thedailyblog--2020-04-21--Life in Lock Down: Day 27 – and it’s been a shit day.

The second-best possible news ; testing has revealed only five new cases .
If this keeps up , we might – might !
– be down to zero by the time we move to Level 3 at 11.59pm on Monday 27 April .
Except… the good news was marred by the death of another person ; a 70 year old woman from a rest home in Te Atatu .
Also marred by an asinine response from our benighted Leader of the Opposition , yesterday , which has raised a storm of anger from thousands of New Zealanders .
And marred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anger and left me wondering if I should have bothered with all the precautions and sacrifice that I ( and hundreds of thousands of other New Zealanders ) have made over the last few weeks… My usual trip into town yielded my usual observations of commercial vehicles as well as ordinary cars .
Traffic seemed sparse ; no heavier or lighter than usual .
Which is a good sign that people are not taking the planned move to Level 3 as an invitation to leave their lock-down en masse .
In fact , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Park N Ride had dropped from the usual three to two .
The wide variety of commercial vehicles , though , ranged from what were clearly essential to more questionable status .
Such as the “ Directionz ” van parked outside a closed McDonalds outlet : “ Directionz ” deals in commercial signage , traffic signs , and graffiti removal .
The ship spotted in the harbour yesterday was still in position , station-keeping in the same spot ; It may be there for quite a while : they have twelve more days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was road-works in Vivian Street ; And yet more roadworks in Wellington .
This time at The Cutting in Miramar ; Note the photo immediately above .
Look to the left of the white truck .
Here ’ s a close-up ; If that ’ s two metre social distancing in a workplace setting , then obviously I ’ ve been taught the metric system incorrectly .
This is why I reject calls from the National Party , ACT , and various sundry business lobby groups to allow all retailers to open , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing ” while trading .
I call ‘ bollocks ’ on that .
I also share similar reservations that safe social distancing can be managed during a Level 3 lock-down where non-contact business activity and trading will be permitted .
So far I see precious little “ safe social distancing ” even in the limited activities that are publicly visible .
( See also busy aisles at Kilbirnie Pak N Save here : Life in Lock Down : Day 23 ) Then there was this from Opposition Leader Simon Bridges on his Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The public has done a great job of self-isolating and social distancing .
The entire country has made huge sacrifices to ensure the four week lockdown was effective .
Unfortunately the Government hasn ’ t done enough and isn ’ t ready by its own standards and rhetoric.
” When Transport Agency data shows road traffic down between 73 and 82 % from a year ago , that ’ s a fairly strong indication that the over-whelming majority of New Zealanders are doing the right thing .
It suggests they trust this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policies that will , in the long run , save lives .
The fact that new cases have been trending downward for the last two weeks , until we now stand at only five is a clear sign we are going in the right direction .
PM Ardern and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield have been in our living rooms for the last four weeks , almost night after night , and most New Zealanders have grown to trust them as a steady pair of hands .
So when Simon Bridges attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immensely popular Prime Minister and highly respected Dr Bloomfield , then he is basically “ giving the finger ” to the entire country .
Which is why around 82 % of the stats to his post are in some way negative ; The responses were ferocious in condemnation .
The country has been in lock-down for nearly four weeks .
Our lives have been disrupted .
Thirteen people have died ( with one in Peru ) .
Thousand have lost their jobs .
Four weeks lock-down was an impromptu “ holiday ” – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while a tropical storm lashes your area for the entire time of your stay .
Not much fun .
People are cranky .
They are pissed off at those who flout the rules so they can have a good time while the rest of us tow-the-line .
We want normalcy .
We want to walk into a supermarket and not have to keep two sodding metres away from everyone – just in case .
So for Mr Bridges to lob his on-line “ grenade ” at the government was not just an attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but also a snide dig at all of us .
Despite stating “ New Zealanders can be proud of the sacrifices they have made during this difficult time “ , he was effectively dismissing those sacrifices as utterly meaningless .
Simon Bridges not only failed to “ read the room ” – he was in the wrong bloody building !
The more comments he makes along the lines of his Facebook post yesterday ( 21 April ) , the more entrenched will be the public view of him as someone not fit to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And then , this evening on RNZ Checkpoint , came revelations that Air New Zealand air crew were returning from overseas flights – and not quarantining on arrival – despite several staff having been infected by covid19 ; Air New Zealand is keeping secret the number of its staff infected with Covid-19 amid allegations it is not doing enough to keep its workers safe .
The airline ’ s crews who fly internationally continue to be exempt from the strict 14-day quarantine rules for people returning to New Zealand from overseas – with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Monday the airline confirmed crew members had been forced to self-isolate after some staff allegedly disregarded physical distancing rules during a layover in Vancouver .
Documents obtained by Checkpoint show increasing unease and fear among flight crew staff about the exemption from isolation or quarantine , and the risk it poses to colleagues and the public .
Air New Zealand is currently operating 16 return international services a week .
At the end of May it plans to add three return services a week to Shanghai to that schedule .
For more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked Air New Zealand , the Ministry of Health and the Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield for the number of Air NZ staff who have tested positive for Covid-19 .
New Zealand ’ s biggest Covid-19 coronavirus cluster is the Bluff wedding , where the virus has spread to nearly 100 people and killed two , including the groom ’ s father .
The cluster has been officially linked to overseas travel .
An Air NZ flight attendant who had just returned from the United States and had already been exposed to Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On 19 March , NZ5 arrived at Auckland from LAX on which three passengers tested positive for Covid-19 , at least two crew later tested positive .
A crew member from that flight , before testing positive , went down to Bluff to attend a wedding , and now we all know about the ‘ Bluff cluster ’ , ” an Air NZ employee told Checkpoint .
Four days before that , Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced compulsory 14-day self-isolation for anyone arriving in New Zealand from anywhere in the world , excluding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Air NZ crew remained exempt at the time and have largely maintained that exemption throughout the pandemic .
On Monday 20 April , Air NZ ’ s Shareholding Minister Grant Robertson told Checkpoint it was his understanding the exemption had continued .
That is despite employees repeatedly raising concerns that the lack of isolation for returning crews was endangering them and other people , Checkpoint has learned .
A letter sent to Air NZ management earlier in April starkly laid out the issue : “ An Air New Zealand flight arrived at Auckland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 .
One in each class throughout the aircraft .
Four crew later tested positive .
“ Another crew member from that same flight , before testing positive , attended meetings , then embarked on a four-night tour of duty .
“ One of those meetings was attended by yourself .
If the 14-day separation rule was in place , that crew member would have remained in self-isolation at home and would not have placed other members of the community or colleagues at risk of Covid-19.
” Ministry of Health guidelines exempt aircrew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as long as they appear healthy , but the same letter noted these protocols are minimum guidelines .
Note the part where it says “ as long as they appear healthy “ .
From the Ministry of Health ’ s own website ; “ Symptoms take up to 14 days to show after a person has been infected .
A person can pass on the virus to others before they know they have it – from up to two days before symptoms develop .
” I was dumbfounded when I heard the story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dumbfounded and furious .
For the last four weeks my partner and I have studiously observed the lock-down rules .
We have kept separate “ bubbles ” ( we do not live in the same houses ) .
We keep grocery shopping to a minimum , observing the 2 metre distancing rule .
We don ’ t go to the beach .
We stay home .
And when I go to work , I go directly to the facilities I work at ; do my job ; then come home .
But according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their staff to work overseas and then return to this country and wander around freely .
Dozens of their air crew staff are walking around our major cities .
If any carry the contagion , they will be oblivious to it .
Some have already been stricken by the virus .
But Air New Zealand won ’ t tell us .
We could get the daily rate of new cases down to zero by Friday – only to have new infection clusters blow up at any time because an Air New Zealand crew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Remember : “ A person can pass on the virus to others before they know they have it – from up to two days before symptoms develop .
” Shareholding Minister Grant Robertson must act on this .
• We need to know how many Air New Zealand staff have had the virus .
• We need to have this practice of non-quarantining cease immediately .
• And the CEO of Air New Zealand might as well take the next flight out of this country and not come back .
Once again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over .
As if the Erebus disaster and subsequent cover-up hadn ’ t been enough of a stain on their reputation .
God help us , was Simon Bridges right ?
“ Unfortunately the Government hasn ’ t done enough and isn ’ t ready by its own standards and rhetoric ” Minister Robertson can not ignore this shambles .
It is putting us all at risk .
We ’ ve already had one death from a transmission by an Air New Zealand staffer .
RNZ : Air NZ silent about Covid-19 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ministry of Health : Covid-19 ( novel coronavirus ) – health advice for the general public RNZ : Air NZ silent about Covid-19 cases as staff fears grow over quarantine exemption ( audio ) RNZ : Covid-19 – What happened in New Zealand on 21 April Democracy Now : Madrid ’ s Ice Rink Turned to Morgue as Spain Exceeds China in Coronavirus Deaths The Independent : Is Sweden having second thoughts on lockdown ?
The Out And Abouter : Reached For Comment , Coronavirus Says It ’ s Also Very In Favour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blog : Simon Bridges horrifically misreads the mood of the Nation – he may as well urinate on an ANZAC grave The Standard : When Bridges ’ social media goes wrong Will New Zealand Be Right ?
The Warehouse – where everyone gets a virus Life in Lock Down : Day 22 – Is that a light at the end of a four week long tunnel ?
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This blogpost will be re-published on “ Frankly Speaking “ .
Reader ’ s comments may be left here ( The Daily Blog ) or @ @ @ @ @ @

