2019 Novel Coronavirus Covid-19 Discussion

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90 posts

Master Geek

#2454195 4-Apr-2020 10:09

At some point sympathy for Americans runs completely dry. For me this is that point. This is so utterly absurd I really am struggling to believe it's true.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/apr/03/wisconsin-election-coronavirus-pandemic

As states across the US delay their primary elections in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, Wisconsin has decided to stay the course – and it is in complete disarray.

Some 111 jurisdictions don’t have enough poll workers to staff a single polling location for the Tuesday vote, and the governor has enlisted Wisconsin’s national guard to help run them. One election official said he feels “sick” asking people to work the polls, knowing it could kill them. Others have advised some voters to isolate their mail-in ballot envelopes for 24 hours before getting a witness to sign it to avoid spreading the virus. And Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders called for the election to be delayed.

bmt

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Ultimate Geek

#2454196 4-Apr-2020 10:09

sqishy:

So we all stay home, we use more water, electricity and gas. These utility companies seem to be keeping quiet while they reaps the benefits of increased revenue.

Our rates have not reduced albeit we don't use libraries or other council run community funded and we aren't damaging the roads as much.

Its going be a weird day when we come back to normal and even think how we transition to that.

Firstly, revenue by itself doesn't mean anything. Huge revenue + huge expenses = 0 profit, who is winning then?

Secondly, all that is offset by a reduction in commercial usage.

iamaelephant

90 posts

Master Geek

#2454199 4-Apr-2020 10:11

sqishy:

So we all stay home, we use more water, electricity and gas. These utility companies seem to be keeping quiet while they reaps the benefits of increased revenue.

Our rates have not reduced albeit we don't use libraries or other council run community funded and we aren't damaging the roads as much.

Its going be a weird day when we come back to normal and even think how we transition to that.

As long as they're not profiteering, I'm happy for any sector of the economy we can keep up and running and employing people.

gchiu

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#2454205 4-Apr-2020 10:18

sqishy:

Our rates have not reduced albeit we don't use libraries or other council run community funded and we aren't damaging the roads as much.

The WCC is talking about rates deferral. It might also consider reducing the pay for all of its overpaid staff as well since there is no longer any income from rates, swimming pools, car meters, infringements, library fines etc., rather than just borrow money to pay its staff.

gchiu

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#2454206 4-Apr-2020 10:21

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-government/120559561/coronavirus-dunedin-chief-executive-takes-salary-cut-during-virus-crisis

Dunedin council's chief executive – and her team – have offered to reduce their salaries as the city braces for the full impact of Covid-19.

First-term mayor Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins issued a statement hours before a lockdown was due to take effect, saying rates increases maybe be deferred until at least July 1, 2021.

He also confirmed chief executive Sue Bidrose would reduce her $444,000 annual salary by 15 per cent over the next six months, saving ratepayers $33,300. The executive leadership team members have all volunteered to reduce their salaries in the short term.

frankv

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#2454207 4-Apr-2020 10:26

bmt:

sqishy:

So we all stay home, we use more water, electricity and gas. These utility companies seem to be keeping quiet while they reaps the benefits of increased revenue.

Our rates have not reduced albeit we don't use libraries or other council run community funded and we aren't damaging the roads as much.

Its going be a weird day when we come back to normal and even think how we transition to that.

Firstly, revenue by itself doesn't mean anything. Huge revenue + huge expenses = 0 profit, who is winning then?

Secondly, all that is offset by a reduction in commercial usage.

Thirdly, the council is still paying the wages (or part thereof) of the librarians and other council staff. And while maintenance isn't being done right now on buildings, roads, etc, it will need to be when the lockdown is over. So I don't think council expenses have dropped significantly.

Fourthly, I think each person will use about the same amount of water, electricity, gas no matter whether they are at home or at work. So, per person, the utilities will be doing the same, although individuals will be paying all of it rather than employers paying (WAG) a quarter. There will be vastly reduced corporate usage, so utilities' revenue will have dropped, not increased.

afe66

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#2454209 4-Apr-2020 10:26

sqishy:
So we all stay home, we use more water, electricity and gas. These utility companies seem to be keeping quiet while they reaps the benefits of increased revenue.

.

Hmmm I would have thought the reduction in industrial electricity from factory shut downs would reduce income far more than increased use from people being at home.

Its summer so not using lots of heating. Not going to work so maybe less or equal hot water use.

At my house the greatest change has been more tv computer entertainment type events no change in fridge freezer hot water or heating.

So I doubt there has been large profits from electricity because of shut down surely ?

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djtOtago

1149 posts

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#2454212 4-Apr-2020 10:33

sqishy:

So we all stay home, we use more water, electricity and gas. These utility companies seem to be keeping quiet while they reaps the benefits of increased revenue.

