thedailyblog--2020-04-12--Investing in a resilient future a lesson from Covid-19

Food supply is a matter of national security .
Empty shelves in the supermarket are an unfamiliar sight in New Zealand , more reminiscent of 1980s Eastern Europe .
We ’ ve had such relative privilege for so long , many of us forgot how dependent we were on contingent , international supply chains .
Our supermarkets have been full of food from around the globe , and we ’ ve had access to travel to all its corners .
Before Coronavirus , people had become complacent about the ability to buy a pair of shoes made in China , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkey , or a trip to Antarctica or Machu Picchu .
Often price and pleasure informed our decisions to buy , regardless of the impact on workers , the environment or food miles and carbon emissions .
Meanwhile we knew our best lamb and apples and kiwifruit were sent offshore to reach high prices there while we had the smallest and misshapen , non-export grade stock at world market prices .
We felt the effects of over-tourism , but took our tourism dollar elsewhere .
We could order a book on Amazon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with distant dismay .
That ’ s what globalisation brought us .
Our ability to fly or buy from around the world made our global community smaller and more interconnected .
Unlike in nature , complexity in supply chains leads to increased vulnerability .
According to supply chain risk managers , cars , for example , have anywhere from 30,000 to 100,000 components ; aeroplanes have up to six million .
Sophisticated but ubiquitous technology such as cell phones are supported by raw resources from Africa , tech from the US , construction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the above and beyond .
Any one component can include parts from many countries , each with parts from many others .
Dependence on international supply chains has made us vulnerable – to exposure to disease , disruptions in any part of the chain , and dependent on successfully functioning markets to sell our own goods overseas .
That dependence has left us over-exposed to risk .
It ’ s made us mostly takers not makers .
Coronavirus related supply chain disruption is already altering the way we do business .
Some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown , some from further afield .
Here in New Zealand 5000 pigs a week are not being ‘ processed ’ ( killed ) because there ’ s no outlet for their meat with independent butchers prohibited from sales .
But another 7000 pigs a week are still imported and consumed from North America and European states where animal welfare standards are poorer .
Milk , meat and fruit around the world , are dumped because they can ’ t be picked , produced or sold .
When shop shelves are empty – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s no stock , but because of supply chain failure .
Responses to supply chain failures often focus on three R ’ s – building Resilience , Reshoring – bringing industry back on-shore , and Replacing inaccessible offshore goods and disrupted supply lines with local alternatives .
As New Zealand rebuilds its economy after the Covid-19 lockdown , these responses will be essential .
Through retraining we have an opportunity to rebuild New Zealand ’ s domestic capacity and reduce global dependence .
We can stimulate local employment and consumer markets for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anticipated that domestic tourism will partly offset losses from closed borders ( all those Kiwis who have traveled the world but never toured the South Island – now ’ s your chance ) .
We can support a green , zero-carbon economy and build in more resilience , we can replace inaccessible goods with God ’ s Own from Godzone .
Jobs previously filled by international workers and holidaymakers might now be more appealing to Kiwis made jobless elsewhere .
Imagine a resurgence of New Zealand made clothes , shoes , cars and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trades and industry are considered in cost equations , not just seeking the lowest price tender .
But just as global supply chains have geopolitical implications , the shape of rebuilt supply chains and economic streams in New Zealand are political too .
So expect a fight among vested interests .
The renewed era of nationalism automatically appeals to the policy purview of New Zealand First .
Never shy to reject internationalism with an approach bordering on xenophobia , NZ First are already advocating a Buy New Zealand Made campaign .
An apparent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big ( New Zealand first ) government ’ also has support from NZ First – through perhaps a new Ministry of Works , and through levies on timber exports to support domestic access and local industry recovery .
In response to the Government ’ s calls for nominated ‘ shovel ready ’ projects to kick start the economy after lockdown , there is already jostling on the list of preferred projects .
Some seek preference for the construction sector over roads and pipes and the project formerly known as SkyPath .
But there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too .
Improved internet services and travel demand management should be a priority in the new era of remote working and to sustain the wins of working from home during lockdown .
Many socially beneficial projects need not be expensive – such as tactical urbanism responding to the need for social distancing on narrow footpaths which have never been so popular .
Community gardens will assist long term self-sufficiency and help maintain food security and supply .
Greenpeace have proposed a clear Green Covid Response plan here .
There are debates about whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health costs , again New Zealand First are arguing for a quicker resumption of business as usual .
Last week Auckland Council considered its bids for the Government ’ s list of ‘ Shovel ready ’ projects in a process that pitted progressive Councillors against conservatives .
Pre-empting its Three Year and Annual Planning processes currently underway , the Council has cut around 1100 jobs – reducing the chance of a recovery for those workers at the very least , and undermining Council capacity to deliver on projects .
The Council should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effects from employment and spending , but it ’ s instead laying them off and cancelling contracts .
Whether rates will be frozen to reduce household expenses , but also reducing the capacity to deliver important social , economic and environmental projects , is a subsequent question .
Government and Council investment decisions should consider more than just monetary profit and loss .
Taking lessons from supply chain economics , they should consider matters of resilience , – ensuring investments are carbon neutral and future focussed .
They should be socially equitable and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should replace dependence on fragile external forces .
Generally , the shorter supply chain- the less risk , there ’ s strength in staying local .
They should replace outdated modes with environmentally and socially friendly alternatives – walking and cycling – to help us all burn fat , not oil .
In the meantime , we should get used to less diversity on the shelves in our shops , and recognise the premium of supporting local suppliers , vendors and workers .
We should be supporting our communities .
Times like this @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Food supply is a matter of national security. Empty shelves in the supermarket are an unfamiliar sight in New Zealand, more reminiscent of 1980s Eastern Europe. We’ve had such relative privilege for so long, many of us forgot how dependent we were on contingent, international supply chains.
Our supermarkets have been full of food from around the globe, and we’ve had access to travel to all its corners. Before Coronavirus, people had become complacent about the ability to buy a pair of shoes made in China, a t-shirt from Bangladesh, food from Turkey, or a trip to Antarctica or Machu Picchu. Often price and pleasure informed our decisions to buy, regardless of the impact on workers, the environment or food miles and carbon emissions. Meanwhile we knew our best lamb and apples and kiwifruit were sent offshore to reach high prices there while we had the smallest and misshapen, non-export grade stock at world market prices. We felt the effects of over-tourism, but took our tourism dollar elsewhere. We could order a book on Amazon, and we’d watch Donald Trump with distant dismay. That’s what globalisation brought us.
Our ability to fly or buy from around the world made our global community smaller and more interconnected. Unlike in nature, complexity in supply chains leads to increased vulnerability. According to supply chain risk managers, cars, for example, have anywhere from 30,000 to 100,000 components; aeroplanes have up to six million. Sophisticated but ubiquitous technology such as cell phones are supported by raw resources from Africa, tech from the US, construction from China for consumption in all of the above and beyond. Any one component can include parts from many countries, each with parts from many others. Dependence on international supply chains has made us vulnerable – to exposure to disease, disruptions in any part of the chain, and dependent on successfully functioning markets to sell our own goods overseas. That dependence has left us over-exposed to risk. It’s made us mostly takers not makers.
Coronavirus related supply chain disruption is already altering the way we do business. Some of it’s the result of domestic lockdown, some from further afield. Here in New Zealand 5000 pigs a week are not being ‘processed’ (killed) because there’s no outlet for their meat with independent butchers prohibited from sales. But another 7000 pigs a week are still imported and consumed from North America and European states where animal welfare standards are poorer. Milk, meat and fruit around the world, are dumped because they can’t be picked, produced or sold. When shop shelves are empty – it’s not necessarily because there’s no stock, but because of supply chain failure.
Responses to supply chain failures often focus on three R’s – building Resilience, Reshoring – bringing industry back on-shore, and Replacing inaccessible offshore goods and disrupted supply lines with local alternatives.
As New Zealand rebuilds its economy after the Covid-19 lockdown, these responses will be essential. Through retraining we have an opportunity to rebuild New Zealand’s domestic capacity and reduce global dependence. We can stimulate local employment and consumer markets for locally made goods. It’s anticipated that domestic tourism will partly offset losses from closed borders (all those Kiwis who have traveled the world but never toured the South Island – now’s your chance). We can support a green, zero-carbon economy and build in more resilience, we can replace inaccessible goods with God’s Own from Godzone. Jobs previously filled by international workers and holidaymakers might now be more appealing to Kiwis made jobless elsewhere.
Imagine a resurgence of New Zealand made clothes, shoes, cars and trains as the value of supporting domestic trades and industry are considered in cost equations, not just seeking the lowest price tender. But just as global supply chains have geopolitical implications, the shape of rebuilt supply chains and economic streams in New Zealand are political too. So expect a fight among vested interests.
The renewed era of nationalism automatically appeals to the policy purview of New Zealand First. Never shy to reject internationalism with an approach bordering on xenophobia, NZ First are already advocating a Buy New Zealand Made campaign.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
An apparent new era of interventionist, nationalist ‘big (New Zealand first) government’ also has support from NZ First – through perhaps a new Ministry of Works, and through levies on timber exports to support domestic access and local industry recovery.
In response to the Government’s calls for nominated ‘shovel ready’ projects to kick start the economy after lockdown, there is already jostling on the list of preferred projects. Some seek preference for the construction sector over roads and pipes and the project formerly known as SkyPath. But there’s plenty of support for roads too. Improved internet services and travel demand management should be a priority in the new era of remote working and to sustain the wins of working from home during lockdown. Many socially beneficial projects need not be expensive – such as tactical urbanism responding to the need for social distancing on narrow footpaths which have never been so popular. Community gardens will assist long term self-sufficiency and help maintain food security and supply. Greenpeace have proposed a clear Green Covid Response plan here.
There are debates about whether the economic costs of lockdown outweigh public health costs, again New Zealand First are arguing for a quicker resumption of business as usual. Last week Auckland Council considered its bids for the Government’s list of ‘Shovel ready’ projects in a process that pitted progressive Councillors against conservatives.
Pre-empting its Three Year and Annual Planning processes currently underway, the Council has cut around 1100 jobs – reducing the chance of a recovery for those workers at the very least, and undermining Council capacity to deliver on projects. The Council should be investing in staff, recognising the flow-on effects from employment and spending, but it’s instead laying them off and cancelling contracts. Whether rates will be frozen to reduce household expenses, but also reducing the capacity to deliver important social, economic and environmental projects, is a subsequent question.
Government and Council investment decisions should consider more than just monetary profit and loss. Taking lessons from supply chain economics, they should consider matters of resilience, – ensuring investments are carbon neutral and future focussed. They should be socially equitable and building capacity in-house and in-country. They should replace dependence on fragile external forces. Generally, the shorter supply chain- the less risk, there’s strength in staying local. They should replace outdated modes with environmentally and socially friendly alternatives – walking and cycling – to help us all burn fat, not oil.
In the meantime, we should get used to less diversity on the shelves in our shops, and recognise the premium of supporting local suppliers, vendors and workers. We should be supporting our communities. Times like this show how essential our community is.


