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

[GarrettM]

Why am I constantly reminded of the AFR's legendary "World is fukt" front page.

Gong to be a long time before this we get through this.





For those of use who do that is.

 

[Brissy1]

I was at Woolworths Gordon this morning for the"seniors" hour. Pandemonium! Caused by Woolworths! No checkouts were open except for the service desk! (and of course the self check out). Shelves just as empty (no normal rice and of course no t paper, tissues et c.) The queue was literally twice as long as I've ever seen it before, inc Christmas.
And the attached BWS bottle shop closed! Gees.

 

[Lynda2475]

Given new self quarantine requirments for those returning from overseas, im surprised Woolies and Coles have been allowed to suspend home deliveries (you'd think they'd actually be employing extra drivers). It seems likely people willbe forced to break quarantine in order to feed themselves if delivery options have been denied to them. I know when I get back from an overseas trip the larder is usually pretty empty and first stop after a proper coffee is always the supermarket to restock.

 

[Must...Fly!]

In Italy supermarkets are still open, shortages are not apparent and society has not collapsed.

Supermarket deliveries are basically non-existent, people are going to the shops to buy things and relying on neighbours if required.

That's what will end up happening here too. The world is changing, we must change with it.

Of course, then there are the English in Benidorm, with Police absolutely pleading with them.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1239211245070422016

 

[33kft]

Agreed. @Lynda2475. The Government has advice on this point, and it is to get someone to do it for you.

This is at best poor guidance. Not only are we now reliant on others exposing themselves on our behalf (I use our as an upcoming isolatee myself) understanding that I am more of a potential risk than someone who hasn't traveled, but this requires a whole string of logistical dots to line up - not everyone has family in the country/state/city they are in, can you imagine having to burden neighbours/workmates/etc with this? How would you even correctly contact them without putting them at risk? It's nice that it will work for some people but it is hardly solid guidance for the populace. I really feel for inbound visitors under these conditions.

Post automatically merged: Mar 17, 2020

That's what will end up happening here too. The world is changing, we must change with it.

Those under compulsory isolation cannot just head down to the shops to buy for themselves:

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/03/coronavirus-covid-19-isolation-guidance_2.pdf

(That's not entirely true, it says if you must leave home and doesn't rule out leaving home for emergency supplies, but with the sort of fines to be levied by not following the isolation guidelines I am not sure who would be keen to argue this with those policing it?)

 

[p--and--t]

Of course, then there are the English in Benidorm, with Police absolutely pleading with them.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1239211245070422016

Appalling. But it did sadly immediately spring to mind, will it be any different in Bali with a certain cohort of Aussie visitors?

 

[Lynda2475]

The only family I have close by are my elderly parents, if I get sick with a cold (let alone Covid-19) I have to ask them not to visit as my Mum is immuno compromised. Sad as it is i dont even know any of my current neighbours by name, let alone well enogh to ask them to shop for me.

Youd think government would provide those who are confirmed as needing to isolate with a custome rnumber of somethign that gives them priorty over the lazy for home deliveries.

 

[Denali]

Given new self quarantine requirments for those returning from overseas, im surprised Woolies and Coles have been allowed to suspend home deliveries (you'd think they'd actually be employing extra drivers). It seems likely people willbe forced to break quarantine in order to feed themselves if delivery options have been denied to them. I know when I get back from an overseas trip the larder is usually pretty empty and first stop after a proper coffee is always the supermarket to restock.

My Coles delivery yesterday was missing lots of items, which I expected, BUT I had been charged/didnt receive about $60 worth of product - hope someone enjoys the Porterhouse and icecream that I paid for, meaning my bag was given to someone else

Tried to phone but abviously Coles are not responding so sent an email for refund, whiich should take 48hrs to respond so fingers crossed

As for cancelling all deliveries - WTF. Even if I dont get everything I order, I happy for part order. If drivers dont want to come inside homes, then leave on front step.

