What not to do in a pandemic
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- Date published:
8:51 am, April 5th, 2020 - 100 comments
Categories: Donald Trump, health, health and safety, jacinda ardern, uncategorized, us politics -
Tags: covid-19, Covid19
The Trump Administration’s ability to astound and alienate appears to grow every day. I did not think that as time goes by I could think even worse of it. I mean where is rock bottom? How low can it go? But its recent Covid-19 measures are absolutely jaw dropping.
America is now the world epicentre of the outbreak. It had plenty of time to see it coming. You cannot help but think that a belligerent anti intellectualism is the cause of its problems.
It now has far more reported cases than any other countries and the avalanche of deaths is clearly on its way.
But now like a swaggering school yard bully it is engaged in of all things modern day piracy to get urgent supplies it should have been planning for months ago.
And the day to day response has been left to two people. Mike Pence is in overall control. His abilities are undermined by his handling of and AIDs outbreak in his home state of Indiana. His delay in allowing a needle exchange programme to be implemented caused needless infections. Obviously thoughts and prayers were preferred.
The other is Trump’s son in law Jared Kushner. He has been put in charge of the nation’s Strategic National Stockpile of urgent supplies of equipment and medicines. From Ryan Grenoble at Huffpost:
Jared Kushner was pilloried Thursday after telling reporters at the daily coronavirus briefing that the “federal” Strategic National Stockpile is “our stockpile,” and that, therefore, states shouldn’t rely on it for live-saving materials in the event of an emergency.
It’s a flawed statement at face value, one directly contradicted by language on the Strategic National Stockpile’s website at the time.
“The Strategic National Stockpile is the nation’s largest supply of life-saving pharmaceuticals and medical supplies for use in a public health emergency severe enough to cause local supplies to run out,” the website read.
“When state, local, tribal, and territorial responders request federal assistance to support their response efforts,” it continued, “the stockpile ensures that the right medicines and supplies get to those who need them most during an emergency. Organized for scalable response to a variety of public health threats, this repository contains enough supplies to respond to multiple large-scale emergencies simultaneously.”
Caught in a lie, the Trump administration didn’t correct itself; instead, it changed the website.
And if you did not think you could think worse about Kushner reports that his real estate companies are aggressively seeking to evict tenants despite moratoriums being called for may change your mind.
Things are that bad that immigration detainees are begging to be allowed to go back to their homelands. From Sam Levin at the Guardian:
Detainees in a US immigration jail are begging to be released after potential Covid-19 exposure, saying the conditions are so brutal that they would rather suffer deportationthan remain locked up.
Three men incarcerated at the Winn correctional center in a remote part of Louisiana told the Guardian that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) has isolated 44 of them together after they were possibly exposed to coronavirus. Some of the detainees are so desperate to leave that they are seeking voluntary deportation. They say their cries for masks, hand sanitizer, gloves and cleaning supplies have gone ignored, including for elderly detainees and those with asthma.
In a series of phone calls, the men described a nightmare ordeal over the last two weeks, citing rampant mistreatment and a terrifying lack of information from Ice after they learned they were under some kind of quarantine. They also said that seven of their fellow detainees were deported on a flight to Colombia this week, four days into a 14-day quarantine period, which would appear to violate basic standards of coronavirus containment.
Of course the problem goes to the top and is about style as well as substance. Talking about personal distancing when being surrounded by acolytes and being beamed out on television is not a way to reinforce the message. And Trump announcing a FDA recommendation to wear facemasks and then immediately stating that he will not be wearing one really undermines the message the FDA was trying to get out.
The rot does not only occur at the top but it seems to pervade Republican ranks. Kerry Eleveld at Daily Kos has published this article noting that the twelve stated without proper stay at home orders are all managed by Republican Governors. The number may have since reduced but you get the drift. From the article:
As of Friday morning, the remaining 12 states that had failed to issue statewide stay-at-home orders were all run by Republican governors.Here’s the Republican governors putting an untold number of lives at risk in the name of so-called “freedom.”
- Alabama—GOP Gov. Kay Ivey
- Arkansas—GOP Gov. Asa Hutchinson
- Iowa—GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds
- Missouri—GOP Gov. Mike Parson
- Nebraska—GOP Gov. Pete Ricketts
- North Dakota—GOP Gov. Doug Burgum
- Oklahoma—GOP Gov. Kevin Stitt
- South Carolina—GOP Gov. Henry McMaster
- South Dakota—GOP Gov. Kristi Noem
- Texas—GOP Gov. Greg Abbott
- Utah—GOP Gov. Gary Herbert
- Wyoming—GOP Gov. Mark Gordon
Some state residents are celebrating the lack of restrictions. “Let’s be honest, what country do we live in?” Brian Joens of Iowa City, Iowa, told USA Today. “It’s the USA, which is freedom, freedom to choose. When we get notes from the government saying do this or do that, it feels like that’s not what this country is built on.”Freedom to choose an increased likelihood of death for both you and your fellow citizens isn’t exactly on what the country was founded. Individual life, liberty, and happiness was never intended to trump the public good of an entire nation. But this is what you get when the chief executive of the country, Donald Trump, fails to exhibit anything resembling clear and consistent leadership.
Meanwhile in Aotearoa New Zealand we all anxiously wait for the new infections figures each day. So far the increase has been linear, not exponential. In about a week’s time we will have a good idea if the current measures are working.
Keep safe, keep your distance, and look after each other. It is going to be an unforgettable week.