thedailyblog--2020-04-12--Life in Lock Down: Day 18

Life in Lock Down: Day 18

The news today sounds good ; “ only ” eighteen new cases .
The lowest so far in a week .
However , with testing far lower than usual because of the Easter Weekend , the fear is that the low number is misleading and we simply haven ’ t picked up more .
Tuesday ’ s 1pm “ presser ” will give us a clearer picture hopefully .
Sunday is my one day off and aside from a few activities , I plan to do – nothing .
At 9am I watch Jack Tame present the week ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Verrall , an Infectious Diseases Physician and senior lecturer at the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine in Wellington .
She shares her knowledge and insights on covid19 and what we might expect from the contagion .
She is followed by Chris Hipkins , Minister for Education , on how schools will gradually re-open .
There is talk of children observing the 2 metre rule .
I shake my head at the naiveté of this .
The only kids who isolate others are cliques who happen to be ostracising their chosen target-of-the-day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 metre rules when many adults forget or can ’ t be bothered , don ’ t understand young people .
There is discussion surrounding foreign students ( or lack thereof ) and how schools and Universities will cope without their income .
Jack Tame ask if government will pick up the tab for the shortfall .
The question should be why we ever allowed education to be corporatised and turned into a commodity in the first place .
Oh yeah , tax cuts .
Well , I think the fragility of relying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education funding has been exposed for the rort that it is .
Chris Hipkins may have let slip that the government intends to drop down to Level 3 Alert at some near stage by pointing out that “ going from Level 4 to Level 3 doesn ’ t mean things get back to normal ” .
Chris Hipkins is followed by James Shaw with discussion on planned water reforms .
Evidently Federated Farmers want reforms put on hold because of the current crisis and it ’ s putting too much pressure on their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I thought farmers were already doing the water reforms themselves ?
!
James Shaw was asked about deferring the election from 19 September to November .
His wise response : it ’ s up to the Electoral Commission to decide , not politicians .
Which sounds fairly reasonable considering that bother NZ First and National want to defer the elections for the good of the country , of course .
*rolls eyes* James Shaw was adamant that climate change was still a threat that must be tackled as urgently as before .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generations of not just paying back the colossal debts incurred by the pandemic crisis , but also damage which will inevitably flow from climate change .
Double hit to our children .
The panellists consisted of fellow Daily Blogger and Auckland City Councillor , Efeso Collins , and NZ Herald financial journalist , Fran O ’ Sullivan .
Efeso Collins pointed out the folly of lifting the lock-down too early and the resurgence of covid19 in countries where they had had prematurely .
Fran O ’ Sullivan was having none of businesses whinging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans for them for the lifting of the lock-down .
She told them to do their own planing and they should be doing it now .
She was adamant that businesses have a responsibility for planning and not to rely on central government laying down the rules .
( Oh , the irony… ) Fran O ’ Sullivan said that Simon Bridges and the National Party will have to re-calibrate their economics policy , in the light of the massive damage inflicted by the pandemic .
Efeso Collins agreed with Winston Peters that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November .
Both agreed that Prime Minister Ardern should have sacked David Clark on the spot .
After Q+A , some light lunch with feijoas off my tree ; and then take the car to fuel up at the local Waitomo outlet .
Then a look at what ’ s been happening in the media… RNZ reported a poll carried out by Research NZ that showed the over-whelming number of New Zealanders would agree to extending the lock-down by a further two weeks if it were necessary ; …87 percent felt most New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This week it has fallen to 79 percent .
“ What that ’ s telling me is that more New Zealanders are thinking that other people are not observing the restrictions .
Perhaps that ’ s got to do with some of the media coverage we are seeing.
” In relation to police getting tougher , 85 percent agreed and 72 percent said a 10pm curfew should be introduced to restrict any unnecessary travel .
When it comes to other people not observing the restrictions , it ’ s hardly surprising with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disturbing numbers .
Especially as they appear to be an increase from last week ; “ 367 breaches on April 8 , with 45 prosecutions and 309 warnings “ .
What should be even more troubling is how many are escaping detection ?
If even one percent of those 847 breaches carried a covid19 infection , that ’ s potentially up to eight people wandering around spreading infection .
Worse still is Police time and resources being wasted by self-indulgent idiots , not just breaching lock-down , but holding full-on parties ; And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stunning moronic behaviour ; It appears from various media reports that not only are people flouting the life-saving lock-down , but are taking the piss when it comes to the Police ; Vehicles were in the car park , where people often leave their cars before doing a loop track in the nearby Department of Conservation reserve .
Ged Blackbourn , who lives nearby , said he had seen the car park full at times .
Police had occasionally visited to drive people away , but it quickly filled up again , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only 109 prosecutions out of 847 breaches – a 13 % enforcement/prosecution rate – what else do they expect the idiot to do ?
Of course they will persist in flouting the rules .
Let me point out that if I ’ m 10kms an hour over the speed limit on the motorway and I get “ pinged ” by a radar van or police in a car , the ticket/prosecution rate is : 100 % .
I do not get a warning .
Not “ advice ” on how to drive safely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Wouldn ’ t it be great if I could speed at 110kph if I ’ m late to work , knowing there was only a 13 % chance I ’ d get prosecuted if caught ?
!
?
!
So why treat the flouters of the lock-down any different ?
!
Maybe I ’ m not privileged enough .
Like these guys ; Note this bit : “ Officials are begging people who aren ’ t already on Auckland city ’ s islands to stay where they are.
” So if rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials have to “ beg ” them to comply with the rules ?
When is the last time WINZ/MSD “ begged people ” when it came to questioning their welfare entitlements ?
If I may misquote from “ Cool Hand Luke “ ; If/when we beat covid19 , it will be no thanks to these people .
Next item on the agenda : the so-called “ Taxpayers Union ” , a thinly-disguised front for the National/ACT Party .
The TU is calling for salary cuts in the state sector ; Campaigns Manager Louis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public sector to fairly share the burden of the economic crunch by cancelling all pay hikes until the economy has recovered .
We ’ re also asking elected officials , public sector CEOs* , and their leadership teams** to take a 12-month twenty percent pay cut.
” “ A temporary salary reduction for those paid the most in the public sector would be a prudent and compassionate response to the pressures faced by households and businesses across New Zealand .
Business leaders predict unemployment to rise to around ten percent in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are taking financial haircuts to limit the impact on lower earners.
” “ The average public sector salary is around a third higher than that of the private sector .
They also have the luxury of far higher job security .
A twenty percent pay cut is a small sacrifice in these extraordinary times when so many New Zealanders are losing their jobs.
” Which is so ironic that it beggars belief .
It was only 36 years ago that neo-liberalism swept through Aotearoa ; state assets were privatised ; and a corporate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bodies .
The parroted justification given by the Right when discussing high salaries for the State sector and Local Body bosses is that they have to compete with the corporate sector .
The Right introduced corporate-style “ market rates ” for state sector/local body bosses .
Not anyone else .
They did this .
Indeed , this was the very point of the State Sector Act 1988 .
And now a bunch of Right wingers who have just accepted state funding – money from the tax payer — –have the colossal cheek to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
Their hypocrisy , like our Universe , is boundless .
They are not to be taken seriously ; they are charlatans .
[ Hat-tip : Martyn Bradbury ] Meanwhile to cap off a day when we should have been celebrating the decline ( hopefully ) of a microscopic foe , this reminds us that where there is brilliance – there is also crass dumbness ; — which – bizarrely – is the polar opposite to what he wrote on 23 March ; Are there two Gareth Morgans with differing opinions ?
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sipping one shandy too many , perhaps ?
Or maybe , like Bob Jones , he ’ s just plain losing/lost the plot… ?
As before , I am reminded that what I fear most is not a highly contagious virus that has killed over 109,000 people… … but the irrationality of some of my fellow human beings .
But to end on a lighter note , I offer this witty piece from Andrew Gunn ; Mediaworks/Newshub : Big improvement by dairy farmers to protect waterways , says report RNZ : Most New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pain ’ – survey TVNZ : More than 800 breaches of Covid-19 lockdown rules with 109 prosecutions TVNZ : Six people arrested for fighting at Auckland party during lockdown Fairfax/Stuff : Ambulance stuck in sand after vehicle rolls at Foxton Beach during coronavirus lockdown Mediaworks/Newshub : Coronavirus – Taxpayers ’ Union gives up ‘ ideological purity ’ , accepts $ 60,000 in taxpayer wage subsidies Fairfax/Stuff : Somewhere on the road between Tauranga and Wellington , a Zoom meeting Democracy Now : Madrid ’ s Ice Rink Turned to Morgue as Spain Exceeds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : The Taxpayers ’ Union , the great champions of the free market are taking Government Money The Warehouse – where everyone gets a virus This blogpost will be re-published on “ Frankly Speaking “ .
Reader ’ s comments may be left here ( The Daily Blog ) or there ( Frankly Speaking ) .

