tab – there are links to the previous pieces) indicates:

            https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30869-2/fulltext

            • David Mac 24.4.1.1.3.1
              17 April 2020 at 6:42 pm

              Yup, tests as they are today. We need to be preparing for tomorrow, that's where our fortune lies.

              I don't think spotting the tiniest of traces of this virus in someone is a science quantum leap. Once we can do that, test them at home before they step on the plane with their domestic system and once here, they undergo the $250 test they paid for in their ticket.

              Your Chicken Little concern is based on testing as it stands. Can you not imagine improvements? Look for solutions, not roadblocks.

              The world is focused on how bad everything is, it aches with opportunity.

              • McFlock …
                17 April 2020 at 7:05 pm

                In case you didn't hear, Theranos was a bust.

                I'd also be wary of basing our safety on tests conducted overseas.

                Look, if you know of this realtime covid detection technology being realistically in the works and deliverable in the next few years, fine, maybe, if it passes muster. But until then it's not "chicken little" to point out that you're dreaming.

              • Forget now …
                17 April 2020 at 7:13 pm

                I don't need to catch any virus DM, you already sicken me.

                • David Mac …
                  17 April 2020 at 8:32 pm

                  …ah choo, sorry.

                  • Forget now …
                    17 April 2020 at 8:38 pm

                    [Just catching up with your commenting style. Chill it. This is not a testosterone competition – MS]

                    • David Mac …
                      17 April 2020 at 8:39 pm

                      You need to lighten up sport, I mean you no malice

                    • Forget now []
                      17 April 2020 at 9:30 pm

                      Comment deleted.

                      Still not sorry.

                    • Forget now …
                      18 April 2020 at 7:15 am

                      [This is supposed to be a reply to MS’ moderation comment two slots above]

                      Okay, I have left this till the morning, on the basis of; less said, soonest mended. Also didn't take my night's codeine to make sure my thoughts aren't muzzy (though my tooth is really starting to ache again and there's no chance of getting back to sleep, so I might be slightly on edge).I see there is a new OM up, so hopefully only the moderators will be paying any notice to this thread now. Really don't want to be doing this…

                      Please tell me that I am not seeing what I think I am seeing here! That's just horrible. I want to be able to read Mickey Savage's posts or comments without feeling like this. In fact the entire site feels a bit tainted to me if so. I don't know if I will be commenting here again if I don't get an explanation. I'd like to convince myself that it's just coincidence, but that seems improbable.

                    • Forget now …
                      18 April 2020 at 8:05 am

                      Hello? Anyone there? Hellooo?

                    • Forget now …
                      18 April 2020 at 9:50 am

                      Okay then. I will put the comment I have just finished typing up on today's OM. Would have preferred to have handled this quietly.

                    • Incognito []
                      18 April 2020 at 1:43 pm

                      This comment is for anybody who reads it and wonders what on Earth happened here.

                      I am disappointed the way this has escalated and spiralled out of control 🙁

                      When I feel ‘agitated’, I usually walk away from it for a good while, which is not always never easy.

                      The written word can be very powerful but also very confusing and easily lead to ‘misunderstandings’.

                      At the end of the day, it pays to stop digging altogether (i.e. in & out), even when you think you’re 100% in the right, and heed Moderator notes.

              • bill …
                17 April 2020 at 7:26 pm

                We need to be preparing for tomorrow, that's where our fortune lies.

                Deep stuff. 😉

              • Gabby …
                17 April 2020 at 7:35 pm

                Cool. Let's wait and see.

          • joe90 24.4.1.1.4
            17 April 2020 at 7:02 pm

            Didn’t know that.

            With the best people.

            (but not really)

            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theranos

            edit: great minds, McFlock

      • bill 24.4.2
        17 April 2020 at 6:12 pm

        I'd say that's exactly what should be done. But then, I don't believe in this whole "betters" shit that would have supposedly 'important' people treated differently to anyone else.

      • Drowsy M. Kram 24.4.3
        17 April 2020 at 6:20 pm

        The Covid-19 pandemic is a 'signal' that we should do things differently. Zoom's great.

        • McFlock 24.4.3.1
          17 April 2020 at 6:44 pm

          Zoom's wearing pretty damned thin for me now, I must confess.

          But if we do get covid-free, we'll be going to them rather than them coming to us. And at least isolation if not "quarantine" upon return.

