Open mike 26/03/2020

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, March 26th, 2020 - 131 comments
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131 comments on “Open mike 26/03/2020 ”

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  1. dv 1
    26 March 2020 at 9:02 am

    This looks interesting

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120576908/britain-days-away-from-releasing-millions-of-coronavirus-finger-prick-tests

    Professor Sharon Peacock, the director of Public Health England's National Infection Service, told MPs the kits were in the final stages of testing at a laboratory in Oxford and could be approved for mass distribution by the end of this week.

    • lprent 1.1
      26 March 2020 at 9:28 am

      That and other anti-body tests are what will eventually kill the spread first, with antivirals and then vaccines. It will be interesting on what the max time is between exposure, initial infection and antibodies.

      But the tests will be at least month away from any real levels of distribution. It takes time to scale up any kind of mass distribution. But if it works ok, then I suspect that there will be a big push to replicate it.

  3. A 3
    26 March 2020 at 9:21 am

    Wishing that NZ would do some rescue flights for those stranded overseas. It just seems like our govt has given up too early on this.

    • Carolyn_Nth 3.1
      26 March 2020 at 9:31 am

      I understand the lockdowns in other countries prevent NZ planes passing through them.

    • lprent 3.2
      26 March 2020 at 9:33 am

      Transit is the issue. We mostly transit through Singapore and Hong Kong for most destinations. Singapore has largely shut transit. So has Hong Kong. Planes have a lot of range but it has limits and the limit is if you can land and refuel to get back again.

      We are long way from anywhere apart from aussie and the islands.

      Basically there was a reasonable level of warning. Some people didn't heed it.

      • weka 3.2.1
        26 March 2020 at 9:55 am

        Is transit shut because they want staff to stay home?

        • Carolyn_Nth 3.2.1.1
          26 March 2020 at 10:07 am

          Part of them shutting down their borders to all foreigners.

          • weka 3.2.1.1.1
            26 March 2020 at 10:32 am

            Yes, but are they still letting in flights for goods?

            A plane on the tarmac that is refueling and no-one disembarks is not the same as letting in people from overseas.

      • A 3.2.2
        26 March 2020 at 10:16 am

        Oh. 🙁
        That’s a pity. I didn’t think about transits/fuel
        Thought it was just a matter of organising between officials. It was a fast developing situation and bound to catch some of us out. Can’t help but worry for those caught overseas in places like Sri Lanka.

    • Observer Tokoroa 3.3
      26 March 2020 at 10:04 am

      Hi A

      You seem displeased with the Government. Even though you are clearly aware that Landing Rights became inaccessible due to Sovereign Border Controls.

      Why do you demand the impossible from the Government. Is it part of your fealty to the wonderful National Party ?

    • Bearded Git 3.4
      26 March 2020 at 11:32 am

      My son just made it back from Switzerland this morning; it was looking very sketchy for a while.

      He has been covid19 tested then put in quarantine in a hotel near Auckland airport.

  4. Robert Guyton 4
    26 March 2020 at 9:52 am

    The Bish goes all Trumpian on us.

    "Im not a PhD but I have the highest doctorates, in whatever you, in the word of God. Nobody bigger in the nation right now."

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/119861726/coronavirus-brian-tamaki-blames-satanic-airborne-demons-drinking-of-bats-blood?fbclid=IwAR0lhh6avd4phXAl-BtC0qeGpM4sEGmt7eI-UlfBV7VGOsx3nyxHVwPfbfY

  6. Robert Guyton 6
    26 March 2020 at 10:10 am

    ""Satan has control of atmospheres unless you're a born-again, Jesus-loving, bible-believing, Holy Ghost-filled, tithe-paying believer," Bishop Tamaki said on Sunday morning."

    (My bold)

  7. Carolyn_Nth 7
    26 March 2020 at 10:14 am

    From my contact who lives in the Coromandel: last couple of days a lot of people have arrived to stay in their holiday homes for the lock down. My contact is not bothered by this as they will not be mixing with them and are all prepared to stay at home.

    Some of the arrivees live in apartments in the city, so it is understandable, but others don't and they would be better off in the city. Coromandel emergency services are already stretched and if these city-dwellers had an emergency, they'd be better off in the city.