.
.
April 12: Day 18 of living in lock-down…
The news today sounds good; “only” eighteen new cases. The lowest so far in a week. However, with testing far lower than usual because of the Easter Weekend, the fear is that the low number is misleading and we simply haven’t picked up more. Tuesday’s 1pm “presser” will give us a clearer picture hopefully.
Sunday is my one day off and aside from a few activities, I plan to do – nothing. At 9am I watch Jack Tame present the week’s Q+A. Guests today are Dr Ayesh Verrall, an Infectious Diseases Physician and senior lecturer at the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine in Wellington. She shares her knowledge and insights on covid19 and what we might expect from the contagion.
She is followed by Chris Hipkins, Minister for Education, on how schools will gradually re-open. There is talk of children observing the 2 metre rule. I shake my head at the naiveté of this. The only kids who isolate others are cliques who happen to be ostracising their chosen target-of-the-day. Anyone who things kids will observe the 2 metre rules when many adults forget or can’t be bothered, don’t understand young people.
There is discussion surrounding foreign students (or lack thereof) and how schools and Universities will cope without their income. Jack Tame ask if government will pick up the tab for the shortfall.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
The question should be why we ever allowed education to be corporatised and turned into a commodity in the first place. Oh yeah, tax cuts. Well, I think the fragility of relying on overseas students to top up our education funding has been exposed for the rort that it is.
Chris Hipkins may have let slip that the government intends to drop down to Level 3 Alert at some near stage by pointing out that “going from Level 4 to Level 3 doesn’t mean things get back to normal”.
Chris Hipkins is followed by James Shaw with discussion on planned water reforms. Evidently Federated Farmers want reforms put on hold because of the current crisis and it’s putting too much pressure on their members.
Wait, what?
But, but, but… I thought farmers were already doing the water reforms themselves?!
.
.
James Shaw was asked about deferring the election from 19 September to November. His wise response: it’s up to the Electoral Commission to decide, not politicians. Which sounds fairly reasonable considering that bother NZ First and National want to defer the elections for purely venal, self–serving reasons the good of the country, of course. *rolls eyes*
James Shaw was adamant that climate change was still a threat that must be tackled as urgently as before. He pointed out the massive costs to future generations of not just paying back the colossal debts incurred by the pandemic crisis, but also damage which will inevitably flow from climate change. Double hit to our children.
The panellists consisted of fellow Daily Blogger and Auckland City Councillor, Efeso Collins, and NZ Herald financial journalist, Fran O’Sullivan.
Efeso Collins pointed out the folly of lifting the lock-down too early and the resurgence of covid19 in countries where they had had prematurely.
Fran O’Sullivan was having none of businesses whinging that the government should be drawing up plans for them for the lifting of the lock-down. She told them to do their own planing and they should be doing it now. She was adamant that businesses have a responsibility for planning and not to rely on central government laying down the rules. (Oh, the irony…)
Fran O’Sullivan said that Simon Bridges and the National Party will have to re-calibrate their economics policy, in the light of the massive damage inflicted by the pandemic.
Efeso Collins agreed with Winston Peters that the election should be postponed to 21 November.
Both agreed that Prime Minister Ardern should have sacked David Clark on the spot.
After Q+A, some light lunch with feijoas off my tree; and then take the car to fuel up at the local Waitomo outlet.
Then a look at what’s been happening in the media…
RNZ reported a poll carried out by Research NZ that showed the over-whelming number of New Zealanders would agree to extending the lock-down by a further two weeks if it were necessary;
Agreed they would: 60%
Disagreed: 14%
Didn’t know: 26%
Sixtypercent showed a high level of support.
The poll also disclosed;
…87 percent felt most New Zealanders were observing restrictions on movement. This week it has fallen to 79 percent.
“What that’s telling me is that more New Zealanders are thinking that other people are not observing the restrictions. Perhaps that’s got to do with some of the media coverage we are seeing.”
In relation to police getting tougher, 85 percent agreed and 72 percent said a 10pm curfew should be introduced to restrict any unnecessary travel.
When it comes to other people not observing the restrictions, it’s hardly surprising with the statistics released by Police;
847 breaches of the Covid-19 lockdown rules, comnprising of,
109 prosecutions
717 warnings
21 youth referrals
Those are disturbing numbers. Especially as they appear to be an increase from last week; “367 breaches on April 8, with 45 prosecutions and 309 warnings“.
What should be even more troubling is how many are escaping detection? If even one percent of those 847 breaches carried a covid19 infection, that’s potentially up to eight people wandering around spreading infection.
Worse still is Police time and resources being wasted by self-indulgent idiots, not just breaching lock-down, but holding full-on parties;
.
.
And then, this fiasco and example of stunning moronic behaviour;
.
.
It appears from various media reports that not only are people flouting the life-saving lock-down, but are taking the piss when it comes to the Police;
“Over the duration of the lockdown period, police have received thousands of reports relating to Alert Level 4 restriction breaches and police have been following up this information, with enforcement action being taken in some instances.”
Glossop said officers cannot attend every job but priority is given to jobs where there is an immediate risk to people or property.
Vehicles were in the car park, where people often leave their cars before doing a loop track in the nearby Department of Conservation reserve.
Ged Blackbourn, who lives nearby, said he had seen the car park full at times. Police had occasionally visited to drive people away, but it quickly filled up again, he said.
When Police follow through on only 109 prosecutions out of 847 breaches – a 13% enforcement/prosecution rate – what else do they expect the idiot to do? Of course they will persist in flouting the rules.
Let me point out that if I’m 10kms an hour over the speed limit on the motorway and I get “pinged” by a radar van or police in a car, the ticket/prosecution rate is: 100%.
I do not get a warning. Not “advice” on how to drive safely. The ticket is issued without discussion.
Wouldn’t it be great if I could speed at 110kph if I’m late to work, knowing there was only a 13% chance I’d get prosecuted if caught?!?! So why treat the flouters of the lock-down any different?!
Maybe I’m not privileged enough. Like these guys;
.
.
Note this bit: “Officials are begging people who aren’t already on Auckland city’s islands to stay where they are.”
So if rule breakers are white Middle Class boat-owners, officials have to “beg” them to comply with the rules?
When is the last time WINZ/MSD “begged people” when it came to questioning their welfare entitlements?
If I may misquote from “Cool Hand Luke“;
.
.
If/when we beat covid19, it will be no thanks to these people.
Next item on the agenda: the so-called “Taxpayers Union”, a thinly-disguised front for the National/ACT Party. The TU is calling for salary cuts in the state sector;
Campaigns Manager Louis Houlbrooke said “We’re asking the public sector to fairly share the burden of the economic crunch by cancelling all pay hikes until the economy has recovered. We’re also asking elected officials, public sector CEOs*, and their leadership teams** to take a 12-month twenty percent pay cut.”
“A temporary salary reduction for those paid the most in the public sector would be a prudent and compassionate response to the pressures faced by households and businesses across New Zealand. Business leaders predict unemployment to rise to around ten percent in the coming months, and private sector bosses are taking financial haircuts to limit the impact on lower earners.”
“The average public sector salary is around a third higher than that of the private sector. They also have the luxury of far higher job security. A twenty percent pay cut is a small sacrifice in these extraordinary times when so many New Zealanders are losing their jobs.”
Which is so ironic that it beggars belief. It was only 36 years ago that neo-liberalism swept through Aotearoa; state assets were privatised; and a corporate ethos introduced into government departments and local bodies. The parroted justification given by the Right when discussing high salaries for the State sector and Local Body bosses is that they have to compete with the corporate sector .
The Right introduced corporate-style “market rates” for state sector/local body bosses. Not anyone else. They did this .
Indeed, this was the very point of the State Sector Act 1988.
And now a bunch of Right wingers who have just accepted state funding – money from the tax payer —
.
.
–have the colossal cheek to complain about bloated state sector salaries?! Their hypocrisy, like our Universe, is boundless. They are not to be taken seriously; they are charlatans. [Hat-tip: Martyn Bradbury]
Meanwhile to cap off a day when we should have been celebrating the decline (hopefully) of a microscopic foe, this reminds us that where there is brilliance – there is also crass dumbness;
.
.
— which – bizarrely – is the polar opposite to what he wrote on 23 March;
.
.
Curious.
Are there two Gareth Morgans with differing opinions? (Poor cats!)
Has he been sipping one shandy too many, perhaps?
Or maybe, like Bob Jones, he’s just plain losing/lost the plot…?
As before, I am reminded that what I fear most is not a highly contagious virus that has killed over 109,000 people…
… but the irrationality of some of my fellow human beings.
But to end on a lighter note, I offer this witty piece from Andrew Gunn;
.
.
Current covid19 cases: 1,330
Cases in ICU: 5 (1 critical)
Number of deaths: 4
.
.
.
.
References
Mediaworks/Newshub: Big improvement by dairy farmers to protect waterways, says report
RNZ: Most New Zealanders willing to extend Covid-19 lockdown ‘pain’ – survey
TVNZ: More than 800 breaches of Covid-19 lockdown rules with 109 prosecutions
TVNZ: Six people arrested for fighting at Auckland party during lockdown
Fairfax/Stuff: Ambulance stuck in sand after vehicle rolls at Foxton Beach during coronavirus lockdown
Mediaworks/Newshub: Coronavirus – Boaties ignoring lockdown orders slammed as ‘pirates’
Scoop: Campaign Launched – Public Sector Pay Cuts For COVID-19 Relief
NZ History: The 1980s – 1988 – key events
Mediaworks/Newshub: Coronavirus – Taxpayers’ Union gives up ‘ideological purity’, accepts $60,000 in taxpayer wage subsidies
Twitter: Gareth Morgan – lock down – 12 april 2020
Twitter: Gareth Morgan – lock down – 23 March 2020
Fairfax/Stuff: Somewhere on the road between Tauranga and Wellington, a Zoom meeting
RNZ: Covid-19 wrap – What happened on 12 April, Easter Sunday
Must Read
Elemental: Hold the Line
Democracy Now: Madrid’s Ice Rink Turned to Morgue as Spain Exceeds China in Coronavirus Deaths
Other Blogs
The Daily Blog: The Taxpayers’ Union, the great champions of the free market are taking Government Money
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
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Acknowledgement: Sharon Murdoch
.
This blogpost will be re-published on “Frankly Speaking“. Reader’s comments may be left here (The Daily Blog) or there (Frankly Speaking).
.
= fs =