          An interesting idea might be a slight tweak to hotels/conference facilities. The normal layout is to have the hotel rooms in a lump, a restaurant, and an adaptable conference section that can be split up for multiple small events or one big one with breakout rooms. Might be more useful to have function rooms on every floor and suites that can be switched to breakout rooms depending on the booking. The function rooms can then act as that floor's restaurant/ lounge during covid lockdowns.

          Idea being a cohort get off a flight, go into the same floor, have a bit more to stare at than the walls of one room and can interact with each other, and if there are no cases/positive tests then they can all be on their way.

          • Incognito 24.4.3.1.1
            17 April 2020 at 7:14 pm

            Zoom should come with inbuilt nose-trimmer and compulsory media training.

      • Gabby 24.4.4
        17 April 2020 at 7:35 pm

        Yes, and yes.

  25. joe90 25
    17 April 2020 at 6:50 pm

    Cats being cats.

    • Macro 25.1
      17 April 2020 at 9:25 pm

      Apparently they also took in a round of golf at the local golf course. Good luck in getting them to pay green fees though.

  26. ScottGN 26
    17 April 2020 at 7:49 pm

    I loved that. Apparently the grass was wet from rain so they just lay about on the road.

  27. ScottGN 27
    17 April 2020 at 7:52 pm

    Anyone seen Tova lately?

    I don’t have a telly so I don’t watch the 6 pm bulletins but I check online about 7 pm to see what the networks have run with. Haven’t seen anything from Tova on newshub for about a week now.

    • I Feel Love 27.1
      17 April 2020 at 8:37 pm

      kShe got slammed about a week ago on Twitter for her tweet about a mother not going to her fathers funeral because Jacinda is a meany, people were rightly chastising her for using the death of someone to attack the Govt, making money out of others misery, so to speak. I'll try find a link.

  28. joe90 28
    17 April 2020 at 8:20 pm

    Bit late for any continuity of government.

    But behind the scenes, JTF-NCR is responsible for what the military calls "homeland defense": what to do in the face of an armed attack on the United States, everything from guarding Washington's skies to preparing for the civil unrest that could occur if a nuclear weapon were detonated in the capital. But most immediate, JTF-NCR is charged with facilitating continuity of government, particularly moving civil and military leaders to secret locations were the order given to evacuate the city.

    Ever since National Guards started to activate countrywide, Pentagon officials have insisted that men and women in uniform are not conducting secret missions and that they will not administer or enforce "stay at home" quarantines. The Pentagon has also rejected reports, including articles in Newsweek, about martial law or other extreme contingency plans, arguing that the Guard remains under strict control of state governors, while federal troops support civil agencies like FEMA.

    And yet the activation of Joint Task Force National Capital Region, including almost 10,000 uniformed personnel to carry out its special orders, contradicts those assurances. JTF-NCR is not only real and operating, reporting directly to the Secretary of Defense for some of its mission, but some of its units are already on 24/7 alert, specially sequestered on military bases and kept out of coronavirus support duties to ensure their readiness.

    https://www.newsweek.com/exclusive-washington-dc-faces-coronavirus-spike-secret-military-task-force-prepares-secure-1498276?

  29. David Mac 29
    17 April 2020 at 8:39 pm

    Just caught a report that states that 60% of the fit young sailors aboard the USS Roosevelt that tested positive are A sympto hoosey handle.

    Show no symptoms, feel great, no idea their breath could kill their Grandad.

    I can't get away from thinking that this is the sting in the tail.

    Vaccine or an easy way to test everyone on an ongoing basis. eg: A toothpaste that changes colour on 19 exposure.

  30. joe90 30
    17 April 2020 at 9:11 pm

    A relative tells me that the industrial supply company he works for was stripped of masks, too.

    As the coronavirus took hold in Wuhan earlier this year, staff from the Chinese government-backed global property giant Greenland Group were instructed to put their normal work on hold and source bulk supplies of essential medical items to ship back to China.

    A whistleblower from the company has told the Herald it was a worldwide Greenland effort – and the Sydney office was no different, sourcing bulk supplies of surgical masks, thermometers, antibacterial wipes, hand sanitisers, gloves and Panadol for shipping.