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- Release: Smoking numbers up under Costello’s watch
National’s repeal of Labour’s smokefree legislation has taken New Zealand further away from achieving a Smokefree 2025 and a smokefree generation. ...2 days ago
- Release: Call for Palestine recognition by NZ, Australian and Canadian MPs
Parliamentarians from Australia, Canada and New Zealand have written an open letter to their respective Prime Ministers calling on them to recognise Palestine. ...2 days ago
- Justice Select Committee opens floor for Treaty Principles submissions
Today, the Justice Select Committee has decided to officially open submissions for the controversial Treaty Principles Bill. ...3 days ago
- Power of the people on full display as hīkoi approaches Parliament
Today, Hīkoi mō te Tiriti arrived in Wellington, with thousands gathering to march in unity against the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...3 days ago
- Hypocrisy as Te Whatu Ora contractor bill balloons
Te Whatu Ora’s bill for contracting and consulting staff has ballooned by nearly 20 percent under the National Government, breaking a promise they made during the election campaign to cut contractors. ...4 days ago
- Release: Growing pressure to scrap Section 7AA Repeal Bill
The newly released Section 7AA Repeal Bill's select committee report is further evidence that the Government should scrap it. ...5 days ago
- Government’s move to monetise access to nature a slippery slope
The Green Party is voicing serious concerns over the Government’s proposal to charge for access to public conservation land, released today. ...7 days ago
- Green Party condemns the passage of Treaty Principles Bill
The Green Party condemns the passing of the Treaty Principles Bill at first reading, and is clear that the fight is not over. ...1 week ago
- Stand Up for Te Tiriti
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is our country’s founding document. It forms the basis of the relationship between Māori and the Crown – and the Aotearoa New Zealand we live in today. ...1 week ago
- Release: Over 15,000 sign Labour’s open letter to Luxon
As the hīkoi to Parliament continues, Labour has sent an open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in a last-ditch attempt to get him to kill the Treaty Principles Bill. ...1 week ago
- Fast Track Bill threatens environment, climate and reputation
The fast-track legislation passing its second reading in Parliament is another step towards environmental ruin. ...1 week ago
- Greens join King’s Counsel in calling for Treaty Principles Bill to be abandoned
The Prime Minister must answer the call from a group of senior lawyers of the King’s Counsel to abandon the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...1 week ago
- Chris Hipkins’ apology statement to state and faith-based care survivors
...1 week ago
- Release: Labour formally apologises to state and faith-based care survivors
Labour joins with the Government in unreservedly apologising for the abuse, neglect and trauma including torture in state and faith-based care and for ignoring the voices of survivors for too long. ...1 week ago
- Green Party stands in support of survivors of abuse in care
Today, the Green Party stands alongside the survivors of abuse in state care and faith-based care as the Government issues an historic apology. ...1 week ago
- Green Party calls for conscience vote on Treaty Principles Bill
The Green Party has written to the Speaker of the House requesting he enable a personal vote on the Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt move to exclude journalist risks chilling effect
The Green Party is alarmed by the Government’s move to exclude a journalist from covering this week’s apology for the survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care. ...2 weeks ago
- Without action, an apology will be empty air
For tomorrow’s apology to survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care to hold any water, the Government must not pursue the same policies that drove the abuse in the first place. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Concerns remain over tobacco interference
Concerns about the tobacco industry’s ability to interfere in government policy making remain, despite the inability of the Office of the Auditor-General to investigate the Government’s decision to halve the excise tax on heated tobacco products. ...2 weeks ago
- Urgent wake-up call on climate
The Climate Change Commission’s latest advice indicates Aotearoa needs to be stepping up on climate action. ...2 weeks ago
- Green MP’s Meme-ber’s Bill set to save the world
Break out the punchlines and dust off your meme folder: Green Party MP Kahurangi Carter’s Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill was pulled from the Ballot yesterday. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Poroporoaki: Ta Robert (Bom) Gillies
Kua hinga te manawa kairākau o Te Rua Tekau Ma Waru Tiwhatiwha te po! Kakarauru i te po! Ka rapuhia kei hea koe kua riro! Haere e te Ika a Whiro ki o tini hoa kua ngaro atu ki te Pō ...2 weeks ago
- Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principles Bill
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principle...
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- NZ must pursue independent foreign policy
The Green Party says the need is greater than ever for Aotearoa New Zealand to pursue an independent foreign policy. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Winston Peters must apologise
The Deputy Prime Minister should apologise to the public servant he named and blamed for something they did not do, and for misusing the rules of Parliament. ...2 weeks ago
- Government action provides Southland farmers more time to meet plan requirements
The Government is taking action to ensure Southland farmers and growers are not affected by unreasonable regional farm plan deadlines, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard say.“Cabinet has agreed to provide more time for farmers and growers to comply with regional rules ...15 hours ago - Bill reaffirms Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending
The Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Bill had its first reading at Parliament today. The Bill reaffirms the Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending, Minister for Children Karen Chhour says. “In recent years we have seen an unacceptable spike in youth offending. “This Bill makes ...15 hours ago
- Critical milestones for earthquake buildings review
Fairer, more sensible rules about managing earthquake risks are a step closer with the passing of legislation and the appointment of an independent chair to provide expert advice, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The Government is committed to reinvigorating our cities and regions to support economic growth, ...16 hours ago
- State of the art radiology machine for Auckland
People in Northland and Auckland will benefit from a new machine for cancer treatment installed at the Regional Cancer and Blood Service at Auckland City Hospital. The MV5 linear accelerator, or LINAC machine, officially opened today targets cancer tumours with pinpoint accuracy. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says this new, ...16 hours ago
- Foreign Minister to visit Europe
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Europe for high-level talks with France, Germany and the United Kingdom next week. "Since taking office almost a year ago, the Coalition Government has emphasised the importance we place on New Zealand's traditional and likeminded diplomatic and ...16 hours ago
- First arrests made under gang patch ban
Police have made their first arrests under the new gang patch legislation, with two gang members arrested, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “Just before 11 this morning, Police in Wairoa apprehended a gang member for wearing a patch to the supermarket. He has been arrested and will now face enforcement ...18 hours ago
- Better support for victims of sexual violence
The Government is proposing two major changes to name suppression laws that will put the views of victims of sexual violence first, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “We are committed to restoring law and order and these two proposed changes will help ensure the victims of crime are put at ...19 hours ago
- Government moving forward with Regional Deals