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April 21: Day 27 of living in lock-down…
The second-best possible news; testing has revealed only five new cases. If this keeps up, we might – might ! – be down to zero by the time we move to Level 3 at 11.59pm on Monday 27 April.
Except… the good news was marred by the death of another person; a 70 year old woman from a rest home in Te Atatu.
Also marred by an asinine response from our benighted Leader of the Opposition, yesterday, which has raised a storm of anger from thousands of New Zealanders.
And marred by a revelation that has raised my anger and left me wondering if I should have bothered with all the precautions and sacrifice that I (and hundreds of thousands of other New Zealanders) have made over the last few weeks…
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
My usual trip into town yielded my usual observations of commercial vehicles as well as ordinary cars. Traffic seemed sparse; no heavier or lighter than usual. Which is a good sign that people are not taking the planned move to Level 3 as an invitation to leave their lock-down en masse.
In fact, the number of cars at the nearby Park N Ride had dropped from the usual three to two. The wide variety of commercial vehicles, though, ranged from what were clearly essential to more questionable status. Such as the “Directionz” van parked outside a closed McDonalds outlet: “Directionz” deals in commercial signage, traffic signs, and graffiti removal.
The ship spotted in the harbour yesterday was still in position, station-keeping in the same spot;
.
.
It may be there for quite a while: they have twelve more days of quarantine.
In town, there was road-works in Vivian Street;
.
.
Essential emergency work?
And yet more roadworks in Wellington. This time at The Cutting in Miramar;
.
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Note the photo immediately above. Look to the left of the white truck. Here’s a close-up;
.
.
If that’s two metre social distancing in a workplace setting, then obviously I’ve been taught the metric system incorrectly.
This is why I reject calls from the National Party, ACT, and various sundry business lobby groups to allow all retailers to open, and let them practice “safe social distancing” while trading. I call ‘bollocks’ on that. I also share similar reservations that safe social distancing can be managed during a Level 3 lock-down where non-contact business activity and trading will be permitted.
So far I see precious little “safe social distancing” even in the limited activities that are publicly visible. (See also busy aisles at Kilbirnie Pak N Save here: Life in Lock Down: Day 23)
Then there was this from Opposition Leader Simon Bridges on his Facebook page;
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.
Take these two sentences;
“The public has done a great job of self-isolating and social distancing. The entire country has made huge sacrifices to ensure the four week lockdown was effective.
Unfortunately the Government hasn’t done enough and isn’t ready by its own standards and rhetoric.”
When Transport Agency data shows road traffic down between 73 and 82% from a year ago, that’s a fairly strong indication that the over-whelming majority of New Zealanders are doing the right thing. It suggests they trust this government and the leadership to be implementing policies that will, in the long run, save lives.
The fact that new cases have been trending downward for the last two weeks, until we now stand at only five is a clear sign we are going in the right direction.
PM Ardern and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield have been in our living rooms for the last four weeks, almost night after night, and most New Zealanders have grown to trust them as a steady pair of hands.
So when Simon Bridges attacks the government and the leadership of the immensely popular Prime Minister and highly respected Dr Bloomfield, then he is basically “giving the finger” to the entire country.
Which is why around 82% of the stats to his post are in some way negative;
.
.
The responses were ferocious in condemnation.
The country has been in lock-down for nearly four weeks. Our lives have been disrupted. Thirteen people have died (with one in Peru). Thousand have lost their jobs. Four weeks lock-down was an impromptu “holiday” – like being stuck in your hotel room while a tropical storm lashes your area for the entire time of your stay. Not much fun.
People are cranky. They are pissed off at those who flout the rules so they can have a good time while the rest of us tow-the-line. We want normalcy. We want to walk into a supermarket and not have to keep two sodding metres away from everyone – just in case.
So for Mr Bridges to lob his on-line “grenade” at the government was not just an attack on said government and Ministry officials – but also a snide dig at all of us. Despite stating “New Zealanders can be proud of the sacrifices they have made during this difficult time“, he was effectively dismissing those sacrifices as utterly meaningless.
Simon Bridges not only failed to “read the room” – he was in the wrong bloody building!
The more comments he makes along the lines of his Facebook post yesterday (21 April), the more entrenched will be the public view of him as someone not fit to lead us in time of crisis.
And then, this evening on RNZ Checkpoint, came revelations that Air New Zealand air crew were returning from overseas flights – and not quarantining on arrival – despite several staff having been infected by covid19;
Air New Zealand is keeping secret the number of its staff infected with Covid-19 amid allegations it is not doing enough to keep its workers safe.
The airline’s crews who fly internationally continue to be exempt from the strict 14-day quarantine rules for people returning to New Zealand from overseas – with the exception of Los Angeles flights.
On Monday the airline confirmed crew members had been forced to self-isolate after some staff allegedly disregarded physical distancing rules during a layover in Vancouver.
Documents obtained by Checkpoint show increasing unease and fear among flight crew staff about the exemption from isolation or quarantine, and the risk it poses to colleagues and the public.
Air New Zealand is currently operating 16 return international services a week. At the end of May it plans to add three return services a week to Shanghai to that schedule.
For more than a week, Checkpoint has repeatedly asked Air New Zealand, the Ministry of Health and the Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield for the number of Air NZ staff who have tested positive for Covid-19.
[…]
New Zealand’s biggest Covid-19 coronavirus cluster is the Bluff wedding, where the virus has spread to nearly 100 people and killed two, including the groom’s father.
The cluster has been officially linked to overseas travel. An Air NZ flight attendant who had just returned from the United States and had already been exposed to Covid-19 was at the wedding reception.
“On 19 March, NZ5 arrived at Auckland from LAX on which three passengers tested positive for Covid-19, at least two crew later tested positive. A crew member from that flight, before testing positive, went down to Bluff to attend a wedding, and now we all know about the ‘Bluff cluster’,” an Air NZ employee told Checkpoint.
Four days before that, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced compulsory 14-day self-isolation for anyone arriving in New Zealand from anywhere in the world, excluding the Pacific.
Despite the clampdown, Air NZ crew remained exempt at the time and have largely maintained that exemption throughout the pandemic.
On Monday 20 April, Air NZ’s Shareholding Minister Grant Robertson told Checkpoint it was his understanding the exemption had continued.
That is despite employees repeatedly raising concerns that the lack of isolation for returning crews was endangering them and other people, Checkpoint has learned.
A letter sent to Air NZ management earlier in April starkly laid out the issue:
“An Air New Zealand flight arrived at Auckland from which three passengers tested positive for Covid-19. One in each class throughout the aircraft. Four crew later tested positive.
“Another crew member from that same flight, before testing positive, attended meetings, then embarked on a four-night tour of duty.
“One of those meetings was attended by yourself. If the 14-day separation rule was in place, that crew member would have remained in self-isolation at home and would not have placed other members of the community or colleagues at risk of Covid-19.”
Ministry of Health guidelines exempt aircrew from 14-day stand downs between different flights as long as they appear healthy, but the same letter noted these protocols are minimum guidelines.
Note the part where it says “as long as they appear healthy“.
From the Ministry of Health’s own website;
“Symptoms take up to 14 days to show after a person has been infected. A person can pass on the virus to others before they know they have it – from up to two days before symptoms develop .”
I was dumbfounded when I heard the story. (Audio version here.) Dumbfounded and furious.
For the last four weeks my partner and I have studiously observed the lock-down rules. We have kept separate “bubbles” (we do not live in the same houses). We keep grocery shopping to a minimum , observing the 2 metre distancing rule. We don’t go to the beach. We stay home. And when I go to work, I go directly to the facilities I work at; do my job; then come home.
But according to Air New Zealand, they permit their staff to work overseas and then return to this country and wander around freely. Dozens of their air crew staff are walking around our major cities. If any carry the contagion, they will be oblivious to it.
Some have already been stricken by the virus.
But Air New Zealand won’t tell us.
We could get the daily rate of new cases down to zero by Friday – only to have new infection clusters blow up at any time because an Air New Zealand crew member brought it back into our country.
Remember: “A person can pass on the virus to others before they know they have it – from up to two days before symptoms develop .”
Shareholding Minister Grant Robertson must act on this.
We need to know how many Air New Zealand staff have had the virus.
We need to have this practice of non-quarantining cease immediately.
And the CEO of Air New Zealand might as well take the next flight out of this country and not come back.
Once again, Air New Zealand has screwed us over. As if the Erebus disaster and subsequent cover-up hadn’t been enough of a stain on their reputation.
God help us, was Simon Bridges right?
“Unfortunately the Government hasn’t done enough and isn’t ready by its own standards and rhetoric”
Minister Robertson cannot ignore this shambles. It is putting us all at risk.
We’ve already had one death from a transmission by an Air New Zealand staffer.
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Current covid19 cases: 1,445
Cases in ICU: 3 (0 critical)
Number of deaths: 13
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References
Facebook: Simon Bridges – 20.4.20
RNZ: Air NZ silent about Covid-19 cases as staff fears grow over quarantine exemption
Ministry of Health: Covid-19 (novel coronavirus) – health advice for the general public
RNZ: Air NZ silent about Covid-19 cases as staff fears grow over quarantine exemption (audio)
RNZ: Covid-19 – What happened in New Zealand on 21 April
Must Read
Democracy Now: Madrid’s Ice Rink Turned to Morgue as Spain Exceeds China in Coronavirus Deaths
The Independent: Is Sweden having second thoughts on lockdown?
The Out And Abouter: Reached For Comment, Coronavirus Says It’s Also Very In Favour Of Reopening The Economy Immediately
Elemental: Hold the Line
Other Blogs
The Daily Blog: Simon Bridges horrifically misreads the mood of the Nation – he may as well urinate on an ANZAC grave
The Standard: When Bridges’ social media goes wrong
Will New Zealand Be Right?
Previous related blogposts
The Warehouse – where everyone gets a virus
Life in Lock Down: Day 1
Life in Lock Down: Day 2
Life in Lock Down: Day 3
Life in Lock Down: Day 4
Life in Lock Down: Day 5
Life in Lock Down: Day 6
Life in Lock Down: Day 7
Life in Lock Down: Day 7 (sanitised version)
Life in Lock Down: Day 8
Life in Lock Down: Day 8 (sanitised version)
Life in Lock Down: Day 9
Life in Lock Down: Day 10
Life in Lock Down: Day 11
Life in Lock Down: Day 12
Life in Lock Down: Day 13
Life in Lock Down: Day 14
Life in Lock Down: Day 15
Life in Lock Down: Day 16 – Bad Friday
Life in Lock Down: Day 17
Life in Lock Down: Day 18
Life in Lock Down: Day 19
Life in Lock Down: Day 20
Life in Lock Down: Day 21
Life in Lock Down: Day 22 – Is that a light at the end of a four week long tunnel?!
Life in Lock Down: Day 23
Life in Lock Down: Day 24 & 25
Life in Lock Down: Day 26
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Acknowledgement: Jim Hubbard
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This blogpost will be re-published on “Frankly Speaking“. Reader’s comments may be left here (The Daily Blog) or there (Frankly Speaking).
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thedailyblog--2020-04-22--Deposing Simon Bridges Would Be A Mistake

