2019 Novel Coronavirus Covid-19 Discussion

Forums › Health and fitness › 2019 Novel Coronavirus Covid-19 Discussion

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#2446511 25-Mar-2020 17:45

has anyone else seen the new craze, The Teddy bear hunt, where people are putting teddy bears in a window so when kids go for a walk they can look out for the bears. Is it only me that thinks it is a stupid idea and encourages people to leave there homes to go find them, my wife thinks it's cute and is off finding a bear to go in the window.

Common sense is not as common as you think.

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#2446515 25-Mar-2020 17:53

I vote for the bears.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

freitasm

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#2446526 25-Mar-2020 17:54

From WCC:

Mayor Andy Foster says there are two reasons for the halt to collections – both based on health and safety.

“First, Wellington City Council’s contractors, like most other employers, have a limited staff roster and so we must ensure they focus first and foremost on collecting rubbish – which is an essential public health service.

“Second, our recycling operation involves a high degree of hand sorting of recyclable products, both when going into the trucks (for glass) and at the Oji plant in Seaview. Workers there manually sort recyclables along a series of conveyor belts.

“Given we understand the Covid-19 virus can remain active for up to three days on some surfaces like plastic, metal and glass, workers are facing too great a risk.

“Different councils run different systems. Some appear to be collecting recycling separate to the rubbish collection, but are nevertheless still landfilling it. In normal conditions our separate recycling processes result in the lowest possible level of contamination, and therefore the highest level of good usable recyclable material. However the Covid-19 threat would make it irresponsible to continue when we move to alert level 4 tonight.

“This will be very disappointing for most of us who are avid recyclers, but while alert level 4 continues, we cannot keep the operation going. That leaves the choices of either putting your recycling into your yellow rubbish bags or private waste collection wheelie-bins or, if you don’t want your recyclables to be landfilled, then wash them thoroughly as you always should and safely stockpile them until the recycling service resumes.”

Further important points:

• The weekly rubbish collection service (rubbish collected in official yellow Wellington City Council bags) is continuing as normal.
• The Southern Landfill is closed to the general public.
• Private-sector wheelie-bin rubbish collections will continue as normal.
• Wellington City Council yellow rubbish bags are available at supermarkets – there is no shortage of stock and bags are being delivered to supermarkets within 48 hours of them being ordered.
• Purchasing, orders and deliveries of recycling bags, wheelie bins and wheelie bin clips, and green crates have ceased for the time-being.

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#2446527 25-Mar-2020 17:55

Batman:

[oh so they didn't think there would be CT? tui ad here.

never heard of prevention better than cure?

No idea where you got that from.

Everyone knows there will be CT. Whats your suggestion?

1. On January 26 to cancel all flights into NZ? All we did then was ban Chinese nationals, later Iran

2. We have had 60 flights per day arriving into AKL, that's probably 60x200 =12000 people per day . Plus Welly, plus ChCh. What do we do with them?

Hindsight is a great thing.

Where are we now? 205 cases all in isolation. Actually not, some of them are in recovery mode now. Included are 4 CT's, also in isolation. There are more, NO ONE has said otherwise.

tdgeek

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#2446532 25-Mar-2020 18:06

freitasm:

tdgeek:

I forget if she stated or implied that there will be harsher measures such as quarantine when numbers reduce.

Yes, there'll be quarantine - either at hotels or the same installations previously used for isolation.

Good news. Id have loved full quarantine from days and days and days ago, but as she said its too much. 12000 per day, say 5000 rooms, per day, way too much. We bring Kiwis home, with infections, we know that, we test them, thats been a managed solution. As the PM said the numbers will now be lower. With full lockdown, and lower incoming, nows the time. Hotels now, not then, are empty. Its been managed well IMHO.

As I just posted where are we now? 205 cases, all isolated. The known CT's are isolated. Now, we can focus on new CT's

I didn't catch the detail, but there is a Parliamentary committee that apparently is full of powerful people. Across all parties. Who leads that? Simon Bridges. Thats leadership by the PM to go at this virus, politics is put aside. By all parties.

IMHO, we are playing this game ahead of the eight ball

gchiu

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#2446534 25-Mar-2020 18:06

tdgeek:

Hindsight is a great thing.

6 weeks ago China was imposing 2 weeks quarantine on all citizens returning from one city to another.

Meanwhile the response at the airport borders was to check your passport to see if you were inherently immune because your passport colour was black.

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dogstar001

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#2446535 25-Mar-2020 18:07

gchiu:
Batman:

if they had quarantined from 2 weeks ago we won't have to shut down. we had all the time in the world.

instead we watched it rise and rise and rise and then we test until we found CT and then we shut down, spend up 100 billion dollars, and there is still no quarantine.

i still do not understand western logic.

someone explain.

Very poor advice was given to the Govt, and their inability to seek independent corroboration, is the only explanation.