    • Macro 7.1
      26 March 2020 at 11:15 am

      The permanent population of the Coromandel is around 30,000. Over the summer months that population swells by around 100,000. Every year. I know when our local emergency services are busy because the siren sounds 3 – 4 times a day to call in the volunteers. Over the past week we have not heard the siren at all. There has not been a helicopter flying urgent cases out of the hospital. I visited my beach property this past week to do some preparatory maintenance before the shut down. There were far fewer people about than over the summer months. I spoke to my doctor just this week to delay my 1/2 yearly WOF, and confirm my 3 monthly prescriptions, and they are now doing consultations over the phone where possible. My friend who is a public health nurse has only had a staff of 2 for some time now and has a community to service from Te Aroha across to Waihi and north, and she is certainly run off her feet. But she has been for some time. Those moving in to holiday baches for the duration would be unlikely to be adding to her burden, if they were needing constant care I'm sure people would be remaining at their primary place of residence. Serious injuries are not handled at the Thames Base Hospital, all major surgery is immediately transferred to Hamilton after triage.

  8. Molly 8
    26 March 2020 at 10:31 am

    My sister-in-law, is in her seventies and at home with cold so I delivered food and panadol to her on Tuesday morning. She has sold her house, with a settlement date for next Friday, and will be moving into a unit in a Somerset retirement village in Hamilton. Tuesday afternoon, the real estate agent arrived and booted her out of the house for an hour while they did the final inspection. She drove down the road, still ill, and sat in her car until they texted her that they had left.

    I had suggested that she get in touch with her lawyer and confirm that both deals are postponed until after the lockdown – however long that may be, and then make sure she is alright for the duration.

    After calling this morning to see how she was going, she informs me that she has been unable to speak to her lawyer, but the office rang her to go in and sign some papers. When I asked what they were for, she said she didn't really know, and that the associate was unable to provide any information.

    She also received a phone call yesterday from the retirement village, saying that they will be sending the scheduled movers to her place next Wednesday to pack and move her from Auckland to Hamilton. When I said this would not be regarded as an essential service, she said the retirement home said that they were an essential service and so the move would be permissible. I asked if she really wanted several people in her home touching all her stuff, which she would then have to unpack, and move during the lockdown. She said – not really. And so, I had to convince her that she has a right to stay where she is and advise her lawyer to postpone the settlement of both deals. My partner, who works in transport – reinforced that despite retirement homes being essential services – moving to one would be unlikely to be included in that criteria.

    I am hoping she now has some confidence in dealing with this stressful situation in an already stressful time for her.

    I consider she is being failed by three professional services at present. Her real estate company, her lawyer and the retirement village.

    (In contrast, another experience, from a work colleague of my partner, had his lawyer ring him the same day as the Alert 4 notice to say – don’t worry, house settlement is on hold until the lockdown is over).

    • weka 8.1
      26 March 2020 at 10:35 am

      I'm betting there's a hefty chunk of patronising an old person in there too 🙁

      Are the Community Law Centres open for calls? Sounds like she needs some independent legal advice.

      It's her home, the agent can't come in at will, that's bullshit.

      • Molly 8.1.1
        26 March 2020 at 10:40 am

        She is fairly independent and healthy, and the most we can do is give her some information and/or ammunition to deal with unreasonable or uncomfortable requests. Although it is very frustrating, to have your exceptional advice ignored, hah!, she is capable of making her own decisions and can make those choices and deal with the consequences.

        As for the agent, they probably called her as they came over. It wouldn't occur to her to say "No, not at this time".

    • Cinny 8.2
      26 March 2020 at 11:12 am

      If you are ok with advocating for her, is it possible to do conference calls, between her the resthome/lawyer, with you sitting in on the call? All she would need to do is tell them she gives her consent for you to be present as your advocate.

      That way she can still make decisions etc, and you could speak up if you felt something was being overlooked or distorted.

      It's really cool that she is able to share with you what's happening to her, that's so awesome. Like it’s obvious she values your advice, so she might be quite open to the advocate idea.

      • Molly 8.2.1
        26 March 2020 at 11:59 am

        Thanks, Cinny. She knows that we will step in for her, and I think she will ask if she gets distressed. But there is a fine line between being helpful and being overbearing – and it's one I try to keep note of. She is – in normal circumstances – very independent. Although, these are not normal times.

        Hope you and your girls are doing well with your plans.