    The company even posted its efforts of packing pallets in the company’s Sydney headquarters on social media.

    https://www.smh.com.au/national/chinese-backed-company-s-mission-to-source-australian-medical-supplies-20200325-p54du8.html

    • David Mac 30.1
      17 April 2020 at 9:39 pm

      True to form for the CCP but Australian based minions hoovering up every bit of PPE just prior to the inevitable arrival of the virus in Oz and shipping it back to China?

      I would be comfortable reuniting those folk with where their hearts lay. I'd charter a flight and invoice the Chinese Embassy.

      I'm not sure the CCP represent the will of the 14000000 anymore.

  31. joe90 31
    17 April 2020 at 10:26 pm

    Fuck these people so deeply stupid.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=2018743090

    (@ 1:10)

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Govt boosts tourism transformation to strengthen workforce and improve outcomes
    The Tourism Industry Transformation Plan outlines key actions to improve the sector This includes a Tourism and Hospitality Accord to set employment standards Developing cultural competency within the workforce Improving the education and training system for tourism Equipping business owners and operators with better tools and enabling better work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago

  • NZ earns another major digital investment
    Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications Dr David Clark welcomes Google Cloud’s decision to make New Zealand a cloud region. “This is another major vote of confidence for New Zealand’s growing digital sector, and our economic recovery from COVID 19,” David Clark said. “Becoming a cloud region will mean ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago

  • Changes to NCEA & University Entrance in response to COVID-19 disruptions
    A package of changes to NCEA and University Entrance announced today recognise the impact COVID-19 has had on senior secondary students’ assessment towards NCEA in 2022, says Associate Minister of Education Jan Tinetti. “We have heard from schools how significant absences of students and teachers, as a result of COVID-19, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago

  • 60th Anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship between Aotearoa New Zealand and Samoa- “Lifelong Fri...
    Te Reo Māori tauparapara… Tapatapa tū ki te Rangi! Ki te Whei-ao! Ki te Ao-mārama Tihei mauri ora! Stand at the edge of the universe! of the spiritual world! of the physical world! It is the breath of creation Formal acknowledgments… [Your Highness Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II and Masiofo] ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago

  • New law passed to reduce gun harm
    The Government’s commitment to combatting firearms violence has reached another significant milestone today with the passage of the Firearms Prohibition Order Legislation Bill, Police Minister Chris Hipkins says. The new law helps to reduce firearm-related crime by targeting possession, use, or carriage of firearms by people whose actions and behaviours ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago

  • Minister sends condolences as last Battle for Crete veteran passes away
    Minister for Veterans, Hon Meka Whaitiri sends her condolences to the last Battle for Crete veteran. “I am saddened today to learn of the passing of Cyril Henry Robinson known as Brant Robinson, who is believed to be the last surviving New Zealand veteran of the Battle for Crete, Meka ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago

  • Three Strikes Legislation Repeal Bill passes third reading
    Legislation to repeal the ‘Three Strikes’ law has passed its third reading in Parliament. “The Three Strikes Legislation Repeal Bill ends an anomaly in New Zealand’s justice system that dictates what sentence judges must hand down irrespective of relevant factors,” Justice Minister Kiri Allan said. “The three strikes law was ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government working on preliminary steps to improve support for abuse survivors
    Work is under way on preliminary steps to improve the Government’s support for survivors of abuse in care while a new, independent redress system is designed, Public Service Minister Chris Hipkins says. These steps – recommended by the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry – include rapid payments for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Remarks upon 77th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
    Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki Online Forum 77 years ago today, an atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Nagasaki. Three days earlier, on the 6th of August 1945, the same fate had befallen the people of Hiroshima.  Tens of thousands died instantly. In the years that followed 340,000 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Govt signs NZ–USA agreement launching new opportunities for space sector
    An agreement signed today between the New Zealand and United States governments will provide new opportunities for our space sector and closer collaboration with NASA, Economic and Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash said. Stuart Nash signed the Framework Agreement with United States Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman. The signing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Govt strengthens emergency management cooperation between NZ and the US
    An agreement signed today between New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the United States’ Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will strengthen global emergency management capability, says Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty. “The Government is committed to continually strengthening our emergency management system, and this Memorandum of Cooperation ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New Zealand to stay at Orange as winter continues
    New Zealand will remain at the Orange traffic light setting, while hospitalisations remain elevated and pressure on the health system continues through winter. “There’s still significant pressure on hospitals from winter illnesses, so our current measures have an ongoing role to play in reducing the number of COVID-19 cases and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Path paved for communities to reshape streets
    Streets will soon be able to be transformed from unsafe and inaccessible corridors to vibrant places for all transport modes thanks to new legislation proposed today, announced Transport Minister Michael Wood. “We need to make it safe, quicker and more attractive for people to walk, ride and take public transport ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Boost for agricultural and horticultural science in schools
    More young minds eyeing food and fibre careers is the aim of new Government support for agricultural and horticultural science teachers in secondary schools, Agriculture and Rural Communities Minister Damien O’Connor announced today. The Government is committing $1.6 million over five years to the initiative through the Ministry for Primary ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Bumper breeding season boosts Kākāpō population
    Kākāpō numbers have increased from 197 to 252 in the 2022 breeding season, and there are now more of the endangered parrots than there have been for almost 50 years, Conservation Minister Poto Williams announced today. The flightless, nocturnal parrot is a taonga of Ngāi Tahu and a species unique ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Relationship with Malaysia to be elevated to Strategic Partnership
    The relationship between Aotearoa New Zealand and Malaysia is to be elevated to the status of a Strategic Partnership, to open up opportunities for greater co-operation and connections in areas like regional security and economic development. Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta met her Malaysian counterpart Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah today during a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Call for New Zealanders to get on-board with rail safety
    With additional trains operating across the network, powered by the Government’s investment in rail, there is need for a renewed focus on rail safety, Transport Minister Michael Wood emphasised at the launch of Rail Safety Week 2022. “Over the last five years the Government has invested significantly to improve level ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Regional approach the focus at ASEAN and East Asia Summit talks
    The Foreign Minister has wrapped up a series of meetings with Indo-Pacific partners in Cambodia which reinforced the need for the region to work collectively to deal with security and economic challenges. Nanaia Mahuta travelled to Phnom Penh for a bilateral meeting between ASEAN foreign ministers and Aotearoa New Zealand, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • The beat goes on as Government renews support for musicians
    Extension of Aotearoa Touring Programme supporting domestic musicians The Programme has supported more than 1,700 shows and over 250 artists New Zealand Music Commission estimates that around 200,000 Kiwis have been able to attend shows as a result of the programme The Government is hitting a high note, with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Minister of Defence to attend Guadalcanal Commemorations in the Solomon Islands
    Minister of Defence Peeni Henare will depart tomorrow for Solomon Islands to attend events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal. While in Solomon Islands, Minister Henare will also meet with Solomon Islands Minister of National Security, Correctional Services and Police Anthony Veke to continue cooperation on security ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New programme to provide insights into regenerative dairy farming 
    The Government is partnering with Ngāi Tahu Farming Limited and Ngāi Tūāhuriri on a whole-farm scale study in North Canterbury to validate the science of regenerative farming, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced today.   The programme aims to scientifically evaluate the financial, social and environmental differences between regenerative and conventional practices. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • More women on public boards than ever before
    52.5% of people on public boards are women Greatest ever percentage of women Improved collection of ethnicity data “Women’s representation on public sector boards and committees is now 52.5 percent, the highest ever level. The facts prove that diverse boards bring a wider range of knowledge, expertise and skill. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Awards support Pacific women
    I am honoured to support the 2022 Women in Governance Awards, celebrating governance leaders, directors, change-makers, and rising stars in the community, said Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio. For the second consecutive year, MPP is proudly sponsoring the Pacific Governance Leader category, recognising Pacific women in governance and presented to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Govt investment into Whakatāne regeneration reaches new milestones