Cabinet has agreed to invite all regions to submit proposals for Regional Deals between central and local government that drive economic growth and deliver the infrastructure our country needs, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop say. Inviting all regions to propose a Regional Deal that boosts ...19 hours ago
- MSA pilot participant update
One of the ten young men selected to participate in the Military-Style Academy Pilot has allegedly reoffended. Children’s Minister Karen Chhour is disappointed but says it would be naïve to think that none of these young men would reoffend. “I’m saddened that this young person has not taken this opportunity ...20 hours ago
- Attendance rates increase, again
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that school attendance is continuing to rise. In Term 3 of 2024 51.3 per cent of students attended school regularly, an increase of 5.3 percentage points from 46 per cent in Term 3 of 2023. “This Government has prioritised student attendance and it is ...21 hours ago
- Improving the lives of young New Zealanders
Ensuring New Zealand is the best place in the world for children and young people is the vision at the heart of the Government’s new Child and Youth Strategy, Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston says. “Childhood represents a huge opportunity to set people on a positive path towards living ...24 hours ago
- Government continues work to reinstate livestock exports by sea
The Government is reinstating the trade of livestock exports by sea while ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, says Associate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard.“The Government will introduce legislation changes to reinstate the trade, enhance oversight, and strengthen requirements for exporters to identify risks and manage the welfare of ...2 days ago
- Speech to the National Quality Forum 2024
Tēnā koutou katoa – it is a pleasure to be here today. I would like to begin by acknowledging the important leadership role you all play in ensuring a quality health system New Zealanders can trust. There is enormous clinical expertise in this room covering a wide range of disciplines. ...2 days ago
- New Zealand’s COP29 National Statement
Tēnā koutou katoa. Mr President, Excellencies, Delegates. New Zealand, and all nations represented here today, are already dealing with the impacts of climate change. Our households, businesses, and economies are bearing the costs of its effects. The choices we make now will shape the severity of these impacts for generations ...2 days ago
- Latest Quarterly Investment Report released
The Government has released its second Quarterly Investment Report (QIR) which shows substantial work still to be done by agencies to improve investment reporting and meet the Government’s expectations, Infrastructure and Acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “New Zealand has significant infrastructure and investment needs. The Government is determined to get ...2 days ago
- New Zealand supporting loss and damage fund
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced New Zealand will contribute NZ$10 million to the new Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage while at the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. “New Zealand is joining the global effort to address the significant challenge of responding to ...2 days ago
- Gang crackdown begins at stroke of midnight
The free ride for gangs is over when the clock strikes midnight tonight, with tough new laws officially coming into effect, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say. “Gang patches will no longer be able to be worn in public. To earn the right to wear a ...2 days ago
- LGFA increases borrowing capacity to support high growth councils
The Government is welcoming the decision by the Local Government Funding Agency to increase access to financing tools for fast growing councils to support greater investment in critical infrastructure, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says.“Communities across the country are facing an infrastructure deficit and significant population growth is projected in ...2 days ago
- Temporary Traffic Management costs revealed
The Government has revealed that over the past three years, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has spent an eyewatering $786 million of taxpayers’ money on road cones and temporary traffic management (TTM), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“When I became Minister, I was surprised to learn that that NZTA did ...2 days ago
- Jurisdiction of Disputes Tribunal to double
Legislation that will double the financial jurisdiction of the Disputes Tribunal from $30,000 to $60,000 has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. “We need to improve court timeliness and access to justice so that Kiwis and get on with their lives. Court delays affect everyone, the ...3 days ago
- Protecting New Zealand from foreign interference
Legislation that will specifically criminalise foreign interference and strengthen espionage offences has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “It is normal and appropriate for states to interact and work to influence one another. This encourages cooperation and can have mutually beneficial outcomes. “However, the reality ...3 days ago
- Significant milestone for Canterbury Road of National Significance
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news that the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board has approved funding towards pre-implementation and early works on the State Highway 1 (SH1) Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass Road of National Significance (RoNS). “Reaching this significant milestone is a reflection of our Government’s ...3 days ago
- Health survey results to help drive change
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says findings from the annual Health Survey highlight the need to continue driving better health outcomes for New Zealanders. The New Zealand Health Survey is an annual snapshot of key metrics measured from July 2023 – July 2024. Findings released this morning include: In 2023/24, ...3 days ago
- Final push needed to get to Smokefree 2025
A renewed effort to get people to quit smoking will build on what has worked to date and target the groups who most need support, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said today. “The latest New Zealand Health Survey results show the daily smoking rate at 6.9 per cent and we ...3 days ago
- New diplomatic appointments
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced four new diplomatic appointments. “Our diplomats play an important role in ensuring New Zealand’s interests are maintained and enhanced across the world,” Mr Peters says. “It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign ...3 days ago
- Next steps for Regulatory Standards Bill
Regulation Minister David Seymour has today announced the next steps in the Government’s plan improve the quality of regulation by opening consultation on a proposed Regulatory Standards Bill. “New Zealand's low wages can be blamed on low productivity, and low productivity can be blamed on poor regulation,” says Mr Seymour. ...3 days ago
- Red Tape Tipline goes live
Minister for Regulation David Seymour has today announced that the Ministry for Regulation’s Red Tape Tipline is now live. “We want to hear about your red tape horror stories. From today, New Zealanders will have a say on how they are regulated through an online portal,” says Mr Seymour. The ...3 days ago
- Youth Parliament 2025 announced
The Minister for Youth Matt Doocey has today announced the eleventh Youth Parliament will be taking place in 2025. “Youth Parliament offers a unique youth development opportunity to young people from across New Zealand to experience the political process and learn about how government works,” says Mr Doocey. “The two-day ...4 days ago
- Police stats show promising change
After nearly a year in Government, Kiwis have seen significant change across law and order with promising early results shown across some Police statistics, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “In August 2023, I told New Zealanders that if they had not started to see a change in public safety within ...4 days ago
- Better coordination of anti-scam efforts
With the launch of Fraud Awareness Week, the Government is committing to new coordination efforts across industry and government to combat online scams, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Online financial scams are a growing problem for New Zealand. New data released today shows that Kiwis lost nearly ...4 days ago
- Minister to consider 7AA select committee report