        • Cinny 8.2.1.1
          26 March 2020 at 1:15 pm

          That's good to hear Molly, yay, cheers for the update, so good it's working out for her.

          The girls and I are having daily games of scrabble and they are loving it, thanks 🙂 They haven't left the house since Sunday, I'm contemplating take them out for a walk, the beach is a block away, so I figure that's a walk around the block, masks on girls, anti bacterial spray in our pockets 🙂 Hope all is well for you too.

    • A 8.3
      26 March 2020 at 11:32 am

      Very unsettling for her. Glad she has someone around to help.

    • Molly 8.4
      26 March 2020 at 12:32 pm

      Quick update: After phone calls to numerous relatives, she has been reassured and has accepted that she is to stay put for the duration. Which has almost removed any anxiety from the situation. So, the persuasive power of a wealth of similar advice from non-legal persons has a silver lining sometimes. (The lawyer is still to return the message left for them on Tuesday. )

    • alwyn 9.1
      26 March 2020 at 10:46 am

      The second thing he says is "govt/civil service that is competent, prepared, deserving of our trust and is actually trusted"

      Unfortunately we seem to have a Police Commissioner who believes he is Wyatt Earp. Did you hear him on Morning Report this morning?

      I was absolutely appalled by the what he was saying. I think he should be relieved of his duties until he can demonstrate that he has read and understood what we are allowed to do.
      This morning he seemed more like a character out of a B-grade Western movie. He had the “I am the law in Dodge City” approach.

      For example he seemed to think no one should be out of their home and that somehow using an ATM was a forbidden activity.
      What does the official website say? You can
      “Access essential services, like buying groceries, or going to a bank or pharmacy.
      Go to work if you work for an essential service.
      Go for a walk, or exercise and enjoy nature.”
      What is using an ATM except going to a bank?

      Just listen to the man.
      https://www.rnz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=2018740208
      I have decided to keep a copy of the material on the official website with me when I go out for my daily exercise. I have to drive there because I live on a hill in Wellington and walking, other than on the flat, is very difficult. I am, on the other hand only too willing to keep a safe distance from other people. Indeed, if a Policeman approaches me, I plan on ordering him to stay at least 2 metres away from me and I will show him id but I am not going to let him touch it. Why should I get this disease because the Police Commissioner hasn’t told his staff how to do their job properly?

      [please provide a time stamp for this “For example he seemed to think no one should be out of their home and that somehow using an ATM was a forbidden activity.”. In premod until that happens – weka]

      • joe90 9.1.1
        26 March 2020 at 10:55 am

        I plan on ordering him to stay at least 2 metres away from me and I will show him id but I am not going to let him touch it.

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4YGotz_MoA

      • I Feel Love 9.1.2
        26 March 2020 at 10:55 am

        I haven't listened to him but you are correct Alwyn, basically we can do anything as long as we keep our distance, and I laughed at the keeping the police at a distance too. I'm in South Dunedin, just took kids for walk to park and back, people about, all walking around each other, fairly cheerful, friendly. Take care mate.

        • aom 9.1.2.1
          26 March 2020 at 12:11 pm

          Hope the kids didn't use any play equipment at the park. If so, an educational chat and Police warning would be in order. And no, you can't do anything as long as you keep your distance.

          • I Feel Love 9.1.2.1.1
            26 March 2020 at 12:31 pm

            You're right, I only can go for walk, go to chemist, supermarket, vets, go check on my gran, go see my designated friend, check and exercise my horse, go to my workplace, drop off and pick up my kid, that's all.

            • joe90 9.1.2.1.1.1
              26 March 2020 at 12:44 pm

              go see my designated friend,

              ya reckon?

              /

              Can I see my family and friends during the lockdown?

              From 11.59pm "everyone must stay at home unless they are working in essential services", Government Controller John Ombler said during yesterday's press conference.

              He said that meant no socialising with people outside their households.

              https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12319477

              • I Feel Love …
                26 March 2020 at 1:06 pm

                yep "

                "Ardern said people needed to establish what their "bubble" was for the self-isolation period and they must stick to only interacting with each other.

                She said this must be a very small group and everyone must remain "faithful" to only having contact with each other." The PM. Just use common sense.