DEPOSING SIMON BRIDGES as Leader of the Opposition would cause the National Party more problems than it would solve .
Yes , Bridges is difficult to like and prone to serious lapses in political judgement , but he is also capable of exploiting the Government ’ s weaknesses with considerable aplomb .
It is this strength that National needs to keep in play as the country counts down to the General Election .
Truly bad things are coming down the pike and Labour lacks the depth of political talent required to deal with them .
In the same way a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bridges ’ failings may soon become much harder to spot .
Keeping its collective nerve will admittedly be difficult for the National caucus .
Very soon appalling private poll results will be confirmed by equally appalling public ones .
Bridges ’ favourable/unfavourable numbers will test the patience of his colleagues to the limit .
And the dazzling halo of public acclaim currently crowning the Prime Minister will only make National ’ s parlous political situation even harder for its parliamentary team to bear .
But bear it they must .
Surrendering to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headlines any better .
Bridges may have many faults , but he is , at least , a known quantity .
Of his potential replacements : Paula Bennett , Judith Collins , Mark Mitchell and Todd Muller ; those not generally detested by the voters are generally unknown to them .
Worse still , all bar Muller hail from the National Party Right , and Muller ’ s allegedly “ wet ” credentials are far from unimpeachable .
( In party politics , just about everything is negotiable ! )
In short , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nerve , then the public ’ s most likely reaction will be either “ Not her !
” or “ Who ’ s he ?
” What this dilemma reveals is the party ’ s failure to equip itself with enough politicians of sufficient stature to meet all contingencies .
How differently the party was positioned in 2002 , following National ’ s worst ever electoral defeat .
Bill English may have led his colleagues to the crushing repudiation of a 20.9 percent Party Vote , but when the smoke had cleared Don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Opposition Benches .
The former was particularly well-suited to lead National back into electoral contention , and the latter had everything it took to carry the party forward to victory in 2008 .
Scanning the Opposition ’ s ranks in 2020 , it is simply not possible to identify either a Don Brash- or a John Key-in waiting .
Giving New Zealand a National Party leader even further to the right than Bridges would be an invitation to electoral ruin .
By the same token , electing a new leader of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the question : “ Why did they bother ?
” It would also prove that National ’ s caucus lacks the wit to recognise the winning combination it already has .
Bridges has already proved his ability to fasten his sharp little teeth firmly around Labour ’ s jugular if its representatives and advisers are silly enough to give him the opportunity .
One has only to recall his successful exploitation of the Treasury ’ s Budget Papers foul-up to be reminded of the harm Bridges can inflict when he gets the chance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Minister of Finance ’ s “ wellbeing ” .
Grant Robertson has seldom looked so irked !
More seriously , Robertson now has Paul Goldsmith marking him on the economic wing .
National ’ s finance spokesperson may strike voters as a fairly cold fish , but given Goldsmith ’ s role is to forensically deconstruct the Government ’ s response to the Covid-19-induced recession with icy detachment and unrelenting severity , his rather chilly persona may be no bad thing .
That Bridges and Goldsmith have become close friends and allies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them at the head of National ’ s column all the more compelling .
What every member of National ’ s caucus can do for their all-too-frequently hapless leader is remind him constantly of the fundamental importance of political timing .
How different things would have been this week if Bridges had restricted his response to the Prime Minister ’ s extension of the Level 4 Lockdown by a further week to one of calm , but guarded , support .
If he ’ d followed this with a heartfelt shout-out to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afloat in the Covid-19 flood he would also have been superbly set up for what unfolded the following day at the Epidemic Response Committee .
Labour thought itself very fortunate to secure the services of Dr Deborah Russell .
Her academic expertise in taxation made her a sitter for Cabinet .
That is to say – it did .
Because her performance at the Select Committee on Tuesday , 21 April was not the sort that enhances political careers .
Russell ’ s almost total lack of empathy for the thousands of small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Lockdown will not be forgotten in a hurry by the individuals and families involved .
Insinuating that their acute financial vulnerability was evidence of business incompetence , was like rubbing salt in an open wound .
Symptomatic of the ever-widening gulf between Labour ’ s professional-managerial recruits and the rest of the country , the New Lynn MP ’ s condescension recalls Hilary Clinton ’ s infamous description of Trump ’ s followers as “ a basket of deplorables ” .
Had he not buried himself under an avalanche of public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) opprobrium by responding so gracelessly to the Prime Minister ’ s announcement , Bridges could have pilloried Russell for her insensitivity and ignorance .
National ’ s core supporters among the nation ’ s small and medium-sized enterprises could have been reassured – inspired even – by their party leader .
“ I may not have Jacinda ’ s star-power , ” he could have said , “ but I know – because hundreds of you have told me – what it ’ s like to lie awake all night wondering how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your whole life into building up .
How dare a well-paid academic-turned-Labour-politician criticise that sort of effort and dedication ?
What did she earn her doctorate for – cruelty ?
” With problems whole lot worse than Dr Russell ’ s insensitivity heading Labour ’ s way , all Simon Bridges and his Finance spokesperson need to do , is let the Coalition Government ’ s predictably over-cautious and ideologically-arid policies speak for themselves .
Jacinda only has five months to teach her colleagues to speak the language of empathy and kindness .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s words of condemnation and reproach will be more than enough to unseat her .

DEPOSING SIMON BRIDGES as Leader of the Opposition would cause the National Party more problems than it would solve. Yes, Bridges is difficult to like and prone to serious lapses in political judgement, but he is also capable of exploiting the Government’s weaknesses with considerable aplomb. It is this strength that National needs to keep in play as the country counts down to the General Election. Truly bad things are coming down the pike and Labour lacks the depth of political talent required to deal with them. In the same way a tree can hide in a forest, Bridges’ failings may soon become much harder to spot.
Keeping its collective nerve will admittedly be difficult for the National caucus. Very soon appalling private poll results will be confirmed by equally appalling public ones. Bridges’ favourable/unfavourable numbers will test the patience of his colleagues to the limit. And the dazzling halo of public acclaim currently crowning the Prime Minister will only make National’s parlous political situation even harder for its parliamentary team to bear.
But bear it they must. Surrendering to a run of bad news seldom makes the headlines any better. Bridges may have many faults, but he is, at least, a known quantity. Of his potential replacements: Paula Bennett, Judith Collins, Mark Mitchell and Todd Muller; those not generally detested by the voters are generally unknown to them. Worse still, all bar Muller hail from the National Party Right, and Muller’s allegedly “wet” credentials are far from unimpeachable. (In party politics, just about everything is negotiable!) In short, if the National Caucus does lose its nerve, then the public’s most likely reaction will be either “Not her!” or “Who’s he?”
What this dilemma reveals is the party’s failure to equip itself with enough politicians of sufficient stature to meet all contingencies. How differently the party was positioned in 2002, following National’s worst ever electoral defeat. Bill English may have led his colleagues to the crushing repudiation of a 20.9 percent Party Vote, but when the smoke had cleared Don Brash and John Key were seated comfortably on the Opposition Benches. The former was particularly well-suited to lead National back into electoral contention, and the latter had everything it took to carry the party forward to victory in 2008. Scanning the Opposition’s ranks in 2020, it is simply not possible to identify either a Don Brash- or a John Key-in waiting.
Giving New Zealand a National Party leader even further to the right than Bridges would be an invitation to electoral ruin. By the same token, electing a new leader of no fixed ideological abode would immediately prompt the question: “Why did they bother?” It would also prove that National’s caucus lacks the wit to recognise the winning combination it already has.
Bridges has already proved his ability to fasten his sharp little teeth firmly around Labour’s jugular if its representatives and advisers are silly enough to give him the opportunity. One has only to recall his successful exploitation of the Treasury’s Budget Papers foul-up to be reminded of the harm Bridges can inflict when he gets the chance. On that occasion he seriously compromised the Minister of Finance’s “wellbeing”. Grant Robertson has seldom looked so irked!
More seriously, Robertson now has Paul Goldsmith marking him on the economic wing. National’s finance spokesperson may strike voters as a fairly cold fish, but given Goldsmith’s role is to forensically deconstruct the Government’s response to the Covid-19-induced recession with icy detachment and unrelenting severity, his rather chilly persona may be no bad thing. That Bridges and Goldsmith have become close friends and allies only makes the wisdom of keeping both of them at the head of National’s column all the more compelling.
What every member of National’s caucus can do for their all-too-frequently hapless leader is remind him constantly of the fundamental importance of political timing. How different things would have been this week if Bridges had restricted his response to the Prime Minister’s extension of the Level 4 Lockdown by a further week to one of calm, but guarded, support. If he’d followed this with a heartfelt shout-out to all the small businesses struggling to stay afloat in the Covid-19 flood he would also have been superbly set up for what unfolded the following day at the Epidemic Response Committee.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
Labour thought itself very fortunate to secure the services of Dr Deborah Russell. Her academic expertise in taxation made her a sitter for Cabinet. That is to say – it did. Because her performance at the Select Committee on Tuesday, 21 April was not the sort that enhances political careers. Russell’s almost total lack of empathy for the thousands of small business owners facing ruin as a result of the Lockdown will not be forgotten in a hurry by the individuals and families involved. Insinuating that their acute financial vulnerability was evidence of business incompetence, was like rubbing salt in an open wound. Symptomatic of the ever-widening gulf between Labour’s professional-managerial recruits and the rest of the country, the New Lynn MP’s condescension recalls Hilary Clinton’s infamous description of Trump’s followers as “a basket of deplorables”.
Had he not buried himself under an avalanche of public (or, at least, Facebook) opprobrium by responding so gracelessly to the Prime Minister’s announcement, Bridges could have pilloried Russell for her insensitivity and ignorance. National’s core supporters among the nation’s small and medium-sized enterprises could have been reassured – inspired even – by their party leader.
“I may not have Jacinda’s star-power,” he could have said, “but I know – because hundreds of you have told me – what it’s like to lie awake all night wondering how to save the business you have poured your whole life into building up. How dare a well-paid academic-turned-Labour-politician criticise that sort of effort and dedication? What did she earn her doctorate for – cruelty?”
With problems whole lot worse than Dr Russell’s insensitivity heading Labour’s way, all Simon Bridges and his Finance spokesperson need to do, is let the Coalition Government’s predictably over-cautious and ideologically-arid policies speak for themselves.
Jacinda only has five months to teach her colleagues to speak the language of empathy and kindness. If she fails, then National’s words of condemnation and reproach will be more than enough to unseat her.


