There were alot of cars out and about today.

Not as many as a normal Auckland weekday but maybe a normal Sunday.

I saw this Covid advert while on the Stuff website. Based on what it said I clicked on the ad to see where these places of interest were in the Waikato. There were none, all the ones I could see were in Auckland. It was like Click Bait

Press release:

 

The Government is making a number of legislative changes to further strengthen New Zealand’s response to COVID-19.

 

“As we look towards a phased reopening of the borders and to reconnect with the world, we have to ensure we have a strong legislative base to help us respond when we do get cases in New Zealand,” COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said.

 

“This includes ensuring the testing network is well set up for continued high numbers of testing, any future surge or need for further capacity, and that we have security of testing materials even if there was to be a global shortage.

 

“We are introducing a tougher penalty system for breaches of COVID-19 Orders that would put others at greater risk from COVID-19, which will include a scale depending on the severity of the breach.  

 

“And we are ensuring the right people have the right powers to act, so the system can be more agile in responding to an outbreak.

 

“Over the past year we have identified some areas of the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act which could use improvement, so we are making changes to ensure the legislation is future-proofed, flexible and responsive.

 

“Most New Zealanders are familiar with key Orders already provided for under the existing Act – for example requiring returnees to go into MIQ and for people to wear masks on public transport – and the Amendment Bill will not be changing any of these,” Chris Hipkins said.

 

The COVID-19 Public Health Response Amendment Bill (No 2) includes:

 

• Strengthening the infringement regime for COVID-19 breaches: 
• Increase fees and fines to provide for a greater deterrent to breaches of the Order and better reflect the grave risk to the community when people do the wrong thing
• Establish separate fees and fines for individuals and businesses  
• Expanding the purpose for which Orders under the Act can be made to keep people safe from COVID-19
• Providing for more efficient management of COVID-19 testing infrastructure. This will improve quality control and create minimum standards for all testing providers
• The ability for the Chief Executive of MBIE to make rules about the day-to-day operation of managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities to ensure that they can continue to operate effectively
• Changing the default liability for MIQ charges so that everyone will be liable for charges unless exempted in regulations
• People who enter MIQ will be required to provide accurate contact information for invoicing purpose

“The intention to switch the MIQ fees regime around so that everybody who is required or chooses to isolate in an MIQ facility must pay the charges unless they are exempt, as well as making it an offence not to provide accurate information, will enable a much easier and smoother invoicing system for all involved,” Chris Hipkins said.

 

“The Amendment Bill was read for the first time tonight and will be referred to the Health Select Committee. Submissions to the Health Select Committee will open in due course.”

 

For further information about the COVID-19 Public Health Response Amendment Bill visit the Ministry of Health website.

 

hmm nobody knows about this? https://www.autocar.co.nz/get-vaccinated-win-a-car-kiwi-giveaway-confirmed/

Scott3:

 

openmedia:

 

L5 = no shops and no mail and no deliveries = no one outside of their property.

 

 

LoL. Hope you are trolling with that. We don't have the supply chain for everybody in Auckland to stock up 5 weeks of food in advance of the lockdown. 

 

Realistically Level 5 would be like the original level 4 in 2020, with slight tighting for ease of enforcement:

 

• Supermarkets, Pharmacies, Utilities, Medical etc. operating as per level 4 (perhaps with vaccine mandates and / or weekly testing mandates for staff).
• None of the stuff for delivery (butchers, breadmakers, TV's, air fryers etc)
• No going to business for watering plants.
• No going off the property for exercise or other recreation (or at least ban using your car for exercise / other recreation) - massive drop in people out makes for easier enforcement.
• Pick people in supply chains that are allowed to operate - I.e. No lunchbox factories.

In reality this is a dry run for the next pandemic. Next time we'll be looking at borders being closed for years, including freight.

Right now I want to see a resilience plan which means NZ can survive without any imports for upto 5+ years.

And no.. this isn't trolling. I really want to see this.

Here is something for anyone who doesn't get my statements about "acceptable deaths".

Watch this Episode of Star Trek - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Taste_of_Armageddon

Batman:

 

hmm nobody knows about this? https://www.autocar.co.nz/get-vaccinated-win-a-car-kiwi-giveaway-confirmed/

 

Looks like a lottery for their employees.

Steel an Tube have a direct bonus , and I expect more companies will do similar to reduce cost of work interruption.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/covid-19-coronavirus-delta-outbreak-steel-and-tube-offers-employees-bonuses-for-getting-vaccinated/YF2DYTHSONAKQ6C62PAVPHUJH4/

If people are 5x less to catch Covid when vaccinated, and your younger workers possibly even more so its money in the bank.

Companies have supported cost of flu vaccinations in the past and I know in one case cost of support to give up smoking.

More power to them

Vaccinate, otherwise you are a target that it seems this will eventually find. 

ezbee:

 

Batman:

 

hmm nobody knows about this? https://www.autocar.co.nz/get-vaccinated-win-a-car-kiwi-giveaway-confirmed/

 

 

Looks like a lottery for their employees.

 

Steel an Tube have a direct bonus , and I expect more companies will do similar to reduce cost of work interruption.

 

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/covid-19-coronavirus-delta-outbreak-steel-and-tube-offers-employees-bonuses-for-getting-vaccinated/YF2DYTHSONAKQ6C62PAVPHUJH4/

 

If people are 4.5x less chance of catching Covid when vaccinated, and your younger workers even more so its money in the bank.

