General Coronavirus chit chat thread - non-travel specific

[drron]

We voted on the first day of pre polling.took our own pens.The only things I touched were the 2 ballot papers.With a dettol wipe being used when back in the car.

 

[Scarlett]

Table tennis full kit and spare balls just ordered for home delivery - happy days!

I'm jealous!

 

[jase05]

View Online​ A Message from the CEO I would like to update you on the measures that Stamford Hotels and Resort has taken in response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. We support and understand the measures taken to prioritise the health and safety of the public; however, the escalating government-imposed restrictions have, and continue to significantly impact our business. Essentially this has led to a severe downturn in our business, and a stoppage of the vast majority of work that our employees carry out on a daily basis. Given the current government restrictions on travel & hospitality in Australia and New Zealand, and to support the health and wellbeing of our guests, hotel colleagues and the wider community, we have made the very difficult decision to temporarily close some hotels from 31 March 2020, until such time as restrictions are lifted and our business can resume as normal. The hotels that this will affect include Stamford Plaza Melbourne Stamford Plaza Brisbane Stamford Plaza Adelaide Stamford Grand Adelaide Stamford Plaza Auckland Sir Stamford at Circular Quay and Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport remain open for the present time, however with severe restrictions on their services. Stamford Hotels and Resorts remain committed to working with our key suppliers, clients, partners and staff in the future, and look forward to the time we can resume normal business operations. We are determined to ensure that the business overcomes the significant challenges that we currently face. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support, patience and understanding during this challenging time. We know that this decision, while difficult, will help protect everyone. We look forward to welcoming you back to our hotels soon, and trust you and your family remain safe and healthy. Yours Sincerely Ow Yew Heng Chief Executive Officer Stamford Hotels and Resorts

 

[Flying mermaid]

I got that today as well - feels like Armageddon

and Boris Johnson tests positive ....

 

[amaroo]

We voted on the first day of pre polling.took our own pens.The only things I touched were the 2 ballot papers.With a dettol wipe being used when back in the car.

The set up was very professional. We didn't touch a thing other than ballot paper ... we also took our own pencils. Even the hand sanitiser was placed on your hands without touch.

 

[p--and--t]

Well here’s a question from me. Every weekend I make food for Ms FM we go round and deliver it and spend an hour or so with her and Bub. Apart from that Mr FM does a weekly shop and the rest of the time we stay home apart from walking the dogs.

Should we not be visiting? It’s a big house and apart from cuddling Bub we would be keeping social distancing easily. I really don’t want to give up my weekly cuddle!

I think you already know the answer to your question or you wouldn't have asked it. Of course it is no. Clearly the health directive is to not interact (physically) with anyone who does not live under your roof.

 

[amaroo]

I'm jealous!

We already have darts and a pool .... amaroo's will work hard on making regional / state / national teams, in between the youngest doing her grade 12 exams.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I think you already know the answer to your question or you wouldn't have asked it. Of course it is no. Clearly the health directive is to not interact (physically) with anyone who does not live under your roof.

well actually no. We are not in lockdown. Going out to a hairdresser is still OK

I have just checked the Aus health site and it says keep visitors to a minimum. You shouldn’t have large extended family gatherings. You should practise social distancing, if we go into lockdown then I know what to do, but at the moment there are still decisions to be made.

Anyway I checked with Dr FM on safety and she sees the visits as very very low risk, but suggests as a compromise keeping them short. Given she is a paediatrician and currently working in a major London hospital, I feel safe to follow her advice.

 

[p--and--t]

Thankfully the media is largely just dealing with domestic issues with a "relatively" light touch on what is happening in the UK and Italy. China dropping down in mentions rapidly. Africa not even being mentioned.

If we were to be briefed fully on what is happening in some places in the world the general populace would go into a panic which is something authorities really don't need right now. (an example is the unfolding events in NYC and US generally - could be far worse than Italy).

Unfortunately we have a proportion of the AU population not taking the pandemic seriously and in "she'll be right mode" and they will make it a lot worse for the rest of us causing far more deaths and extending the emotional and economic pain for weeks or months longer than there would be otherwise.

The gov really needs to stop fiddling around and send a much firmer but not panicky message. Fine & arrest liberally & whatever to pull the errant into line who are not following the Health Directives.

You would think after the fuss about Bondi things might right themselves....then we have Victorian beaches today

 

[p--and--t]

well actually no. We are not in lockdown. Going out to a hairdresser is still OK

I have just checked the Aus health site and it says keep visitors to a minimum. You shouldn’t have large extended family gatherings. You should practise social distancing, if we go into lockdown then I know what to do, but at the moment there are still decisions to be made.

Anyway I checked with Dr FM on safety and she sees the visits as very very low risk, but suggests as a compromise keeping them short. Given she is a paediatrician and currently working in a major London hospital, I feel safe to follow her advice.

Your call, your family, your decision.

I live with someone on the health front line dealing with patients every day who cannot fathom why you would even be asking.

The problem is the mixed messaging being delivered from the people focusing on the economy and those that are focusing on the pandemic.