thedailyblog--2020-04-11--Life in Lock Down: Day 17

Life in Lock Down: Day 17

The good news : new cases of covid19 is down again , to 29 .
That ’ s another fall since yesterdays unexpected spike of 44 .
The bad news : two more people have passed away from the virus .
Both in older age group and both with underlying medical conditions .
The hopeful news : that if new cases continue to drop until we reach nil , we may have driven this virus to extinction ( at least here in in Aotearoa ) by the time lock-down is set to lift on 23 April .
After that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more unlikely – covid19 is eliminated from the face of this planet , the entire country will be in semi-self-isolation .
International travel will remain but a fond memory as few people will want to be put into a mandatory two week quarantine after arriving here .
( And there will be bleatings galore from David Seymour , the tourism sector – or what ’ s left of it – and vote-chasing mischief-makers in the National Party and it ’ s fellow-travellers . )
Meanwhile , to counter the irresponsible shrill clamour from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lobby , to re-open commercial activities before the four weeks lock-down is completed – or even portions thereof – Director General of the World Health Organization ( WHO ) , Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , has urged the world not to act precipitously by abandoning restrictions ; ″I know that some countries are already planning the transition out of stay-at-home restrictions .
WHO wants to see restrictions lifted as much as anyone .
At the same time , lifting restrictions too quickly could lead to a deadly resurgence .
The way down can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not managed properly.
” Do we listen to the science-based health professionals ?
Or vote-chasing politicians and profit-driven businesspeople ?
( That should not even be a question . )
This morning for me should have been one of my days-off weekend .
But it was another work day as I filled in for a colleague whose “ bubble ” is simply too large and risky to allow him to interact with our clients .
If covid19 got into our facility at least two , maybe three , people would not survive .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be in self-isolation for two weeks .
Six more pieces removed from the board , to use a chess analogy .
I ’ m not due to start till 3pm , so that gives me time to sort out a tap fitting/connector for my washing-machine .
I realised later in the day yesterday that a visit to Mitre10 would be out of a question .
They are restricted to tradespeople only ( which I 100 % endorse ) .
So snap a few pics of the part I need ; take measurements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then send through the info to Hutt Gas & Plumbing .
I get a reply ; they can provide the part on Tuesday .
Sorted .
Next , at 11am I skype my partner .
The internetty thingy is acting up and it takes several minutes to connect .
Is this what the telephone service was like a century ago ?
We finally connect and we soon chat away for the next hour .
She ’ s been keeping stringently to her “ bubble ” and most of her day has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her immediate neighbourhood and working on her “ garden ” .
Kaka ’ s , Tui , Pīwakawaka , and other birds love her area .
Later this evening she will make her once-a-week visit to her local supermarket .
We have just under two weeks to go before we can do something as simple as have dinner together or go to the movies .
In the early afternoon , I hit the road .
It ’ s a bright , sunny , warm day with only a few clouds in the sky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , again , empty .
People are about , walking .
With such minimal traffic it ’ s quiet and peaceful .
The white motorhome is unmoved .
Even after lock-down is over , whether extended or not , my gaze will now automatically be looking for this large vehicle parked on a main thoroughfare connecting my suburb to SH2 .
On the road , traffic is light all the way into Wellington .
There are only a handful of cars sharing the road with me at any given moment .
Vehicles noticed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truck ; a double-tandem “ Pacific ” branded fuel tanker ; ambulance ; a “ Supreme ” towing truck ( the same clown who tailgated me yesterday , I wonder ? )
; a “ Linfox ” truck-cab , minus it ’ s trailer ; “ Spotless Catering ” ute ; “ EnviroWay ” rubbish ( or ecycling ? )
truck ; a “ Wellington Water ” van ” ; several utility vehicles , company branded heading the opposite way ; 2 “ Countdown ” food trucks ; “ Fish Factory ” light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Traffic in Wellington was marginally busier than yesterday .
The supermarkets will be open today , attracting people out of their homes .
The weather was markedly cooler in town than the Hutt Valley ; cloudier and chillier .
Outside Chaffers St New World supermarket , there was a long queue of people waiting to enter .
Social distancing was well-practiced .
Both sandy beaches at Oriental Bay were deserted ; The Evans Bay Marina Carpark appeared to have the same number of camper vans as the last few days .
Between my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more police cars than any other given days since Lock-down .
At work , a colleague and I discussed the near non-existent pandemic protocols we had been operating under at the beginning of the Lock-down .
Hardly surprising ; 99 % of the entire country ( the entire world ! )
was unprepared .
After cessation of the State of Emergency and lifting of lock-down , we considered that a full written de-brief would be essential so organisations like ours could put in place a ready-made plan for when ( not if !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were woefully ill-prepared for the current emergency and the response – ad hoc as it appeared to be – was led by workers on the ground , at the coal-face .
The moment Level 4 was implemented , our facility was sealed off to the public ; non-permanent staff ; and even management from our organisation .
We had limited tools ; a few boxes of latex gloves ; some disinfectant ; and three bottles of hand-sanitiser ‘ squirrelled away ’ in our Emergency Disaster Kit .
But what we did have plenty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and commitment to get the job done .
And all the while , carrying out all our normal duties as well as keeping our clients safe , calm , and reassured .
The lock-down of our facility is now the “ new norm ” .
Our clients are used to it – perhaps even reassured that the stringent measures we ’ ve taken is for theirs ( and ours ) benefit .
That night , on my way home , traffic was again light .
Playing a “ game ” , I counted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driving from Miramar to the Terrace Tunnel : around 45 .
It was a Saturday night , around 8.15pm .
Before heading home , I made my weekly trip to the supermarket .
Not that I needed much , this time .
Goods purchased I arrived home .
First thing ; leave shoes outside .
Then , getting through the door , after dropping the grocery bags ; a full 20 second hand wash. Then empty all items onto kitchen bench .
Packaged goods studiously wiped clean with disinfectant .
Fresh produce , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water ; rinse again .
Then wipe entire bench with disinfectant .
Cloth in soaking bucket .
Put the jug on for a cup of Chai Tea .
Welcome to the world of 2020AD .
Mediaworks/Newshub : Coronavirus – New Zealand should consider quitting lockdown early , David Seymour says RNZ : More industry and small businesses could reopen – National RNZ : Covid-19 – Coronavirus death toll rises to four in New Zealand Democracy Now : Madrid ’ s Ice Rink Turned to Morgue as Spain Exceeds China in Coronavirus Deaths The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This blogpost will be re-published on “ Frankly Speaking “ .
Reader ’ s comments may be left here ( The Daily Blog ) or there ( Frankly Speaking ) .