BTW, isn't it time you changed your nick? lol

They were greedy, they didn't want the tourism industry to go down the drain. Now the whole economy has gone down it. whoopsie daisy

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#2446536 25-Mar-2020 18:07

Standby for a Civil Defence Broadcast Alert this hour

tdgeek

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#2446537 25-Mar-2020 18:08

freitasm:

Every freaking greedy bastard and his dog are now self-proclaiming "essential service and we will be open". You just need to have a chewing gum in your stock list to think you can remain open. Idiots. I hope they get caught.

Three words. Police, Defence Forces

gchiu

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#2446538 25-Mar-2020 18:08

I was hearing Mei Heron talking on the news. She refers to our PM as Jacinda. But did anyone refer to John Key as "John" ?

freitasm

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#2446540 25-Mar-2020 18:10

Press release:

The Government is supporting New Zealanders to stay in their rental properties with a six month freeze on residential rent increases and increased protection from having their tenancies terminated, says the Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods.

“These changes will ensure that people can stay in their homes during this challenging time. This enables families and individuals to self-isolate, to stay home and maintain physical distancing, supporting the public health of all New Zealanders.

“It also means that in the short term, families and individuals who are tenants do not lose their home due to a drop in income related to job losses through Covid-19.

“Sustaining tenants in their current homes will help prevent further pressure on our welfare system at this time,” Dr Woods said.

Minister Woods is making it clear that tenants have obligations as well.

“It is not acceptable for tenants to abuse the current situation by refusing to pay rent when they have the capacity to do so, causing significant property damage, or significant anti-social behaviour. Tenants are still fully liable for their rent payments and any damage as we ensure that Landlords do not increase the burden on tenants.”

“The measures we have proposed try to balance protection of the interests of tenants, landlords, and the wider community during this unprecedented time.”

“The rent increase freeze will protect tenants from additional financial hardship at a time when they are more likely to already be facing financial stress. Increases in rent are now prohibited under any circumstances, for the period of the legislative amendments. However, tenants still must pay their rent.”

“Landlords also need to be aware that breaching rent increase provisions or tenancy termination provisions under these new rules, constitutes an unlawful act, with exemplary damages of up to $6,500 payable in each case,” Megan Woods said.

Tenancy termination measures apply for three months, and this may be extended if necessary.

Importantly, where a tenant has symptoms of Covid-19, or is confirmed as positive, this is not grounds for a landlord to terminate a tenancy. Nor is a tenant required to notify their landlord if they test positive for Covid-19. However, we encourage tenants to advise the landlord, if the landlord needs to attend the property while the tenant is self-isolating, for example, if the landlord needs to undertake urgent repairs at the property.

“In these unprecedented times, we encourage landlords to talk to their tenants, work together and take care of each other wherever possible. Parties should try to come to an arrangement that suits them both. We need to work together and help each other to fight Covid-19,” Megan Woods said.

If you need financial assistance or emergency accommodation, you should talk to Work and Income: www.workandincome.govt.nz/providers/housing-providers/emergency-housing/index.html

Notes to Editor

Rent Increases: there is a freeze on rent increases. Regardless of when notice of a rent increase was provided, no increase is permitted if the effective date is after the date this law comes into effect.

End-of-Tenancy/Evictions: Moving house is unlikely to be considered 'essential' during the lock-down. Fixed-term and periodic tenancies will not end unless specific grounds applying (e.g. the tenant wants the tenancy to end). Tenants cannot be evicted during the lock-down, except in very limited circumstances.

Buyers/Sellers: The Law Society is recommending settlement dates are delayed as sellers will be unable to provide vacant possession, and buyers will be unable to move in.

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#2446541 25-Mar-2020 18:10

When do you think we needed to close the border to have been the only place entirely free of the virus?

freitasm

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#2446542 25-Mar-2020 18:10

Press release:

Canada, Australia, Chile, Brunei and Myanmar have joined forces with New Zealand and Singapore by committing to keep supply chains open and remove any existing trade restrictive measures on essential goods, especially medical supplies, in the face of the Covid-19 crisis.

Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker today welcomed the announcement.

“I welcome the commitment made by Canada, Australia, Chile, Brunei and Myanmar in joining New Zealand and Singapore to help ensure our citizens can access the important goods and medical supplies we need in this time of global crisis,” David Parker said.

“It is important we have assurance from some of our key partners that trade lines between us will remain open, including via air and sea freight, to facilitate the flow of goods including essential supplies.

“Trade policy on its own can’t solve the problems and challenges we face, but it can and must be part of the solution. We are thinking about next steps to give practical and swift effect to our shared commitment to address the global pandemic through global cooperation."

JOINT MINISTERIAL STATEMENT BY AUSTRALIA, BRUNEI DARUSSALAM, CANADA, CHILE, THE REPUBLIC OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR, NEW ZEALAND AND SINGAPORE

The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious global crisis. As part of our collective response to combat COVID-19, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, New Zealand and Singapore are committed to maintaining open and connected supply chains. We will also work closely to identify and address trade disruptions with ramifications on the flow of necessities.

