The politics of hand washing

Written By: - Date published: 1:35 pm, March 6th, 2020 - 25 comments
Categories: health, national, same old national, Simon Bridges, uncategorized - Tags:

This issue is descending into pathos.

Fresh from his claim that tax cuts would fix corona virus Simon Bridges is now criticising the Government’s emphasis on hand washing.

Stuff quote him as saying this:

Telling people that washing their hands is the thing to do and tinkering with the jobseekers stand-down periods doesn’t cut it”.

He is also promising to bring forward National’s super duper economic policy the one with such catchy phrases as Tax relief, regulation reduction, infrastructure, small business, and families built into it.  He promises to replace these five platitudes with super duper policies that fantastic that we will never have to worry about washing our hands again.  One really wonders why the detains were not announced earlier.  Or why Bridges is allowed to continue to talk about a detail less policy. Or why he is not called out for his hypocrisy in criticising the Government for allegedly “tinkering” when his party is not even at the tinkering stage.

https://twitter.com/nealejones/status/1229494952675004416

I mean how stupid is this?

Do I sense a growing pattern where the intent is to dominate media and be in the middle of discussions.  It worked for Trump and Boris Johnson, maybe the plan is to do the same here. The quality of the statement does not matter. The only thing that is important is the air time.

There is no other rational explanation for why National and Bridges are engaged in such petty one upmanship.

25 comments on “The politics of hand washing ”

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  1. KJT 1
    6 March 2020 at 1:41 pm

    Nationals new "economic plan". Same as their old economic plan. Cut taxes to the rich, sell tax payer owned assets to their cronies, cheap, run down infrastructure, housing health and other Government services. Rely on insurance from natural disasters, and immigration, to give the illusion of economic competence.

  2. Red Blooded One 2
    6 March 2020 at 1:59 pm

    Leave Simon Alone !! He's not only offering Tax Cuts as a cure to Covid19 his party under his Leadership are also offering (via David Bennett) panic buying as a good way to prepare for said virus. These people a genius. Keep Beijing Bridges in charge of National please.

  3. Poission 3
    6 March 2020 at 2:26 pm

    Enhanced hygiene practice,such as routine hand washing (with warm water and soap) would suggest that not only the incidence of coronavirus would be contained, but other infectious disease as well.

    https://twitter.com/lymanstoneky/status/1235039957133045760

    The early outbreak response by the GVT is an open problem,as community outbreak is here as the Head of the WHO has stated. This is not a drill.So an enhanced response needs to be enacted.

    https://twitter.com/yaneerbaryam/status/1235354865947365377/photo/1

    • Incognito 3.1
      7 March 2020 at 12:49 pm

      Simon’s health ‘advice’ is about the most dangerous possible. Proper hand hygiene is about the most effective measure of containing COVID-19 and many other contagious diseases. If we can call upon an ‘army’ or ‘health force’ of 5 million people living in New Zealand we stand a good chance of containing COVID-19. Simon’s dangerous electioneering will achieve the opposite and it almost look like he’s doing this willingly and knowingly (i.e. deliberately).

      The man should be arrested for obstructing MoH advice and directions and endangering the NZ population under the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002.

  4. Tiger Mountain 4
    6 March 2020 at 2:32 pm

    Soymun is seen by many as a petulant, attention hogging wanker. But nat fans will no doubt vote for him regardless-or even because of this.

  5. Reality 5
    6 March 2020 at 2:34 pm

    Red Blooded One – appropriate name for him, Beijing Bridges. Interesting National likes to cosy up to a one party state to such an extent as he does, when in the next breath he wants “freedom” in the sense of few regulations and for the market to rule.

  6. Tony Veitch (not etc.) 6
    6 March 2020 at 4:41 pm

    Unfortunately, I think that Soimun's plan will work.

    No country in the world will ultimately be able to contain this virus – it has gained a toe-hold in NZ and it will spread. To what extent remains to be seen – but spread it will.

    All the nasty Natz are doing is preparing the ground for the inevitable 'we told you so' and 'how incompetent is the coalition?'

    Slimy, underhand, disgusting tactics – but they worked for Donald and Boris.

  7. Fireblade 7
    6 March 2020 at 5:38 pm

    Today I took National MP David Bennett's advise and started panic buying. Countdown delivered one thousand toilet rolls today and another thousand will be delivered tomorrow. I wipe my ass regularly and before eating. No hand washing required.