      • pat 9.1.3
        26 March 2020 at 11:04 am

        "The police (and the army, if needed to support the police) are empowered to order any person to stop any activity that contributes to the current emergency – essentially, spreading Covid-19 in the community. Government ministers may set aside virtually any legislative provision that becomes impracticable to apply while the epidemic is in force."

        https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/412583/covid-19-state-of-national-emergency-explained

      • AB 9.1.4
        26 March 2020 at 11:13 am

        Bush did sound a bit hard-line. I guess it was a psychological play to knock people into line early on – rather than have to try and put the lid on later if people start out by flouting the rules.

      • Cinny 9.1.5
        26 March 2020 at 11:17 am

        Mental note…..take the tape measure when visiting essential services in case one has interaction with the police… maybe a high viz vest too 🙂

      • Observer Tokoroa 9.1.6
        26 March 2020 at 11:35 am

        Hi Alwyn

        You seem to cause disquiet often. I couldn't understand why you have found yourself at odds with a Policeman.

        He did not hand you a baby blanket. Was that the problem ?

        Why don't you get in touch with your excellent friends – Sir John Key (experienced in touching ); Sir William English (experienced in settling issues with female staff ); and Paula Bennett ( expert at releasing any, I mean any, private material ).

        She maybe able to take you in person to that outstanding Simon Bridges, trained in numerous Universities both in the Northern Hemisphere and apparently has strong roots in China. Well established in Law, and nearly perfect in speech. He could get you up the Hill in Wellington . When he is not counting out his bit of National money.

        All the best.

      • satty 9.1.7
        26 March 2020 at 11:43 am

        Taking into account a large number of New Zealanders see "laws, rules and regulations" more like "suggestions" at best, a strong wording at the start of the lockdown sounds sensible to me. And I'm definitely not a supporter of strong authority / heavy hand etc.

        It's easier to loosen things up a bit, when it works well, then tighten things up, when required.

      • A 9.1.8
        26 March 2020 at 12:01 pm

        Prosecutions for repeat offenders, can enter buildings if they think gatherings are being held…all framed with the expectation most people have complied anyway.

        Seemed pretty laid back to me given it is a nationwide quarantine. Most stressy part was the interviewer pushing for answers around armed checkpoints which don't seem to be on table yet.

      • aom 9.1.9
        26 March 2020 at 12:02 pm

        The Commissioner sounds pretty tame alwyn – explaining expectations, outlining the consequences and generally fulfilling the requirements of his role. Some of those at risk of idiots who want to cause an extended shut-down would rather the NZ Police adopted the tactics of the Indian Police. Beat the hell out of suspected transgressors, no explanations, questions or warnings.

        • alwyn 9.1.9.1
          26 March 2020 at 12:20 pm

          "The Commissioner sounds pretty tame"

          I bet you still have happy memories of the great days of the Red Squad. Is the Commissioner bound by the rules the Government has laid down, as I quoted, or is he at liberty do order his troops to do anything he wants? Is he above the law?

          • aom 9.1.9.1.1
            26 March 2020 at 1:13 pm

            Red Squad, unrestrained powers of a Commissioner, ordering Police to act with disregard of the law, not allowing people to use ATMs? Most of us are more concerned with reality and stopping the ravages of a pandemic and haven't too much time for those who want warm fuzzies from the backstop put there by the Government to constrain fools. Go join your kindred spirits on Bondi Beach – they'll love you there.

          • McFlock 9.1.9.1.2
            26 March 2020 at 1:42 pm

            I, for one, am shocked and appalled at this situation. Several comments into a thread about police gone amok and Alwyn has not yet raised the spectre of the police commissioner personally performing summary executions upon people who just wanted to use an ATM. In this time of worry and tribulation we need everyone to perform at their best, including the tory pearl-clutchers. /sarc

            Chill out, dude. If you're genuinely worried, get cash out at the supermarket.

      • Gabby 9.1.10
        26 March 2020 at 1:50 pm

        Exercise isn't meant to be easy. Walk on your hill. If the baby jesus had wanted you to exercise on the flat he wouldn't have out of his bounty given you a hillside residence.

      • Peter 9.1.11
        26 March 2020 at 2:13 pm

        I've heard him twice today and got the Wyatt Earp feeling too. Two things calmed me.

