General Discussion/Q&A on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

[juddles]

Today I went on a hunt for just two items that our family loves - Colombian whole coffee beans from ALDI, and some bean-curd noodles that a couple of my family members also love. So this arvo I went to no fewer than 9 supermarkets on the Sunshine Coast. The four Aldi's do not have the coffee The 5 Woolies and Coles produced just two packets of the bean thread noodles. But the whole (fun) arvo revealed somewhat of the status quo. There is clearly now panic buying of many essentials that are not loo paper - from coffee to tinned tomatoes, to even bread - entire woolies without a single loaf!! Australia is an affluent and educated and modern country, but by jesus we are going to do it hard with the coming restrictions - we are so used to life being predictable and assured....

 

[Pushka]

juddles is right on the money.. from the ashes may arise (somewhere) a savior...
Sadly it won't be Jesus.. but we really really really need someone to follow.
How about it Juddles.. I will write your speeches…. r u our Phoenix ??

Maybe when he's not in his prosaic mode?

 

[get me outta here]

So, who has a 'church' visit tomorrow that will include lots of people shoulder to shoulder over 500, maybe 1000 people ... anyone?

 

[juddles]

juddles is right on the money.. from the ashes may arise (somewhere) a savior...
Sadly it won't be Jesus.. but we really really really need someone to follow.
How about it Juddles.. I will write your speeches…. r u our Phoenix ??

tgh, no, not this time. We will all suffer in our own way, even it is something trivial like the collapse of internet and home deliveries, but we will survive. I am saving myself up for the Big One, where the virus targets the working force or children. Then I will be available for salvation

 

[RooFlyer]

I've been on-the-road in Nth America and Europe the past 3 weeks. Have sort of kept in touch with Oz situation via ABC, Oz, SMH on line. And AFF - and my goodness, in many instances, AFF contributors haven't covered themselves in glory. Petty political sniping (really? ... yawn), 100% perfect hindsight, breathless pronouncements and predictions.

And fair dinkum, juddles:

But if I have to hear the Prime Minister say one more time that "we should listen to the medical experts" then I will vomit. It just reeks to me of someone who is attempting to read the prepared scripts that others put in place for them,which also try to put the onus on anyone but themselves.

Of course he's reading prepared scripts. When he doesn't, he says he's going to the footy. And what happened then? And of course he's going to say "listen to the medical experts", because saying "listen to what I think about all this" probably wouldn't carry the same.

Just imagine what would have happened if, in a flash of brilliant foresight, two weeks ago Morrison announced a total, nationwide lock-down; no gatherings of more than 10 people except for essential work, close the borders except for citizens, close all the schools, close all the universities, close all the day care centres, and so on. (Many European countries are just now closing schools, unis etc ... and think of the state they are already in)

What do people think would have happened? Yeah, right.

But if he did, he'd be a hero when all this is over and we look back. Can he win, no matter what he does or doesn't do? No, he's a politician. By definition its all going to be his fault.

I've been playing hopscotch with the virus across the globe these past 3 weeks. I see in the various local media what the governments of USA, Mexico, Doha, Malta, France, Belgium, Spain, Turkey, UK have been doing, and when. Let me tell you, you'd rather be where you are rather than here. And those outcomes didn't start in the just past few weeks. When I get back I'll be drinking alone for a couple of weeks (so its not all bad )

Enough ranting - my main message is - give 'em a break. The virus is gunna spread far and wide; as Pushka and others have been saying, the main mission at the moment seems to be slowing the spread so its manageable. And my view, from a distance, is that they are doing that OK.

 

[Pushka]

tgh, no, not this time. We will all suffer in our own way, even it is something trivial like the collapse of internet and home deliveries, but we will survive. I am saving myself up for the Big One, where the virus targets the working force or children. Then I will be available for salvation

That is the one positive thought that I have with this damn virus. That it seems to be targeting older people. I mentioned that to my son today who has a six month old baby. Probably made him rather sad. Oh well. It's true.

 

[juddles]

I've been on-the-road in Nth America and Europe the past 3 weeks. Have sort of kept in touch with Oz situation via ABC, Oz, SMH on line. And AFF - and my goodness, in many instances, AFF contributors haven't covered themselves in glory. Petty political sniping (really? ... yawn), 100% perfect hindsight, breathless pronouncements and predictions.

And fair dinkum, juddles:



Of course he's reading prepared scripts. When he doesn't, he says he's going to the footy. And what happened then? And of course he's going to say "listen to the medical experts", because saying "listen to what I think about all this" probably wouldn't carry the same.

Just imagine what would have happened if, in a flash of brilliant foresight, two weeks ago Morrison announced a total, nationwide lock-down; no gatherings of more than 10 people except for essential work, close the borders except for citizens, close all the schools, close all the universities, close all the day care centres, and so on. (Many European countries are just now closing schools, unis etc ... and think of the state they are already in)

What do people think would have happened? Yeah, right.

But if he did, he'd be a hero when all this is over and we look back. Can he win, no matter what he does or doesn't do? No, he's a politician. By definition its all going to be his fault.

I've been playing hopscotch with the virus across the globe these past 3 weeks. I see in the various local media what the governments of USA, Mexico, Doha, Malta, France, Belgium, Spain, Turkey, UK have been doing, and when. Let me tell you, you'd rather be where you are rather than here. And those outcomes didn't start in the just past few weeks. When I get back I'll be drinking alone for a couple of weeks (so its not all bad )

Enough ranting - my main message is - give 'em a break. The virus is gunna spread far and wide; as Pushka and others have been saying, the main mission at the moment seems to be slowing the spread so its manageable. And my view, from a distance, is that they are doing that OK.