    Today Economic and Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash turned the sod for the new Whakatāne Commercial Boat Harbour, cut the ribbon for the revitalised Whakatāne Wharf, and inspected work underway to develop the old Whakatāne Army Hall into a visitor centre, all of which are part of the $36.8 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Government determined to get a better deal for consumers
    New Zealanders are not getting a fair deal on some key residential building supplies and while the Government has already driven improvements in the sector, a Commerce Commission review finds that  changes are needed to make it more competitive. “New Zealand is facing the same global cost of living and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Government exceeds Mana in Mahi target
    Mana in Mahi reaches a milestone surpassing 5,000 participants 75 per cent of participants who had been on a benefit for two or more years haven’t gone back onto a benefit 89 per cent who have a training pathway are working towards a qualification at NZQA level 3 or ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Government opens new research and innovation hub
    The Government has invested $7.7 million in a research innovation hub which was officially opened today by Minister of Research, Science and Innovation Dr Ayesha Verrall. The new facility named Te Pā Harakeke Flexible Labs comprises 560 square metres of new laboratory space for research staff and is based at ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Unemployment remains low and wages rise despite volatile global environment
    Unemployment has remained near record lows thanks to the Government’s economic plan to support households and businesses through the challenging global environment, resulting in more people in work and wages rising. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate was 3.3 percent in the June quarter, with 96,000 people classed out ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • First ever climate adaptation plan lays foundations for resilient communities
    Action to address the risks identified in the 2020 climate change risk assessment, protecting lives, livelihoods, homes, businesses and infrastructure A joined up approach that will support community-based adaptation with national policies and legislation Providing all New Zealanders with information about local climate risks via a new online data ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New mental health and addiction services making a difference for Māori
    Māori with mental health and addiction challenges have easier access to care thanks to twenty-nine Kaupapa Māori primary mental health and addiction services across Aotearoa, Associate Minister of Health Peeni Henare says. “Labour is the first government to take mental health seriously for all New Zealanders. We know that Māori ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Data and Statistics Bill Passes its Third Reading
    A Bill which updates New Zealand’s statistics legislation for the 21st century has passed its third and final reading today, Minister of Statistics David Clark said. The Data and Statistics Act replaces the Statistics Act, which has been in effect since 1975. “In the last few decades, national data and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Further moves to improve the lives of disabled people
    The Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill has passed its first reading in Parliament today, marking a significant milestone to improve the lives of disabled people. “The Bill aims to address accessibility barriers that prevent disabled people, tāngata whaikaha and their whānau, and others with accessibility needs from living independently,” said ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Speech to the China Business Summit
    Kia ora koutou, da jia hao It’s great to be back at this year’s China Business Summit. I would first like to acknowledge Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister Helen Clark, His Excellency Ambassador Wang Xiaolong, and parliamentary colleagues both current and former the Right Honourable Winston Peters, the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Further changes to CCCFA Regulations will improve safe access to credit
    Narrowing the expenses considered by lenders Relaxing the assumptions that lenders were required to make about credit cards and buy-now pay-later schemes. Helping make debt refinancing or debt consolidation more accessible if appropriate for borrowers The Government is clarifying the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance (CCCFA) Regulations, to ensure ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government prioritises firearm prohibition orders to reduce gun harm
    The Firearms Prohibition Order Legislation Bill will be passed through all remaining stages by the end of next week, Police Minister Chris Hipkins said. The Justice Select Committee has received public feedback and finalised its report more quickly than planned. It reported back to the House on Friday.  “The Bill will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • National plan to protect kauri commences
    The Government has stepped up activity to protect kauri, with a National Pest Management Plan (NPMP) coming into effect today, Biosecurity Minister Damien O'Connor and Associate Environment Minister James Shaw said. “We have a duty to ensure this magnificent species endures for future generations and also for the health of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Support for Samoa’s Climate Change Plan and rebuild of Savalalo Market
     Prime Minister Ardern met with members of Samoa’s Cabinet in Apia, today, announcing the launch of a new climate change partnership and confirming support for the rebuild of the capital’s main market, on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship between Aotearoa New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Reconnecting with ASEAN and Malaysia
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta departs for the Indo-Pacific region today for talks on security and economic issues at meetings of ASEAN and the East Asia Summit in Cambodia, and during bilateral engagements in Malaysia. “Engaging in person with our regional partners is a key part of our reconnecting strategy as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Statement to the 2022 Review Conference for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
    United Nations Headquarters, New York City  Thank you, Mr President. Ngā mihi ki a koutou. I extend my warm congratulations to you and assure you of the full cooperation of the New Zealand delegation. I will get right to it. In spite of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the nuclear ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • 10,000 more permanent public homes added under the Labour Government
    A major milestone of 10,037 additional public homes has been achieved since Labour came into office, the Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods confirmed today. “It’s extremely satisfying and a testament to our commitment to providing a safety net for people who need public housing, that we have delivered these warm, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago