Men To Boys

WHY ARE THERE so many blokes out there behaving like idiots ?
( “ Idiots ” is the Prime Minister ’ s descriptor , most New Zealanders would , less charitably , call them “ dicks ” . )
It ’ s not all blokes – not by any means – but such problems as the authorities have so far encountered during the Covid-19 Lockdown skew heavily towards the male of the species .
If women can see the logic of collectivism and solidarity in combatting Covid-19 , why can ’ t a truly irritating minority of dickish men ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ seriously amiss with New Zealand ’ s sons .
At the very moment when New Zealand women are wowing the world with their smarts , their grit and their empathy ( cheers Jacinda ! )
far too many New Zealand men have retreated into the stripped-down stronghold of sporting prowess and barred the gates behind them .
The television promotions for the various sporting codes – especially Rugby Union and Rugby League – feature a terrifying sequence of images glorifying brutal bodily contact , exaggerated aggressiveness , and exultation bordering on complete loss-of-control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s left of the human male when everything dignified , intelligent , creative and compassionate has been edited out of the masculine narrative .
These promos are made all the more frightful by the knowledge that they wouldn ’ t look that way if the punters wanted to see something else .
Clearly , smearing the screen with testosterone is the best way of getting the boys to tune-in .
It ’ s possible , of course , that the clips are assembled for the pleasure of the sporting codes ’ female devotees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sort of – equally troubling !
– sense .
In the end , however , these gloriously kinetic visual packages are all about reaffirming and celebrating a particular kind of masculinity .
They present the human male as a dangerous , uncompromising and predatory bundle of muscle .
The retrograde character of this brutish version of masculinity is disturbing .
For centuries , English speakers have honoured males with the title “ gentlemen ” .
Implicit in the term ’ s general use is an expectation that all males should at least aspire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The goal was to cultivate the self-control , easy affability , intellectual discipline , moral courage , rhetorical skill and , most importantly , the ability to interact easily and pleasingly with women , that traditionally defined a “ well-mannered ” member of the ruling class .
The ultimate social goal was to bring about sort of a levelling upwards : something along the lines of “ we are all aristocrats now ” .
It is one of the many oddities of modern history that it was to these civilised and humane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who assailed the domains of male exclusivity aspired .
Even odder , is the fact that in so many cases they succeeded : demonstrating throughout their careers the attributes and values that were hitherto regarded as the proof and preserve of a “ gentleman ” .
Tragically , as women rose up to claim so many of the things that were supposed to define a man , a worryingly large number of men began abandoning them as accomplishments no self-respecting male would boast of possessing .
Increasingly , a strong intellect , articulateness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listen attentively and to demonstrate empathy came to be regarded by these “ anti-gentlemen ” as not only evidence of effeminacy , but also of something much worse – homosexuality .
The simple possession of any of these powers was proof positive of , to use the modern parlance , “ gayness ” .
Bad enough to be called a “ girl ” , but to be branded “ gay ” meant instant excommunication from the world of “ real men ” .
But , what behavioural repertoire is left to such males @ @ @ @ @ @ @ empathy are ruled out of contention ?
The answer , sadly , is belligerence , taciturnity , pragmatism and toughness .
Sentences are reduced to slogans ; slogans to single words : Muppet , wanker , arsehole , cunt .
Gentlemanly efforts to converse with these linguistically-challenged anti-gentlemen are all-too-often interpreted as condescension , or , even more dangerously , as attempts to make fun of and/or belittle them .
Their responses can be savage .
To be showered with one word insults ( usually in Anglo-Saxon ) is to get off lightly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the surface of these cross-purposeful encounters .
To elicit the most aggressive response , however , nothing more is required than to give the anti-gentleman a direct order .
Nothing riles him more than being told what to do .
And , if the person telling him what to do happens to be a woman ?
Oh-boy – watch out !
Paradoxically , the more reasonable the request , the more unreasonable the anti-gentleman ’ s response is likely to be .
Reasonableness belongs to the world of education and erudition – the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it being populated by wankers , women and gays .
Accordingly , defying reasonableness is more than a one-fingered salute to those wankers ’ effete other world : it ’ s an act of veneration ; an offering to their dickish masculine god .
Ignoring the restrictions of Level-4 is a way of signalling their membership of the vast idiot fraternity of “ You can ’ t tell me what to do !
” More than that , however , it is a way of working out the fear of the Covid-19 virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acknowledge in any other way except by getting right up in its face and daring it to do its worst – no matter what harm that might bring to everybody else .
Poor bastards .
They have stripped themselves of the self-awareness that would allow them to see that puffing-up your chest and telling a micro-organism “ You ’ re not the boss of me !
” is not the behaviour of a man , but of a frightened and angry little boy .

WHY ARE THERE so many blokes out there behaving like idiots? (“Idiots” is the Prime Minister’s descriptor, most New Zealanders would, less charitably, call them “dicks”.) It’s not all blokes – not by any means – but such problems as the authorities have so far encountered during the Covid-19 Lockdown skew heavily towards the male of the species. If women can see the logic of collectivism and solidarity in combatting Covid-19, why can’t a truly irritating minority of dickish men?
Obviously, all this dickishness reflects something seriously amiss with New Zealand’s sons. At the very moment when New Zealand women are wowing the world with their smarts, their grit and their empathy (cheers Jacinda!) far too many New Zealand men have retreated into the stripped-down stronghold of sporting prowess and barred the gates behind them.
The television promotions for the various sporting codes – especially Rugby Union and Rugby League – feature a terrifying sequence of images glorifying brutal bodily contact, exaggerated aggressiveness, and exultation bordering on complete loss-of-control. What we see is what’s left of the human male when everything dignified, intelligent, creative and compassionate has been edited out of the masculine narrative.
These promos are made all the more frightful by the knowledge that they wouldn’t look that way if the punters wanted to see something else. Clearly, smearing the screen with testosterone is the best way of getting the boys to tune-in. It’s possible, of course, that the clips are assembled for the pleasure of the sporting codes’ female devotees. At least that would make some sort of – equally troubling! – sense. In the end, however, these gloriously kinetic visual packages are all about reaffirming and celebrating a particular kind of masculinity. They present the human male as a dangerous, uncompromising and predatory bundle of muscle.
The retrograde character of this brutish version of masculinity is disturbing. For centuries, English speakers have honoured males with the title “gentlemen”. Implicit in the term’s general use is an expectation that all males should at least aspire to the qualities of their social superiors. The goal was to cultivate the self-control, easy affability, intellectual discipline, moral courage, rhetorical skill and, most importantly, the ability to interact easily and pleasingly with women, that traditionally defined a “well-mannered” member of the ruling class. The ultimate social goal was to bring about sort of a levelling upwards: something along the lines of “we are all aristocrats now”.
It is one of the many oddities of modern history that it was to these civilised and humane ideals that so many of the women who assailed the domains of male exclusivity aspired. Even odder, is the fact that in so many cases they succeeded: demonstrating throughout their careers the attributes and values that were hitherto regarded as the proof and preserve of a “gentleman”. Tragically, as women rose up to claim so many of the things that were supposed to define a man, a worryingly large number of men began abandoning them as accomplishments no self-respecting male would boast of possessing.
Increasingly, a strong intellect, articulateness, creative ability, the willingness to listen attentively and to demonstrate empathy came to be regarded by these “anti-gentlemen” as not only evidence of effeminacy, but also of something much worse – homosexuality. The simple possession of any of these powers was proof positive of, to use the modern parlance, “gayness”. Bad enough to be called a “girl”, but to be branded “gay” meant instant excommunication from the world of “real men”.
But, what behavioural repertoire is left to such males if intelligence, expressiveness, creativity and empathy are ruled out of contention? The answer, sadly, is belligerence, taciturnity, pragmatism and toughness. Sentences are reduced to slogans; slogans to single words: Muppet, wanker, arsehole, cunt. Gentlemanly efforts to converse with these linguistically-challenged anti-gentlemen are all-too-often interpreted as condescension, or, even more dangerously, as attempts to make fun of and/or belittle them. Their responses can be savage. To be showered with one word insults (usually in Anglo-Saxon) is to get off lightly. Physical violence bubbles ominously just below the surface of these cross-purposeful encounters.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
To elicit the most aggressive response, however, nothing more is required than to give the anti-gentleman a direct order. Nothing riles him more than being told what to do. And, if the person telling him what to do happens to be a woman? Oh-boy – watch out!
Paradoxically, the more reasonable the request, the more unreasonable the anti-gentleman’s response is likely to be. Reasonableness belongs to the world of education and erudition – the world they have rejected on account of it being populated by wankers, women and gays. Accordingly, defying reasonableness is more than a one-fingered salute to those wankers’ effete other world: it’s an act of veneration; an offering to their dickish masculine god.
Ignoring the restrictions of Level-4 is a way of signalling their membership of the vast idiot fraternity of “You can’t tell me what to do!” More than that, however, it is a way of working out the fear of the Covid-19 virus that they feel, but cannot acknowledge in any other way except by getting right up in its face and daring it to do its worst – no matter what harm that might bring to everybody else.
Poor bastards. They have stripped themselves of the self-awareness that would allow them to see that puffing-up your chest and telling a micro-organism “You’re not the boss of me!” is not the behaviour of a man, but of a frightened and angry little boy.


thedailyblog--2020-04-09--Life in Lock Down: Day 14

Life in Lock Down: Day 14

The good news first : the downward trajectory of new cases appears to be a real thing .
In the last four days , since Sunday , new infections have been dropping : The bad news ?
Businesses and their shop-bought political servants in Parliament and fellow-travellers in the msm will be agitating to have the already-porous lock-down lifted as soon as the four week period has ended .
A certain right-wing politician – with one eye on winning his electorate and boosting his Party Vote , and another eye on potential One Percenter donors – has actually called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above toxic mix of money-hungry business people and their right-wing political stooges – the repugnant side of self-entitled , privileged Middle New Zealanders for whom the rules do not seem to apply – and the stage is set for a potential disaster .
With the Easter long weekend fast approaching , police have been issuing statements that they will not tolerate people jumping into their cars ; boats in tow ; and heading off to their holiday “ baches/cribs ” ; Up until this point the police have been pleading for everyone to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because as we all know , pleading works so well for a minority of Middle Class selfish idiots .
The same selfish idiots who usually vote National because they demand tough “ Law and Order ” policies when it comes to brown people in Otara or Porirua – but don ’ t ever expect it used against their own privileged white skins .
The Middle Class have always expected better treatment than their poorer ( mostly brown ) cuzzies .
Case in point , the Australian government has temporarily increased welfare benefit payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boost to their fortnightly welfare payments for six months in one of the largest increases to social security benefits in Australia ’ s history , as the government seeks to shield the unemployed ahead of a looming recession .
In a press conference at Parliament House on Sunday , the prime minister , Scott Morrison , said the changes , which effectively double the rate of Jobseeker Payment , reflected a desire to cushion those “ who will be feeling the first blows of the economic impact from the coronavirus ” .
Make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving extra humanitarian support for lower socio-economic people who have survived on the most basic welfare benefits .
The simple reason the benefits are increasing is , as Scott Morrison , disclosed : “ to cushion those “ who will be feeling the first blows of the economic impact from the coronavirus ” .
Translation : to pander to the Middle Class who will be made jobless as covid19 cripples the Australian economy and send hundreds of thousands of them onto welfare .
Imagine the howls of outrage if Middle Class workers made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is ?
The Middle Class votes ( unlike those in lower socio-economic groups ) .
No government will want to antagonise that group of voters .
So up goes welfare – temporarily .
That same sense of privileged entitlement is also pervasive throughout ( some of ) our own Middle Class .
But not this time .
I suspect that the great majority of New Zealanders from every socio-economic class ; ethnic group ; political leaning ; gender , race ; etc , have had a gutsful of these entitled oafs for whom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an impromptu holiday .
Most New Zealanders , I believe , want to see the millions of tax dollars spent on Police put to good use , clamping down on spoiled pricks who think they can get away with shit because… expensive car… expensive holiday home… latest devices… nice clothes… often private schooled spawn… in short , they ’ re entitled .
Our ‘ protestant urge to punish ’ may finally be put to good use .
Up until now , Police response has been one of tolerance that has been increasingly frustrating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collective responsibility to stay home and respect the lock-down .
The Police disclosed on 8 April that they “ have now dealt with 367 breaches of the alert level four lockdown rules , with 45 prosecutions , 309 warnings and 13 youth referrals “ .
Only 45 prosecutions out of 367 breaches ?
Is this the same Police who are going uber-macho with their armed response teams ?
In poorer neighbourhoods , of course .
So it ’ s refreshing to see in the last 24 hours our police force leadership growing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to outright threats of arrest ; “ We have … the power to arrest and we can charge for breach of the Health Notice .
We ’ ve taken a pretty gentle approach up to this point but people have had a long time now to understand what the powers are , and so we are prepared to take enforcement action if people are deliberately flouting the rules .
And we will be out in high visibility , patrolling .
We will use checkpoints in some places .
Our message to people is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve put too much into this to compromise it by trying to get away for a holiday weekend.
” – Police Commissioner Andrew Coster , 8 April 2020 Make no mistake .
The idiots who wilfully flout the rules are endangering everyone else .
People have lost their jobs ; their incomes ; their businesses ; and tragically , their lives overseas , and one here in Aotearoa .
As Far North mayor , John Carter , explained with crystal clarity ; “ If we all behave ourselves , we ’ ll all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon .
But if we breach it , and decide that we can travel and one or two or three of us spread the disease then we ’ re going to be in lockdown for a hell of a lot longer.
” There must be zero tolerance shown to these idiots .
.
No exceptions : lives and livelihoods depend on this .
Meanwhile , my own living in Lock-Down continues .
Except , of course , I have little choice in this crisis and being part of the wider health sector , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Kind of like winning Reverse Lotto ? )
This morning , my usual ride to work took me past the Park N Ride carpark .
Only two cars present .
On the main thoroughfare to SH2 , the white motorhome was still parked in its odd , facing-oncoming-traffic , spot .
On the motorway , the following were observed ; a light gravel-truck , marked “ Whakatiki ” , carrying a full load of gravel ; a small “ Kiwirail ” hi-ab truck ; an unmarked small tanker-truck ; 2 ambulances ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fire appliance truck ; a black ute marked “ Arlington Motors ” ; “ JC Plumbing ” van ; an unmarked traffic management van ; an “ Armourguard ” branded car ; a ute marked “ WE ” ( Wellington Electricity ) ; a “ Toll ” van ; a “ FMS ” van ; an “ Inter Group ” truck ; a medium-sized gravel hauling truck ; “ Arrow ” branded van ; a “ Downer ” van ; another gravel truck ( company name not visible ) ; a covered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Food Rescue ” truck ; a “ Big Chill ” truck ; 2 “ New World ” covered trucks ; “ Downer ” Incident Support truck ; a “ Mainfreight ” truck ; a flat deck truck carrying 4 port-a-loos ; a “ Downer ” gravel truck ; a “ Chubb ” security van ; a “ Hawkins ” plumping van ; a drain-unblocking plumber ’ s truck ; a “ Bridgestone Tyres ” light truck ; a “ Prestons ” light truck ; an unbranded skip-bin truck , et al .
Note @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unmarked or their corporate logo could not be discerned .
It rained reasonably heavily the previous night .
Cloud cover was clearing , and the sun was already shining over the region .
Traffic north of SH58 turn-off was moderate ; four vehicles in front , four to the rear .
Moving south of the SH58 interchange , traffic thinned out .
Traffic today trough the Terrace tunnel was the heaviest it has been throughout the lock-down , as was traffic in the city itself .
Exiting the Terrace tunnel I could see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me – a marked change from the one or three usually present .
Observation ; despite the downward plunge for oil prices , 91 octane car fuel has remained steady at most Wellington major service stations at $ 1.95 per litre .
Petrol companies have not been responsive to the massive drop in crude oil prices , it seems .
Tonight , as I watched the weather forecast on TV1 , I was suddenly reminded how much I was missing my partner .
We haven ’ t seen each other for three weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t count ) as we scrupulously adhere to our own respective “ bubbles ” .
There ’ s two weeks to go .
As Prime Minister Ardern has reminded us constantly , we need to Stay The Distance .
That evening , on my way home between 7.30 and 8.00PM , I sighted two Fulton Hogan road marking gangs at work ; one in the Terrace Tunnel , and another north of the tunnel near the currently-blocked off Aotea Quay turn-off .
More road marking work going on , in addition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ road marking an essential task during a global pandemic ?
A further observation : with retailers , cafes , and most others obeying the letter of the law as well as the spirit , my bank account is healthier than ever before .
There ’ s simply very little to spend money on aside from fuel , food , utilities , and the bank mortgage .
It ’ s amazing how much one can save ( if privileged to be in a reasonable paying job ) when consumerism is put on-hold .
Mediaworks/Newshub @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quitting lockdown early , David Seymour says Fairfax/Stuff media : Coronavirus – PM , police Covid-19 warning – don ’ t go to your bach this Easter Mediaworks/Newshub : Police to arrest Easter holidaymakers who don ’ t comply with coronavirus lockdown rules Mediaworks/Newshub : Coronavirus – Police warn checkpoints , extra patrols will be in place to stop Easter lockdown getaways ODT – Star News : Cabin fever – Warning to stay away from holiday spots over Easter RNZ : Covid-19 – Easter holidaymakers warned to stay home , away from bach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New Zealand from April 8 RNZ : Number of new cases of Covid-19 continues to slowly fall 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 ) or there ( Frankly Speaking ) .

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.
April 8: Day 14 of living in lock-down…
The good news first: the downward trajectory of new cases appears to be a real thing. In the last four days, since Sunday, new infections have been dropping:
Sunday: 89 new cases
Monday: 67
Tuesday: 54
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
Today (Wednesday): 50
The bad news? Businesses and their shop-bought political servants in Parliament and fellow-travellers in the msm will be agitating to have the already-porous lock-down lifted as soon as the four week period has ended. A certain right-wing politician – with one eye on winning his electorate and boosting his Party Vote, and another eye on potential One Percenter donors – has actually called for lifting the lock-down even earlier .
Add to the above toxic mix of money-hungry business people and their right-wing political stooges – the repugnant side of self-entitled, privileged Middle New Zealanders for whom the rules do not seem to apply – and the stage is set for a potential disaster.
With the Easter long weekend fast approaching, police have been issuing statements that they will not tolerate people jumping into their cars; boats in tow; and heading off to their holiday “baches/cribs”;
.
.
Up until this point the police have been pleading for everyone to do the “right thing”. Because as we all know, pleading works so well for a minority of Middle Class selfish idiots. The same selfish idiots who usually vote National because they demand tough “Law and Order” policies when it comes to brown people in Otara or Porirua – but don’t ever expect it used against their own privileged white skins.
The Middle Class have always expected better treatment than their poorer (mostly brown) cuzzies. Case in point, the Australian government has temporarily increased welfare benefit payments;
Jobseekers will get a $550 boost to their fortnightly welfare payments for six months in one of the largest increases to social security benefits in Australia’s history, as the government seeks to shield the unemployed ahead of a looming recession.
In a press conference at Parliament House on Sunday, the prime minister, Scott Morrison, said the changes, which effectively double the rate of Jobseeker Payment, reflected a desire to cushion those “who will be feeling the first blows of the economic impact from the coronavirus”.
Make no mistake, this is not about giving extra humanitarian support for lower socio-economic people who have survived on the most basic welfare benefits. The simple reason the benefits are increasing is, as Scott Morrison, disclosed: “to cushion those “who will be feeling the first blows of the economic impact from the coronavirus”. Translation: to pander to the Middle Class who will be made jobless as covid19 cripples the Australian economy and send hundreds of thousands of them onto welfare.
Imagine the howls of outrage if Middle Class workers made unemployed suddenly discovered how pitiful welfare actually is?
The Middle Class votes (unlike those in lower socio-economic groups). No government will want to antagonise that group of voters. So up goes welfare – temporarily.
That same sense of privileged entitlement is also pervasive throughout (some of) our own Middle Class.
But not this time. I suspect that the great majority of New Zealanders from every socio-economic class; ethnic group; political leaning; gender, race; etc, have had a gutsful of these entitled oafs for whom a global pandemic means very little except an impromptu holiday. Most New Zealanders, I believe, want to see the millions of tax dollars spent on Police put to good use, clamping down on spoiled pricks who think they can get away with shit because… expensive car… expensive holiday home… latest devices… nice clothes… often private schooled spawn… in short, they’re entitled.
Our ‘protestant urge to punish’ may finally be put to good use.
Up until now, Police response has been one of tolerance that has been increasingly frustrating to those of us who fulfil our collective responsibility to stay home and respect the lock-down. The Police disclosed on 8 April that they “have now dealt with 367 breaches of the alert level four lockdown rules, with 45 prosecutions, 309 warnings and 13 youth referrals“.
Only 45 prosecutions out of 367 breaches? Is this the same Police who are going uber-macho with their armed response teams? In poorer neighbourhoods, of course.
So it’s refreshing to see in the last 24 hours our police force leadership growing a pair and moving from plaintive pleas, to outright threats of arrest;
“We have … the power to arrest and we can charge for breach of the Health Notice. We’ve taken a pretty gentle approach up to this point but people have had a long time now to understand what the powers are, and so we are prepared to take enforcement action if people are deliberately flouting the rules.
And we will be out in high visibility, patrolling. We will use checkpoints in some places.
Our message to people is ‘stay home’. We’ve put too much into this to compromise it by trying to get away for a holiday weekend.” – Police Commissioner Andrew Coster, 8 April 2020
Make no mistake. The idiots who wilfully flout the rules are endangering everyone else. People have lost their jobs; their incomes; their businesses; and tragically, their lives overseas, and one here in Aotearoa.
As Far North mayor, John Carter, explained with crystal clarity;
“If we all behave ourselves, we’ll all be able to travel freely without restrictions soon. But if we breach it, and decide that we can travel and one or two or three of us spread the disease then we’re going to be in lockdown for a hell of a lot longer.”
There must be zero tolerance shown to these idiots. Prosecute and convict . No exceptions: lives and livelihoods depend on this.
Otherwise, this;
.
.
Meanwhile, my own living in Lock-Down continues. Except, of course, I have little choice in this crisis and being part of the wider health sector, I’m an essential worker. (Kind of like winning Reverse Lotto?)
This morning, my usual ride to work took me past the Park N Ride carpark. Only two cars present.
On the main thoroughfare to SH2, the white motorhome was still parked in its odd, facing-oncoming-traffic, spot.
On the motorway, the following were observed; a light gravel-truck, marked “Whakatiki”, carrying a full load of gravel; a small “Kiwirail” hi-ab truck; an unmarked small tanker-truck; 2 ambulances; “Cabernet Foods” refrigerated truck; a fire appliance truck; a black ute marked “Arlington Motors”; “JC Plumbing” van; an unmarked traffic management van; an “Armourguard” branded car; a ute marked “WE” (Wellington Electricity); a “Toll” van; a “FMS” van; an “Inter Group” truck; a medium-sized gravel hauling truck; “Arrow” branded van; a “Downer” van; another gravel truck (company name not visible); a covered “Linfox” truck; a “Food Rescue” truck; a “Big Chill” truck; 2 “New World” covered trucks; “Downer” Incident Support truck; a “Mainfreight” truck; a flat deck truck carrying 4 port-a-loos; a “Downer” gravel truck; a “Chubb” security van; a “Hawkins” plumping van; a drain-unblocking plumber’s truck; a “Bridgestone Tyres” light truck; a “Prestons” light truck; an unbranded skip-bin truck, et al.
Note: several more commercial vehicles were either unmarked or their corporate logo could not be discerned.
Also sighted, a police car and a campervan, heading north.
It rained reasonably heavily the previous night. Cloud cover was clearing, and the sun was already shining over the region. Traffic north of SH58 turn-off was moderate; four vehicles in front, four to the rear. Moving south of the SH58 interchange, traffic thinned out. Traffic today trough the Terrace tunnel was the heaviest it has been throughout the lock-down, as was traffic in the city itself. Exiting the Terrace tunnel I could see about a dozen cars in front of me – a marked change from the one or three usually present.
Observation; despite the downward plunge for oil prices, 91 octane car fuel has remained steady at most Wellington major service stations at $1.95 per litre. Petrol companies have not been responsive to the massive drop in crude oil prices, it seems.
Tonight, as I watched the weather forecast on TV1, I was suddenly reminded how much I was missing my partner. We haven’t seen each other for three weeks, (phone calls and skype don’t count) as we scrupulously adhere to our own respective “bubbles”. There’s two weeks to go.
As Prime Minister Ardern has reminded us constantly, we need to Stay The Distance.
That evening, on my way home between 7.30 and 8.00PM, I sighted two Fulton Hogan road marking gangs at work; one in the Terrace Tunnel, and another north of the tunnel near the currently-blocked off Aotea Quay turn-off. More road marking work going on, in addition to that sighted on Monday night.
Is road marking an essential task during a global pandemic?
A further observation: with retailers, cafes, and most others obeying the letter of the law as well as the spirit, my bank account is healthier than ever before. There’s simply very little to spend money on aside from fuel, food, utilities, and the bank mortgage.
It’s amazing how much one can save (if privileged to be in a reasonable paying job) when consumerism is put on-hold.
.
Current covid19 cases: 1,210
Cases in ICU: 4 (2 critical)
Number of deaths: 1
.
.
.
.
References
RNZ: Covid-19: What happened on 5 April
Mediaworks/Newshub: Coronavirus – New Zealand should consider quitting lockdown early, David Seymour says
Fairfax/Stuff media: Coronavirus – PM, police Covid-19 warning – don’t go to your bach this Easter
NZ Herald: Covid 19 coronavirus – Policing Easter lockdown to include checkpoints
Mediaworks/Newshub: Police to arrest Easter holidaymakers who don’t comply with coronavirus lockdown rules
Mediaworks/Newshub: Coronavirus – Police warn checkpoints, extra patrols will be in place to stop Easter lockdown getaways
NewstalkZB: Covid 19 lockdown – Police setting up checkpoints over Easter
ODT – Star News: Cabin fever – Warning to stay away from holiday spots over Easter
RNZ: Covid-19 – Easter holidaymakers warned to stay home, away from bach
Trading Economics: Crude Oil
RNZ: Covid-19 – The key developments in New Zealand from April 8
RNZ: Number of new cases of Covid-19 continues to slowly fall
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
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Acknowledgement: Emmerson
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This blogpost will be re-published on “Frankly Speaking“. Reader’s comments may be left here (The Daily Blog) or there (Frankly Speaking).
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= fs =


thedailyblog--2020-04-08--“Lord, give us Democratic Socialism – but not yet!”

IT PAINS ME to ignore the Prime Minister ’ s advice , but it ’ s time to kick some Labour Party butt .
As the saying goes : “ Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.
” And , no , I ’ m not talking about putting another boot into the tragic posterior of the Minister of Health .
My beef is with the junior officers of Labour ’ s army .
These are the folk who should be the most aggressive in the fight for social justice .
The ones willing to take the risks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their eyes firmly fixed on the democratic-socialist prize .
Unfortunately – and frustratingly – this is not what we ’ ve got .
On display is the sort of military prowess that saw a gaggle of chinless , baggy-panted British toffs hand over Singapore to a near-exhausted , numerically inferior and utterly astonished Japanese army in February 1942 .
Rather than delighting Labour ’ s allies and supporters with bold and imaginative contributions to the debate on how best to wrestle down the looming Covid-19 recession , Labour ’ s junior officers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even worse , they are expending what little energy they can summon-up on upending buckets of cold water on every radical idea that comes forward .
Why do they always do this ?
How did dreary pragmatism become Labour ’ s default-setting ?
A full explanation would require a book-length answer .
Suffice to say that once a party embraces the fundamental tenets of neoliberalism , anything other than orthodox and cautious policy responses will be treated as the political equivalent of upending a can of petrol over your head and striking a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contender for bigger things ( an electorate seat or a high position on the Party List ) requires constant proof that one ’ s hands are nothing if not “ safe ” .
Hence the following snippy little comment from lawyer , Greg Presland ( The Standard ’ s “ Mickey Savage ” ) responding to my criticism of his casual dismissal of the suggestion that Kris Faafoi should ’ ve rescued the best of New Zealand ’ s magazines by accepting Bauer Media ’ s offer to sell its entire stable to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gee Chris .
In the middle of a pandemic when the country ’ s collective health and economy are under major threat and possibly a third of businesses are going to the wall do you really think the Government should be sweating about saving the Listener ?
” Yeah , Greg , I do .
I really do .
Because even Blind Freddie ( and The Spinoff ’ s Duncan Grieve ) can see that Bauer ’ s ruthless cutting of its losses is about to be replicated across the entire media industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the resources ( not to mention the responsibility ) to keep our news media alive and kicking against the pricks .
Unless , of course , Greg ’ s desired outcome is actually the more-or-less complete collapse of this country ’ s independent media – with an absolute state media monopoly the last man standing .
That there is absolutely nothing “ social ” or “ democratic ” about such a “ solution ” should surprise no one .
And lest any reader feel tempted to nod in agreement with Greg ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of businesses ” poised to go “ to the wall ” : please , just stop and think it through .
Is he suggesting that while the Government can not afford to “ sweat ” about saving this country ’ s magazine publishing industry , it can afford to – and fully intends to – save all the others ?
Can the nation ’ s small and medium-sized enterprises now breathe a huge sigh of relief , secure in the knowledge that the same ministers who refused to lift a finger to shore-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work like Trojans to rescue their little businesses ?
Isn ’ t it more likely that the only New Zealand businesses with any reasonable hope of being bailed-out by the Crown will be the ones which are , in that memorable phrase from the Global Financial Crisis of 2008-09 , “ too big to fail ” .
Remember that Newsweek cover proclaiming “ We are all socialists now ” ?
Published the same week Barack Obama nationalised the auto industry .
Now , don ’ t get me wrong .
Obama was right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is what you do in a crisis – especially when the industry your saving is vital to the future of your country .
And that ’ s the amazing thing , Greg .
That you simply don ’ t get that .
Still , don ’ t feel too bad , because no one in a position to make a difference in the Labour Party has had an intelligent thought about the New Zealand media since the government of Norman Kirk .
So , if the Government is not going to be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New Zealand , and if up to a third of those small businesses could “ go to the wall ” , in Greg ’ s none-too-felicitous phrase , then wouldn ’ t this be the very best time to introduce a Universal Basic Income ?
Especially when the ability of the MSD to process and monitor tens-of-thousands of additional beneficiaries promptly , efficiently and sympathetically is just a teeny bit questionable ?
Nope .
Wrong again .
According to Andrew Little ’ s former Chief-of-Staff , Neale Jones : “ I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implement a UBI than in the middle of this economic crisis .
Some of us are doing fine .
Others need unprecedented government support just to stay afloat .
UBI would spread that support thinner , or quickly spend 10s of billions we may need later.
” Meaning Neale has no grasp at all of Keynesian economics .
No understanding of the crucial importance of keeping up the level of aggregate demand .
No historical grasp of the crucial role spending plays in lifting a nation out of an economic slump .
Nor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efficiency of universal , as opposed to means-tested , state support .
The massively positive effect of telling every Kiwi : ‘ You are important in your own right , not because you ’ re in need of charity but because you are a citizen of New Zealand.
’ Everyone keeps telling us that “ we ’ re all in this together ” – a UBI would prove it .
But , no .
Neale says that being in the middle of a once-in-a-lifetime economic crisis is actually the worst time to consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them and the economy afloat .
The worst time .
The problem is , Neale , there is a best time for you guys .
Never .
You and Greg remind me of Saint Augustine who prayed to the Almighty : “ Lord , give me chastity and self-control – but not yet.
” In the case of you two junior Labour officers , however , the prayer is a little different : “ Lord , let the Labour Party give New Zealand democratic socialism – but not yet .
”

IT PAINS ME to ignore the Prime Minister’s advice, but it’s time to kick some Labour Party butt. As the saying goes: “Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.” And, no, I’m not talking about putting another boot into the tragic posterior of the Minister of Health. My beef is with the junior officers of Labour’s army. These are the folk who should be the most aggressive in the fight for social justice. The ones willing to take the risks necessary for victory. The ones with their eyes firmly fixed on the democratic-socialist prize. Unfortunately – and frustratingly – this is not what we’ve got.
On display is the sort of military prowess that saw a gaggle of chinless, baggy-panted British toffs hand over Singapore to a near-exhausted, numerically inferior and utterly astonished Japanese army in February 1942. Rather than delighting Labour’s allies and supporters with bold and imaginative contributions to the debate on how best to wrestle down the looming Covid-19 recession, Labour’s junior officers are offering nothing but orthodoxy and caution. Even worse, they are expending what little energy they can summon-up on upending buckets of cold water on every radical idea that comes forward.
Why do they always do this? How did dreary pragmatism become Labour’s default-setting? A full explanation would require a book-length answer. Suffice to say that once a party embraces the fundamental tenets of neoliberalism, anything other than orthodox and cautious policy responses will be treated as the political equivalent of upending a can of petrol over your head and striking a match. To be considered a credible contender for bigger things (an electorate seat or a high position on the Party List) requires constant proof that one’s hands are nothing if not “safe”.
Hence the following snippy little comment from lawyer, Greg Presland (The Standard’s “Mickey Savage”) responding to my criticism of his casual dismissal of the suggestion that Kris Faafoi should’ve rescued the best of New Zealand’s magazines by accepting Bauer Media’s offer to sell its entire stable to the Crown for $1.00:
“Gee Chris. In the middle of a pandemic when the country’s collective health and economy are under major threat and possibly a third of businesses are going to the wall do you really think the Government should be sweating about saving the Listener?”
Yeah, Greg, I do. I really do. Because even Blind Freddie (and The Spinoff’s Duncan Grieve) can see that Bauer’s ruthless cutting of its losses is about to be replicated across the entire media industry, and that only the Crown has the resources (not to mention the responsibility) to keep our news media alive and kicking against the pricks. Unless, of course, Greg’s desired outcome is actually the more-or-less complete collapse of this country’s independent media – with an absolute state media monopoly the last man standing. That there is absolutely nothing “social” or “democratic” about such a “solution” should surprise no one.
And lest any reader feel tempted to nod in agreement with Greg’s heartfelt concern for “possibly a third of businesses” poised to go “to the wall”: please, just stop and think it through. Is he suggesting that while the Government cannot afford to “sweat” about saving this country’s magazine publishing industry, it can afford to – and fully intends to – save all the others? Can the nation’s small and medium-sized enterprises now breathe a huge sigh of relief, secure in the knowledge that the same ministers who refused to lift a finger to shore-up the foundations of our democracy will nevertheless work like Trojans to rescue their little businesses?
Isn’t it more likely that the only New Zealand businesses with any reasonable hope of being bailed-out by the Crown will be the ones which are, in that memorable phrase from the Global Financial Crisis of 2008-09, “too big to fail”. Remember that Newsweek cover proclaiming “We are all socialists now”? Published the same week Barack Obama nationalised the auto industry.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
Now, don’t get me wrong. Obama was right to take over General Motors. Nationalisation is what you do in a crisis – especially when the industry your saving is vital to the future of your country. And that’s the amazing thing, Greg. That you simply don’t get that. Still, don’t feel too bad, because no one in a position to make a difference in the Labour Party has had an intelligent thought about the New Zealand media since the government of Norman Kirk.
So, if the Government is not going to be in a position to rescue every small business in New Zealand, and if up to a third of those small businesses could “go to the wall”, in Greg’s none-too-felicitous phrase, then wouldn’t this be the very best time to introduce a Universal Basic Income? Especially when the ability of the MSD to process and monitor tens-of-thousands of additional beneficiaries promptly, efficiently and sympathetically is just a teeny bit questionable?
Nope. Wrong again. According to Andrew Little’s former Chief-of-Staff, Neale Jones:
“I cannot think of a worse time to implement a UBI than in the middle of this economic crisis. Some of us are doing fine. Others need unprecedented government support just to stay afloat. UBI would spread that support thinner, or quickly spend 10s of billions we may need later.”
Meaning Neale has no grasp at all of Keynesian economics. No understanding of the crucial importance of keeping up the level of aggregate demand. No historical grasp of the crucial role spending plays in lifting a nation out of an economic slump. Nor does he understand the practical and moral efficiency of universal, as opposed to means-tested, state support. The massively positive effect of telling every Kiwi: ‘You are important in your own right, not because you’re in need of charity but because you are a citizen of New Zealand.’ Everyone keeps telling us that “we’re all in this together” – a UBI would prove it.
But, no. Neale says that being in the middle of a once-in-a-lifetime economic crisis is actually the worst time to consider a payment to every citizen to keep them and the economy afloat. The worst time.
The problem is, Neale, there is never a best time for you guys. Never. You and Greg remind me of Saint Augustine who prayed to the Almighty: “Lord, give me chastity and self-control – but not yet.” In the case of you two junior Labour officers, however, the prayer is a little different:
“Lord, let the Labour Party give New Zealand democratic socialism – but not yet.”
Not yet.


thedailyblog--2020-04-08--Life in Lock Down: Day 13

Life in Lock Down: Day 13

April 7 : Day 13 of living in lock-down… and unlucky for those who are superstitious .
A day when there was a ray of sunshine from an otherwise bleak day of worrying signs .
Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield reported 54 new confirmed and probable cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today , bringing the total number of cases to 1160 .
Twelve people are in hospital and four are in intensive care , including one person who is in a critical condition .
Today ’ s new figure is down from the 67 new cases reported yesterday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ new cases yesterday to 54 today – becomes a solid downward trajectory , then god knows it ’ s been worth it .
The damage to our economy ; the closure of businesses ( some permanently ) ; the loss of jobs ; the billions borrowed to keep this country afloat ; the likely crippling of our tourism industry ; and the effort made by so many people to do the right thing during the four week lock-down… It is a little thing , but something to hold on to .
“ Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our behaviours.
” – Jacinda Ardern , Prime Minister , 7 April 2020 Because only after two weeks , irresponsible and supposedly mature adults , are calling for a relaxation of the lock-down.Many of those clamouring voices are from the business sector for whom – apparently – the Dollar trumps people ’ s lives .
Even while National Party Leader Simon Bridges was calling for tough quarantine measures of travellers arriving in our country , so as not to re-introduce the contagion into our community , his economic development spokesperson , MP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our already porous lock-down shield ; “ New Zealanders are doing there bit here , largely across the board the vast , the vast majority of people are respecting these rules .
I think if the government says they trust people around self-isolation , that there will be ways for businesses to open up .
I think if you ’ re a clothing manufacturer , or a small business that ’ s working from home it can be contactless , you will show that you will adhere to and respect all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but we need to be doing everything you can to keep these businesses running.
” National ’ s inconsistancy of tough border controls and relaxed domestic lock-down will only achieve one thing : breathing life back into the contagion and giving the virus a second chance .
It would undo the last two weeks of sacrifice , for immediate gain .
It must not be allowed to happen .
The government must be allowed to stay the course and the mainstream media must stop amplifying the steady stream of hystrionics from self-interested businesspeople @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive , Michael Morton .
When interviewed by RNZ Morning Report ’ s Susie Ferguson on 7 April , he was unashamedly blunt ; “ If you open up and doing 20 % of your trade , well , you ’ re going to lose a significant amount of money.
” Anyone who thinks that businesses could open “ and respect all of the Covid-19 health and safety rules ” is delusional or feeble-minded .
Even in supermarkets like Pak N Save , where aisles are wider than smaller retailers , there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little heed to the two-metre social-distancing rule .
Or joggers like this clown , today ( 7 April ) who ran past two women on Oriental Parade – within elbow-touching proximity ; — despite the fact that Oriental Parade has a ridiculously wide footpath for pedestrians , joggers , and even bicyclists ; He just couldn ’ t be bothered maintaining a safe space between himself and the two women .
And he ’ s not alone .
This blogger has seen too many other people for whom maintaining safe “ social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even Simon Bridges “ forgets ” to keep to the two-metre rule ; People not keeping their distance is dangerously common at the supermarkets .
Add to that all the other retailers Todd McClay wants re-opened with added foot-traffic ; people not respecting ; safe “ social distancing ” etiquette and we have a recipe for disaster .
You can be assured of one , simple inalienable fact : if Jacinda Ardern and the government were to follow Todd McClay ’ s and the business community ’ s demands to re-open businesses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resurgence in infection .
People would get sick .
People would die .
And people like Todd McClay would blame Jacinda Ardern .
Meanwhile , my work day started with my usual drive past the Park ’ N ’ Ride on my street .
There were just three cars present .
A good start I thought .
Then getting on to the main road and onto the highway , I observed the commercial vehicles on the road around me ; a “ CMS ” van ; 5 ambulances ; a flat deck light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skip bin truck ; 2 vans bearing the “ ZAP !
” logo ( the driver of one van visibly in uniform , obviously working ) ; a Kiwirail van ; 2 “ Downer ” vans ; a “ Jina ’ s ” fruit and vege van ; a green “ Toll ” truck ; a pest-control van ( company name not visible ) ; 3 police cars ; an “ AA ” Road Service ute ; “ New World ” delivery van ; a “ Rangitikei ” free-range chicken van ; “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Green ” marked van ; a “ Laser ” plumbing van ; a “ Fulton Hogan ” roadworks truck ; a “ OS ” marked van ; a “ L.G .
Anderson truck ; a van marked “ BBC ” ( bathroom company ) ; a gravel hauling truck ; 2 “ JETS ” covered trucks ; a Mainfreight ” truck ; a “ McAuley ’ s ” container-truck ; a “ Strait NZ ” van ; an “ Absolute Control ” marked van ; a white “ Caffe L ’ affare ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ et al .
There were definitely more police cars visible and – worryingly – more ambulances .
The traffic north of Melling Interchange was once again light ; three or four cars ahead or to my rear at any given time .
Around Kelson , traffic increased to approximately a dozen cars in my immediate vicinity .
By the Melling Interchange traffic was the heaviest I ’ ve seen it in two weeks with around two dozen vehicles around me .
By Ngauranga , the “ numbers continued to be “ heavy ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks ) .
By the time I reached the Terrace Tunnel , traffic had thinned considera=bly to about half of what I had observed further north .
At Oriental Bay , people were cautioned not to stay on the beach with lit messages ; The weather was chilly with a blustery wind so it was unlike anyone would be sunning themselves on the sandy beaches today .
A quick glance confirmed my thoughts : no one lounging on the sand .
But there were still plenty of joggers and like the fellow above @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respecting the 2 metre distancing rule .
More worryingly ; the Evans Bay Marina Carpark appeared to have even fewer freedom campers ’ vehicles than the previous day ; The campers had clearly “ up sticks ” and moved on .
Aside from international air travel , it is hard to think of a more efficient vector for viral transmission than freedom campers driving around New Zealand ; stopping in small towns and larger cities ; and passing on their infection .
To paraphrase Peter , Paul and Mary , Where Have All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone be making enquiries ?
Do the rental companies install GPS trackers in their vehicles ?
If so , the information gleaned from those devices could be troubling .
Perhaps it is time for “ freedom camping ” – aka the “ low end ” of tourism – to be curtailed .
On the way to Miramar , the fifth police car in a day was parked on the center median strip on Cobham Drive ( main route to Wellington Airport ) .
Reassuring to see the Police around .
Perhaps they could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Missing Campers ?
Meanwhile , if we thought that Todd McClay ; “ Mad Butcher ” group chief executive , Michael Morton ; and other money-hungry nuts were bad enough , the Award for the most insanely irresponsible Person in Aotearoa New Zealand has to go to this prize fool : The virus has not yet been eradicated ; new infections are still happening ; and Seymour wants the lock down lifted before the four weeks is up ?
!
Is this man deranged ?
Worse still is this comment from him ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down people are losing money , they ’ re losing businesses , they ’ ve got mental health issues that are going to arise.
” Not only is he valuing money over people ’ s lives – but he is exploiting mental health as a cloak to give legitimacy to his despicable suggestion .
In effect he ’ s saying , “ Never mind the risk to others ; we want to make money ; or else we ’ ll blame our supposed poor mental health on this government and the PM.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newshub , TVNZ , et al about “ depressed ” businessman who can ’ t make money .
Congratulation to Seymour for hitting rock-bottom .
This is about as bad as it gets for a sleazy , opportunistic politician desperate for publicity and votes .
I ’ m not sure which is worse to be afraid off – the virus or a psycopath masquerading as a Member of Parliament .
Maybe they ’ re related .
TVNZ : Simon Bridges calls on Government to quarantine , test everyone still arriving into NZ RNZ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen – National Mediaworks/Newshub : Simon Bridges admits he ‘ should have been further apart ’ from supermarket staff in photo shared online Mediaworks/Newshub : Coronavirus – New Zealand should consider quitting lockdown early , David Seymour says 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 ) or there ( Frankly Speaking @ @