Minister for Children Karen Chhour will consider the recommendations made by the Social Services and Community Committee in its report back to Parliament on the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill. “I want to thank the people who made submissions and those who appeared before the committee in ...4 days ago
- Defence Minister to attend ASEAN meeting
Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Vientiane, Laos. “We need to take every opportunity to engage with our international partners, given the increasingly unstable geo-political situation,” Ms Collins says. “New Zealand has a long-standing commitment to this ...4 days ago
- Launching the White Ribbon Ride
The Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Karen Chhour, was on hand to wish riders well at the start of the North Island leg of the White Ribbon Ride in Whakatāne this morning. The ride helps mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, ...5 days ago
- Construction to begin on next stage of Papakura to Drury
Construction on the next stage of the SH1 Papakura to Drury project will begin early next month, with the contract for works awarded to Fulton Hogan, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. "SH1 Papakura to Drury is a key project that will drive economic growth and productivity, reduce congestion, and enable people ...6 days ago
- NZ signs trade deal with Costa Rica, Iceland and Switzerland
Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has signed a pioneering trade agreement that prioritises New Zealand’s sustainable exports at a ceremony during APEC in Peru today. “The Agreement on Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS), between Costa Rica, Iceland, and Switzerland was concluded in July of this year and opens up significant ...6 days ago
- Government and iwi work together on aquaculture
Five new Aquaculture Settlement Areas will help ensure Ngāi Tahu shares in the opportunities aquaculture offers for Southland’s economy, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. “The Aquaculture Settlement Areas (ASAs) I’m announcing today set aside space so the Crown and Ngāi Tahu can assess their potential for aquaculture development. ...7 days ago
- Government launches review to ensure electricity market is fit-for-purpose
The terms of reference for a review of the performance of the electricity market have been released. The review, initiated by the Coalition Government during the power crisis in winter will look at whether current regulations and market design support economic growth and access to reliable and affordable electricity, Energy Minister ...7 days ago
- Speech to Social Investment Hui: Jack and his whānau need our help
Kia ora koutou katoa. Nau mai, haere mai, piki mai. Ki te mihi atu ahau, ki te manwhenua nei, Te Atiawa, Ngāti toa rangatira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. Thank you, Andy, for your introduction. Let me acknowledge you as the new Chief Executive of the Social Investment ...7 days ago
- Minister of State for Trade heads to Brisbane for PACER Plus meeting
Minister of State for Trade Nicola Grigg has travelled to Australia to attend the PACER Plus Ministers Meeting in Brisbane. “Trade plays a critical role in driving employment, economic growth, and improving the standards of living in the Pacific Region. The Government is strongly committed to supporting Pacific Island countries ...7 days ago
- Proposals to modernise conservation released
Toitū te taiao – Our environment endures The Government is consulting on proposals to modernise New Zealand’s conservation management system, aiming to protect relevant natural areas while supporting sustainable growth in tourism and regional economies, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. “Today, the Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai is ...7 days ago
- Knowing superstitions aren’t real doesn’t stop us behaving superstitiously – why?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephanie Gomes-Ng, Senior Lecturer of Psychology, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images Former New Zealand prime minister John Key has three white rabbits painted on his helicopter, a nod to his “massively superstitious” habit of repeating “white rabbits” three times at ...52 minutes ago - Government slammed for pushing ahead with boot camps while trial still under way
The coalition has "absolutely no intention of listening to the evidence that comes out of their experiment", Labour MP says. ...2 hours ago - Smoke and mirrors in heated tobacco debate
Labour claims Government is ‘cherry-picking’ smoking trends data to hide decade-first increase in daily smokers The post Smoke and mirrors in heated tobacco debate appeared first on Newsroom. ...2 hours ago - Treasury bangs the drum on ‘unsustainable’ superannuation
The Government’s economic adviser is sending a message it doesn’t want to hear – superannuation is increasingly unaffordable The post Treasury bangs the drum on ‘unsustainable’ superannuation appeared first on Newsroom. ...2 hours ago
- Victims of sex offending welcome shift on name suppression laws
A man abused by a former political figure is "immensely relieved" at a government proposal to end secrecy around sex offenders' identities. ...2 hours ago
- This week three parties stood together – can they withstand the storm to come?
There is plenty yet to play out, but the next election is at this rate shaping up as trio versus trio, writes Toby Manhire. A subplot of this week’s historic hīkoi mō te Tiriti has been the sight of the three opposition parties presenting a unified front. Te Pāti Māori ...2 hours ago - All 33 malls in Auckland ranked from worst to best
From the low lows of abandon empires to the high highs of a mall done just right. This is the second in the Malls of New Zealand series, where we rank the malls in major centres. Next week: Wellington. A note from the editor: This is the hardest ranking we’ve ...2 hours ago
- The cost of being: A clothes-mad 20-something who walks everywhere
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a 27-year-old apartment-dwelling marketing exec explains her approach to spending and saving. Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire here. Gender: Female. Age: 27. Ethnicity: Pākehā. Role: Marketing exec at ...2 hours ago
- Burma the flying elephant
After about two and a half years of planning and waiting, New Zealand’s last elephant has moved to her new home at Monarto Safari Park in South Australia.Burma and her “human herd”, that is, her keepers, arrived last week, and she’s settling in well, according to Auckland Zoo’s Andrew Coers.“Something ...2 hours ago
- NZ’s membership of Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance in jeopardy
Senior ministers in the coalition suggested NZ’s membership will be re-evaluated if it restarts offshore oil and gas drilling The post NZ’s membership of Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance in jeopardy appeared first on Newsroom. ...2 hours ago
- Raw Politics: Six months in a leaky Bill
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon did not meet the Treaty Principles Bill hikoi crowd, sees “nothing” of merit in the Act-proposed law but the Parliament his Government dominates will spend six months debating a “divisive” measure.That’s because he has accepted there needs to be “aeration” of people’s views on the Treaty, ...2 hours ago
- Taken to the brink, Govt is now close to selling big Whakapapa ski field
Bidder Whakapapa Holdings walked away from the sales process last year, but says it’s now ‘95% there’ on a purchase agreement – so who blinked first? The post Taken to the brink, Govt is now close to selling big Whakapapa ski field appeared first on Newsroom. ...2 hours ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 22 November
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 22 November appeared first on Newsroom. ...2 hours ago
- Daily crossword, Friday 22 November
The post Daily crossword, Friday 22 November appeared first on Newsroom. ...2 hours ago
- China likely to strengthen regional relationships in response to another Trump term
Opinion: Recent discussions in Shanghai provide some insight into what’s likely to be on the table The post China likely to strengthen regional relationships in response to another Trump term appeared first on Newsroom. ...2 hours ago
- Nuclear winters know no borders
Opinion: The immediate horror of nuclear weapon explosions – the blinding flash, crushing blast wave, and radioactive inferno – is well documented.But what nuclear-armed nations either don’t grasp or won’t admit, is far more chilling: how their weapons could devastate even countries thousands of kilometres from any mushroom clouds.The collapse ...2 hours ago