.
.
April 11: Day 17 of living in lock-down…
The good news: new cases of covid19 is down again, to 29. That’s another fall since yesterdays unexpected spike of 44.
The bad news: two more people have passed away from the virus. Both in older age group and both with underlying medical conditions.
The hopeful news: that if new cases continue to drop until we reach nil, we may have driven this virus to extinction (at least here in in Aotearoa) by the time lock-down is set to lift on 23 April. After that, until a vaccine is created or – more unlikely – covid19 is eliminated from the face of this planet, the entire country will be in semi-self-isolation. International travel will remain but a fond memory as few people will want to be put into a mandatory two week quarantine after arriving here. (And there will be bleatings galore from David Seymour, the tourism sector – or what’s left of it – and vote-chasing mischief-makers in the National Party and it’s fellow-travellers.)
Meanwhile, to counter the irresponsible shrill clamour from National, ACT, and the business lobby, to re-open commercial activities before the four weeks lock-down is completed – or even portions thereof – Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has urged the world not to act precipitously by abandoning restrictions;
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
″I know that some countries are already planning the transition out of stay-at-home restrictions. WHO wants to see restrictions lifted as much as anyone.
At the same time, lifting restrictions too quickly could lead to a deadly resurgence. The way down can be as dangerous as the way up if not managed properly.”
Do we listen to the science-based health professionals? Or vote-chasing politicians and profit-driven businesspeople? (That should not even be a question.)
This morning for me should have been one of my days-off weekend. But it was another work day as I filled in for a colleague whose “bubble” is simply too large and risky to allow him to interact with our clients. If covid19 got into our facility at least two, maybe three, people would not survive. And myself and five of my colleagues would be in self-isolation for two weeks. Six more pieces removed from the board, to use a chess analogy.
I’m not due to start till 3pm, so that gives me time to sort out a tap fitting/connector for my washing-machine. I realised later in the day yesterday that a visit to Mitre10 would be out of a question. They are restricted to tradespeople only (which I 100% endorse). So snap a few pics of the part I need; take measurements; look up the actual name, and then send through the info to Hutt Gas & Plumbing. I get a reply; they can provide the part on Tuesday. Sorted.
Next, at 11am I skype my partner. The internetty thingy is acting up and it takes several minutes to connect. Is this what the telephone service was like a century ago?
We finally connect and we soon chat away for the next hour. She’s been keeping stringently to her “bubble” and most of her day has been filled with an early morning walk around her immediate neighbourhood and working on her remnant stand of native forest “garden”. Kaka’s, Tui, Pīwakawaka, and other birds love her area.
Later this evening she will make her once-a-week visit to her local supermarket.
We have just under two weeks to go before we can do something as simple as have dinner together or go to the movies.
In the early afternoon, I hit the road. It’s a bright, sunny, warm day with only a few clouds in the sky. The Park N Ride carpark is, again, empty. People are about, walking. With such minimal traffic it’s quiet and peaceful.
The white motorhome is unmoved. Even after lock-down is over, whether extended or not, my gaze will now automatically be looking for this large vehicle parked on a main thoroughfare connecting my suburb to SH2.
On the road, traffic is light all the way into Wellington. There are only a handful of cars sharing the road with me at any given moment. Vehicles noticed; 6 police cars; a skip-bin truck; a double-tandem “Pacific” branded fuel tanker; ambulance; a “Supreme” towing truck (the same clown who tailgated me yesterday, I wonder?); a “Linfox” truck-cab, minus it’s trailer; “Spotless Catering” ute; “EnviroWay” rubbish (or ecycling?) truck; a “Wellington Water” van”; several utility vehicles, company branded heading the opposite way; 2 “Countdown” food trucks; “Fish Factory” light truck, and a few others.
Traffic in Wellington was marginally busier than yesterday. The supermarkets will be open today, attracting people out of their homes. The weather was markedly cooler in town than the Hutt Valley; cloudier and chillier.
Outside Chaffers St New World supermarket, there was a long queue of people waiting to enter. Social distancing was well-practiced.
Both sandy beaches at Oriental Bay were deserted;
.
.
The Evans Bay Marina Carpark appeared to have the same number of camper vans as the last few days.
Between my home and Miramar, I had seen more police cars than any other given days since Lock-down.
At work, a colleague and I discussed the near non-existent pandemic protocols we had been operating under at the beginning of the Lock-down. Hardly surprising; 99% of the entire country (the entire world!) was unprepared. After cessation of the State of Emergency and lifting of lock-down, we considered that a full written de-brief would be essential so organisations like ours could put in place a ready-made plan for when (not if!) the next pandemic arose.
Management were woefully ill-prepared for the current emergency and the response – ad hoc as it appeared to be – was led by workers on the ground, at the coal-face. The moment Level 4 was implemented, our facility was sealed off to the public; non-permanent staff; and even management from our organisation. We had limited tools; a few boxes of latex gloves; some disinfectant; and three bottles of hand-sanitiser ‘squirrelled away’ in our Emergency Disaster Kit.
But what we did have plenty of were our wits; initiative; and commitment to get the job done. And all the while, carrying out all our normal duties as well as keeping our clients safe, calm, and reassured.
Righto, sorted.
(Management caught up with us a week later.)
The lock-down of our facility is now the “new norm”. Our clients are used to it – perhaps even reassured that the stringent measures we’ve taken is for theirs (and ours) benefit.
That night, on my way home, traffic was again light. Playing a “game”, I counted the number of vehicles I sighted whilst driving from Miramar to the Terrace Tunnel: around 45. It was a Saturday night, around 8.15pm.
Before heading home, I made my weekly trip to the supermarket. Not that I needed much, this time. Goods purchased I arrived home. First thing; leave shoes outside. Then, getting through the door, after dropping the grocery bags; a full 20 second hand wash. Then empty all items onto kitchen bench. Packaged goods studiously wiped clean with disinfectant. Fresh produce, washed under running water; shake of water; rinse again. Then wipe entire bench with disinfectant. Cloth in soaking bucket.
Put the jug on for a cup of Chai Tea.
Relax.
Welcome to the world of 2020AD.
.
Current covid19 cases: 1,312
Cases in ICU: 5 (1 critical)
Number of deaths: 4
.
.
.
.
References
Mediaworks/Newshub: Coronavirus – New Zealand should consider quitting lockdown early, David Seymour says
RNZ: More industry and small businesses could reopen – National
SBS: Hasty virus lockdown lift could spark ‘deadly resurgence’ – WHO
RNZ: Covid-19 – Coronavirus death toll rises to four in New Zealand
Must Read
Elemental: Hold the Line
Democracy Now: Madrid’s Ice Rink Turned to Morgue as Spain Exceeds China in Coronavirus Deaths
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
.
.
.
Acknowledgement: @twisteddoodles
.
This blogpost will be re-published on “Frankly Speaking“. Reader’s comments may be left here (The Daily Blog) or there (Frankly Speaking).
.
= fs =


thedailyblog--2020-04-11--Life in Lock Down: Day 16 – Bad Friday

Life in Lock Down: Day 16 – Bad Friday

And the news is not good .
Another death , this time an elderly woman in a rest home .
With 44 new cases , a rise from the steadily declining numbers since Monday , the struggle is far from over .
Friday is Good Friday , but there ’ s nothing much “ good ” about it .
In normal times the roads would have been clogged with traffic last night and today .
Far from it ; they appear mostly empty .
The Park N Ride in my area usually has between two to four cars each day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On my way to the highway , I drive past the white motorhome .
It ’ s still parked in position .
The few commercial vehicles I do spot ; a light truck , unmarked , carrying firewood ; a “ Supreme ” towing truck ( which tailgated me for several kilometres – on an all but empty stretch of highway !
Driver of tow-truck , rego , “ WE TØW ” , you need to learn to keep your distance !
Otherwise your next rego plate may be “ WE CRSH @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Optare ” ; “ Pacific ” branded ute ; a Hyundai traffic radar van north of Belmont ; “ First Security ” car ; “ Absolute Control ” branded van ; 2 ambulances ; several recreational bicyclists ; a police car heading my opposite way , north , with flashing lights and siren ; more bicyclists on the harbour highway south of Petone ; a “ Mainfreight ” truck ; an ambulance ; a “ K9 Explosive Detector Dog ” ute ; Commercial traffic on the roads is light ; most of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fine sunny day ; barely any clouds in the sky .
People are out and about , walking.At the SH58 interchange traffic is still light ; three cars to me rear ; one in front .
North of Melling Interchange traffic has thinned to maybe one or two cars in my field of vision .
A few families are dotted along the Hutt River , on the stoney banks enjoying the autumn sun ; all are well spaced apart .
South of the Melling interchange , there were occasions when the highway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harbour was beautifully calm with plenty of sun shining over Wellington City ; In normal times this would be cause for joy .
But these are not normal times and fine weather bring out people onto the roads , footpaths , beaches , parks , etc .
Not good places to be in times of pandemic .
It was reassuring that not one single recreational boat ( or any other craft ) could be seen on the water .
Approaching the Terrace Tunnel , traffic remained light , with perhaps only half a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front .
This is in stark contrast to normal holidays periods and weekend when the approach roads to the tunnel are actually busier than during the working week !
The tunnel itself had one car in front and three behind me .
The “ Z ” service station fuel price board lights were still out ; there was light foot traffic on the city footpaths ; and car traffic was the lightest I ’ ve seen it all week .
Oriental Bay parade was busier , with a steady stream of bicyclists and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on either the main or smaller beaches in the Bay ; Evans Bay Parade was equally busy with walkers and pedestrians .
Most kept to the two metre rule .
A few did not .
A police car passed me on this stretch of road .
That would be the only police seen until around 3 to 4pm .
In Hataitai , these two police vehicles were seen parked side-by-side .
The constables appeared to be taking a break ; chatting with a young lady leaning on one car window ( waaaay closer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; or checking their devices ; [ Images have been redacted for privacy/occupational reasons . ]
Perhaps one of the most bizarre things seen during this lock-down crisis is this sign on a “ Four Square ” shop ( location not to be disclosed ) .
The white sign states ; Maximum of 10 people allowed in store at a time .
Please keep your distance of 2 mtrs from each other , Thanks , [ … ] FourSquare ” The reason the sign is utterly ridiculous ?
This particular “ Four Square @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dairy .
The aisles are hardly a metre apart and the small size of the store would make it near-impossible for ten people to keep a 2-metre distance .
This is why when businesses demand to open to the public , and promise – hand-on-heart – to implement safety protocols : Do not take them at their word .
If we had acceded to demands from Universities NZ and Hospitality NZ to continue allowing foreign students to enter Aotearoa , and for bars and restaurants to remain open – while “ promising social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most likely spread like wildfire throughout the country .
This government is right to be firm in maintaining the lock-down .
Lives depend on how we respond to the contagion .
On the way home in the evening , the city was the most deserted I have ever seen it .
Except for street and commercial lighting , and a few vehicles , it was the closest I have ever compared it to a post-apocalypse movie .
I spotted one ambulance and later , north of Melling , one police vehicle that had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seemed to be heeding the call to stay home and not venture out .
More than ever , we must all maintain the safety protocols ; wash hands ; maintain safe distance ; restrict your “ bubble ” ; don ’ t try to ‘ cheat ’ .
As infectious disease epidemiologist , Jonathan Smith , warned us ; The enemy we are facing is very good at what it does ; we are not failing .
We need everyone to hold the line as the epidemic inevitably gets worse .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unforgiving math of epidemics for which I and my colleagues have dedicated our lives to understanding with great nuance , and this disease is no exception .
Stay strong and in solidarity knowing that what you are doing is saving lives , even as people continue getting sick and dying .
This virus is unforgiving to unwise choices .
As this epidemic continues , it will be easy to be drawn to the idea that what we are doing isn ’ t working and we may feel compelled to “ cheat ” with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Which is why the community must do it ’ s bit ; the Police have to come down hard on those who flout the rules ; and the business lobby ( and their National Party allies ) stops pressuring the government to loosen the lock-down rules .
The lock-down is porous enough as it is .
In fact , I totally concur with Martyn Bradbury ’ s call to extend the lock down to six weeks ; The health math demands 6 weeks .
Incubation time of the virus is 14 days , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been 19 days and 27 days , so we went into lockdown on Wednesday 25th meaning the majority of infections will appear by April 8th in the second week of the 4 week lockdown , but we need to KNOW the damned virus has been completely eradicated , so that takes us out to April 21st for the last possible incubation date and we would need at least 2 weeks of no new infections to know the sacrifice had been worth it .
Death Cult Capitalists , Matthew Hooton , Mike Hosking & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 000 deaths is acceptable as long as neoliberalism can get back to work so the stress on Jacinda to lift the lockdown at the end of the 4 weeks is building , regardless of the above public health math .
The simple truth is that Jacinda must extend the 4 weeks to 6 weeks because if we come back at 4 weeks and the bloody thing keeps spreading , she will get blamed .
It gives me no pleasure to advocate for an extension .
I ’ m now working six days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people required to work at a given work-place ) and I miss my partner who I haven ’ t see for over three weeks .
( We have our separate homes and “ bubbles ” . )
But it ’ s either extending the lock-down or ending it prematurely .
The virus does not respect human being ’ s arbitrary rules .
It thumbs it ’ s nose at us and our social and legal structures ( if covid19 had thumbs and a nose ) .
And if the Prime were to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as Martyn Bradbury points out , her political enemies and other sundry armchair experts would blame her for the consequences .
We need to go the distance .
If necessary even , extend the distance .
Don ’ t ever forget ; we can out-think and out-wit covid19 .
That is our unique strength .
We just need to use our wits .
RNZ : Covid-19 – Hospitality industry asking customers to sign in Daily Blog : Why Jacinda MUST keep us locked up for 6 weeks Democracy Now : Madrid ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spain Exceeds China in Coronavirus Deaths The Warehouse – where everyone gets a virus This blogpost will be re-published on “ Frankly Speaking “ .
Reader ’ s comments may be left here ( The Daily Blog ) or there ( Frankly Speaking ) .