thedailyblog--2020-04-22--Dr Liz Gordon: Stuff’s new strategy: how to lose friends

I have two subscriptions to newspapers – the Press and the Sunday Star Times .
They are not always satisfactory , and often I have already seen stories printed in them .
But , well but , I still enjoy having my breakfast at the table with the newspaper in front of me .
While there is a cost to this , it is still just about affordable for me , and one of life ’ s simple pleasures .
Today , though , this all changed .
I have received TWO emails from Stuff asking me to contribute money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Well , I hate to say it , but I already contribute over $ 700 per year towards the Stuff journalism , and my newspapers have shrunk , the quality has diminished in most cases and the ‘ opinions ’ are now usually from old blokes who work for Stuff , not worth the paper they are written on ( except Alison Mau on Sundays , long live her ) .
But I have shown some loyalty in the face of all this .
Until today , I was happy with my decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not .
I have warned Stuff that if I receive any more suggestions that I pay more for my access to their news services , I will give up the subscriptions I have .
Yes , you could say I am miffed .
But with a little care , they could easily have excluded current subscribers from these emails .
I am awaiting my apologies from info @ comms.stuff.co.nz and stuffmarketing @ stuff.co.nz .
Dr Liz Gordon is a researcher and a barrister , with interests in destroying neo-liberalism in all its forms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She usually blogs on justice , social welfare and education topics .

I have two subscriptions to newspapers – the Press and the Sunday Star Times. They are not always satisfactory, and often I have already seen stories printed in them. But, well but, I still enjoy having my breakfast at the table with the newspaper in front of me. While there is a cost to this, it is still just about affordable for me, and one of life’s simple pleasures.
Today, though, this all changed. I have received TWO emails from Stuff asking me to contribute money to help them do their journalism. Well, I hate to say it, but I already contribute over $700 per year towards the Stuff journalism, and my newspapers have shrunk, the quality has diminished in most cases and the ‘opinions’ are now usually from old blokes who work for Stuff, not worth the paper they are written on (except Alison Mau on Sundays, long live her).
But I have shown some loyalty in the face of all this. Until today, I was happy with my decision. But now, happy I am not. I have warned Stuff that if I receive any more suggestions that I pay more for my access to their news services, I will give up the subscriptions I have. Yes, you could say I am miffed. But with a little care, they could easily have excluded current subscribers from these emails.
I am awaiting my apologies from info@comms.stuff.co.nz and stuffmarketing@stuff.co.nz.
Grumpy? Me? Surely not!
Dr Liz Gordon is a researcher and a barrister, with interests in destroying neo-liberalism in all its forms and moving towards a socially just society. She usually blogs on justice, social welfare and education topics.


thedailyblog--2020-04-22--Life in Lock Down: Day 28 – An Open Letter to Prime Minister Ardern