- This week’s bestselling books – November 22
FICTION1 Kāwai: Tree of Nourishment by Monty Soutar (David Bateman, $39.99)Sample dialogue, all from one chapter:“That can’t be,” replied Taona doubtfully.“You were right. The pā is unnervingly quiet,” Taona murmured.“The Hākuwai,” Motukia breathed. “Our grandfathers told us they rarely saw the Hākuwai in daylight,” Motukia muttered.“Their fight would have been futile ...2 hours ago
- Watts nears a landmark deal on global carbon trading
A framework for global carbon trading under the Paris Agreement is finally nearing completion at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan after years of halting talks.Climate Change Minister Simon Watts is one of two ministers tasked by the COP29 hosts with landing a long-sought deal on Article 6 of the climate accord, ...3 hours ago
- Grattan on Friday: Marles plays a defensive bat on nuclear as the government rushes to get though la...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Richard Marles is an ambitious man who hasn’t given up the dream of one day reaching the top job. But, despite being deputy prime minister, his profile is much lower than that of Treasurer Jim ...8 hours ago
- Fears Māori will pay heaviest price if police carry guns
"Overwhelmingly, those people who die will be young Māori men," the spokesperson for People Against Prisons Aotearoa says. ...9 hours ago
- NEW POLL: Kiwis Overwhelmingly Support MPs’ Expenses Transparency Law Change
62% of respondents support the extension of the OIA to cover MPs’ spending, compared to just 13% opposed and 24% were unsure. ...10 hours ago - The House: Meanwhile, a week of passing law
The political week has been packed with worthy distractions, but all week Parliament has focused on passing new laws. Here are the highlights. ...10 hours ago
- The biggest difference between Hīkoi mō te Tiriti and past hīkoi: More support from non-Māori
Analysis - The diversity of voices during the hīkoi was noticeable - from tangata moana to young immigrants to elderly Pākehā from the South Island. ...11 hours ago
- The House: Samoan citizenship restoration – ‘It means we belong to this land’
When the bill to restore NZ citizenship to some Samoans passed this week, Parliament's galleries were full to the brim with members of the community. ...12 hours ago
- More Delays In Action On Use Of Puberty Blockers With Children
Women’s Rights Party Co-leader Jill Ovens says the Ministry has put New Zealand children at risk by continuing to allow “off-label” prescribing of puberty blockers at far higher rates than other similar countries. ...13 hours ago
- Police Minister adamant he wasn’t aware of gang members training at gun clubs
That is despite two papers from police that raised the matter with him. ...13 hours ago
- Shorten declares himself ‘a proud moderate’, saying Australians ‘in the middle’ shouldn’t ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Bill Shorten has declared himself “a proud moderate” in a valedictory speech declaring parliament has the responsibility to ensure the extremes of left and right do not set the terms of political debate. Shorten, ...13 hours ago
- New ‘best practice’ principles for superannuation products are coming. We asked a panel of exper...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matt Garrow, Editorial Web Developer Studio Romantic/Shutterstock We all know how important it is to save enough money for retirement – but what about spending it wisely when we get there? Even for those who have built up a suitable ...13 hours ago
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The government has always vowed to reinstate live exports by sea, which was banned by the previous Labour government. ...14 hours ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Freeman, Associate Professor of Dermatology, Bond University ERIK Miheyeu/Shutterstock Sweating is our body’s way of cooling down, a bit like an internal air conditioner. When our core temperature rises (because it’s hot outside, or you’re exercising), sweat glands all ...14 hours ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nial Wheate, Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Macquarie University Australia’s drug regulator has issued a safety warning over the medicine Phenergan and related products containing the antihistamine drug promethazine. The Therapeutic Goods Administration said the over-the-counter products should not be given to children ...14 hours ago
- A new stage adaptation of Peter Carey’s Jack Maggs is a delightful homage to theatrical storytelli...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Campbell, Lecturer, Performing Arts, UniSA Creative, University of South Australia Matt Byrne/STCSA Jack Maggs is a delight and a homage to theatrical storytelling in Australia. Based on Peter Carey’s bestselling novel, Jack Maggs follows the ex-convict as he lands ...14 hours ago
- The government has introduced laws for its social media ban. But key details are still missing
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Angus, Professor of Digital Communication, Director of QUT Digital Media Research Centre, Queensland University of Technology Ron Lach/Pexels The federal government today introduced into parliament legislation for its social media ban for people under 16 years. Communications Minister Michelle ...14 hours ago
- Archives NZ, National Library to cut 27 roles
The Department of Internal Affairs wants to bring the two organisations under the joint leadership of the Chief Archivist and National Librarian. ...14 hours ago
- Gang patch ban: Members warn of potential for violence to ‘erupt’ as new laws enforced
"I can't see this lasting unless they have a budget to lock fullas up in jail which I think is absolutely stupid, really it's ludicrous," Ngavii Pekapo, who set up a Mongrel Mob chapter 54 years ago, says. ...15 hours ago
- ACT leader David Seymour raises doubts about Waikato medical school
Government documents show ACT leader David Seymour told the government he was "dissatisfied" with a cost-benefit analysis. ...15 hours ago
- National’s Erica Stanford allegedly calls Labour’s Jan Tinetti a ‘stupid bitchR...
The Education Minister has apologised in Parliament for her remark. ...15 hours ago
- Labour backs new Police Commissioner – but warns against routine arming
The alternative to policing by consent would be a police state, which New Zealanders don't want, the party says. ...16 hours ago
- Youth on boot camp pilot re-offended five weeks after release
Children's Minister Karen Chhour said while it was disappointing, it would naïve to think none of the participants would lapse. ...17 hours ago
- In photos: People of the hīkoi, and why they marched
Hikoi mō Te Tiriti has come to an end, going down in history as the largest march to Parliament in Aotearoa. ...17 hours ago
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'At least there was one person who always believed in Jared Kushner, and fortunately for him, that person was the president’s son-in-law, who through a strange coincidence was also himself.'
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/04/how-lucky-we-are-have-jared-kushner/#comments-wrapper
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/120806164/nz-spies-getting-significant-intel-from-allies-elsewhere-around-the-world-about-coronavirus-case-numbers
How about US intelligence community concentrate on the mischievous lies and deceitful practices emanating from their own Federal Government instead of rabbiting on about a foreign government. If China is concealing information – and it probably is – we already know the US Trump administration is doing the same and to the same degree.
Sheesh!
Because they know what happens if they dare to squeak out about misconduct in Covfefe-19's administration: they get fired.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-firing-michael-atkinson-whistleblower-ukraine_n_5e87f022c5b6cbaf28294de6
Never though I would say this, but I think it is time for the US military to start making plans to remove this presidential cretin from office. It's only going to get worse not better and the longer it goes on for, the greater the damage not only to themselves but most of the rest of the world.
No.
It has to happen at the ballots. And it has to happen hard enough to ram home the message that some things are simply unacceptable and that vote-suppression, gerrymandering etc etc aren't enough to overcome population-wide disgust.