.
.
April 10: Day 16 of living in lock-down…
And the news is not good. Another death, this time an elderly woman in a rest home. With 44 new cases, a rise from the steadily declining numbers since Monday, the struggle is far from over.
Friday is Good Friday, but there’s nothing much “good” about it. In normal times the roads would have been clogged with traffic last night and today. Far from it; they appear mostly empty. The Park N Ride in my area usually has between two to four cars each day since lock-down. Today it is empty.
On my way to the highway, I drive past the white motorhome. It’s still parked in position.
The few commercial vehicles I do spot; a light truck, unmarked, carrying firewood; a “Supreme” towing truck (which tailgated me for several kilometres – on an all but empty stretch of highway! Driver of tow-truck, rego, “WE TØW”, you need to learn to keep your distance! Otherwise your next rego plate may be “WE CRSH”);
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
.
.
–a van marked “Optare”; “Pacific” branded ute; a Hyundai traffic radar van north of Belmont; “First Security” car; “Absolute Control” branded van; 2 ambulances; several recreational bicyclists; a police car heading my opposite way, north, with flashing lights and siren; more bicyclists on the harbour highway south of Petone; a “Mainfreight” truck; an ambulance; a “K9 Explosive Detector Dog” ute;
Commercial traffic on the roads is light; most of the traffic are cars. It’s a fine sunny day; barely any clouds in the sky. People are out and about, walking.At the SH58 interchange traffic is still light; three cars to me rear; one in front. North of Melling Interchange traffic has thinned to maybe one or two cars in my field of vision. A few families are dotted along the Hutt River, on the stoney banks enjoying the autumn sun; all are well spaced apart. South of the Melling interchange, there were occasions when the highway was utterly empty of traffic.
The harbour was beautifully calm with plenty of sun shining over Wellington City;
.
.
In normal times this would be cause for joy. But these are not normal times and fine weather bring out people onto the roads, footpaths, beaches, parks, etc. Not good places to be in times of pandemic.
It was reassuring that not one single recreational boat (or any other craft) could be seen on the water.
Approaching the Terrace Tunnel, traffic remained light, with perhaps only half a dozen vehicle behind me and nothing in front. This is in stark contrast to normal holidays periods and weekend when the approach roads to the tunnel are actually busier than during the working week! The tunnel itself had one car in front and three behind me.
The “Z” service station fuel price board lights were still out; there was light foot traffic on the city footpaths; and car traffic was the lightest I’ve seen it all week.
Oriental Bay parade was busier, with a steady stream of bicyclists and pedestrians, though no one was lying on either the main or smaller beaches in the Bay;
.
.
Evans Bay Parade was equally busy with walkers and pedestrians. Most kept to the two metre rule. A few did not.
A police car passed me on this stretch of road. That would be the only police seen until around 3 to 4pm. In Hataitai, these two police vehicles were seen parked side-by-side. The constables appeared to be taking a break; chatting with a young lady leaning on one car window (waaaay closer than 2 metres, folks!); or checking their devices;
.
.
[Images have been redacted for privacy/occupational reasons.]
Perhaps one of the most bizarre things seen during this lock-down crisis is this sign on a “Four Square” shop (location not to be disclosed). The white sign states;
“*NOTICE*
Maximum of 10 people allowed in store at a time. Please keep your distance of 2 mtrs from each other, Thanks, […] FourSquare”
.
.
The reason the sign is utterly ridiculous? This particular “Four Square” is little bigger than your average Dairy. The aisles are hardly a metre apart and the small size of the store would make it near-impossible for ten people to keep a 2-metre distance.
This is why when businesses demand to open to the public, and promise – hand-on-heart – to implement safety protocols: Do not take them at their word .
If we had acceded to demands from Universities NZ and Hospitality NZ to continue allowing foreign students to enter Aotearoa, and for bars and restaurants to remain open – while “promising social distancing” – the infection would have most likely spread like wildfire throughout the country.
This government is right to be firm in maintaining the lock-down. Lives depend on how we respond to the contagion.
On the way home in the evening, the city was the most deserted I have ever seen it. Except for street and commercial lighting, and a few vehicles, it was the closest I have ever compared it to a post-apocalypse movie. I spotted one ambulance and later, north of Melling, one police vehicle that had pulled over a late-model sportscar.
Wellingtonians seemed to be heeding the call to stay home and not venture out.
More than ever, we must all maintain the safety protocols; wash hands; maintain safe distance; restrict your “bubble”; don’t try to ‘cheat’. As infectious disease epidemiologist, Jonathan Smith, warned us;
The enemy we are facing is very good at what it does; we are not failing. We need everyone to hold the line as the epidemic inevitably gets worse. This is not an opinion. This is the unforgiving math of epidemics for which I and my colleagues have dedicated our lives to understanding with great nuance, and this disease is no exception. Stay strong and in solidarity knowing that what you are doing is saving lives, even as people continue getting sick and dying.
[…]
This virus is unforgiving to unwise choices. As this epidemic continues, it will be easy to be drawn to the idea that what we are doing isn’t working and we may feel compelled to “cheat” with unnecessary breaches of social distancing measures.
Which is why the community must do it’s bit; the Police have to come down hard on those who flout the rules; and the business lobby (and their National Party allies) stops pressuring the government to loosen the lock-down rules. The lock-down is porous enough as it is.
In fact, I totally concur with Martyn Bradbury’s call to extend the lock down to six weeks;
The health math demands 6 weeks. Incubation time of the virus is 14 days, but there are cases where it has been 19 days and 27 days, so we went into lockdown on Wednesday 25th meaning the majority of infections will appear by April 8th in the second week of the 4 week lockdown, but we need to KNOW the damned virus has been completely eradicated, so that takes us out to April 21st for the last possible incubation date and we would need at least 2 weeks of no new infections to know the sacrifice had been worth it.
[…]
Death Cult Capitalists, Matthew Hooton, Mike Hosking & Gareth Morgan are all crying out that 30 000 deaths is acceptable as long as neoliberalism can get back to work so the stress on Jacinda to lift the lockdown at the end of the 4 weeks is building, regardless of the above public health math.
The simple truth is that Jacinda must extend the 4 weeks to 6 weeks because if we come back at 4 weeks and the bloody thing keeps spreading, she will get blamed.
It gives me no pleasure to advocate for an extension. I’m now working six days a week (to minimise the number of people required to work at a given work-place) and I miss my partner who I haven’t see for over three weeks. (We have our separate homes and “bubbles”.)
But it’s either extending the lock-down or ending it prematurely. The virus does not respect human being’s arbitrary rules. It thumbs it’s nose at us and our social and legal structures (if covid19 had thumbs and a nose).
And if the Prime were to cave to pressures from the business lobby, as Martyn Bradbury points out, her political enemies and other sundry armchair experts would blame her for the consequences.
We need to go the distance. If necessary even , extend the distance. Don’t ever forget; we can out-think and out-wit covid19. That is our unique strength.
We just need to use our wits.
.
Current covid19 cases: 1,283
Cases in ICU: 4 (2 critical)
Number of deaths: 2
.
.
.
.
References
RNZ: Coronavirus – Universities seek travel ban exemption for students
RNZ: Covid-19 – Hospitality industry asking customers to sign in
Elemental: Hold the Line
Daily Blog: Why Jacinda MUST keep us locked up for 6 weeks
RNZ: Covid-19 – What happened on Good Friday
Must Read
Elemental: Hold the Line
Democracy Now: Madrid’s Ice Rink Turned to Morgue as Spain Exceeds China in Coronavirus Deaths
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
.
.
.
Acknowledgement: Evans
.
This blogpost will be re-published on “Frankly Speaking“. Reader’s comments may be left here (The Daily Blog) or there (Frankly Speaking).
.
= fs =