        The first was thinking about the first antenatal classes I went to years ago. I felt for the woman taking it. She had a disparate group to inform. A wide group of ages 40ish to 16ish, a couple of teachers, a lawyer, a couple of shop assistants, a 17 year old who exhibited signs of not knowing how she became pregnant. How to pitch the message to such a group?

        Second was thinking about other life saving measures we have and how messages of those are received, understood and acted on. Don't drink and drive, wear a seat belt, don't use a mobile while driving don't go too fast, drive to the conditions. What could you say and how could you say it? How should you say it?

        To me the tone of the Commissioner made him sound a bit of a wooden plonker. Some of what he said made it sound like he thought we were plonkers. A lot of us are.

        I thought about his 'style' and while thinking it was one I didn't find ideal I guess others would find it just right. I'm sure as hell pleased I don't have his job.

        • RedLogix 9.1.11.1
          26 March 2020 at 3:49 pm

          Here's an excellent comment from another forum:

          I've seen a few people comment in various places that this is mostly about the risk of creating unnecessary rescue callouts, but I think there's far more to it than that.

          The government messaging about this has changed a lot in the last couple of days. That's probably a direct response to so many people asking and talking about how they can find loopholes to get away with doing whatever it is they want to do, so long as [blah blah 2 metres blah blah]. It's obvious that lots of people out there still want to convince themselves that stuff they want to do is perfectly okay, according to their own interpretation. It should frighten all of us if we're letting anyone and everyone interpret this as they want to, because that undermines the whole point.

          A solo tramp or going hunting or going fishing might be technically okay if it were carried out perfectly, but that sidesteps the point. Allowing exceptions to the general and simple rule creates new problems. Every time someone acts like they're getting an exception, other people expect it should also apply to them. The messaging and the enforcement become orders of magnitude harder, and confusion increases.

          There's a big responsibility we all have here, to lead by example, so that other people have less ammo for rationalising their own excuses to bend rules. Trying to rationalise loopholes, undermines the whole effort of getting the population to do something consistent for extremely important reasons.

      • AB 9.2.1
        26 March 2020 at 11:18 am

        "They worry that would create an incentive for low-wage workers to get laid off and stay laid off"

        That is actually one of the things you most want a UBI implementation to do – weaken employer power.

      • ianmac 9.2.2
        26 March 2020 at 11:28 am

        They are talking about $200 p/w per person in NZ. Those on Super would be very diminished.

  10. joe90 10
    26 March 2020 at 11:09 am

    Perhaps the world will come to it's senses.

    https://twitter.com/JihadiJew/status/1242878765811879937

  11. Sabine 11
    26 March 2020 at 11:13 am

    a bit of good information about food and how to sanitize it before using it.



    the smell of sanitizer will be the one thing that will define this period of time to me. That and the fear in the eyes of people.

    Stay safe all of youse.

    • joe90 11.1
      26 March 2020 at 11:25 am

      Croatian friend reckons we Kiwis are getting a taste of the fear that gripped people in Sarajevo during the Bosnian war.

    • ianmac 11.2
      26 March 2020 at 11:33 am

      Paranoia?

      • Sabine 11.2.1
        26 March 2020 at 1:32 pm

        I am in the food business, so yeah, food poisoning and such is an issue in any commercial kitchen and thus we are all a bit 'special' when it comes to scrubbing down our kitchens. Its one of the professional traumas that come with making food for public consumption.

        however, you can just feel free to ignore anything that is posted by me in regards to food safety and handling and only do what you feel comfortable, but it has been established that the virus is quite happily living on certain surfaces and that no matter what you bring in from the supermarket will be as safe as the food control plan implemented by the supermarket and executed by the staff. 🙂

        • gsays 11.2.1.1
          27 March 2020 at 8:37 am

          I, too, have been round food preperation and service most my life. When the hand wash message was being hammered, I was thinking ' surely y'all do this already?'

          I hope post outbreak, folk will keep washing hands thoroughly.

    • gsays 11.3
      26 March 2020 at 12:53 pm

      Speaking of sanitiser: I use a 70% methylated spirits 30% water in a spray bottle as a contact sanitiser for my home brew equipment. Would work for most surfaces.

      • Sabine 11.3.1
        26 March 2020 at 1:22 pm

        bleach will do and i have a liter of 60% cointreau cooking alcohol that i happily donate to the cause.