I'm very worried that won't happen.
Turns out I was wrong to call Team Tr*mp fascists.
https://twitter.com/sarahkendzior/status/1246417889638449152?s=21
“Some call them fascists; I avoid thid term because being a fascist requires an allegiance to the state. To these operatives, the state is just something to sell.”
Could someone please explain to me why Trump's approval ratings are increasing throughout this crisis?
I have a bunch of Reckons, but no actual analysis.
Is it likely that even with the economy tanking and the death toll rising, Trump now has a better chance at a second term than ever?
The country has a population of about 330 million. It is being run by people like Donald Trump and Jared Kushner with mouthpieces like Kellyanne Conway.
It is absolutely no surprise that a country which comes up with an arrangement like that would have Trump's approval ratings increasing throughout this crisis.
Even in his conference yesterday Trump, who has been on a crusade for more than 5 years to create division and mistrust, referred to 'us' and 'unity.' In recent weeks he has consistently talked about working together.
Explain why his popularity is going up? It is because the majority of population is thick and self-centred.
And for the most part poorly educated.
America has been practicing a dumbing down of their over-all educational systems for decades now and they’re now reaping the reward.
Check out his conference from this morning. He's an idiot.
The Time magazine Person of the Year? Chicken feed. The Nobel committee will be struggling over whether it's the literature, physics, chemistry, peace or economics one for him.
Maybe the job lot.
Similar to New Zealand.
The majority of the population are only getting information from their version of Hoskings.
Depressing hearing a neighbour repeating absolute bollocks, from him.
It's a simple rally around the flag and the leader in time of crisis impulse.
Given the scale of the crisis, and that it genuinely came from somewhere "other", what's surprising is how little CovidCamacho's approval has actually risen. And there are signs the bump is already going back down.
So no, I don't think it's going to help Drongo Unbrained in November. There's plenty of time for the scale of the fuckup and utter ineptitude and venal personal advantage taking to come out before November.
I'll be really interested to see how Trump supporters handle having people they know die.
They'll blame the Chinese as trump has.
Or Obama. Everything is Obama's fault, even when it's not.
Earlier this week my dad had a heart problem that put him in hospital up in Rawene. If it were New York or Italy or many other places right now, there wouldn't have been resources available and due to his age and medical history he would have been triaged out to fend for himself.
It prompted a flurry of e-mails around extended worldwide family. In France, my sister-in-law and nephew have COVID (presumably he got it from his medical work). In Utah, my cousin and her husband are juggling extended shifts, she in respiratory intensive care and he in emergency department, at a time when they had scheduled leave to be with their recent baby. No deaths yet, but it's definitely hitting home.
So I hope mods will cut me some slack if I get a little reactive if anyone starts minimising COVID here.
I understand Andre.
I think NZers are still in a process of waking up. We're very well insulated despite mass media. And it is a very complex emerging set of dynamics. I got it instinctively when I first read about people dying in hospital corridors in Italy, but I've been thinking about and exploring societal/systems collapse for a long time so I had a whole set of tools for this one (including how to see the creative ways out). Lots of people don't. In the US I'm guessing that it's way worse as people seem to not be getting even the basics around hand/face contact or physical distancing. This speaks to me about a culture that isn't equipped to go online and figure things out for themselves, as well as a huge amount of cognitive dissonance.
One of the things that relaxed me a bit was the day before lockdown I talked to a neighbour I don't know very well. He was still thinking that he was going to get to build his house in a month's time (they just laid the slab), which I think is extremely optimistic. But, he totally got the need for the lock down, it just wasn't even an issue. The only people I've seen really not getting it are tourists and the Queenstown partying backpacker types, which can be explained in other ways (although thinking about it now, that might well be cultural too).
The US cultures boggle my mind. All the best for your family, I'm hoping that being aware and smart gives a better advantage.
I wish to echo weka's sentiments above entirely Andre – all the best for you and your family here and abroad.
Ummm have you read my most recent post? I’m not exactly shy of getting reactive with the ignorant either.
Yeah. But you can dish out consequences. I'm not a mod. I can only be on the receiving end of consequences.
But I have to be self-moderating as well. I can’t run this site on my own.
I like a system that carries implicit checks and balances.
Rawene is such a cool place, but it would be a tough place to be stuck in. I've got uncles in hospital at the moment as well.
I'm really thankful that so many of your family are putting themselves right out there to help people medically at this time. What a great bunch of family to be proud of.
I wish you well.
Sorry to hear that Andre. I wish your family well for their complete recovery.
The deadly seriousness of CV19 should not be ignored.
Kia Kaha, stay safe and take good care of yourself.
Thanks for the thoughts everybody.
Getting reports from family on how rough COVID-19 really is just reinforces how we are doing the right thing here to absolutely minimise the number of us affected here. Good thing that's also the best way economically to handle it.
Andre, I hope all works out for you and yours. We have lost a family member in Sydney, and the hardest thing is not being able to visit and hug and be there for family. This is a cruel virus.
I'm very sorry to hear that, patricia. Look after yourself and yours.
There are a few Republicans who are now speaking up against Trump.
I think as the pandemic begins to hit the Redneck states they may begin to see they have been worshiping a false god. And in the meantime I see that the Murdoch's are being sued over false reporting leading to death.
This ad was played n Faux News.
Link to the Law suits following False Reporting on Fox News
The Fivethirtyeight tracking is still making me nervous.
Pretty sick to even have to think about needing a global disaster to unseat such a corrupt world leader.
Stuff like this Ad. Oh. And a brain dead fart who wanted people to go out and vote in person this Tuesday is the alternative being made available to US voters.
Carlo Gaytan 5 hours ago
Bernie: Medicare for all.
Dems: No!
Trump: Medicare for Covid.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAoaMaFvh-E
Dems: *Surprised pikachu face
I've been thinking the same even though I've never warmed to Sanders.
How much more effective the U.S. health system would be now if they had a single national purchaser – like Pharmac. Or a federal public health system at all.
Its got to be one of the cruelest twists of political fate that Sanders rose and stalled out of synch with the rise of Covid-19. If Covid-19's rise had been 2 months earlier, I'm sure Sanders would have had a better shot at the nomination.
Here's as piece explaining the rally around the flag effect.
https://www.wired.com/story/political-science-behind-trump-approval-ratings/
If you want info on how the poll bounce is already starting to fade, just google something like trump covid poll bounce.
Appreciate the article Andre.