thedailyblog--2020-04-10--Dr Liz Gordon: Doing it for ourselves

Dr Liz Gordon: Doing it for ourselves

There are many lessons that we have learned so far from the global pandemic .
An emerging lesson , one which Auntie Jacinda emphasises every day , is that our own actions , collectively , can make a difference .
I have talked before about the neolib-killing aspects of COVID-19 .
The covid teaches us that , when the chips are down , only collective action will work .
This lesson has been slowly absorbed over past decades because of the environmental crisis of global warming , but also continues to be resisted strongly by some at the political level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : psychologically , socially and economically .
Although I am not a psychologist , I want to look a bit more closely at the psychological requirements – the mindset – of people in neoliberal society .
I also want to distinguish neoliberal thought from the kind of authoritarian populism that constitutes Trump , Bolsonara and the pre-covid Boris Johnson ( I have great hopes for a changed Boris on his return ) .
Neoliberal leadership does not require populism , simply the unrelenting privileging of market forms over the collective , the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always had this in their minds .
Psychologically , they justified their actions on the basis that a period of pain would lead to gain for all .
As it dragged on over the past thirty years , the psychological dissonance of knowing that neoliberal forms did not benefit all was resolved in a growing view that the losers , those below the poverty line , those of colour , those in prison and all the other disreputables deserved their fate .
If only they had been better , brighter , stronger , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have ridden the neolib wave .
In truth , psychologically , neoliberal psychology contained the seeds of its own demise .
As the wealth of nations was concentrated into fewer and fewer hands , and as the evident winners became a smaller and smaller pool , questions must arise in the human mind about the efficacy of the approach in rewarding individual toil .
It has always been puzzling in New Zealand how popular neoliberalism is .
Max Rashbrooke ’ s work has , for years , demonstrated overall and , through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 90 % of us are worse off under neoliberalism .
Thus the project is supported by very large numbers of people who are poorer because of it .
All I can say is that the human capacity for self-delusion is very deep , including our ability to believe we are better off as our resources drain away .
And political hegemonies are , of course , built on that flaw of human psychology .
Neoliberalism feeds on the oxygen of stories of inequality- of how the rich get richer , and of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are often pitted against workers in such accounts .
The National Party has , in the past , gained a lot of political ground through contrasts of this kind , whether they be based on source of income or race ( the iwi/kiwi billboards and the rise and fall of Don Brash ) .
Labour has furthered the neoliberal project without such an overt discourse of denigration ( mostly ) and has shown itself capable of ‘ doing ’ neoliberalism while preaching social democracy .
Events such as the Christchurch earthquakes , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , require the overt rejection of the neoliberal project .
There is no saying “ they deserve what they get – if only they had tried harder ” when the ground is shaking , the guns are blazing or the virus invades .
There has , rightly , been a lot made of those who have flouted the lockdown rules .
This is what you would expect of neoliberal man .
In flouting the rules you get ahead , become a Trump or other kind of mogul .
Rule flouting , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caught , is a desired psychological trait of neoliberalism .
Rules , after all , derive from the ‘ deep state ’ of the corrupt socialist order .
If you do get caught , the neoliberal society has been loath to punish the rich .
Indeed , it is likely the biggest flashpoint of the lockdown will come this weekend as people who have ‘ worked hard and earned ’ their holiday homes are prevented from populating them .
The most interesting aspect of that confrontation arises when local communities plead with holiday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district and bring the coronavirus with them .
Without that support , the government may have questioned the political cost of criminalising the wealthy middle classes in this way .
The success of the government ’ s strategy in squashing the covid curve here has depended upon competitive behaviour and the ability to act freely being subsumed to the greater good .
This is part of what people mean when they say everything has changed .
Looking forward , we are not looking for a return to the neoliberal norm .
We require @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rebuilding .
For what needs to be rebuilt will not only be the unemployment and economic losses caused by the virus , but our very state itself .
Cometh the hour , cometh Jacinda Ardern and a new social democratic state , 1935 over again but better , forged initially on borrowings but , over time , by a new and strong economy , higher taxes for the rich and a strong state .
We have been psychologically prepared for this by the virus : the rest is up to us .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

There are many lessons that we have learned so far from the global pandemic. An emerging lesson, one which Auntie Jacinda emphasises every day, is that our own actions, collectively, can make a difference.
I have talked before about the neolib-killing aspects of COVID-19. The covid teaches us that, when the chips are down, only collective action will work. This lesson has been slowly absorbed over past decades because of the environmental crisis of global warming, but also continues to be resisted strongly by some at the political level.
Neoliberalism requires individualism at all levels: psychologically, socially and economically. Although I am not a psychologist, I want to look a bit more closely at the psychological requirements – the mindset – of people in neoliberal society.
I also want to distinguish neoliberal thought from the kind of authoritarian populism that constitutes Trump, Bolsonara and the pre-covid Boris Johnson (I have great hopes for a changed Boris on his return). Neoliberal leadership does not require populism, simply the unrelenting privileging of market forms over the collective, the state. Roger Douglas and Ruth Richardson both always had this in their minds. Psychologically, they justified their actions on the basis that a period of pain would lead to gain for all.
As it dragged on over the past thirty years, the psychological dissonance of knowing that neoliberal forms did not benefit all was resolved in a growing view that the losers, those below the poverty line, those of colour, those in prison and all the other disreputables deserved their fate. If only they had been better, brighter, stronger, faster or more motivated, they too would have ridden the neolib wave.
In truth, psychologically, neoliberal psychology contained the seeds of its own demise. As the wealth of nations was concentrated into fewer and fewer hands, and as the evident winners became a smaller and smaller pool, questions must arise in the human mind about the efficacy of the approach in rewarding individual toil.
It has always been puzzling in New Zealand how popular neoliberalism is. Max Rashbrooke’s work has, for years, demonstrated overall and, through his online calculator, for individuals, that 90% of us are worse off under neoliberalism. Thus the project is supported by very large numbers of people who are poorer because of it. All I can say is that the human capacity for self-delusion is very deep, including our ability to believe we are better off as our resources drain away. And political hegemonies are, of course, built on that flaw of human psychology.
Neoliberalism feeds on the oxygen of stories of inequality- of how the rich get richer, and of the plight of the poor. Beneficiaries are often pitted against workers in such accounts. The National Party has, in the past, gained a lot of political ground through contrasts of this kind, whether they be based on source of income or race (the iwi/kiwi billboards and the rise and fall of Don Brash).
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
Labour has furthered the neoliberal project without such an overt discourse of denigration (mostly) and has shown itself capable of ‘doing’ neoliberalism while preaching social democracy.
Events such as the Christchurch earthquakes, the Mosque killings and, now, the pandemic, require the overt rejection of the neoliberal project. There is no saying “they deserve what they get – if only they had tried harder” when the ground is shaking, the guns are blazing or the virus invades.
There has, rightly, been a lot made of those who have flouted the lockdown rules. This is what you would expect of neoliberal man. In flouting the rules you get ahead, become a Trump or other kind of mogul. Rule flouting, as long as one doesn’t get caught, is a desired psychological trait of neoliberalism. Rules, after all, derive from the ‘deep state’ of the corrupt socialist order. If you do get caught, the neoliberal society has been loath to punish the rich.
Indeed, it is likely the biggest flashpoint of the lockdown will come this weekend as people who have ‘worked hard and earned’ their holiday homes are prevented from populating them. The most interesting aspect of that confrontation arises when local communities plead with holiday home owners not to come into their district and bring the coronavirus with them. Without that support, the government may have questioned the political cost of criminalising the wealthy middle classes in this way.
The success of the government’s strategy in squashing the covid curve here has depended upon competitive behaviour and the ability to act freely being subsumed to the greater good. This is part of what people mean when they say everything has changed.
Looking forward, we are not looking for a return to the neoliberal norm. We require a nation-building state as the basis of the rebuilding. For what needs to be rebuilt will not only be the unemployment and economic losses caused by the virus, but our very state itself. Cometh the hour, cometh Jacinda Ardern and a new social democratic state, 1935 over again but better, forged initially on borrowings but, over time, by a new and strong economy, higher taxes for the rich and a strong state. We have been psychologically prepared for this by the virus: the rest is up to us.
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--2020-04-10--Life in Lock Down: Day 15