Firstly , let ’ s set one thing pretty well straight before launching into the point of this letter to you .
You , your government colleagues , and hard working civil servants have done an amazing job in navigating us through this crisis .
History will remember the strong but compassionate leadership our country has had the great fortune to have .
We could just as well have had the likes of Bolsonaro , Orbán , or Trump leading us .
You have led us through ‘ Hurricane Covid19 ’ nearly flawlessly , considering humanity hasn ’ t experienced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Influenza pandemic .
Nearly flawlessly .
There have been ‘ stumbles ’ along the way .
The problem of issuing PPEs is an irritant that refuses to go away .
But perhaps the ‘ stumble ’ that may yet be the worst is the exemption given to Air New Zealand not to isolate flight crew after they have completed an overseas assignment .
This first came to my attention on 21 April on RNZ ’ s Checkpoint .
The story , in brief ; The airline ’ s crews who fly internationally continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantine rules for people returning to New Zealand from overseas – with the exception of Los Angeles flights .
On Monday the airline confirmed crew members had been forced to self-isolate after some staff allegedly disregarded physical distancing rules during a layover in Vancouver .
Documents obtained by Checkpoint show increasing unease and fear among flight crew staff about the exemption from isolation or quarantine , and the risk it poses to colleagues and the public .
Air New Zealand is currently operating 16 return international services a week .
At the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return services a week to Shanghai to that schedule .
To say that I was utterly gobsmacked would be an understatement .
I listened to the unfolding story with a growing horror ; a rising anger ; and a deep disappointment .
Let me explain .
For the last four weeks we have been in Level 4 lock-down .
This has separated friends and families .
Closed non-essential businesses .
Curtailed recreational and sporting activities .
Borrowed billions to keep our economy afloat and society intact .
And thousands have lost their jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heeded your call to stick to our “ bubbles ” .
You called on us ; “ New Zealand , be calm , be kind , stay at home .
We can break the chain.
” You minded us time and again ; And you challenged us ; “ … you may not be at work , but that doesn ’ t mean you don ’ t have a job .
Your job is to save lives , and you can do that by staying home , and breaking the chain.
” And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ our team of five million ” responded ; And we did .
For the most part , people responded and made the sacrifices we knew in our hearts and minds were necessary to save lives .
But it was a battle that was not without many casualities .
So many people found themselves suddenly unemployed .
Some lost the businesses they had worked long hours to establish .
And fourteen of our fellow New Zealanders lost their lives .
We retreated to our homes , venturing out only for food and exercise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – carried on working as we were as essential service .
Which often meant our “ bubble ” became necessarily inflated to encompass our colleagues and those we cared for .
Some of us were not successful in dodging the viral ‘ bullet ‘ .
But we carried on , because , well , it had to be done .
As the lock-down progressed , there were calls to loosen the restrictions and allow more exemptions .
Golfing greens ( which was eventually allowed ) ; surfing ; hunting ; butchers… There was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by yammering voices from the National and ACT parties .
Though as any sensible person will tell you , the more businesses and recreational activities are open , the more ‘ porous ’ the lock-down becomes until it is a lock-down in name only .
Cue covid19 to become rampant through the entire country .
Which was something wiser heads in our communities understood with crystal clarity ; “ I don ’ t want the Muslim community to look like [ they ’ re ] insensitive , inconsiderate over the Covid-19 issue – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the meat situation .
That is a picture I don ’ t want New Zealand to get because there there are people in the Muslim community who are actually worried about saving people ’ s lives in this state of emergency .
We should go with the available options because there are many people who are missing out on what they like to have .
It ’ s not only the Muslim community who are missing out on halal meat , there are other communities missing out on what they want.
” – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposing calls for specialised Halal butchers to be given an exemption to the lock-down .
Mr Afzali understood the consequences of permitting endless exemptions .
He knew the price that would be demanded by the virus – and it would be a cost met by lives lost .
And I understand that .
I really do .
I ’ ve even supported my colleagues in a work situation where management who were not part of our facility ’ s “ bubble ” were point-blank denied entry .
We have vulnerable clients and non-essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My ‘ bubble ’ consists of my flatmate ; four colleagues ( down from six ) in our facility , plus our clients .
( My flatmate ’ s ‘ bubble ’ is tiny , as she hardly knows anyone in the Greater Wellington Region . )
My partner , who has her own house , is not part of my ‘ bubble ’ .
For four weeks we have not seen each other , except through the ‘ Star Trekkian ‘ marvel of ‘ Zoom ‘ technology .
We have taken your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” with utmost seriousness and urgency .
We have not deviated .
We have been staunch .
So after reading all that , you can understand , Ms Ardern , how absolutely I felt when I read that Air New Zealand flight crews were returning to our country ; disembarking from their aircraft ; and… entering our community .
When challenged by RNZ , Air New Zealand responded ; “ This is expert medical advice for all airlines to follow in New Zealand .
If there are general concerns or questions about this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Ministry of Health as they have established these standards.
” So the entire country is asked to go into stringent lock-down and when asked a legitimate question why Air New Zealand flight crews are exempt , we are given that corporate gobbledegook-speak ?
!
Did anyone send a copy of that particular memo from Air New Zealand to the virus ?
An un-named ( for damned good reason ) Air New Zealand employee reminded us ; “ On 19 March , NZ5 arrived at Auckland from LAX on which three passengers tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crew later tested positive .
A crew member from that flight , before testing positive , went down to Bluff to attend a wedding , and now we all know about the ‘ Bluff cluster ’ .
” A person died from that ‘ cluster ’ : the groom ’ s father .
The following day from that initial RNZ story , Air New Zealand disclosed that thirty employees have tested positive for covid19 .
And yet you still allow Air New Zealand to be given an exemption ?
Tangata whenua going into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whanau is considered a risk to transmission of covid19 – and it ’ s banned ?
Whilst flight crews returning from Los Angeles , Shanghai , and god knows where from – are not exempt ?
!
Ms Ardern , I struggle to understand the logic to this , I really do .
I ’ ve looked at it from every possible angle and all I can come up with is that Air New Zealand is part-owned by the government , with a massive $ 900 million bail-out loan extended to the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really hope it ’ s not about saving an asset that the State has high stakes in .
I really do .
That would seem to be beneath your dignity to be party to such a venal deal .
So my question to you should be fairly obvious by now – or rather , two questions ; ( 1 ) Why : does Air New Zealand have the privilege of enjoying an exemption to a fourteen day quarantine when – out of all the businesses in this country – it is the riskiest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shores ?
What makes Air New Zealand safer than someone going out shooting in the back-blocks ?
( 2 ) Why : have I bothered with my ‘ bubble ’ ; securing the facility where I work with vulnerable people ; and foregone seeing my partner for nearly an entire month – when Air New Zealand flight crew could , at this very moment , be infected and spreading their contagion in Auckland , Wellington , and Christchurch ?
!
Why have I bothered ?
I really , really hope your reconsider the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presser ’ today ( 22 April ) .
I really do .
Because if we managed to eliminate covid19 from our shores , only to have it reappear with new infections brought in by Air New Zealand flight crew – then it ’ s all been for nothing .
Our efforts have been undermined because – and this is critical – no matter how many times we eliminate the virus , it will be reintroduced by flight crews who remain exempt for reasons that are beyond my understanding .
Singapore should be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can return if we allow it even the smallest opportunity ; Fears have resurfaced about the ability of coronavirus to surge again after lockdowns are eased , as Singapore confirmed a sharp rise in new infections .
One of the worst-hit countries when the virus first spread from China in January , Singapore ’ s strict surveillance and quarantine regime helped slow the outbreak , but recent rises in locally transmitted cases have raised fresh concerns .
Singapore reported 142 new infections on Wednesday .
When we move to Alert Level 3 I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m even tempted to go to the beach , if we ’ re lucky to have any fine days left .
I ’ ve done my bit .
God knows I have .
But this is beyond me .
Please reconsider Air New Zealand ’ s exemption .
It ’ s not worth it .
RNZ : Air NZ silent about Covid-19 cases as staff fears grow over quarantine exemption RNZ : Air NZ silent about Covid-19 cases as staff fears grow over quarantine exemption ( video ) NZ Herald : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job is to save lives , and you can do that by staying home ’ BBC : Coronavirus : How New Zealand relied on science and empathy Newsroom : One third of new Covid-19 cases are health workers Fairfax/Stuff : Golf clubs could perish if greenkeepers barred from caring for greens Change.org : Allow Responsible Surfing in New Zealand RNZ : Covid-19 : Whānau relying on hunting for food should have exemption – leaders RNZ : Father of groom in Bluff wedding dies from Covid-19 RNZ : Covid 19 : What happened in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Air NZ silent about Covid-19 cases as staff fears grow over quarantine exemption RNZ : Six new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand , one more death Democracy Now : Madrid ’ s Ice Rink Turned to Morgue as Spain Exceeds China in Coronavirus Deaths The Independent : Is Sweden having second thoughts on lockdown ?
The Out And Abouter : Reached For Comment , Coronavirus Says It ’ s Also Very In Favour Of Reopening The Economy Immediately Will New Zealand Be Right ?
The Warehouse – where everyone gets a virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – Is that a light at the end of a four week long tunnel ?
!
Life in Lock Down : Day 27 – and it ’ s been a shit day This blogpost will be re-published on “ Frankly Speaking “ .
Reader ’ s comments may be left here ( The Daily Blog ) or there ( Frankly Speaking ) .