.
.
April 7: Day 13 of living in lock-down… and unlucky for those who are superstitious. A day when there was a ray of sunshine from an otherwise bleak day of worrying signs.
Today, as RNZ reported;
Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield reported 54 new confirmed and probable cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today, bringing the total number of cases to 1160. Twelve people are in hospital and four are in intensive care, including one person who is in a critical condition.
Today’s new figure is down from the 67 new cases reported yesterday.
If that downward slip – from 67 new cases yesterday to 54 today – becomes a solid downward trajectory, then god knows it’s been worth it. The damage to our economy; the closure of businesses (some permanently); the loss of jobs; the billions borrowed to keep this country afloat; the likely crippling of our tourism industry; and the effort made by so many people to do the right thing during the four week lock-down…
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
It is a little thing, but something to hold on to.
Our heroic Prime Minister warned us;
“Now is not the time to change any of our behaviours.” – Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister, 7 April 2020
Because only after two weeks, irresponsible and supposedly mature adults, are calling for a relaxation of the lock-down.Many of those clamouring voices are from the business sector for whom – apparently – the Dollar trumps people’s lives.
Even while National Party Leader Simon Bridges was calling for tough quarantine measures of travellers arriving in our country, so as not to re-introduce the contagion into our community, his economic development spokesperson, MP Todd McClay, was calling for relaxation of our already porous lock-down shield;
“New Zealanders are doing there bit here, largely across the board the vast, the vast majority of people are respecting these rules. I think if the government says they trust people around self-isolation, that there will be ways for businesses to open up.
I think if you’re a clothing manufacturer, or a small business that’s working from home it can be contactless, you will show that you will adhere to and respect all of the Covid-19 health and safety rules, but we need to be doing everything you can to keep these businesses running.”
National’s inconsistancy of tough border controls and relaxed domestic lock-down will only achieve one thing: breathing life back into the contagion and giving the virus a second chance.
It would undo the last two weeks of sacrifice, for immediate gain.
It must not be allowed to happen. The government must be allowed to stay the course and the mainstream media must stop amplifying the steady stream of hystrionics from self-interested businesspeople like “Mad Butcher” group chief executive, Michael Morton. When interviewed by RNZ Morning Report’s Susie Ferguson on 7 April, he was unashamedly blunt;
“If you open up and doing 20% of your trade, well, you’re going to lose a significant amount of money.”
Anyone who thinks that businesses could open “and respect all of the Covid-19 health and safety rules” is delusional or feeble-minded. Even in supermarkets like Pak N Save, where aisles are wider than smaller retailers, there are still significant numbers of shoppers who pay little heed to the two-metre social-distancing rule.
Or joggers like this clown, today (7 April) who ran past two women on Oriental Parade – within elbow-touching proximity;
.
.
— despite the fact that Oriental Parade has a ridiculously wide footpath for pedestrians, joggers, and even bicyclists;
.
.
He just couldn’t be bothered maintaining a safe space between himself and the two women. And he’s not alone. This blogger has seen too many other people for whom maintaining safe “social distancing” is just not a priority. Even Simon Bridges “forgets” to keep to the two-metre rule;
.
.
People not keeping their distance is dangerously common at the supermarkets.
Add to that all the other retailers Todd McClay wants re-opened with added foot-traffic; people not respecting; safe “social distancing” etiquette and we have a recipe for disaster.
You can be assured of one, simple inalienable fact: if Jacinda Ardern and the government were to follow Todd McClay’s and the business community’s demands to re-open businesses, the results would be predictable: a resurgence in infection. People would get sick. People would die.
And people like Todd McClay would blame Jacinda Ardern.
Stay staunch, Ms Ardern. Lives depend on your steadfastness.
Meanwhile, my work day started with my usual drive past the Park’N’Ride on my street. There were just three cars present. A good start I thought.
Then getting on to the main road and onto the highway, I observed the commercial vehicles on the road around me; a “CMS” van; 5 ambulances; a flat deck light truck carrying stacks of beehives; a skip bin truck; 2 vans bearing the “ZAP!” logo (the driver of one van visibly in uniform, obviously working); a Kiwirail van; 2 “Downer” vans; a “Jina’s” fruit and vege van; a green “Toll” truck; a pest-control van (company name not visible); 3 police cars; an “AA” Road Service ute; “New World” delivery van; a “Rangitikei” free-range chicken van; “Nilfisk” van; a “Kiwi Green” marked van; a “Laser” plumbing van; a “Fulton Hogan” roadworks truck; a “OS” marked van; a “L.G. Anderson truck; a van marked “BBC” (bathroom company); a gravel hauling truck; 2 “JETS” covered trucks; a Mainfreight” truck; a “McAuley’s” container-truck; a “Strait NZ” van; an “Absolute Control” marked van; a white “Caffe L’affare” van; Wellington Regional Council ute; et al.
There were definitely more police cars visible and – worryingly – more ambulances.
The traffic north of Melling Interchange was once again light; three or four cars ahead or to my rear at any given time. Around Kelson, traffic increased to approximately a dozen cars in my immediate vicinity. By the Melling Interchange traffic was the heaviest I’ve seen it in two weeks with around two dozen vehicles around me. By Ngauranga, the “numbers continued to be “heavy” (heavy compared to the last two weeks). By the time I reached the Terrace Tunnel, traffic had thinned considera=bly to about half of what I had observed further north.
Courtney Place looked “dead”; nil traffic.
At Oriental Bay, people were cautioned not to stay on the beach with lit messages;
.
.
The weather was chilly with a blustery wind so it was unlike anyone would be sunning themselves on the sandy beaches today. A quick glance confirmed my thoughts: no one lounging on the sand.
But there were still plenty of joggers and like the fellow above, not all were showing courtesy by respecting the 2 metre distancing rule.
More worryingly; the Evans Bay Marina Carpark appeared to have even fewer freedom campers’ vehicles than the previous day;
.
.
The campers had clearly “up sticks” and moved on. Aside from international air travel, it is hard to think of a more efficient vector for viral transmission than freedom campers driving around New Zealand; stopping in small towns and larger cities; and passing on their infection.
To paraphrase Peter, Paul and Mary, Where Have All The Freedom Campers Gone? And should anyone be making enquiries? Do the rental companies install GPS trackers in their vehicles? If so, the information gleaned from those devices could be troubling.
Perhaps it is time for “freedom camping” – aka the “low end” of tourism – to be curtailed.
On the way to Miramar, the fifth police car in a day was parked on the center median strip on Cobham Drive (main route to Wellington Airport). Reassuring to see the Police around. Perhaps they could look into the mysterious Case of The Missing Campers?
Meanwhile, if we thought that Todd McClay; “Mad Butcher” group chief executive, Michael Morton; and other money-hungry nuts were bad enough, the Award for the most insanely irresponsible Person in Aotearoa New Zealand has to go to this prize fool:
.
.
The virus has not yet been eradicated; new infections are still happening; and Seymour wants the lock down lifted before the four weeks is up?! Is this man deranged?
Worse still is this comment from him;
“Every day that we are locked down people are losing money, they’re losing businesses, they’ve got mental health issues that are going to arise.”
Not only is he valuing money over people’s lives – but he is exploiting mental health as a cloak to give legitimacy to his despicable suggestion. In effect he’s saying, “Never mind the risk to others; we want to make money; or else we’ll blame our supposed poor mental health on this government and the PM.”
Cue: sob story on RNZ, Newshub, TVNZ, et al about “depressed” businessman who can’t make money.
Congratulation to Seymour for hitting rock-bottom. This is about as bad as it gets for a sleazy, opportunistic politician desperate for publicity and votes.
I’m not sure which is worse to be afraid off – the virus or a psycopath masquerading as a Member of Parliament. Maybe they’re related.
.
Current covid19 cases: 1,160
Cases in ICU: 4 (1 critical)
Number of deaths: 1
.
.
.
.
References
RNZ: Covid-19 – What happened on 7 April
TVNZ: Simon Bridges calls on Government to quarantine, test everyone still arriving into NZ
RNZ: More industry and small businesses could reopen – National
RNZ: Coronavirus – Mad Butcher CEO claims government decisions hurt butchers
Mediaworks/Newshub: Simon Bridges admits he ‘should have been further apart’ from supermarket staff in photo shared online
Mediaworks/Newshub: Coronavirus – New Zealand should consider quitting lockdown early, David Seymour says
Must Read
Elemental: Hold the Line
Democracy Now: Madrid’s Ice Rink Turned to Morgue as Spain Exceeds China in Coronavirus Deaths
Additional
RNZ: Covid-19 Pandemic Timeline
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
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.
.
Acknowledgement: Rod Emmerson
.
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--2020-04-07--Distress call from Gaza – New Zealand government must speak out urgently!

The Palestine Solidarity network Aotearoa has renewed its urgent appeal to the government to act in the face of a distress call issued from Gaza ’ s Ministry of Health to the world to provide laboratory testing materials for Coronaviruus which will run out this evening ( today NZ time ) at Gaza ’ s central laboratory .
More than two weeks ago a wide range of New Zealand organisations and prominent individuals wrote to the Prime Minister urging New Zealand to speak out and call on Israel to abandon its brutal blockade of Gaza to allow Palestinians to fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are here and include New Zealander of the year and President of Equity New Zealand Jennifer Ward-Lealand , Catholic Cardinal John Dew , Islamic Women ’ s Council Spokesperson Anjum Rahman and Anglican Bishop of Aotearoa , New Zealand and Polynesia Philip Richardson .
In part the letter says – The more than two million people living in the blockaded Gaza strip in Palestine are being left to face the Coronavirus with hopelessly inadequate medical facilities and extreme overcrowding – conditions in which the virus will spread rapidly and devastatingly unless action is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put the welfare of Palestinians alongside concern for New Zealanders and speak out calling for Israel to end its blockade of Gaza and military occupation of the Palestinian territories and allow Palestinians to access the medical supplies and equipment they need to deal with this crisis .
Meanwhile US senators have spoken out calling on the Trump administration to pressure Israel and 31 members of the US congress have done the same in an unprecedented show of support for Palestinians But not New Zealand , so far .
To date the government ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Affairs ) has been silent when silence is complicity with a looming human catastrophe .
Gaza has been blockaded for 12 years by Israel and Palestinians are unable to get the critical medical supplies they need .
The United Nations is warning of frightening consequences of coronavirus taking hold in Gaza .
Under International law Israel is responsible for health services in GAZA but the Israeli government will not act without intense international pressure .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Palestinians are “ an existential threat ” to Israel and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to treat Palestinians is to beat them up , not once but repeatedly , beat them up until it ’ s unbearable ” .
New Zealand speaking out is the right thing to do – both from a humanitarian point of view and because what happens in Gaza with coronavirus affects all of us .
The health of humanity is now a collective responsibility .