Life in Lock Down: Day 15

If these numbers are correct and there ’ s no unknown “ hot spot ( s ) ” around the country , we have demonstrated with great clarity what can be achieved when a society acts collectively ( with minor exceptions of a few idiots and misguided examples of naked commercial/political self-interest ) for the greater good .
We can contrast our collective action with that of rugged individualism ( mixed with a tonne of incompetence from the narcissist in the White House ) in the United States ; Here in Aotearoa New Zealand , we have our own impending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Traditionally a time when thousands of Kiwi families pile into their cars ; get stuck in massive traffic jams for a few hours ; drive to destination ‘ X ’ to “ get away from it all ” ‘ three days later pile back into their vehicles ; get stuck in massive traffic jams for several hours for the return home ; arrive home knackered .
Wasn ’ t that fun ?
!
Not this year .
The constant plea is : To reinforce the new imperative for this Easter , the Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There would be no tolerance of a minority who chose to wilfully ignore the lock down ; Road policing team-supervisor , Andrew Heath , explained the simplicity of how Police would track recalcitrant selfish motorist wannabe-holidaymakers ; “ So what ’ s going to happen for that couple is there ’ s going to be a notification put in against their names and that vehicle that they ’ ve breached the lockdown rules , and if they ’ re stopped again , further action may be taken.
” Meanwhile , as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a small minority of self-entitled idiots tried to flout the rules , those of us working in essential services carried on .
Thursday would be another work day for us , albeit contrasted against this new weird reality .
At the near Park N Ride , the usual two cars were parked , alone in their vast expanse of bitumen .
On the road , commercial traffic continued to operate ; 2 “ Mainfreight ” trucks ; a “ Evotek ” van ; “ Linfox ” fuel tanker ; “ Waste Management ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ Armourguard ” car ; “ Aquaheat ” ute ; “ Wright Pools & Spas ” ute ; an “ Aquaheat ” van ; a “ McGuiness ” truck ; 2 “ Supreme Towing ” trucks ; “ MRL/MRI Power ” ute ; 3 “ Salvation Army Family Store ” trucks ; “ Mainstream ” covered truck ; a police van ; a “ AA ” Service ute ; 3 “ Trans Power ” utes ; a “ Higgins ” concrete truck ; a SPCA ute ; a “ Fliway ” branded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anderson container truck ; a “ Linfox ” covered truck ; “ Spotless Catering ” van ; 2 “ Fulton Hogan ” roadworks trucks ; a “ Downer ” ute and a “ Downer ” truck ; “ Countdown ” food delivery truck ; a “ Laser Plumbing ” van ; “ Capital Plumbing ” van ; “ Wellington Security ” van ; The white motorhome still parked on the side of the road .
Would it still be there over the long weekend ?
I ’ d be curious… Traffic on SH2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There seemed no apparent change in the few number of cars were around me .
At Melling numbers slight inceased to around seven in front of me and five to the rear .
Still increadibly sparse as this is a major interchange in the Hutt Valley .
The harbour highway into Wellington seemed marginally busier , with about seven behind and five cars in front of me .
These numbers would increases or drop , but the road was never less than half a dozen .
On the motorway this increased to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind .
Definitely more traffic than yesterday .
In the Terrace Tunnel , there were five cars to the rear of me and five to the front .
Exiting the tunnel , Vivian Street had more traffic than yesterday with about a dozen cars in front of me .
It ’ s a beautiful autumn , sunny early afternoon .
The sun is bright overhead in a sky studded with a few clouds .
Despite the brightness of the sun , warmth is lack and there ’ s a definite chill in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ queue outside Chaffer Street “ New World ” , extending out onto the footpath and around half the block ; As I snapped the pic above , I noticed one your woman walk past the line , well within half a metre – almost elbow touching – from other people… and then stood two metres behind the last person in line .
I ’ m guessing she would have walked closely past eight people to then “ social distance ” herself .
Clearly did not think that one through .
At the beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the electronic light-board had changed ; Perhaps pedestrians had had a word in the ears of the powers-that-be that cyclists were not adhering to the 2 metre rule ?
Which is ironic as that is precisely the complaint cyclists have of car drivers on the road .
Pot , kettle , it seems .
Coming home tonight ; one Highway Patrol police car parked near the Aotea Quay turnoff .
Traffic in and out of the city , between 7.30 and 8 – was almost nil .
This was not the usual pre-Easter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the call to stay home ?
This Diary entry is truncated .
The author spent an hour searching for , and finding , a leak from his washing machine .
Actually two leaks .
Were they easily reachable to fix , or right at the back , almost out of reach ?
Apply Murphy ’ s Law .
That ’ s your answer .
One leak fixed .
Just needed a tightening of a fitting .
The other fitting – munted .
I ’ ll have to risk a quick visit to Mitre10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 – The key developments in New Zealand from April 8 Time : The Trump Administration Fumbled Its Initial Response to Coronavirus .
Is There Enough Time to Fix It ?
RNZ : Number of new cases of Covid-19 in NZ plummets to 29 Democracy Now : Madrid ’ s Ice Rink Turned to Morgue as Spain Exceeds China in Coronavirus Deaths The Warehouse – where everyone gets a virus This blogpost will be re-published on “ Frankly Speaking “ .
Reader ’ s comments may be left here ( The Daily Blog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

.
.
April 9: Day 15 of living in lock-down…
The news is great!
Sunday: 89 new cases
Monday: 67
Tuesday: 54
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
Wednesday: 50
Today: (Thursday)29
If these numbers are correct and there’s no unknown “hot spot(s)” around the country, we have demonstrated with great clarity what can be achieved when a society acts collectively (with minor exceptions of a few idiots and misguided examples of naked commercial/political self-interest) for the greater good.
We can contrast our collective action with that of rugged individualism (mixed with a tonne of incompetence from the narcissist in the White House) in the United States;
.
.
Here in Aotearoa New Zealand, we have our own impending problem: the long Easter Weekend. Traditionally a time when thousands of Kiwi families pile into their cars; get stuck in massive traffic jams for a few hours; drive to destination ‘X’ to “get away from it all”‘ three days later pile back into their vehicles; get stuck in massive traffic jams for several hours for the return home; arrive home knackered. Wasn’t that fun?!
Not this year. The constant plea is:
.
.
To reinforce the new imperative for this Easter, the Police ramped up their warnings in the media. There would be no tolerance of a minority who chose to wilfully ignore the lock down;
.
.
Road policing team-supervisor, Andrew Heath, explained the simplicity of how Police would track recalcitrant selfish motorist wannabe-holidaymakers;
“So what’s going to happen for that couple is there’s going to be a notification put in against their names and that vehicle that they’ve breached the lockdown rules, and if they’re stopped again, further action may be taken.”
Meanwhile, as the majority of New Zealanders stayed home and a small minority of self-entitled idiots tried to flout the rules, those of us working in essential services carried on. Thursday would be another work day for us, albeit contrasted against this new weird reality.
At the near Park N Ride, the usual two cars were parked, alone in their vast expanse of bitumen.
On the road, commercial traffic continued to operate; 2 “Mainfreight” trucks; a “Evotek” van; “Linfox” fuel tanker; “Waste Management” rubbish truck; “Armourguard” van and “Armourguard” car; “Aquaheat” ute; “Wright Pools & Spas” ute; an “Aquaheat” van; a “McGuiness” truck; 2 “Supreme Towing” trucks; “MRL/MRI Power” ute; 3 “Salvation Army Family Store” trucks; “Mainstream” covered truck; a police van; a “AA” Service ute; 3 “Trans Power” utes; a “Higgins” concrete truck; a SPCA ute; a “Fliway” branded small truck; a “L.G. Anderson container truck; a “Linfox” covered truck; “Spotless Catering” van; 2 “Fulton Hogan” roadworks trucks; a “Downer” ute and a “Downer” truck; “Countdown” food delivery truck; a “Laser Plumbing” van; “Capital Plumbing” van; “Wellington Security” van;
The white motorhome still parked on the side of the road. Would it still be there over the long weekend? I’d be curious…
Traffic on SH2 north of Lower Hutt was still light. There seemed no apparent change in the few number of cars were around me. At Melling numbers slight inceased to around seven in front of me and five to the rear. Still increadibly sparse as this is a major interchange in the Hutt Valley. The harbour highway into Wellington seemed marginally busier, with about seven behind and five cars in front of me. These numbers would increases or drop, but the road was never less than half a dozen. On the motorway this increased to ten cars in front and another ten behind. Definitely more traffic than yesterday. In the Terrace Tunnel, there were five cars to the rear of me and five to the front. Exiting the tunnel, Vivian Street had more traffic than yesterday with about a dozen cars in front of me.
It’s a beautiful autumn, sunny early afternoon. The sun is bright overhead in a sky studded with a few clouds. Despite the brightness of the sun, warmth is lack and there’s a definite chill in the still air.
There was a long queue outside Chaffer Street “New World”, extending out onto the footpath and around half the block;
.
.
As I snapped the pic above, I noticed one your woman walk past the line, well within half a metre – almost elbow touching – from other people… and then stood two metres behind the last person in line. I’m guessing she would have walked closely past eight people to then “social distance” herself. Clearly did not think that one through.
At the beginning of Oriental Bay,the message on the electronic light-board had changed;
.
.
Perhaps pedestrians had had a word in the ears of the powers-that-be that cyclists were not adhering to the 2 metre rule? Which is ironic as that is precisely the complaint cyclists have of car drivers on the road. Pot, kettle, it seems.
Coming home tonight; one Highway Patrol police car parked near the Aotea Quay turnoff. Traffic in and out of the city, between 7.30 and 8 – was almost nil. This was not the usual pre-Easter holiday traffic crush. People are heeding the call to stay home?
One hopes.
Postscript
This Diary entry is truncated. The author spent an hour searching for, and finding, a leak from his washing machine. Actually two leaks. Were they easily reachable to fix, or right at the back, almost out of reach? Apply Murphy’s Law. That’s your answer.
One leak fixed. Just needed a tightening of a fitting.
The other fitting – munted. I’ll have to risk a quick visit to Mitre10 on Saturday. Damn.
.
Current covid19 cases: 1,239
Cases in ICU: 4 (? critical)
Number of deaths: 1
.
.
.
.
References
RNZ: Covid-19: What happened on 5 April
RNZ: Covid-19 – The key developments in New Zealand from April 8
Vox: The deep ideological roots of Trump’s botched coronavirus response
Time: The Trump Administration Fumbled Its Initial Response to Coronavirus. Is There Enough Time to Fix It?
Newsweek: Ex-GOP Strategist Calls Trump ‘Incompetent,’ ‘Ignorant’ Over Handling of Coronavirus Pandemic
RNZ: Police checkpoints set up to stop holidaymakers
Fairfax/Stuff: Coronavirus – Police turning back holidaymakers trying to breach lockdown rules
NZ Herald: Covid 19 coronavirus: Police stop cars escaping for Easter, warning drivers at Auckland – motorway
RNZ: Number of new cases of Covid-19 in NZ plummets to 29
Must Read
Elemental: Hold the Line
Democracy Now: Madrid’s Ice Rink Turned to Morgue as Spain Exceeds China in Coronavirus Deaths
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
.
.
.
.
This blogpost will be re-published on “Frankly Speaking“. Reader’s comments may be left here (The Daily Blog) or there (Frankly Speaking).
.
= fs =