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April 22: Day 28 of living in lock-down…
An Open Letter to Prime Minister Ardern
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Kia ora Ms Ardern,
Firstly, let’s set one thing pretty well straight before launching into the point of this letter to you. You, your government colleagues, and hard working civil servants have done an amazing job in navigating us through this crisis. History will remember the strong but compassionate leadership our country has had the great fortune to have.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
We could just as well have had the likes of Bolsonaro, Orbán, or Trump leading us.
You have led us through ‘Hurricane Covid19’ nearly flawlessly, considering humanity hasn’t experienced an event like this since the 1918 Influenza pandemic. Nearly flawlessly. There have been ‘stumbles’ along the way. The problem of issuing PPEs is an irritant that refuses to go away.
But perhaps the ‘stumble’ that may yet be the worst is the exemption given to Air New Zealand not to isolate flight crew after they have completed an overseas assignment.
This first came to my attention on 21 April on RNZ’s Checkpoint. The story, in brief;
The airline’s crews who fly internationally continue to be exempt from the strict 14-day quarantine rules for people returning to New Zealand from overseas – with the exception of Los Angeles flights.
On Monday the airline confirmed crew members had been forced to self-isolate after some staff allegedly disregarded physical distancing rules during a layover in Vancouver.
Documents obtained by Checkpoint show increasing unease and fear among flight crew staff about the exemption from isolation or quarantine, and the risk it poses to colleagues and the public.
Air New Zealand is currently operating 16 return international services a week. At the end of May it plans to add three return services a week to Shanghai to that schedule.
To say that I was utterly gobsmacked would be an understatement. I listened to the unfolding story with a growing horror; a rising anger; and a deep disappointment.
Let me explain. For the last four weeks we have been in Level 4 lock-down. This has separated friends and families. Closed non-essential businesses. Curtailed recreational and sporting activities. Borrowed billions to keep our economy afloat and society intact. And thousands have lost their jobs.
The vast majority of New Zealanders heeded your call to stick to our “bubbles”.
You called on us;
“New Zealand, be calm, be kind, stay at home.
We can break the chain.”
You minded us time and again;
“Stay home, save lives.”
And you challenged us;
“… you may not be at work, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have a job. Your job is to save lives, and you can do that by staying home, and breaking the chain.”
And the people you cheerfully referred to as “our team of five million” responded;
“Hell yeah, let’s do this!”
And we did. For the most part, people responded and made the sacrifices we knew in our hearts and minds were necessary to save lives.
But it was a battle that was not without many casualities. So many people found themselves suddenly unemployed. Some lost the businesses they had worked long hours to establish. And fourteen of our fellow New Zealanders lost their lives.
We retreated to our homes, venturing out only for food and exercise. Some of us – like myself – carried on working as we were as essential service. Which often meant our “bubble” became necessarily inflated to encompass our colleagues and those we cared for. Some of us were not successful in dodging the viral ‘bullet‘.
But we carried on, because, well, it had to be done.
As the lock-down progressed, there were calls to loosen the restrictions and allow more exemptions. Golfing greens (which was eventually allowed); surfing; hunting; butchers… There was quite a list. Aided and abetted by yammering voices from the National and ACT parties.
Though as any sensible person will tell you, the more businesses and recreational activities are open, the more ‘porous’ the lock-down becomes until it is a lock-down in name only. Cue covid19 to become rampant through the entire country.
Which was something wiser heads in our communities understood with crystal clarity;
“I don’t want the Muslim community to look like [they’re] insensitive, inconsiderate over the Covid-19 issue – that they’re just worried about the meat situation.
That is a picture I don’t want New Zealand to get because there there are people in the Muslim community who are actually worried about saving people’s lives in this state of emergency.
We should go with the available options because there are many people who are missing out on what they like to have. It’s not only the Muslim community who are missing out on halal meat, there are other communities missing out on what they want.” – Usman Afzali, 31
Mr Afzali was opposing calls for specialised Halal butchers to be given an exemption to the lock-down. Mr Afzali understood the consequences of permitting endless exemptions. He knew the price that would be demanded by the virus – and it would be a cost met by lives lost.
And I understand that. I really do. I’ve even supported my colleagues in a work situation where management who were not part of our facility’s “bubble” were point-blank denied entry. We have vulnerable clients and non-essential people were barred – no exemptions.
My ‘bubble’ consists of my flatmate; four colleagues (down from six) in our facility, plus our clients. (My flatmate’s ‘bubble’ is tiny, as she hardly knows anyone in the Greater Wellington Region.) My partner, who has her own house, is not part of my ‘bubble’. For four weeks we have not seen each other, except through the ‘Star Trekkian‘ marvel of ‘Zoom‘ technology.
We have taken your call to keep to our “bubbles” with utmost seriousness and urgency. We have not deviated. We have been staunch.
So after reading all that, you can understand, Ms Ardern, how absolutely gutted I felt when I read that Air New Zealand flight crews were returning to our country; disembarking from their aircraft; and… entering our community.
No fourteen week quarantine. Nothing.
When challenged by RNZ, Air New Zealand responded;
“This is expert medical advice for all airlines to follow in New Zealand. If there are general concerns or questions about this advice then that is a matter for the Ministry of Health as they have established these standards.”
So the entire country is asked to go into stringent lock-down and when asked a legitimate question why Air New Zealand flight crews are exempt, we are given that corporate gobbledegook-speak?!
Did anyone send a copy of that particular memo from Air New Zealand to the virus?
An un-named (for damned good reason) Air New Zealand employee reminded us;
“On 19 March, NZ5 arrived at Auckland from LAX on which three passengers tested positive for Covid-19, at least two crew later tested positive. A crew member from that flight, before testing positive, went down to Bluff to attend a wedding, and now we all know about the ‘Bluff cluster’.”
A person died from that ‘cluster’: the groom’s father.
The following day from that initial RNZ story, Air New Zealand disclosed that thirty employees have tested positive for covid19.
And yet you still allow Air New Zealand to be given an exemption?
Tangata whenua going into the bush to shoot food for their whanau is considered a risk to transmission of covid19 – and it’s banned?
Whilst flight crews returning from Los Angeles, Shanghai, and god knows where from – are not exempt?!
Ms Ardern, I struggle to understand the logic to this, I really do. I’ve looked at it from every possible angle and all I can come up with is that Air New Zealand is part-owned by the government, with a massive $900 million bail-out loan extended to the company by Finance Minister Grant Robertson.
I really hope it’s not about saving an asset that the State has high stakes in. I really do. That would seem to be beneath your dignity to be party to such a venal deal.
So my question to you should be fairly obvious by now – or rather, two questions;
(1) Why: does Air New Zealand have the privilege of enjoying an exemption to a fourteen day quarantine when – out of all the businesses in this country – it is the riskiest one that could re-introduce covid19 to our shores? What makes Air New Zealand safer than someone going out shooting in the back-blocks?
(2) Why: have I bothered with my ‘bubble’; securing the facility where I work with vulnerable people; and foregone seeing my partner for nearly an entire month – when Air New Zealand flight crew could, at this very moment, be infected and spreading their contagion in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch?! Why have I bothered?
I really, really hope your reconsider the justifications you offered at your 1pm ‘presser’ today (22 April). I really do.
Because if we managed to eliminate covid19 from our shores, only to have it reappear with new infections brought in by Air New Zealand flight crew – then it’s all been for nothing. Our efforts have been undermined because – and this is critical – no matter how many times we eliminate the virus, it will be reintroduced by flight crews who remain exempt for reasons that are beyond my understanding .
Singapore should be a clear lesson to us that this virus can return if we allow it even the smallest opportunity;
Fears have resurfaced about the ability of coronavirus to surge again after lockdowns are eased, as Singapore confirmed a sharp rise in new infections.
One of the worst-hit countries when the virus first spread from China in January, Singapore’s strict surveillance and quarantine regime helped slow the outbreak, but recent rises in locally transmitted cases have raised fresh concerns. Singapore reported 142 new infections on Wednesday.
When we move to Alert Level 3 I will be seeing my partner again. I’m even tempted to go to the beach, if we’re lucky to have any fine days left.
I’ve done my bit. God knows I have.
But this is beyond me.
Please reconsider Air New Zealand’s exemption. It’s not worth it.
Current covid19 cases: 1,451
Cases in ICU: 2 (0 critical)
Number of deaths: 14
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References
RNZ: Air NZ silent about Covid-19 cases as staff fears grow over quarantine exemption
RNZ: Air NZ silent about Covid-19 cases as staff fears grow over quarantine exemption (video)
NZ Herald: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern – ‘Your job is to save lives, and you can do that by staying home’
BBC: Coronavirus: How New Zealand relied on science and empathy
Newsroom: One third of new Covid-19 cases are health workers
Fairfax/Stuff: Golf clubs could perish if greenkeepers barred from caring for greens
Change.org: Allow Responsible Surfing in New Zealand
RNZ: Covid-19: Whānau relying on hunting for food should have exemption – leaders
Rural News: Pork farmers want butchers to start trading
Fairfax/Stuff: Coronavirus – Community safety trumps access to halal meat, Muslim man says
RNZ: Father of groom in Bluff wedding dies from Covid-19
RNZ: Covid 19: What happened in New Zealand on 22 April
RNZ: Air NZ silent about Covid-19 cases as staff fears grow over quarantine exemption
RNZ: Coronavirus: Government offers $900m loan for Air New Zealand
The Guardian: Singapore coronavirus surge raises fears of post-lockdown breakouts
RNZ: Six new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand, one more death
Must Read
Democracy Now: Madrid’s Ice Rink Turned to Morgue as Spain Exceeds China in Coronavirus Deaths
The Independent: Is Sweden having second thoughts on lockdown?
The Out And Abouter: Reached For Comment, Coronavirus Says It’s Also Very In Favour Of Reopening The Economy Immediately
Elemental: Hold the Line
RNZ: Bubble-bound: Data shows most people obeying rules
Other Blogs
Will New Zealand Be Right?
Previous related blogposts
The Warehouse – where everyone gets a virus
Life in Lock Down: Day 1
Life in Lock Down: Day 2
Life in Lock Down: Day 3
Life in Lock Down: Day 4
Life in Lock Down: Day 5
Life in Lock Down: Day 6
Life in Lock Down: Day 7
Life in Lock Down: Day 7 (sanitised version)
Life in Lock Down: Day 8
Life in Lock Down: Day 8 (sanitised version)
Life in Lock Down: Day 9
Life in Lock Down: Day 10
Life in Lock Down: Day 11
Life in Lock Down: Day 12
Life in Lock Down: Day 13
Life in Lock Down: Day 14
Life in Lock Down: Day 15
Life in Lock Down: Day 16 – Bad Friday
Life in Lock Down: Day 17
Life in Lock Down: Day 18
Life in Lock Down: Day 19
Life in Lock Down: Day 20
Life in Lock Down: Day 21
Life in Lock Down: Day 22 – Is that a light at the end of a four week long tunnel?!
Life in Lock Down: Day 23
Life in Lock Down: Day 24 & 25
Life in Lock Down: Day 27 – and it’s been a shit day
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Acknowledgement: Rod Emmerson
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This blogpost will be re-published on “Frankly Speaking“. Reader’s comments may be left here (The Daily Blog) or there (Frankly Speaking).
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= fs =


thedailyblog--2020-04-23--Of Devs, Other Universes, And China’s Covid Choices.

DEVS is a fantastic futuristic television mini-series – which ends next week on Soho .
Now , don ’ t worry , there will be no spoilers in this post , so please feel free to read on .
It ’ s certainly not giving too much away to say that in addition to serving up a riveting plotline and a first rate cast , Devs also offers master classes in both the future of information technology and philosophy .
Driving the drama forward is the age-old debate between those who believe that human-beings possess free will and those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a cause , our “ choices ” are entirely predetermined .
Devise a computer of sufficient capability , Devs ’ determinists insist , and not only will it allow you to see back into the past , but also forward into the future .
Once you enter this territory , however , the question inevitably arises : “ Which past and which future ?
” The writer and director of Devs , Alex Garland , clearly anticipates that quantum computing and quantum physics are going to be inextricably entwined .
This allows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the quantum world – like matter being in , and not in , our universe at the same time .
These raise the possibility of there being more than one universe .
Or many .
Or even an infinite number of universes !
If that ’ s the way it is , however , then wouldn ’ t it mean that an infinite number of pasts – and futures – are also possible ?
And wouldn ’ t it then follow , logically , that in this “ multiverse ” anything you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or , has happened already ?
Here then , in the spirit of Devs , is one of the infinite number of histories of the Covid-19 virus and the global pandemic which it spawned .
In a biological research facility on the outskirts of Wuhan , in China ’ s Hubei province , scientists create a new , highly infectious and potentially deadly coronavirus .
Unfortunately , lax handling protocols result in a number of the research facility ’ s staff becoming infected .
With terrifying speed the virus spreads through Wuhan ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its unchecked community transmission by a conscientious physician , the Chinese authorities are faced with a daunting series of choices .
The most noble choice is , obviously , to contain the disease within China ’ s borders and do everything possible to prevent it from infecting the rest of humanity .
This option , however , is fraught with risk .
What if the virus mutates into something even deadlier ?
What if it can not be contained ?
What would such an outbreak do to China ’ s already faltering economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preserve its power in the face of tens-of-thousands – perhaps millions – of fatalities ?
And what would China ’ s enemies do ?
Would they help ?
Or , would they stand back and watch the regime of Xi Jinping go under ?
In the very large subset of worlds in the multiverse where this most ruthless sort of political calculation prevails , such questions tend to lead political leaders away from noble choices .
This case was no exception .
The government of Xi Jinping adopted a policy of strategic inaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Organisation of the virus ’ s extraordinary infectiousness .
More crucially , it delayed shutting down Wuhan , Hubei , and China itself , until the virus was safely aboard the world ’ s airlines and winging its way unheralded across the planet .
If humanity suddenly had to contend with a new coronavirus , then , from the perspective of Beijing , it was far preferable to have the whole of humanity contending with “ Covid-19 ” ( as it would soon be called ) than only that fraction of humanity residing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Republic of China .
To have protected the rest of the world – particularly its most powerful nations – from the virus ’ s devastating economic side-effects would have been indistinguishable from allowing China to be defeated in a major war .
Sharing Covid-19 with the rest of the world made much more sense in geopolitical and economic terms than heroically bearing its burdens alone .
Receiving the world ’ s praise is one thing ; giving the rest of the world the whip hand over your country ’ s future is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus to escape , it then behoved the Chinese Government to do all within its power to mitigate its effects and , if at all possible , stamp it out .
Obviously , the first country to come out the other side of what was now a global pandemic would enjoy a tremendous advantage over all those other nations still stricken and locked down by the presence of Covid-19 in their populations .
Certainly , China was not lacking in the totalitarian infrastructure necessary to contain and eliminate the virus among its own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far , far away , it would not have taken long for those well-schooled in the realities of ruthless political calculation to grasp what China had done .
Could they prove it ?
No .
But proof is not always required when the logic of a particular course of action is so compelling .
If every effect has a cause , then it is no great matter to work one ’ s way back through each successive stage of a crisis to locate the first move , the first “ choice ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wonder that China ’ s principal rival , the United States is so agitated by the bind in which it now finds itself .
It simply can not afford to be locked down , but it lacks the totalitarian equipment needed to drive its population through the slaughter associated with acquiring “ herd immunity ” in the shortest possible time .
Even if it did ( and astutely exploited the Patriot Act offers a sufficiently ruthless American government tremendous scope ) the United States has chosen , democratically , to afflict itself with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upon an America more riven with sectarian hatred and social division one would have to travel back in time to the Civil War of 1861-65 .
If the Chinese Government operating in this alternative universe had been in possession of the time-mastering super-quantum-computer at the heart of the action in Devs , it could not have played its hand with more far-sighted political acuity .
China took an “ accident ” ( if you believe in such dubious concepts ) and turned it into an opportunity to take over the world .
Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plenty of other universes where this didn ’ t happen .
We might even be living in one .