Our rates have not reduced albeit we don't use libraries or other council run community funded and we aren't damaging the roads as much.

Its going be a weird day when we come back to normal and even think how we transition to that.

With a lot of companies shut down I would expect overall the usage of electricity e.t.c will be down.
For me alone if I was at work I would be using at least 4kW per hour. At home it is about 1kW per hour

Sideface

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#2454213 4-Apr-2020 10:34

neb:
Sideface:

Navy Capt. Brett Crozier, the commanding officer of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, was relieved of command at the direction of acting Navy secretary Thomas Modly....

When I read that earlier today I thought that while the Navy brass may not like him, he's probably got the undying respect of his crew, and other crews in the Navy, for putting them before the Navy's PR requirements.

CNN Politics - Sailors cheer for aircraft carrier commander who was removed after issuing coronavirus warning

03 April 2020

"Sailors aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier cheered for Capt. Brett Crozier as he disembarked the ship for the last time, an overwhelming show of support for their leader who was relieved of his command after issuing a stark warning about a coronavirus outbreak onboard. ..."

Sideface

Batman

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#2454214 4-Apr-2020 10:40

cshwone:

Batman:

Yeah I looked at every body's curve. Everyone is heading to the same destination except China. But world is skeptical about China's data. Time will tell.

Think you are making a far too broad and sweeping statement. This seems to be good article on Stuff which is at odds with your ascertation:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120731509/coronavirus-how-hard-how-early-the-numbers-behind-new-zealands-quick-lockdown

without sounding doomsday-like, i'm just trying to put the facts out there vs feelings. i'm saying facts are unknown, but feelings are aplenty.

your article says we went hard and early, harder and earlier than most. but it doesn't suggest it is working or it's not working, because i don't think anyone can see the future.

i said time will tell. i think the PM agrees. this is what PM said:

"At the moment, it's a bit too early to say. "

"All the data we're sharing with you, I'm getting as well."

With all the modelling data we have, it's too early to say. Of course I'd love to be wrong.

why is it all so hard to predict? probably because of: asymptomatic transmission

are we doomed? no. the weapon to counter that is mass testing apparently.

gchiu

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#2454219 4-Apr-2020 10:52

https://www.odt.co.nz/business/tiwai-smelter-close-one-four-lines

So that frees up 50MW to go onto the open market which I presume gets them more than the Tiwai point contract does?

Ge0rge

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#2454222 4-Apr-2020 10:56

gchiu:
https://www.odt.co.nz/business/tiwai-smelter-close-one-four-lines

So that frees up 50MW to go onto the open market which I presume gets them more than the Tiwai point contract does?

No, as there is no real ability to transfer that power across to the national grid.

gchiu

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#2454227 4-Apr-2020 11:00

Can't they do anything with the power?

Pump water into the hydrodams? Charge a few AA batteries?

gchiu

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#2454229 4-Apr-2020 11:03

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/03/vietnam-contain-covid-19-limited-resources

So far, the country has 194 confirmed COVID-19 coronavirus cases, and no fatalities. Unlike other, wealthier Asian countries, Viet Nam isn’t in a position to conduct mass testing programmes. South Korea, for example, has tested 338,000 people. In Viet Nam, that number stands at just 15,637 people (figures for 20 March 2020). But by focusing on measures that are within its control, the country has won praise from the international community.

Swift action

On 1 February, Viet Nam kicked off a series of initiatives to tackle the spread of COVID-19. It suspended all flights to and from China. It also decided to keep schools closed after the lunar New Year break. Two weeks later, a 21-day quarantine was imposed in Vinh Phuc province, north of Hanoi. That decision was sparked by concerns over the health status of migrant workers returning from Wuhan, China, where the virus originated.

..

Its anti-coronavirus measures have gone on to include mandatory 14-day quarantines for anyone arriving in Viet Nam and the cancellation of all foreign flights. It has also isolated infected people and then set about tracking down anyone they might have come into contact with.

PolicyGuy

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#2454230 4-Apr-2020 11:04

Ge0rge:
gchiu:

https://www.odt.co.nz/business/tiwai-smelter-close-one-four-lines

So that frees up 50MW to go onto the open market which I presume gets them more than the Tiwai point contract does?

No, as there is no real ability to transfer that power across to the national grid.

IIRC, Transpower has said it would cost ~$600M to fully tie Manapouri into the national grid, and upgrade the Cook Strait HVDC link to carry the additional power north.

It might be a suitable project for the post-Covid infrastructure build-out.
It wouldn't surprise me at all if Transpower were working hard on making that a 'shovel-ready' project right now, with or without nod & a wink from the Beehive.

In the meantime, I guess they just spill water, I suppose into the Waiau River

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