        I finished scrubbing my kitchen down, first with very hot soapy water and then with a 70% bleach/30% water solution.

        coffee now and then on to the bathroom/toilet as these are the areas that i think will be most sensitive.

        I consider myself sick and quarantined, and thus will stay home for the 4 weeks. I have enough food to cook several big boil ups that should get us through this. No fancy meals, but good wholesome home cooked food.

        i did splash some money tho on potting mix and compost to supplement mine and will tomorrow spend getting my veggie patch winter ready.

        And yeah, quite a few home brewers and distillers are currently making sanitizer.

      • Adrian 11.3.2
        26 March 2020 at 8:49 pm

        You have diluted the meths by about 40% making it useless against C-19 only 72% i.e pure meths or other alcohol is strong enough apparently to do the job. This shit isn't salmonella.

  12. ianmac 12
    26 March 2020 at 11:39 am

    "[Deleted] has today made a shock admission that he was the lone gunman who murdered 51 Muslims at two Christchurch mosques on March 15 last year.

    The 29-year-old Australian entered the guilty pleas at a special, hastily-arranged High Court hearing in Christchurch this morning."

    The good thing is that a Defended case would have been agonising. Sentencing in May.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12319961

    [Sorry Ianmac but we have a policy not to name him – MS]

  13. Macro 13
    26 March 2020 at 11:45 am

    Trump on Easter:
    Thank god we are not living in the States.

    • joe90 13.1
      26 March 2020 at 11:58 am

      From a US health worker's FB.

      (no link for privacy)

      On Saturday I started notifying physicians and other staff at our hospital that they have contracted COVID. Today- we called more employees in one day than I have called the last three days combined. I spoke with sick physicians, scared staff who have put themselves on the front line to save all of you. I know eventually some healthcare workers will need to be admitted to the hospital, some may need intensive care…

      Our hospital is filling up. We have expanded the number of ICU's. We are expanding the number of COVID floor units to take optimal care of our patients.

      We are on calls daily to increase our physician and nursing teams to care for an ever increasing number of patients, while some are "on the bench" because they have fallen ill with COVID. We are cycling teams trying to maintain staffing, preserving our staff, and trying to keep everyone healthy.

      We have doctors making hard decisions about time while they are on hospital service for 2 weeks at a time. I have to decide if I will live away from my family when I am on hospital service so that I do not expose them (including one with asthma and one on immunosuppressants). Know that your healthcare providers are making many sacrifices at this time, working extremely long hours, time away from family, and worrying that it is still not going to be enough. We are running as fast as we can and we can't keep up.

      I know everyone is making sacrifices and I thank you. Please shelter in place. This will last a few months. check in with your family and friends via FaceTime or Zoom meetings. Take one trip to the grocery store per week. Help us help you.

  14. A 14
    26 March 2020 at 12:14 pm

    [USA] With the FDIC now playing calming piano music in the background as they urge people not to take their money out of banks, I'd say we are on the verge of a rather spectacular corporate bond market collapse or it's been happening in the background.

    The bond market is significantly bigger than the sharemarket where most people's focus is directed.

    When depositing money in a bank it is considered an unsecured loan to the bank. If the bank was going under due to massive corporate bond write off's why continue taking the risk? Not like those deposits are earning much in the way of interest.

  15. joe90 15
    26 March 2020 at 12:28 pm

    On their way to being a failed state.

    https://twitter.com/azeen/status/1242862701661036545

    A nationwide shortage of two drugs touted as possible treatments for the coronavirus is being driven in part by doctors inappropriately prescribing the medicines for family, friends and themselves, according to pharmacists and state regulators.

    “It’s disgraceful, is what it is,” said Garth Reynolds, executive director of the Illinois Pharmacists Association, which started getting calls and emails Saturday from members saying they were receiving questionable prescriptions. “And completely selfish.”

    Demand for chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine surged over the past several days as President Donald Trump promoted them as possible treatments for the coronavirus and online forums buzzed with excitement over a small study suggesting the combination of hydroxychloroquine and a commonly used antibiotic could be effective in treating COVID-19.