The hair salon announcement is totally unfathomable. An employee can't serve you a cup of coffee at a table because of the risk but someone can stand over you and breath on you for an hour and a half and that is ok? Someone can't do your nails, but they can do your hair! Many hundreds of hair salons are closing up of their own volition because they know it is not safe for themselves or the public. The two closest to me have shut up shop.

Premier of Vic made very clear, regardless of what is coming from the feds, just because the pubs are closed you can't invite your mates over for a beer, don't go sit in the park or on the beach; stay home.

 

[juddles]

I went into personal family semi-lockdown today - that means that I gave up my day job as kids now no longer going to school or uni. We did leave the house - to visit a local national park that was completely devoid of people. And a fish market at the wharf where everyone was actually super-compliant with isolation measures. i really loved that some are taking this thing seriously.

But yesterday I also witnessed (mainly young) people at the Dan Murphys. Mingling and blowing away any sense of civic duty.

There is such a huge part of modern society that simply do not "get" this thing. I wish we had the Chinese ability to correct these idiots.....

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I admire your dedication, but what countries have "good supply" of anything needed to combat COVID-19?? What all my associates tell me from afar is that their countries are truly stuffed also?

China as they crank up their factories again have the capability to be major exporters of much of what is required.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Table tennis full kit and spare balls just ordered for home delivery - happy days!

I know table tennis is played at a social distance but can we have an AFF virtual ping pong tournament??

I guess Tele-Darts is a possibility.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Your call, your family, your decision.

I live with someone on the health front line dealing with patients every day who cannot fathom why you would even be asking.

The problem is the mixed messaging being delivered from the people focusing on the economy and those that are focusing on the pandemic.

The hair salon announcement is totally unfathomable. An employee can't serve you a cup of coffee at a table because of the risk but someone can stand over you and breath on you for an hour and a half and that is ok? Someone can't do your nails, but they can do your hair! Many hundreds of hair salons are closing up of their own volition because they know it is not safe for themselves or the public. The two closest to me have shut up shop.

Premier of Vic made very clear, regardless of what is coming from the feds, just because the pubs are closed you can't invite your mates over for a beer, don't go sit in the park or on the beach; stay home.

Vic and NSW clearly have problems and I can understand why they are planning to go to total lockdown before the other states and ACT will follow, if they do. If we do go to lockdown I will abide by that. I see no one at all at the moment apart from my husband and the once a week visit to my daughter. I don’t go shopping, I don’t visit friends, I certainly don’t go and sit in a park, we cancelled Games evenings weeks ago. I don’t have a hairdresser appointment for another 3 weeks and will have a decision to make then as well. I must admit I find that one a bit easier to make as it seems pretty risky.

I feel happier having talked to Dr FM as she knows our family situation and if she feels comfortable with it then I do now as well. I reckon we will see more restrictions within a week so this weekend might be my last visit anyway.

 

[juddles]

China as they crank up their factories again have the capability to be major exporters of much of what is required.

lovetravellingoz, i am trying to find a way to express this that is not insensitive.

I will attempt it anyway:

China is not in the market of exporting anything that helps fight COVID-19. They are sitting on a powder-keg. This disease will haunt them for many years. they have not beaten it - they are in limbo with great restrictions that have frozen it.

China delayed advising this pandemic in the start of the year whilst they made huge efforts to buy up any essentials from overseas sources - including from Australia

China has not in any shape or form beaten the disease They are in a lockdown. Their needs for medical resources are among the highest on the globe.

 

[amaroo]

I'd be ok with us paying half for 3 months if Jacinda coughs up the rest. ANZAC spirit and all that.

One wonders if she’s regretting that silly stunt she pulled the other week when being a guest in this country.

Not sure sledging the home team, and then demanding that same team funds ~ 700,000 of your people is a good game plan.

Pretty sure the gov won’t find it that hard to forget all about Jacinda

 

[juddles]

China as they crank up their factories again have the capability to be major exporters of much of what is required.

And as a secondary commentary.... "as they crank up their factories"....

Says who? China took the decision to stop essentially any new reporting of COVID-19 cases from 1st March. hence the sudden change from exponential increases to zero. By doing so they can now claim that most new cases are imports. An obscene posture given that they were the source...

 

[Cossie]

Interesting times..... same journalist.

24 hours ago:

World Health Organization director praises Trump's leadership in response to coronavirus pandemic

The head of the World Health Organization on Wednesday praised President Trump for his leadership in handling the novel coronavirus outbreak and said the president is "taking responsibility" for leading the United States' response to the global pandemic.

www.foxnews.com

24 minutes ago:

WHO chief's questionable past comes into focus following coronavirus response

The head of the World Health Organization, in charge of making life or death decisions on a grand scale, has been accused of covering up cholera epidemics, supporting a terrorist organization and inflating his resume to claim he conquered malaria and HIV.

www.foxnews.com

 

[Denali]

It has just dawned on me. No one is talking about Africa. Why?

I thought I read yesterday Sth Africa going into 21 day lock down

Can someone tell me why it’s a great idea to make people go to polling booths tomorrow in Queensland (legally there is a fine for not voting).

Especially when democracy has been closed down with parliament suspended for six months!

Haven’t they heard of Tele-conference?

I wouldn't go and when they fine you, fight the fine

 

[Denali]

If mass was like this as a kid, I would have gone more often

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