    I feel much safer knowing the National Party is protecting me from the Corona Virus, but I might have to order some Vaseline now because my asshole is a bit raw. Is National offering tax cuts on Vaseline?

  8. pat 8
    6 March 2020 at 6:07 pm

    If Simon needs to make absurd statements to get media coverage he will be as absurd as necessary….theres nothing worse for a politician than being ignored…..sadly the media are happy to oblige

  9. woodart 9
    6 March 2020 at 9:26 pm

    anybody seeing bridges out in public should sneeze repeatedley and attempt to shake bridges hand. call his bluff!

  10. JustMe 10
    7 March 2020 at 8:25 am

    It does appear Simon Bridges deems himself the expert in yet another field i.e a possible pandemic.

    It never ceases to amaze me as to how many times National and their MPs deems themselves experts on EVERYTHING.

    It's getting monotonous, boring and downright arrogant of National.

    If they were in government would they resort to their usual method of dealing with a situation by denying there is a problem, refusing to accept there is a problem and then at the end blaming everyone else but themselves???!!!!

    Jim Bolger's cousin Chris often said to me at election time of National MPs having to 'shake hands with the great unwashed'. I can see Simon Bridges avoiding shaking hands with anyone especially the Chinese from now on.

    And in regards to tax cuts promised by National. Well in the lead up to the 2008 election John Key was adamant there would be no increase in GST. It was the first of his broken promises.

    And so I wouldn't trust a National MP as far as I would like to throw one. They are only in the job for the ego, pay packet, perks of the job and that is about it for them.

  11. westiechick 11
    7 March 2020 at 3:57 pm

    Has he identified which regulations will be abolished? He needs to be asked.

  12. Observer Tokoroa 12
    7 March 2020 at 4:35 pm

    Bridges – a Bridge too Far

    National throughout New Zealand decided to wreak havoc – when they got the news that there is an opportunity to kill New Zealanders.

    Simon got one of the below IQ members of his Party to, "DEMAND" that their Cities Panic and take all useful things off the Shelves of our Super Markets – and Smaller Retailers.

    This is Contrary to all wisdom.

    Bridges will eventually be taken to Court over this massive scandal. Every man, woman and child, – incapacitated – or Dead – by dint of his instructions now and in the future will require an Explanation and Compensation for Life from the hapless Bridges.

    The National Party exists only for Money. Ask every National Voter.

    Bjh

  13. Agora 13
    7 March 2020 at 7:12 pm

    It is with great regret that I will not be at Newtown Fair in Wellington tomorrow, due to potentially undiagnosed coronavirus risk. I wish to express sympathy for the organisers but people must take responsibility for their health and potential contamination.

    [From now on this user name and e-mail address are Blacklisted forever (AKA permanently). All comments using this user name and/or e-mail adress will go straight to the trash bin from now on to preserve Moderator time – Incognito]

  14. Fireblade 14
    7 March 2020 at 9:29 pm

    The behaviour of the National Party is disgusting. Simon and his arrogant halfwit buffoons need to start working with the government and offer sensible contributions. Simon's one-man clown routine is unhelpful and embarrassing.

    https://www.twitter.com/Tim_McCready/status/1236037673057316864

  15. Observer Tokoroa 15
    8 March 2020 at 10:01 am

    Aggressive Messaging

    Fran O' Sullivan has brought so much needed common sense into the Herald and into Simon Bridges.

    119

    10:15 AM – Mar 7, 2020

    It will be contradicted by some in the slobby Herald and Simon Bridges, because both outlets are choosing to scorn the Coronova Virus – and its offshoots.

    There is no hope of stopping Simon Bridges strange mouth and mind.

    But perhaps, The Standard should not print him or give him a platform.

    Likewise, Radio New Zealand should determine to remove Simon Bridges and his Caucus from appearances on all Radio New Zealand outlets.

    With financial penalties attached.

    The Miss Management of National promotion of minimal gun control, disdain of Climate Change; of hiding from gangs- of throwing heaps of money to Simons Wealthy friends – is despicable. Of laughing at Serious Virus. Unbelievable. !

    Simon the Despicable must be cut off – Now.

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