    Reynolds said the Illinois Pharmacists Association has started reaching out to pharmacists and medical groups throughout the state to urge doctors, nurses and physician assistants not to write prescriptions for themselves and those close to them.

    https://www.huffpost.com/entry/doctors-are-hoarding-unproven-coronavirus-medicine-by-writing-prescriptions-for-themselves-and-their-families_n_5e7a13e4c5b62f90bc51ae3b

    • A 15.1
      26 March 2020 at 1:24 pm

      That could easily backfire. Chqlne has some serious side effects that need to be monitored.

    • Incognito 15.2
      26 March 2020 at 1:46 pm

      You seriously have to wonder where and how those doctors, nurses and physician assistants got their ‘qualifications’. Perhaps it was at Trump University.

  16. ScottGN 16
    26 March 2020 at 12:44 pm

    A question for standardistas. My employer has just confirmed that they will be paying us the Covid 19 wage subsidy during the period we are closed for the lockdown. On top of that they also say they will be using our annual leave to top up wages/salaries to 80%. I thought that the government had said that annual leave could only be used in this way if agreed by both parties? Can anyone advise me? Can’t find any info online.

  18. dv 18
    26 March 2020 at 1:01 pm

    Probably too early, but how do people see the lockdown coming off/

    I can't see it being overnight, possibly down to level 3,then 2, the 1 over say 2-4 weeks?

    • joe90 18.1
      26 March 2020 at 1:05 pm

      Scuttlebutt says >12 weeks.

    • observer 18.2
      26 March 2020 at 1:33 pm

      It will be extended after 4 weeks, guaranteed.

      We will see 100+ new cases a day for at least the next fortnight. The number of clusters is rising rapidly, so a lot of community transfer is only starting from now. No way will places like cafes be opening any time soon.

      This is a long, hard road.

      • McFlock 18.2.1
        26 March 2020 at 1:51 pm

        Yeah an extension is a definite possibility. Looks like it's gotten away on us within some communities, rather than just travellers.

      • AB 18.2.2
        26 March 2020 at 2:50 pm

        Looks that way. Is there a metric for dropping back to level 3? e.g. zero new cases for n consecutive days? Decline in new cases for n consecutive days? At some point it might be useful to have a metric that is science-based and to publicise it – just to stop the endless speculation that's gonna happen. But I guess they don't have a sense of what it is yet.

        • roblogic 18.2.2.1
          26 March 2020 at 7:37 pm

          criteria are probably a) no further community transmission b) medical resources, masks, treatments are available c) secured the borders d) figured out tech for contact tracing & surveillance

          pretty Orwellian

    • Sabine 18.3
      26 March 2020 at 1:36 pm

      i see the us being under one level or another for about 2 years. Until we have access to safe and fast testing, we will actually never know if one has it until that person shows symptons. Then followed by antivirals and vaccine. Hopefully.

      So maybe a going up and down the 4 levels according to need. And any other flare up could and should result in lock downs again, hopefully then tho at a more local level rather then nation wide.

  19. Cinny 19
    26 March 2020 at 1:08 pm

    Up to date info here on all NZ cases, locations and flight numbers of any aircraft they may have been on lately

    This is excellent that the government is sharing such.

    https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-current-cases

  20. Andre 20
    26 March 2020 at 1:50 pm

    Heh. Since we've all got time on our hands …

  21. Incognito 21
    26 March 2020 at 1:57 pm

    Internet access and broadband speed is a nightmare (hit and miss) at the moment 🙁

  22. observer 22
    26 March 2020 at 1:57 pm

    PM to speak at 3 pm, usual channels.

  23. Sabine 23
    26 March 2020 at 2:10 pm

    good announcment here for emergency and essential staff.

    Countdown has set up shopping times for these groups of people

    https://www.facebook.com/

    Morning 8 – 9

    Evening 8 – 9

    please pass this on if you know people that fall into this category.

    • Sabine 23.1
      26 March 2020 at 5:17 pm

      New World will also have dedicated hours for emergency staff – please check with them if this were to apply to you.

  24. RedBaronCV 24
    26 March 2020 at 2:17 pm

    Apparently there was a national emergency alert sent out yesterday to mobile phones, I have 2 degrees data is disabled and I don't seem to have got it . Just curious but did others?

    • weka 24.1
      26 March 2020 at 2:24 pm

      I didn't but I have an older phone and never get them. You can look online to see if your phone will receive them.