The Palestine Solidarity network Aotearoa has renewed its urgent appeal to the government to act in the face of a distress call issued from Gaza’s Ministry of Health to the world to provide laboratory testing materials for Coronaviruus which will run out this evening (today NZ time) at Gaza’s central laboratory.
More than two weeks ago a wide range of New Zealand organisations and prominent individuals wrote to the Prime Minister urging New Zealand to speak out and call on Israel to abandon its brutal blockade of Gaza to allow Palestinians to fight coronavirus.
The letter and key signatories are here and include New Zealander of the year and President of Equity New Zealand Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Catholic Cardinal John Dew, Islamic Women’s Council Spokesperson Anjum Rahman and Anglican Bishop of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia Philip Richardson.
In part the letter says –
The more than two million people living in the blockaded Gaza strip in Palestine are being left to face the Coronavirus with hopelessly inadequate medical facilities and extreme overcrowding – conditions in which the virus will spread rapidly and devastatingly unless action is taken now.
We urge you to put the welfare of Palestinians alongside concern for New Zealanders and speak out calling for Israel to end its blockade of Gaza and military occupation of the Palestinian territories and allow Palestinians to access the medical supplies and equipment they need to deal with this crisis.
Meanwhile US senators have spoken out calling on the Trump administration to pressure Israel and 31 members of the US congress have done the same in an unprecedented show of support for Palestinians
But not New Zealand, so far.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
To date the government (both the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs) has been silent when silence is complicity with a looming human catastrophe.
Gaza has been blockaded for 12 years by Israel and Palestinians are unable to get the critical medical supplies they need. The United Nations is warning of frightening consequences of coronavirus taking hold in Gaza.
Under International law Israel is responsible for health services in GAZA but the Israeli government will not act without intense international pressure.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Palestinians are “an existential threat” to Israel and is on record as saying “the only way to treat Palestinians is to beat them up, not once but repeatedly, beat them up until it’s unbearable”.
New Zealand speaking out is the right thing to do – both from a humanitarian point of view and because what happens in Gaza with coronavirus affects all of us. The health of humanity is now a collective responsibility.