DEVS is a fantastic futuristic television mini-series – which ends next week on Soho. Now, don’t worry, there will be no spoilers in this post, so please feel free to read on. It’s certainly not giving too much away to say that in addition to serving up a riveting plotline and a first rate cast,Devs also offers master classes in both the future of information technology and philosophy.
Driving the drama forward is the age-old debate between those who believe that human-beings possess free will and those who insist that, since every effect must have a cause, our “choices” are entirely predetermined. Devise a computer of sufficient capability, Devs’ determinists insist, and not only will it allow you to see back into the past, but also forward into the future.
Mind-bending stuff.
Once you enter this territory, however, the question inevitably arises: “Which past and which future?” The writer and director of Devs, Alex Garland, clearly anticipates that quantum computing and quantum physics are going to be inextricably entwined. This allows him to play with the weird paradoxes of the quantum world – like matter being in, and not in, our universe at the same time. These raise the possibility of there being more than one universe. Or many. Or even an infinite number of universes! If that’s the way it is, however, then wouldn’t it mean that an infinite number of pasts – and futures – are also possible? And wouldn’t it then follow, logically, that in this “multiverse” anything you can imagine happening either will happen, or, has happened already?
Here then, in the spirit of Devs, is one of the infinite number of histories of the Covid-19 virus and the global pandemic which it spawned.
In a biological research facility on the outskirts of Wuhan, in China’s Hubei province, scientists create a new, highly infectious and potentially deadly coronavirus. Unfortunately, lax handling protocols result in a number of the research facility’s staff becoming infected. With terrifying speed the virus spreads through Wuhan’s 11 million inhabitants. Alerted to its unchecked community transmission by a conscientious physician, the Chinese authorities are faced with a daunting series of choices.
The most noble choice is, obviously, to contain the disease within China’s borders and do everything possible to prevent it from infecting the rest of humanity. This option, however, is fraught with risk. What if the virus mutates into something even deadlier? What if it cannot be contained? What would such an outbreak do to China’s already faltering economy? How could the Chinese Communist Party preserve its power in the face of tens-of-thousands – perhaps millions – of fatalities? And what would China’s enemies do? Would they help? Or, would they stand back and watch the regime of Xi Jinping go under?
In the very large subset of worlds in the multiverse where this most ruthless sort of political calculation prevails, such questions tend to lead political leaders away from noble choices. This case was no exception. The government of Xi Jinping adopted a policy of strategic inaction. It delayed informing the World Health Organisation of the virus’s extraordinary infectiousness. More crucially, it delayed shutting down Wuhan, Hubei, and China itself, until the virus was safely aboard the world’s airlines and winging its way unheralded across the planet.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
If humanity suddenly had to contend with a new coronavirus, then, from the perspective of Beijing, it was far preferable to have the whole of humanity contending with “Covid-19” (as it would soon be called) than only that fraction of humanity residing within the borders of the People’s Republic of China. To have protected the rest of the world – particularly its most powerful nations – from the virus’s devastating economic side-effects would have been indistinguishable from allowing China to be defeated in a major war. Sharing Covid-19 with the rest of the world made much more sense in geopolitical and economic terms than heroically bearing its burdens alone. Receiving the world’s praise is one thing; giving the rest of the world the whip hand over your country’s future is something else altogether.
Having allowed the virus to escape, it then behoved the Chinese Government to do all within its power to mitigate its effects and, if at all possible, stamp it out. Obviously, the first country to come out the other side of what was now a global pandemic would enjoy a tremendous advantage over all those other nations still stricken and locked down by the presence of Covid-19 in their populations. Certainly, China was not lacking in the totalitarian infrastructure necessary to contain and eliminate the virus among its own people.
Even in another universe, far, far away, it would not have taken long for those well-schooled in the realities of ruthless political calculation to grasp what China had done. Could they prove it? No. But proof is not always required when the logic of a particular course of action is so compelling. If every effect has a cause, then it is no great matter to work one’s way back through each successive stage of a crisis to locate the first move, the first “choice”, that set it in motion.
Small wonder that China’s principal rival, the United States is so agitated by the bind in which it now finds itself. It simply cannot afford to be locked down, but it lacks the totalitarian equipment needed to drive its population through the slaughter associated with acquiring “herd immunity” in the shortest possible time. Even if it did (and astutely exploited the Patriot Act offers a sufficiently ruthless American government tremendous scope) the United States has chosen, democratically, to afflict itself with its worst President ever. To look upon an America more riven with sectarian hatred and social division one would have to travel back in time to the Civil War of 1861-65.
If the Chinese Government operating in this alternative universe had been in possession of the time-mastering super-quantum-computer at the heart of the action in Devs, it could not have played its hand with more far-sighted political acuity. China took an “accident” (if you believe in such dubious concepts) and turned it into an opportunity to take over the world.
Not to worry, though. There are plenty of other universes where this didn’t happen. We might even be living in one.