      • weka 24.1.1
        26 March 2020 at 2:24 pm

        Don't think it's data dependent. Some people get those alerts even without a sim card (no idea how that works).

    • Andre 24.2
      26 March 2020 at 3:38 pm

      Got the alert with mobile data turned off. I'm on Vodafone. Phone is about 18 months old, on Android. IIRC it was at 6:30 and didn't leave anything on my phone when it finished playing. Maybe you didn't have your phone on you at that moment?

    • Molly 24.3
      26 March 2020 at 5:49 pm

      I'm on 2 degrees Prepay and I didn't get it either.

      • RedBaronCV 24.3.1
        26 March 2020 at 6:27 pm

        Thanks every one. No I wasn't near my phone at the time – nothing unusual in that for me.

        Seems a waste if it just played and then vanished – lots of people then maybe didn't get it. and it is a national emergency alert.

        Unfortunately all those special offers and texts reminding me to top up never seem to dematerialise.

    • gsays 24.4
      26 March 2020 at 7:16 pm

      Hi RBCV, I am with 2 degrees and a huawei and didn't receive txt.

      The other two in the house on Apple and spark did.

    • Brigid 24.5
      26 March 2020 at 7:46 pm

      I think it may depend on whether or not your phone can do 4g

  25. joe90 25
    26 March 2020 at 3:25 pm

    The sociopathic POS doesn’t give a rats about the lives of ordinary people because it's all about him.

    A pandemic is detrimental to his election success.

    https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1242905328209080331

  26. Muttonbird 26
    26 March 2020 at 3:35 pm

    This Marist College case shows the ease of speed of this virus.

    We are in the same integrated school community and at staff level my kids' schools have significant contact with Marist College.

    Just days ago one staff member having travel overseas was diagnosed with Covid-19, now there are 11 cases.

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/03/coronavirus-ministry-of-health-confirms-78-new-cases-in-new-zealand.html

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/03/coronavirus-marist-college-confirms-11-cases-of-covid-19.html

  27. OnceWasTim 27
    26 March 2020 at 4:07 pm

    Some day …………



    The Spinoof cheesey or what

    good all the same

  30. dv 30
    26 March 2020 at 4:54 pm

    Is ANZ bank site down?

    Can't open it.

  31. Sabine 31
    26 March 2020 at 5:10 pm

    Yours truly.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/news/video.cfm?c_id=1501138&gal_cid=1501138&gallery_id=218398
    Interview with the local herald crew and small businesses in Rotorua.
    funnily enough the one person not coming through my doors was the Labour Candidate from Rotorua. 🙂

    • Psycho Milt 31.1
      26 March 2020 at 9:08 pm

      I hope you come through this with business intact, and will be a customer next time I'm in Rotorua after this is over (very fond of chocolate, serious problem for a diabetic but the dark stuff is reasonably safe as well as being the best choc).

      • Sabine 31.1.1
        26 March 2020 at 9:15 pm

        as they say, you can't kill weed, and i consider myself weed.

        Identify yourself when you come and i find you a nice 80% or maybe that little 70% Ecuadorian single origine. ….one of my faves.

  32. joe90 32
    26 March 2020 at 5:14 pm

    Uganda has the best Covid 19 PSA.

  33. millsy 33
    26 March 2020 at 5:50 pm

    I think when we all come out of this, we are going to see a lot more people working from home, as both employees and employers see the benefits. The company I work for has a lot of people working from home, and it seems that from what I heard, it seems to be going fine.

    Having more people who can work from home, do so would have a lot of benefits. Perhaps the government should spend more money on better internet connectivity rather than roads?

    • gsays 33.1
      26 March 2020 at 7:21 pm

      The other thing that would be good to see post Covid is a patient/nurse ratio implemented and adhered to.

  34. joe90 34
    26 March 2020 at 8:19 pm

    Big win.

    A federal judge handed down a major victory for the Standing Rock Sioux tribe of North Dakota on Wednesday, ruling that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers violated the National Environmental Policy Act by approving federal permits for the Dakota Access Pipeline.

    The USACE must complete a full environmental impact study of the pipeline, including full consideration of concerns presented by the Standing Rock Tribe, the judge ruled. The tribe has asked the court to ultimately shut the pipeline down.

    https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/25/huge-victory-standing-rock-sioux-tribe-federal-court-rules-dapl-permits-violated-law?