 

[p--and--t]

As for cancelling all deliveries - WTF. Even if I dont get everything I order, I happy for part order. If drivers dont want to come inside homes, then leave on front step.

I think the situation is more along the lines of:

• significant increase in orders, more than they can possibly deliver with current staff/vehicles and unethical people using it as an alternate method to get more than the current "rationing" of basics allows
• temporary shortages of so many basics, disappointed customers
• shortages triggering massive numbers of requests for refunds, complaints.

 

[33kft]

It's likely, @p--and--t and they are probably caught out by a one in 100 year event.

The thing is, absolutely every business is, and it's how they handle it that defines them. Airlines would be in a much more understandable position to just give up and leave everyone where they are and shut down but they aren't (and all are seemingly doing a great job under what is extreme pressure) and yet Coles have seemingly thrown their hands in the air and given up.

Either they sort things out soon, or this should not go forgotten when things have settled down again, in my opinion.

 

[Lawrage]

The only family I have close by are my elderly parents, if I get sick with a cold (let alone Covid-19) I have to ask them not to visit as my Mum is immuno compromised. Sad as it is i dont even know any of my current neighbours by name, let alone well enogh to ask them to shop for me.

Youd think government would provide those who are confirmed as needing to isolate with a custome rnumber of somethign that gives them priorty over the lazy for home deliveries.

Speaking to a friend in Amsterdam he was telling me people are going out of their way to help and shop for the ederly. I don't see any of that here.

Also dont be afraid to ask a neighbour. If I got asked for help with shopping for an elderly neighbour I will gladly help. Maybe I should be thinking the other way and go and offer rather than wait to be asked.

 

[Pushka]

My Brit DIL's know this wonderful young lady.

Cornish woman’s idea to help self-isolating neighbours goes global

Becky Wass is sending special postcards to elderly neighbours

www.cornwalllive.com

 

[Brissy1]

Boarding a Jetstar flight Sydney to brisbane right now, I thought it might be almost empty but it's packed! Must be full of rescheduled WPs!

 

[jase05]

I think a 2 week ban on international travel is imminent. Perhaps as early as the next couple of days it will be announced

 

[moa999]

I think a 2 week ban on international travel is imminent. Perhaps as early as the next couple of days it will be announced

The 14-day quarantine is effectively that anyway. No-one will voluntarily fly either in or out. And airlines are cutting flights.

 

[Lynda2475]

I havent travelled this year so dont need to self quarantine but would likely call friends before asking any neighbours.

I notice that Coles have jacked the orices up on many items in the past week, Dettol Laundry sanitiser that usually is between $6-$8 depending on whetehr on sale or regualr price is now $10. Most fruit and veg is also higher per kilo price.

With al the extra sales due to pianic buying, the big 2 can afford to deidicate more staff to restocking na dpacking home deliveries, and employ some more delivery drivers (or partner with Amazon or Uber Eats) to delivery stuff instead of giving up.

I think the majority of arrivals we will see int he next few weeks are Aussies who have been abroad coming home.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Good to see that NZ has attacked the economic issues of the Covid-19 issues with a spend of 4% of GDP including covering wages for people who are required to self-isolate but cannot work from home, or those caring for relatives who are sick with the virus, even if they are not sick or do not test positive for Covid-19 .

Seems far more sensible than our efforts so far. I expect we will have to have another round to get to somewhere near that figure soon.

 

[NickCorr]

I can't, spent too long in the UK in the eighties!

Me too!! To high a possibility of CJD.
Sadly a friend of mine died of it 2 years ago too... :-(

 

[Matt_01]

Melbourne this afternoon, lots of cancelled flights and a bit of a ghost town.


The lounge is also pretty empty

 

[p--and--t]

Anyone with the wild notion of going to the US for a holiday (or even work) should definitely think again...

San Francisco and Bay Area will shelter in place to slow coronavirus spread

The order will ban nonessential travel and limit movement for some.

www.theverge.com