I agree that the virus will be totally global.

I also agree that the only management tool at the moment is trying to spread out the impact.

But a PM who as of yesterday was proudly going to a mass-gathering at a sporting event? This is the antithesis of managing the "spread".

Post automatically merged: Mar 14, 2020

And I am someone who does not hate Scomo I vote right

 

[Pushka]

I agree that the virus will be totally global.

I also agree that the only management tool at the moment is trying to spread out the impact.

But a PM who as of yesterday was proudly going to a mass-gathering at a sporting event? This is the antithesis of managing the "spread".

Post automatically merged: Mar 14, 2020

And I am someone who does not hate Scomo I vote right

He really needs to think about what the message is that he wants to send. I don't hate him but he ain't no leader right now.

 

[juddles]

He is out of his depth. And I forgive him that - he happens to hold the crown (no pun Corona wise intended) at a time when things require much more than the tedious and boring usual needs of ausie politics.

 

[pauly7]

I have been really impressed by Greg Hunt. Calm but most importantly, authentic.

I’m not sure I get authentic but then again I don’t get that from any politician so that’s moot

He did make a big communication error during this crisis though - unsure whether it was his team who script him on what to say that were at fault, or if he went off script - either way it really shouldn’t have happened.

 

[pauly7]

He is out of his depth. And I forgive him that - he happens to hold the crown (no pun Corona wise intended) at a time when things require much more than the tedious and boring usual needs of ausie politics.

He actually seems scared and I think that is coming across in the way he is talking as well, he seems very uncertain.

The man has piled on the weight and wouldn’t be surprised if he had some hypertension as well, he’s definitely not in the lowest risk bracket... he honestly might be petrified he may get it...?

And his minders need to tell him to stop shaking hands!

All in all though he doesn’t call the shots in a crisis like this but he will wear the results that’s for sure.

Overall I think the AU government has finally woken up they they need to drastically escalate intervention to avoid an Italy like scenario and I think we are going to see some very long Easter holidays coming up pretty soon.....

 

[RooFlyer]

But a PM who as of yesterday was proudly going to a mass-gathering at a sporting event? This is the antithesis of managing the "spread".

YouDidn’t like that comment - Yes like I said, he went off script. So don’t complain when the rest of what he says sounds scripted.

 

[k_sheep]

RE Scott and Jacinda - this is complicated. A popular leader is not necessarily a good leader. But if I have to hear the Prime Minister say one more time that "we should listen to the medical experts"

The worst bit being he's not remotely listening to medical experts himself. Tool.

 

[Pushka]

The worst bit being he's not remotely listening to medical experts himself. Tool.

I'm really keen to hear how you might handle things differently. This isn't a snarky question - quite the opposite - and your opinion of what Australia really needs to do at a National and personal level would be greatly appreciated. Well, I'd appreciate it anyway!

 

[pauly7]

The worst bit being he's not remotely listening to medical experts himself. Tool.

I think it might be his team around him as well to be honest....?

 

[TheRealTMA]

I really think that our dear PM needs to find a "persona" that is not the scripted "smiling" one. He needs to attempt to learn how to emit the non-panic message he does truly need to do, but without it being a "smiling" stupidity....

I’m not sure it’s possible.Unfortunately that’s why he’s been “christened” Scotty from Marketing.

i agree with you. Just tragic that they now say they are listening to medical scientific advice when they (collectively) have spent the last 10 years refusing to accept or listen to scientific advice on many topics. One can only hope.

But, for now they seem to be listening early so unlike the US, most of us will probably survive Covid-19.

But we are getting somewhat political which is not good for AFF.

 

[Pushka]

I think it might be his team around him as well to be honest....?

He's the one sending the message. He takes responsibility.

Post automatically merged: Mar 14, 2020

I’m not sure it’s possible.Unfortunately that’s why he’s been “christened” Scotty from Marketing.

i agree with you. Just tragic that they now say they are listening to medical scientific advice when they (collectively) have spent the last 10 years refusing to accept or listen to scientific advice on many topics. One can only hope.

But, for now they seem to be listening early so unlike the US, most of us will probably survive Covid-19.

But we are getting somewhat political which is not good for AFF.

I don't think that's the case. We are just questioning. Which Is what we need to do. I'm frankly disappointed with the messaging so far.

 

[Flashback]

I think the high death rate in Italy more so just represents the aging population they have, which kind of explains their economic issues too.

 

[Pushka]

I think the high death rate in Italy more so just represents the aging population they have, which kind of explains their economic issues too.

Probably why SA is being very proactive then.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I'm really keen to hear how you might handle things differently. This isn't a snarky question - quite the opposite - and your opinion of what Australia really needs to do at a National and personal level would be greatly appreciated. Well, I'd appreciate it anyway!

When it appears that the main source of our new infections at present is from people arriving in Australia, or people they transmit it to, then the 14 day quarantine for all arrivals makes lot of sense.

Containment is wiping out my business at present, but the Chinese got on top of things by making the hard decisions. I may not be in business by July given the ripples of what is happening, but I hope to at least be healthy together with the ones I care for.