We recognise that it is in our mutual interest to ensure that trade lines remain open, including via air and sea freight, to facilitate the flow of goods including essential supplies.

We affirm the importance of refraining from the imposition of export controls or tariffs and non-tariff barriers and of removing any existing trade restrictive measures on essential goods, especially medical supplies, at this time.

We are committed to working with all like-minded countries to ensure that trade continues to flow unimpeded, and that critical infrastructure such as our air and seaports remain open to support the viability and integrity of supply chains globally.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Australia, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham

Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II, Brunei Darussalam, Hon Dato Dr Amin Liew Abdullah

Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, Canada, Hon Mary Ng

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chile, Teodoro Ribera

Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations, The Republic of the Union of Myanmar, ThaungTun

Minister for Trade and Export Growth, New Zealand, Hon David Parker

Minister for Trade and Industry, Singapore, Hon Chan Chun Sing

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#2446543 25-Mar-2020 18:12

Press release:

As New Zealand unites to lock-down in the fight against COVID-19, the Finance Minister is urging all businesses and workers to stay connected over the next four weeks.

“We understand the extreme pressure many businesses are under right now. I know most business owners think of their workers as family and want to do the right thing during this unprecedented time,” Grant Robertson says.

“That’s why we’re saying ‘we have your backs’ through the measures we have in place, including the wage subsidy and working capital support alongside the banks.”

The measures include:

Facilitating a 6-month deferred mortgage payment scheme to support mortgage holders whose incomes are affected by COVID-19, so that Kiwis don’t lose their homes during this period
An estimated $9.3 billion in wage subsidies for affected businesses in all sectors and regions,
Support for renters through a freeze on rent increases and end to no-cause evictions on top of existing support like the Accommodation Supplement and MSD grants to help with rent and hardship payments
Protecting the ability of our public health services to respond to this global pandemic and access the resources they need through an initial $500 million investment.
Doubling the 2020 Winter Energy Payment for Superannuitants and main-benefit recipients from 1 May to 1 October to make sure our most vulnerable are able to heat their homes particularly during a time when over-70s are to remain at home.
A $25 per week increase to main benefits to protect our most vulnerable and those who lose their jobs, on top of the $10 a week wage indexation increase from 1 April.
The $6.25 billion Business Finance Guarantee Scheme to provide loans of up to $500,000 for businesses with annual revenues between $250,000 and $80 million, for up to three years – 80% guaranteed by the Government.
Business tax changes to free up cashflow, including a provisional tax threshold lift, the reinstatement of building depreciation and writing off interest on the late payment of tax
“Our immediate priority is making sure New Zealand is prepared for the four week lock-down period from midnight tonight, so that we can get through it and out the other side with Kiwis staying safe and well,” Grant Robertson said.

“As the country enters Alert Level 4, all workers who don’t work for essential services will have to stay home for four weeks. Maintaining contact with workers will put businesses in a better position to recover once we are through this period. We will continue to monitor the support programmes and act as is necessary to support the incomes and livelihoods of New Zealanders.

“This will make the recovery faster because businesses won’t have to start again from scratch, which would be the case if they sever their work force,” Grant Robertson said.

To apply for COVID-19 assistance: https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/covid-19-support.html#null

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#2446544 25-Mar-2020 18:12

Press release:

A State of National Emergency has been declared across the country as the Government pulls out all the stops to curtail the spread of COVID-19.

“Today we put in place our country’s second ever State of National Emergency as we fight a global pandemic, save New Zealanders’ lives and prevent the very worst that we’ve seen around the world from happening here,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.

“As the country moves into Alert Level 4 – Eliminate, at midnight, we need all the tools at our disposal to ensure everyone reduces down contact with one another across the board.

“Through the early and hard measures we’ve taken at the border, using the powers under the Health Act, the signing of Epidemic Notices, and now, being in a State of National Emergency, we have all of the legislative means possible, all the enforcement powers, all the tools we need, at our disposal to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002, today’s State of National Emergency declaration allows the Director Civil Defence Emergency Management to direct and coordinate personnel, material and other resources, and provides access to other extra-ordinary powers that will support delivery of an effective and timely response to COVID-19.

While in force, the State of National Emergency will allow the Director and local controllers, as needed, to provide for the:

conservation and supply of food, fuel and other essential supplies
regulate land, water and air traffic
to close roads and public places
to evacuate any premises, including any public place
and if necessary to exclude people or vehicles from any premises or place.

“Failure of anyone to play their part in coming days will put the lives of others at risk, and there will be no tolerance for that.

“We do not expect to use the full extent of these measures but, as with everything we have done in response to COVID-19, we plan, we prepare, we have in place everything we need to get through.

“For now, I ask that New Zealanders do their part. Stay home, break the chain, save lives,” Jacinda Ardern said.

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