It's not a great comfort that Bush got a higher peak during the height of the GFC.
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2020/04/02/approval_ratings_amid_crises_comparing_trump_obama_bush_142838.html
Sometimes I wonder if it's too late for Andrew Cuomo to do what his dad Mario couldn't do.
That will only happen if Biden becomes incapacitated and the Dems need to draft someone in.
It has occurred to me numerous times that if Rachel Bitecofer is on the right track and negative partisanship is more important than partisanship, then disapproval ratings might matter more than approval ratings.
On disapproval ratings, things look even worse for Jabba the Drumpf's re-election than they do if you just look at approval ratings.
Bill Maher has a view
https://www.facebook.com/Maher/videos/232702024476540/?__tn__=%2Cd%2CP-R&eid=ARAy4d0FnyO7gQX-d2_xV3l2Tg-7MgjHXHIt-Yox487U-ttNGU5RcolieB9Tv7R2rk0ZWymai9tPn7Dl
Because
Because the US is swamped in highly partisan 'news' but is actually an information desert – unless you are already a sceptic of mainstream sources and seek out alternatives, (i.e. chicken and egg).
Because Biden is actually the least electable of the alternatives to Sanders – but the Dems had to coalesce around someone at the point where Sanders was looking most dangerous. They must be crapping themselves now, and Biden is clearly unable to say anything that shows he comprehends, let alone has any solutions for, the problems of the times. He's simply an empty vessel into which anti-Sanders panic has been poured.
Because the C-19 death toll is in 4-figures still. What if it gets to 6-figures? Or 7? If Trump is widely perceived to have blood on his hands, then Biden has a chance. This is a real ''lesser of two evils' dilemma. It will be a rich irony if Fauci (and the despised world of rationality, ethics and collective responsibility he represents) saves the sociopath Trump's electoral bacon.
Mind boggling to say the least. It could only happen in the US. I have family there and I pray for their health and safety every day. The man is certifiable and its going to have to take somebody brave enough to either finish him off and suffer the consequences or have him removed quietly and sectioned under the mental health laws they have.
An assassination? Not really the preserve of the Left.
When the Covid 19 pandemic ends Trump will be the president who led Americans to victory over the Chinese Virus.
but her fucking emails.
Heh.
lol.
An another recent firing from the current Administration – More on this later. But it appears that tRump and his cronies are about running a marfia like operation similar to that which he ran before IMPOTUS selling crap cement.
https://talk.whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/uploads/default/original/2X/e/e21435c58b5d5c83415216374c953f0c5669409f.jpeg
[removed the embed as the image was way too big, people can click through – weka]
https://twitter.com/NoahBookbinder/status/1246444523900801027
So who are the persons to be responsible for overseeing the $2T bailout spend?
https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/coronavirus/trump-names-white-house-lawyer-be-watchdog-over-coronavirus-bailout#.Xofu6fbukcI.twitter
Note that the analysis that follows is by John Solomon, the asshole who created the false Ukraine meddling story. Just the News is his new venture, so you can take the opinion piece with a huge grain of salt.
But very convenient to have a lapdog lawyer as your watchdog.
Look, Trumps a plonker, but lines like " It now has far more reported cases than any other countries…" are just plain misleading, becasue they fail to take account of population. https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ contains up to date per person data, and the US is not as bad off as you are trying to make out. In the total cases per 1000 and total deaths per 1000 they don't even rank in the top 20 nations.
Have a look at the graphic entitled Total Coronavirus Deaths in the United States on a logarithmic scale.
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/us/
Your comment is equally misleading.
My comment takes the same time stamp as ther authors (here and now), and applies mathematical logic to that to provide perspective. The authors takes a laregly meaningless piece of data as a whip to beat Trump. It's misleading.
In other words, you object to criticism of Trump, but you fail to take the trajectory up to this point in time into account? That’s not misleading, that’s denial at its best. How Trumpian of you.
Geez I most certainly don’t object to criticism of Trump. I object to comments that are blatantly misleading.
Your objection has been noted.
The trajectory of the US is one of the worst but you keep ignoring that inconvenient fact.
What is there to say about Trump – the great ditherer…
He couldn't project a trajectory to clasp his arse… He’d keep doing u-turns.
Perhaps you should look at the advertisement that his own party partisans have made about his performance on Covid-19.
https://youtu.be/s2QLxGAlu18
That kind of dithering will cause the US to get the highest death rate per capita over the next couple of weeks.
But I guess this other GOP supporters ad won’t convince you because clearly you have your head stuck up your arse as well.
https://youtu.be/7gJgmkWJ6es
I wonder what they’ll produce after these scenes from New York start to impact. The US is currently at more than 1000 deaths per day and increasing exponentially – probably for at least 2-4 weeks.
https://youtu.be/Xxqq8nLYqdY
Oh I agree with all that. Doesn't make the claim MS made any less misleading.
I’d call it prescient because it’s about a train wreck in slow motion and everyone can see it except you, it seems. You’re being misled by your own pedantry.
You don't seem to be following. I agree about Trump, ok? He's a dick. Can't you honestly see that it is possible to agree with you but still call out a misleading comment?
Except it wasn't actually misleading.
USA does have more cases than any other nation, including the two nations with much greater populations. An avalanche of dead is indeed on its way. And the responsibility for that sits in the white house.
I don’t care whether you agree about Trump (with me??), never have, and never will. I’ve never said anything about Trump, have I? You raised a strawman.
Micky’s comment was not misleading but you are and were misled, but not by Micky’s comment.
Let’s at least agree on that.
"I’ve never said anything about Trump, have I? You raised a strawman. "
Ah, wrong. https://thestandard.org.nz/what-not-to-do-in-a-pandemic/#comment-1698415
FFS! Did I say anything for or against Trump and/or did I express an opinion about Trump per se? You said that you agreed on Trump, but there was and still isn’t anything to agree on in this regard!? You made it up. I’m pretty sure I’ve noted this before but you seem to have an issue with reading comprehension.
" I’ve never said anything about Trump, have I? "
That's what you claimed. Nothing about "expressing an opinion". It’s not me that has a comprehension problem. You’re following me around this thread making yourself look worse than Trump.
Without getting into a semantic debate about what territories in that list don't count as "nations", just leave it a while. 34k new cases a day (and climbing), it won't take too long for the US to be "number one" in every covid19 metric you care to select.