thedailyblog--2020-04-23--First steps on a workers’ recovery plan

First steps on a workers’ recovery plan

We need a priority list of steps that the government can and should take immediately to help protect working people from the immediate devastation associated with what seems will be an inevitable deep recession .
( I have stolen a few of these ideas from Greenpeace ) 1 ) Put all people receiving a welfare benefit on an emergency benefit of $ 425 net each week .
Individualise all entitlements .
Online applications only needed to access benefits .
Abolish interview requirement .
Maintain end to standdown period .
Abolish MSD client debts .
Allow migrant workers who lose jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for at least six months and then become part of a new basic income grant .
2 ) Establish the net single national super rate ( $ 425 weekly ) as a tax-free basic income grant for everyone 65 and over initially .
Combine this with a flat tax of 40 % on all other income .
3 ) Progressively extend this tax-free benefit to those 60 or over who have worked manual jobs , and to replace other benefits ( sole parent , sick and invalid and unemployed ) , and student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow .
4 ) Establish a new marginal tax rate of 40 % for incomes over the level that the beneft is still a net gain for people ( around $ 120,000 a year ) .
Further marginal rates can be established for incomes over that until a 100 % rate is effective from $ 250,000 a year .
5 ) A universal child allowance of $ 150 weekly 6 ) A universal student allowance equal to the core adult unemployment benefit immediately and become part of a new basic income grant as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Increase Health funding to allow genuine universal access as well as preparedness for future pandemics .
Abolish Health Board debts .
8 ) Minimum wage to be set at 66 % of the average wage .
Everyone deserves a living wage .
9 ) Wealth taxes and death duties to ensure everyone pays a fair share 10 ) ) Free pre-school for every child .
Make it part of the public education system .
11 ) Look at ways to reduce the working week for everyone with no loss in pay so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in society .
12 ) Massive expansion in training and retraining of workers to allow for a just transition from the current job set up to one that is sustainable for the planet through a Green New Deal .
13 ) Repealing existing laws that prevent local authorities and state-owned enterprises operating businesses in a socially responsible way .
Allow publicly-owned monopolies to be established not guided by the pursuit of profit .
These would include transport , energy , postal services and broadband delivery .
14 ) ) Allowing local authorities the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like public transport , and establish new publicly-owned social services that can tackle the social deficits in their own communities .
15 ) ) Billions of dollars in funding for distributed solar and wind , alongside upgrades to the power grid .
All public buildings , including schools , should be converted to solar energy .
The Government should introduce a zero-interest loan for household solar and batteries .
Finance and support for community solar and wind projects should be fast-tracked .
Regulatory barriers that prevent people from trading and gifting energy should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for household and community-generated electricity .
16 ) Establishing people ’ s power in local communities with elected boards that are resourced to allow the people themselves to tackle the social deficits built up over decades of neglect .
Begin with an audit of every home to find out what food , medical , housing , energy , educational , or work needs exist that can be battled against collectively .
17 ) An urban “ marae ” centred on a high school in every community that is able to provide community kitchens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sports facilities , evening education .
18 ) A target of 10,000 social houses to be built each year as the core of the infrastructure rebuild .
Building to continue at that level until every New Zealander who wants one can access one .
Rents to be no more than 25 % of income .
19 ) Embarking on a nationwide social housing upgrade programme , providing insulation , heat pumps , solar and batteries to some of our most vulnerable families .
Insulation and heat pumps mandatory in all homes – especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if necessary .
20 ) Public transport to be made a public service and radically expanded to serve the needs of the people and the planet and not run on a for-profit model .
Buses and rail links should be electric .
Rail lines should be established – or reestablished – between cities to reduce air travel .
Cycleways should be mandatory across a city .
Interest-free loans for ebikes and scooters made available .
21 ) Establish the infrastructure to eliminate the need to use petrol and diesel vehicles and promote their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electric vehicles where necessary .
22 ) Companies requiring a bailout by the government – currently nearly all private companies – be required to not pay dividends to shareholders ( or high salaries and bonuses to executives ) until they have paid back the money they got from the government .
23 ) Banks who have also effectively also been bailed out with Reserve Bank money should be forbidden from paying dividends or preferably brought into public ownership and control .
24 ) Companies that the state may have to nationalise if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be , or renationalised as is happening with Air NZ , should be organised as public utilities .
The will be managed so they won ’ t continue to be run only to generate profit for shareholders which fails to care for either the workers or the planet .
They should be repurposed to implement a Green New Deal to rebuild the country .
If they have to reduce in size , like Air NZ must do for environmental reasons as well as the fact air travel has disappeared , then the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protected as new jobs are found .
25 ) All company boards of directors that have received a government bailout have representation from the state and workers organisations on their boards to ensure they prioritise keeping jobs and protecting the planet during the crisis .
Laws that prioritise profits over jobs or the environment should be repealed .
26 ) Restoring our critical natural ecosystems : ( Courtesy of Greenpeace ) – A significant cash injection for the Department of Conservation to employ a “ conservation corps ” of people to eradicate pests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ habitats , such as wetlands .
– Fast-track fencing and planting of on-farm waterways by subsidising or paying for fencing , planting crews and ongoing weed maintenance .
– Scale the restoration of mussel and shellfish beds in the Hauraki Gulf and other harbours , by investing in people , shellfish and boats to undertake the programme .
27 ) All workers in New Zealand on temporary work visas to have the right to transition to permanent residence If they choose to .
28 ) A Financial Transactions Tax to established that can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revenue .
29 ) Expanded paid sick and family leave to be available from day one of employment .
30 ) A ban on evictions and mortgage foreclosures .
A 12-week rent and mortgage holiday for tenants , homeowners and small businesses .
Make the landlords share in the sacrifices being made .
31 ) Interest-free loan forbearance for all who need it ; A moratorium on negative credit reporting ; Halting all debt collection ; Flexible repayment options post-forbearance ; Stopping wage garnishment ; Increasing predatory lending protections ; and Spurring the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Unions to have universal membership in the industries they represent to give workers a voice in what happens to those industries as the crisis passes .

We need a priority list of steps that the government can and should take immediately to help protect working people from the immediate devastation associated with what seems will be an inevitable deep recession. (I have stolen a few of these ideas from Greenpeace)
1) Put all people receiving a welfare benefit on an emergency benefit of $425 net each week. Individualise all entitlements. Online applications only needed to access benefits. Abolish interview requirement. Maintain end to standdown period. Abolish MSD client debts. Allow migrant workers who lose jobs to get. This benefit should last for at least six months and then become part of a new basic income grant.
2) Establish the net single national super rate ($425 weekly) as a tax-free basic income grant for everyone 65 and over initially. Combine this with a flat tax of 40% on all other income.
3) Progressively extend this tax-free benefit to those 60 or over who have worked manual jobs, and to replace other benefits (sole parent, sick and invalid and unemployed), and student allowances as new income and wealth taxes allow.
4) Establish a new marginal tax rate of 40% for incomes over the level that the beneft is still a net gain for people (around $120,000 a year). Further marginal rates can be established for incomes over that until a 100% rate is effective from $250,000 a year.
5) A universal child allowance of $150 weekly
6) A universal student allowance equal to the core adult unemployment benefit immediately and become part of a new basic income grant as new wealth taxes are introduced.
7) Increase Health funding to allow genuine universal access as well as preparedness for future pandemics. Abolish Health Board debts.
8) Minimum wage to be set at 66% of the average wage. Everyone deserves a living wage.
9) Wealth taxes and death duties to ensure everyone pays a fair share
10)) Free pre-school for every child. Make it part of the public education system.
11) Look at ways to reduce the working week for everyone with no loss in pay so that the work is shared around equitably in society.
12) Massive expansion in training and retraining of workers to allow for a just transition from the current job set up to one that is sustainable for the planet through a Green New Deal.
13) Repealing existing laws that prevent local authorities and state-owned enterprises operating businesses in a socially responsible way. Allow publicly-owned monopolies to be established not guided by the pursuit of profit. These would include transport, energy, postal services and broadband delivery.
14) ) Allowing local authorities the power to take over existing social services like public transport, and establish new publicly-owned social services that can tackle the social deficits in their own communities.
15)) Billions of dollars in funding for distributed solar and wind, alongside upgrades to the power grid. All public buildings, including schools, should be converted to solar energy. The Government should introduce a zero-interest loan for household solar and batteries. Finance and support for community solar and wind projects should be fast-tracked. Regulatory barriers that prevent people from trading and gifting energy should be removed and a floor price introduced for household and community-generated electricity.
16) Establishing people’s power in local communities with elected boards that are resourced to allow the people themselves to tackle the social deficits built up over decades of neglect. Begin with an audit of every home to find out what food, medical, housing, energy, educational, or work needs exist that can be battled against collectively.
17) An urban “marae” centred on a high school in every community that is able to provide community kitchens, gardens, cinemas and theatres, sports facilities, evening education.
18) A target of 10,000 social houses to be built each year as the core of the infrastructure rebuild. Building to continue at that level until every New Zealander who wants one can access one. Rents to be no more than 25% of income.
19) Embarking on a nationwide social housing upgrade programme, providing insulation, heat pumps, solar and batteries to some of our most vulnerable families. Insulation and heat pumps mandatory in all homes – especially rental. Interest-free loans available to install if necessary.
20) Public transport to be made a public service and radically expanded to serve the needs of the people and the planet and not run on a for-profit model. Buses and rail links should be electric. Rail lines should be established – or reestablished – between cities to reduce air travel. Cycleways should be mandatory across a city. Interest-free loans for ebikes and scooters made available.
21) Establish the infrastructure to eliminate the need to use petrol and diesel vehicles and promote their replacement by public transport where possible and electric vehicles where necessary.
22) Companies requiring a bailout by the government – currently nearly all private companies – be required to not pay dividends to shareholders (or high salaries and bonuses to executives) until they have paid back the money they got from the government.
23) Banks who have also effectively also been bailed out with Reserve Bank money should be forbidden from paying dividends or preferably brought into public ownership and control.
24) Companies that the state may have to nationalise if they are threatened with bankruptcy like Fletcher Building could be, or renationalised as is happening with Air NZ, should be organised as public utilities. The will be managed so they won’t continue to be run only to generate profit for shareholders which fails to care for either the workers or the planet. They should be repurposed to implement a Green New Deal to rebuild the country. If they have to reduce in size, like Air NZ must do for environmental reasons as well as the fact air travel has disappeared, then the workers need a just transition with incomes protected as new jobs are found.
25) All company boards of directors that have received a government bailout have representation from the state and workers organisations on their boards to ensure they prioritise keeping jobs and protecting the planet during the crisis. Laws that prioritise profits over jobs or the environment should be repealed.
26) Restoring our critical natural ecosystems: (Courtesy of Greenpeace)
– A significant cash injection for the Department of Conservation to employ a “conservation corps” of people to eradicate pests, plant native trees and restore critical habitats, such as wetlands.
– Fast-track fencing and planting of on-farm waterways by subsidising or paying for fencing, planting crews and ongoing weed maintenance.
– Scale the restoration of mussel and shellfish beds in the Hauraki Gulf and other harbours, by investing in people, shellfish and boats to undertake the programme.
27) All workers in New Zealand on temporary work visas to have the right to transition to permanent residence If they choose to.
28) A Financial Transactions Tax to established that can progressively replace GST as a source of revenue.
29) Expanded paid sick and family leave to be available from day one of employment.
30) A ban on evictions and mortgage foreclosures. A 12-week rent and mortgage holiday for tenants, homeowners and small businesses. Make the landlords share in the sacrifices being made.
31) Interest-free loan forbearance for all who need it; A moratorium on negative credit reporting; Halting all debt collection; Flexible repayment options post-forbearance;
Stopping wage garnishment; Increasing predatory lending protections; and
Spurring the economy by canceling student debt.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
32) Unions to have universal membership in the industries they represent to give workers a voice in what happens to those industries as the crisis passes.