thedailyblog--2020-04-07--Life in Lock Down: Day 12

Life in Lock Down: Day 12

And another day of near-empty Wellington streets ; Light traffic on the motorway .
No apparent increase in volume .
Commercial vehicles sighted ; a gravel-hauling truck ; McAuley ’ s Transport ; a tow-truck ; “ Dole ” -branded truck ; container-truck ; another container truck , “ McAuley ’ s ” ; “ Downer ” flat deck truck ; a Hyundai traffic speed-camera van north of Kennedy Good Bridge ; a police car at the Melling Interchange ; a Waste Management truck ; a skip-bin truck ; 2 “ Kiwirail ” utes ; 2 “ New World ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; “ Noel Leeming ” truck ; an ambulance ; “ Rescue ” ambulance ; “ EBT ” container truck ; “ Chubb ” van ; “ KAM ” double tandem truck ; “ Super Freight ” truck ; 2 “ Mainfreight ” trucks ; firefighting appliance ; Traffic Management truck ; “ PTS ” container truck ; train-replacement bus ; firewood truck ( empty ) ; “ Salvation Army Family Store ” truck ; a bus with “ driver training ” illuminated signage ; 2 unmarked road-works trucks ; an unmarked covered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ van ; “ Toll ” green truck ; “ Chemdry ” van ; ambulance with lights and siren ; “ Laser ” plumbing van ; another gravel hauling truck ; another ambulance ; and a “ Chill ” branded van .
Commercial vehicles passing me on the other side of the road were not always able to be clearly identified .
Traffic north of Lower Hutt remaining light with only two or three vehicles on the motorway any one time .
Approaching Melling Interchange , traffic was near non-existent .
Traffic was equally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in front and three to my rear .
Traffic at Ngauranga was heavier as SH1 and SH2 merged .
Even then , there appeared to be around eight in front and eight at behind me .
Traffic at the Terrace tunnel was almost nil , one in front , one at back .
The price board at the “ Z ” service station in Vivian Street was still dark .
Heading to Miramar , it suddenly occurred to me that the Evans Bay Marina Carpark – almost always full with freedom camping vans- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was full at the beginning of the lockdown .
It is clear that the occupants have decamped and have moved on .
All in the last two weeks .
If this is how “ freedom campers ” show they are responsible tourists , then we are better off without this low-end part of the tourist industry .
The temptation to “ hit the road ” and enjoy what little remained of their holiday seems to have been too much for them .
At my work , management has implemented a new plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a good plan ( albeit needing some tweaking to mitigate food safety risks ) , even though it ’ s taken two weeks to put in place .
Later that night , I ’ m driving through Wellington ’ s Arras Tunnel near the War Memorial .
There is a road-marking work gang in the tunnel ; two of the four lanes have been “ coned off ” , reducing to two lanes .
The work gang is painting road markings .
I find this remarkable .
Until now , the NZTA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been suspended and only urgent , emergency work will be undertaken ; “ In accordance with the Government guidance , major project work ( Capital Works ) is not seen as an essential service and work sites and workers have been stood down for four weeks .
Services to maintain the site can continue as essential services to ensure these sites remain safe .
This includes things like traffic management and environmental controls .
We will continue to manage and monitor environmental risks and traffic management plans to protect and ensure safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crucial that we preserve the integrity of the asset and render worksites safe.
” Has the NZTA authorised this work or has the contractor decided to undertake some work-sneaking ?
I have emailed NZTA for clarification .
Throughout my entire day , from 9am to when I roll into my driveway at about 8.30 , I sight only one police car all day .
There were more police on the roads before the lock-down .
Meanwhile the National Party , various businesses , Simon Bridges , and David Clark lead the race to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His drive from Tauranga to Wellington exemplifies the sense of privilege and entitlement that pervades some people in our society .
Mr Bridges justified his drive by citing his “ constitutional ” duties ; “ I don ’ t take these things lightly , but I am the leader of the opposition , I ’ ve got constitutional duties , I ’ m running a committee in extreme circumstances where there is no Parliament.
” Is the virus aware of Mr Bridges ’ s “ constitutional ” duties ?
Simon Bridges is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ display of an utter lack of judgement shows he has no future in politics .
He should and must resign before the next election .
The Warehouse tried it on .
So did Jenny Craig .
Golf courses ( for “ mental health ” !
? )
.
And even a sex shop .
Plus umpteen other businesses .
Make no mistake : Every .
Business .
Is .
Essential .
Or so their owners and shareholders will insist .
“ My business is not essential ” , said no business-owner , share-holder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; poor families needing their services ( which they only discover when it suits them ) ; “ mental health ” ; physical health ; etc .
“ Mad Butcher ” group chief executive , Michael Morton , was interviewed by RNZ Morning Report ’ s Susie Ferguson on 7 April .
He was quite blunt ; “ If you open up and doing 20 % of your trade , well , you ’ re going to lose a significant amount of money.
” We should be crystal clear on this : businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade as normal – despite the world being in the grip of a deadly pandemic – not because they feel sorry for poor people not being able to buy warm blankets , beer , or play golf , or lose weight through weight-loss programmes ; or buy sex-toys .
They want to open up to make money .
Don ’ t let businesses ; their political allies ; and self-serving deluded apologists tell you otherwise .
They want to make money .
And if , in the process , the pandemic spreads throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pile up at mortuaries – they will deny all responsibility for their breath-taking selfishness and point the blame at Jacinda Ardern .
They want to make money .
And they will do it over our dead or dying bodies .
I swear , it seems to me that political ideology and sheer stupidity go hand-in-hand .
Exhibit Number 1 : National ’ s Todd McClay who is demanding that – essentially – all businesses be allowed to re-open .
This would cut the lock-down from four weeks to two .
Because if all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” ( and what business isn ’ t “ essential to it ’ s owners/shareholders ? )
, then how is a lock-down a lock-down ?
On 6 April , Mr McClay was bitterly complaining to RNZ ’ s Morning Report ; “ The government needs to remain agile when it comes to allowing businesses to operate during the lockdown , if they can prove or show that they can do so safely .
To date the decision making has been too arbitrary and there are too many inconsistencies .
For instance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ butchers or greengrocers , agriculture to continue but not forestry , cigarettes to be manufactured but community newspapers can not be printed .
An example of this is Noel Leeming – they ’ re allowed to sell you a jug , but not a cell phone , but the person that ’ s packaging that … contactless sale that ’ s being delivered to the door , they ’ re already at work .
Or the warehouse that ’ s allowed to sell you a car battery , not car polish .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d ask what ’ s the difference between that and forestry – an industry that is hugely important to the central North Island .
I think if you ’ re a clothing manufacturer , or a small business that ’ s working from home it can be contactless , you will show that you will adhere to and respect all of the Covid-19 health and safety rules , but we need to be doing everything you can to keep these businesses running I think if you ’ re a clothing manufacturer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working from home it can be contactless , you will show that you will adhere to and respect all of the Covid-19 health and safety rules , but we need to be doing everything you can to keep these businesses running.
” What is really crazy is that a supposedly well-educated , sane , intelligent person could endanger hundreds ; thousands ; tens of thousands of lives by advocating that businesses be allowed to re-open before the virus has been eradicated .
The breath-taking scale of Mr McClay ’ s short-sightedness should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ danger to our own well-being and lives .
Through equal measures of quick action and pure luck , we have dodged ( thus far ) the covid19 bullet .
People like Mr McClay , Mr Bridges , certain right-wing commentators ; and businesspeople would put us all back in the line of that bullet .
They will put our safety and lives at risk for money .
National ’ s media minders have issued a new buzzword for their MPs to use .
See if you can spot the “ magic ” word @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal with some of the randomness where one is an essential service and one isn ’ t , let ’ s be agile and potentially we can move to a more risk-based system.
” – Simon Bridges , Leader , National Party , 5 April 2020 “ The government needs to remain agile when it comes to allowing businesses to operate during the lockdown , if they can prove or show that they can do so safely.
” – Todd McClay , National MP , Economic Development spokesperson , 6 April 2020 Simon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus can be even more agile .
Let me quote an expert who is very familiar with the threat we are facing “ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are doing is saving lives , even as people continue getting sick and dying .
You may feel like giving in .
Don ’ t .
This outbreak will not be overcome in one grand , sweeping gesture , but rather by the collection of individual choices we make in the coming months .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing measures.
” – Jonathan Smith , Infectious disease epidemiologist , 21 March 2020 RNZ : More industry and small businesses could reopen – National RNZ : Coronavirus lockdown – Is the Warehouse an essential service ?
Fairfax/Stuff : Coronavirus – Golf clubs could perish if greenkeepers barred from caring for greens TVNZ : Jacinda Ardern does not want lockdown to last ‘ a minute longer than needed ’ , but says it won ’ t finish early Democracy Now : Madrid ’ s Ice Rink Turned to Morgue as Spain Exceeds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Why Jacinda MUST keep us locked up for 6 weeks 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 6: Day 12 of living in lock-down…
Another day of a near-empty Park N Ride carpark;
.
.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
And another day of near-empty Wellington streets;
.
.
.
Light traffic on the motorway. No apparent increase in volume. Commercial vehicles sighted; a gravel-hauling truck; McAuley’s Transport; a tow-truck; “Dole”-branded truck; container-truck; another container truck, “McAuley’s”; “Downer” flat deck truck; a Hyundai traffic speed-camera van north of Kennedy Good Bridge; a police car at the Melling Interchange; a Waste Management truck; a skip-bin truck; 2 “Kiwirail” utes; 2 “New World” covered trucks; “Mainfreight” truck; “Noel Leeming” truck; an ambulance; “Rescue” ambulance; “EBT” container truck; “Chubb” van; “KAM” double tandem truck; “Super Freight” truck; 2 “Mainfreight” trucks; firefighting appliance; Traffic Management truck; “PTS” container truck; train-replacement bus; firewood truck (empty); “Salvation Army Family Store” truck; a bus with “driver training” illuminated signage; 2 unmarked road-works trucks; an unmarked covered truck; “Red Wolf” security van; “Toll” green truck; “Chemdry” van; ambulance with lights and siren; “Laser” plumbing van; another gravel hauling truck; another ambulance; and a “Chill” branded van. Commercial vehicles passing me on the other side of the road were not always able to be clearly identified.
Traffic north of Lower Hutt remaining light with only two or three vehicles on the motorway any one time. Approaching Melling Interchange, traffic was near non-existent. Traffic was equally light south of Petone with perhaps three in front and three to my rear. Traffic at Ngauranga was heavier as SH1 and SH2 merged. Even then, there appeared to be around eight in front and eight at behind me. Traffic at the Terrace tunnel was almost nil, one in front, one at back.
The price board at the “Z” service station in Vivian Street was still dark.
Heading to Miramar, it suddenly occurred to me that the Evans Bay Marina Carpark – almost always full with freedom camping vans- has nearly emptied out. Yet, it was full at the beginning of the lockdown.
It is clear that the occupants have decamped and have moved on. All in the last two weeks.
If this is how “freedom campers” show they are responsible tourists, then we are better off without this low-end part of the tourist industry. The temptation to “hit the road” and enjoy what little remained of their holiday seems to have been too much for them.
At my work, management has implemented a new plan to purchase supplies for clients. It is a good plan (albeit needing some tweaking to mitigate food safety risks), even though it’s taken two weeks to put in place.
Later that night, I’m driving through Wellington’s Arras Tunnel near the War Memorial. There is a road-marking work gang in the tunnel; two of the four lanes have been “coned off”, reducing to two lanes. The work gang is painting road markings.
I find this remarkable. Until now, the NZTA has stated that all normal road works have been suspended and only urgent, emergency work will be undertaken;
“In accordance with the Government guidance, major project work (Capital Works) is not seen as an essential service and work sites and workers have been stood down for four weeks.
Services to maintain the site can continue as essential services to ensure these sites remain safe. This includes things like traffic management and environmental controls. We will continue to manage and monitor environmental risks and traffic management plans to protect and ensure safety for the travelling public. It is crucial that we preserve the integrity of the asset and render worksites safe.”
Road markings are “Urgent work”?
Has the NZTA authorised this work or has the contractor decided to undertake some work-sneaking? I have emailed NZTA for clarification.
Throughout my entire day, from 9am to when I roll into my driveway at about 8.30, I sight only one police car all day. There were more police on the roads before the lock-down.
Meanwhile the National Party, various businesses, Simon Bridges, and David Clark lead the race to see who can be the most irresponsible.
Simon Bridges
His drive from Tauranga to Wellington exemplifies the sense of privilege and entitlement that pervades some people in our society. Mr Bridges justified his drive by citing his “constitutional” duties;
“I don’t take these things lightly, but I am the leader of the opposition, I’ve got constitutional duties, I’m running a committee in extreme circumstances where there is no Parliament.”
Is the virus aware of Mr Bridges’s “constitutional” duties?
Simon Bridges is unfit to lead this country. His display of an utter lack of judgement shows he has no future in politics.
He should and must resign before the next election.
David Clarke
As above.
Businesses
The Warehouse tried it on. So did Jenny Craig. Golf courses (for “mental health”!?). And even a sex shop. Plus umpteen other businesses.
Make no mistake: Every. Business. Is. Essential. Or so their owners and shareholders will insist.
“My business is not essential”, said no business-owner, share-holder ever.
They will cite overseas traders; poor families needing their services (which they only discover when it suits them); “mental health”; physical health; etc.
“Mad Butcher” group chief executive, Michael Morton, was interviewed by RNZ Morning Report’s Susie Ferguson on 7 April. He was quite blunt;
“If you open up and doing 20% of your trade, well, you’re going to lose a significant amount of money.”
We should be crystal clear on this: businesses want to open up their businesses to trade as normal – despite the world being in the grip of a deadly pandemic – not because they feel sorry for poor people not being able to buy warm blankets, beer, or play golf, or lose weight through weight-loss programmes; or buy sex-toys.
They want to open up to make money.
It’s that simple.
Don’t let businesses; their political allies; and self-serving deluded apologists tell you otherwise.
They want to make money.
And if, in the process, the pandemic spreads throughout the country and the body-bags start to pile up at mortuaries – they will deny all responsibility for their breath-taking selfishness and point the blame at Jacinda Ardern.
They want to make money. And they will do it over our dead or dying bodies.
The National Party
I swear, it seems to me that political ideology and sheer stupidity go hand-in-hand. Exhibit Number 1: National’s Todd McClay who is demanding that – essentially – all businesses be allowed to re-open. This would cut the lock-down from four weeks to two. Because if all businesses can claim to be “essential” (and what business isn’t “essential to it’s owners/shareholders?), then how is a lock-down a lock-down?
On 6 April, Mr McClay was bitterly complaining to RNZ’s Morning Report;
“The government needs to remain agile when it comes to allowing businesses to operate during the lockdown, if they can prove or show that they can do so safely.
To date the decision making has been too arbitrary and there are too many inconsistencies. For instance, allowing dairies to open but not local butchers or greengrocers, agriculture to continue but not forestry, cigarettes to be manufactured but community newspapers cannot be printed.
An example of this is Noel Leeming – they’re allowed to sell you a jug, but not a cell phone, but the person that’s packaging that … contactless sale that’s being delivered to the door, they’re already at work. Or the warehouse that’s allowed to sell you a car battery, not car polish.
We know that agriculture is functioning, I’d ask what’s the difference between that and forestry – an industry that is hugely important to the central North Island.
I think if you’re a clothing manufacturer, or a small business that’s working from home it can be contactless, you will show that you will adhere to and respect all of the Covid-19 health and safety rules, but we need to be doing everything you can to keep these businesses running
I think if you’re a clothing manufacturer, or a small business that’s working from home it can be contactless, you will show that you will adhere to and respect all of the Covid-19 health and safety rules, but we need to be doing everything you can to keep these businesses running.”
What is really crazy is that a supposedly well-educated, sane, intelligent person could endanger hundreds; thousands; tens of thousands of lives by advocating that businesses be allowed to re-open before the virus has been eradicated.
The breath-taking scale of Mr McClay’s short-sightedness should be seen for what it is: a danger to our own well-being and lives.
Through equal measures of quick action and pure luck, we have dodged (thus far) the covid19 bullet.
People like Mr McClay, Mr Bridges, certain right-wing commentators; and businesspeople would put us all back in the line of that bullet. They will put our safety and lives at risk for money.
These people are a menace.
Buzzword of The Day
National’s media minders have issued a new buzzword for their MPs to use. See if you can spot the “magic” word:
“Let’s try and deal with some of the randomness where one is an essential service and one isn’t, let’s be agile and potentially we can move to a more risk-based system.” – Simon Bridges, Leader, National Party, 5 April 2020
“The government needs to remain agile when it comes to allowing businesses to operate during the lockdown, if they can prove or show that they can do so safely.” – Todd McClay, National MP, Economic Development spokesperson, 6 April 2020
Simon Bridges and Todd McClay have forgotten that the virus can be even more agile.
Let me quote an expert who is very familiar with the threat we are facing
“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. You may feel like giving in. Don’t.
[…]
This outbreak will not be overcome in one grand, sweeping gesture, but rather by the collection of individual choices we make in the coming months. 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.” – Jonathan Smith, Infectious disease epidemiologist, 21 March 2020
.
Current covid19 cases: 1,106
Cases in ICU: 3 (1 critical)
Number of deaths: 1
.
.
.
.
References
RNZ: More industry and small businesses could reopen – National
RNZ: Bridges defends Wellington to Tauranga commute
RNZ: Coronavirus lockdown – Is the Warehouse an essential service?
RNZ: Jenny Craig defends stance as essential service
Fairfax/Stuff: Coronavirus – Golf clubs could perish if greenkeepers barred from caring for greens
Adult Toy Mega Store
RNZ: Coronavirus – Mad Butcher CEO claims government decisions hurt butchers
TVNZ: Jacinda Ardern does not want lockdown to last ‘a minute longer than needed’, but says it won’t finish early
NZTA: Roadworks and projects
Elemental: Hold the Line
RNZ: Covid-19 – What happened on 6 April
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: Why Jacinda MUST keep us locked up for 6 weeks
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
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.
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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).
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