You're most likely right. Unfortunately. I have good friends who live in NYC, and an employee in NJ. Interestingly, all are Trump supporters. I'm not sure if it's their actual political view or just the entertainment value!
Comparable to the worst hit region.
https://twitter.com/MedCramVideos/status/1246098615447080960
1. Europe is NOT a country.
2. The US has less cases per 100 people than countries such as Luxembourg, Iceland, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, France Austria, Germany, Portugal, Norway and more. https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/.
BTW – I am not, I repeat NOT defending Trump. He's a donkey. I'm simply pointing out that claiming the US has the highest number of cases in the world is misleading.
Ok then, which country has more cases than the US?
Answer: none.
Verdict: case closed.
There are several, if you use the common comparison of per capita. But you seem fine with meaningless data, so who cares?
Edit – this will appeal to you. The US spends $36m on scotch each year. The Spanish spend $20m. The US has a population of 327m. Spain has a population of 47m. By your loigc, it would be reasonbale to claim that the yanks drink more scotch than their spanish counterparts. But that would be misleading, right?
It is “meaningless” to look at one data point and one time point in isolation, trajectories and trends are much more informative.
Paddington's usual tactic is to cherry-pick stats that suit him, and deflect or deny those that don't. Joe90 clearly stated – ' the CONTINENT of Europe' (my capitals) as comparable in size to the US. Paddington then tries to score by pointing out the obvious as a big, single paragraph:
"1. Europe is NOT a country." Relevance, when Joe90 never said it was ??
Paddington then cherry-picks European countries…
I have been around a while, and Paddington's language patterns vaguely remind me of an earlier pest. Strange…
This discussion is about MS's comments about the US. Not the America's. My subsequent response was about countries, not continents. Perhaps if you kept up with the thread you might understand.
"Paddington then cherry-picks European countries… "
There it is again – you're not keeping up. I havn't cherry picked anything. The European countries I quoted were from the dataset at worldometers. They were selected from the countries above the US in #'s per 1000 becasue that was my point. I could list them all, if you like. I apologise if I'm movng too fast for you.
Ironically and tragically at the same time, you’re not moving at all; you’re stuck in a single groove.
But the comment I was referring to was " It now has far more reported cases than any other countries…". “Now”. No trajectories or trends in that comment. Maybe you've lost track of that?
Ah, yes, I got sucked into a rabbit hole by a bear called Paddington.
That comment is correct because the US has the most cases of any country “Now”. Ergo it is not misleading.
A comment can be both correct and misleading.
Micky’s comment was factually correct.
It was not intentionally misleading but you interpreted it as such. In other words, you misled yourself AKA you made it up.
Your comprehension skills are lacking for you to make useful contributions to debate here. That’s my observation and my conclusion over a period of time. Consequently, we’re wasting our time reading and responding to your pedantic comments. Please change your ways here, thanks.
"It was not intentionally misleading "
I didn't say it was. You show a definite lack of reading comprehension skills.
"Your comprehension skills are lacking for you to make useful contributions to debate here. "
Mmm. Sounds like "I don't like it when you criticise an author so I'm going to threaten you". You've made a mountain out of a molehill. That says far more about you than me.
Again, you’re making up things. Where’s the “threat”? Do you want to be treated like Climaction?
"Where’s the “threat”? "
"Consequently, we’re wasting our time reading and responding to your pedantic comments. Please change your ways here, thanks. "
Or what? You see, there's the threat. You're effectively saying "tow the line or your out". As it happens you don't have to spend any time responding to me. You could simply ignore me. I'm not being offensive. You really are obsessed with this, and its pretty clear from some of your comments sincve that you've lost any sense of objectivity.
Please, stop being so defensive, thanks. If there had been a consequence to my Q asked in a polite manner – did you notice I said “please” and “thanks”? – I would have spelled it out, especially for you. If it were serious enough, I would have given you a clear and instructive Moderator warning, with a consequence. Did you notice any of this? No, you didn’t, and you keep on seeing things that are not there, e.g. imaginary threats – I believe you are more likely to catch COVID-19 than meet the ban-hammer here. Again, are you asking for that kind of treatment or are you just trying to provoke me? My alleged obsession hasn’t quite reached those lofty heights yet, I’m afraid. So, why don’t you just let it go?
BTW – who is Climaction, what did he/she do and what happened to him/her? And wtf does it even matter to me?
Don’t you read the comments on this site or are you just very selective?
Nothing has happened with that aforementioned commenter, it was merely an illustration that was lost on you (AKA woosh!). It obviously doesn’t matter to you – I like your strong language there. My sincerest apology for the confusion. I shall not bother myself with you anymore in this thread.
"Don’t you read the comments on this site or are you just very selective?"
I'm selective. I've never heard of Climaction. I assumed, based on your comment "Do you want to be treated like Climaction?" that he/she was a commenter.
No shit!
Meanwhile, not a country NY state has twice the number of cases /capita than Italy and is closing in on the same number of deaths /capita.
/
they lose just as many folks to the normal flu each year…something somewhere is amiss
Wen your CIC is a gangster.
https://twitter.com/JesseAPaul/status/1246276504599711744
Of course...
Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)…..74,242
Donald J. Trump (R)…..55,638
Gary Johnson (L)…..3,174
https://twitter.com/Burrite/status/1246539634122899456
Also today, three services (in Somerset, Derbyshire and East Sussex) where GPs have contacted the teams to say that they have deemed the people we support should ALL be DNR. No consultation with families, no best interests. Mostly working age adults. We will fight this.
That's a tweet from Andrew Cannon who is the CE at Voyage Care – supporting adults with physical and learning disabilities, brain injuries and autism.
https://twitter.com/VoyageCEO/status/1245415024396587008
Q.“Are you confident that the federal government is doing everything that needs to be done right now to contain this?”
Most respected US man on coronavirus who has worked under 6 presidents,
A. "Yes".
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Democrats: Hoping this might be 4th time lucky for impeachment.
but her fucking emailsbut impeachment/
https://twitter.com/stevesilberman/status/860595784424620034
That may have been Dr Fauci's honest belief three weeks ago ("right now").
In the light of recent events, some scientists and clinicians could be 'recalculating'.
No doubt Dr.Fauci is keen to keep his head.
Ardern is really going after the ‘don’t let the cure be worse than the disease’ gang right now.
Rightly so if the information posted by Poisson is anything to go by:
As for the conditions in the "detention centers": what sort of concentration camp system doesn't encourage infectious diseases? A badly-designed one.
Very good point, and historically true.