 

Companies have supported cost of flu vaccinations in the past and I know in one case cost of support to give up smoking.

 

More power to them

 

Vaccinate, otherwise you are a target that it seems this will eventually find. 

 

Nah. Open entry (18+). Link to entry for and terms here:

https://www.threenow.co.nz/tv/the-project/home/win/wheel-of-immunity.html

"Conditions
● Promotion conditions include:
○ Entrants must be aged 18 years and older.
○ Entrants must be residents of New Zealand.
○ Entrants must have received a COVID 19 vaccine during the Promotion Period.
○ If you are nominating someone, you must have that nominee’s express consent to do
so. The nominee must agree to be bound by the terms of this Promotion.
○ Entrants agree that, if selected by the promoter, the promoter can record them and
disseminate such recordings in connection with this Promotion.
○ If the Turner prize is won, the car will need to be chosen and collected within 2 weeks as
will the accessories from Hyper Drive.
○ Each business that provides a prize is responsible for supplying the respective prize,
and may have terms and conditions that apply."

The Promotion period isn't specified, But I guess it is the Entry period: "Entry opens on 27th September 2021 at 2:00 pm and closes on 1st October 2021 at 3:00 pm (Entry Period). "

Note that such promotions are banned in Aussie (exclusive for recently vaccinated), as we don't want people to hold off getting their vaccine to cherry pick a promotion.

openmedia:

 

In reality this is a dry run for the next pandemic. Next time we'll be looking at borders being closed for years, including freight.

 

Right now I want to see a resilience plan which means NZ can survive without any imports for upto 5+ years.

 

And no.. this isn't trolling. I really want to see this.

 

Your proposal is extremely dystopian. "no one outside of their property" - Critical infrastructure would fail (power, water, sewage, comms), People would starve, Animals would stave, Hospitals would be filled with rotting bodies when staff returned etc... Crazy to consider this action as a "dry run"

In terms of future pandemics, I think we will see a worse pandemic in our lifetimes, however I don't think 5+ years of border closures incl freight is something we could even contemplate.

Even if we managed to make ourselves self sufficient in things we need (fuels, Medication, and specialized industrial gear like Power substation gear, Industrial programmable chips etc would be extremely hard), the fact that we produce 40million peoples worth of food, would be essentially trigger major food shortages offshore especially if peer countries like Australia did the same, which would be quite unethical.

gzt: After my first covid shot if I recall correctly they said go online and make a booking for the second. Surprised me at the time they didn't book it there and then. I wonder what the gap is averaging to between first and second shots and if we're on target.

When booking for the first covid shot, it also asks you to book for the second. Guessing you therefore walked in or did it over the phone, but I would expect many people can also walk in for their second too if supply isn't a problem, but there must be a lot coming up for a second shot within the next 6 weeks. 

tdgeek:

 

mattwnz:

But it wouldn't mean this. It probably would mean that no one would be allowed to go to work, and they need to stay home. There had been no reports of people catching covid this time from supermarket shopping or from getting things delivered contactlessly. This is why is level 4.5 works be best to be used for suburbs. People get paid a helicopter payment to cover lost income etc. They were discussing this on the news last night.

 

Agree but no helicopter payment. 

 

Lockdown works. Not if "some" people disregard it. NSW they repeatedly blasted those who didn't comply. NZ doesnt do this. But IMHO it needs to be hammered home. AKL is in for a long period of restrictions, but Id wager that most by far, complied.

 

Either those, man up, or most suffer. 

 

These communities were saying they need financial support for paying their bills, and that it would help a lot if suburbs were forced into lockdown. If people are sick but have to pay their bills, many have no option but to go to work, and that is when it spreads. Many will be essential workers too, as essential workers are often lower paid staff, and many are living paycheck to paycheck.

Handle9:

 

tdgeek:

 

if they are found to be positive do they get shipped to Jetpark? 

 

 

Yes

 

Aren't a lot of people allowed to recover and isolate at home? I recall the cases in Wellington were. Maybe it is something to do with other cases in the home, where if there are a lot of people living in a household, it is more than likely others will be infected too, or they could be infected if the person remains in the house. If people knew more details and there was more transparency about what happens if someone tests positive, there maybe a lot less anxiety about it. 

Scott3:

 

openmedia:

 

In reality this is a dry run for the next pandemic. Next time we'll be looking at borders being closed for years, including freight.

 

Right now I want to see a resilience plan which means NZ can survive without any imports for upto 5+ years.

 

And no.. this isn't trolling. I really want to see this.

 

 

Your proposal is extremely dystopian. "no one outside of their property" - Critical infrastructure would fail (power, water, sewage, comms), People would starve, Animals would stave, Hospitals would be filled with rotting bodies when staff returned etc... Crazy to consider this action as a "dry run"

 

In terms of future pandemics, I think we will see a worse pandemic in our lifetimes, however I don't think 5+ years of border closures incl freight is something we could even contemplate.

 

Even if we managed to make ourselves self sufficient in things we need (fuels, Medication, and specialized industrial gear like Power substation gear, Industrial programmable chips etc would be extremely hard), the fact that we produce 40million peoples worth of food, would be essentially trigger major food shortages offshore especially if peer countries like Australia did the same, which would be quite unethical.

 

Dystopian is kind. Impossible is more accurate.