It now Easter Monday and we at the start of another week of living with the impact the coronavirus.

Case Numbers and Death Toll

As I write this post, the USA is on the top of the table for both the number of cases and the number of deaths as a result of the coronavirus. 

Things seem to be stabilising in parts of Europe with the number of daily deaths falling in Italy and in Spain.  It seems that things are still getting worse in the UK. 

In China, some the restrictions that had been in place in Hubei Province where the virus started have been eased.

Here in Australia, the ‘social distancing’ and travel restrictions appear to be working.  The number of cases appears to have stabilised and there are very few deaths.

 More importantly, the vast majority of cases, and nearly all of the deaths, are related to people that caught the disease overseas.  There have been few ‘community’ transmissions.  That is, someone catches the disease from someone who also caught the disease within Australia.

Politicians’ Performances

The worst performing politician appears to the Brazilian President, Jair Bolsonaro.  He is in total denial.  This is of course a problem for the people of Brazil and its immediate neighbours.  However, this cannot be said for what is happening in the USA.

Trump’s Performance in the White House ‘Briefings’  

I have taken to watching the White House Briefings on the virus.  They start in the mornings AEST.  They can be seen on Fox News over the internet.  These briefings are fascinating.

The performances of the various participants are interesting to watch.

Trump’s performances are well documented. He struggles to read off his notes. When he is reading, he appears to not even understand what has been written for him.

He frequently goes ‘off script’ with ad lib comments that are often totally unrelated to the words that have been prepared for him to read. Frequently his own words are meaningless platitudes e.g. “we are doing a great job”.  Often he spouts outright drivel “a lot of people are dying who have never died before”.

When he is asked a question, he never responds with anything sensible. He frequently attacks the journalist asking the question. He almost invariably talks about ‘himself’, always in glowing terms. This frequently involves a demonstrable lie e.g. “I have always said this was going to be pandemic”.

Then there is vice president Pence and other Trump appointees e.g. Cabinet members. These people always begin their remarks by thanking “the president for his great leadership”. They always refer to decisions and initiatives they are responsible for as “the president’s decision” or something they are doing something at “the president’s direction”.

These performances are the epitome of what is to be a sycophant.

Fortunately, there is a third group. These are the real experts. They include Dr Anthony Fauci and Dr Deborah Birx.

These people are proving to be the consummate professionals. Their explanations are precise and considered. They are emphasising the importance of data and the use of analysis in decision making.

These people are clearly highly intelligent, competent and trustworthy.

The contrast between the doctors and Trump is profound. Trump is a moron. He is incompetent. He cannot be trusted.

Boris Johnson

On the 26^th of March it was announced that the UK Prime Minister had contracted the virus and was in isolation in number 10. On the 5^th of April he was admitted to St Thomas’s hospital.   The next day he moved into the intensive care unit (ICU).

This was all very serious stuff.  One of the interesting aspects of was that, no one took over as ‘acting’ Prime Minister in the absence of Johnson from Number 10.  There is no formal position of Deputy Prime Minister in the UK political system. There have been Deputy Prime Ministers in the past.  For example, during the period of the Conservative and Lib Dem Coalition government under David Cameron.

Under this government there is no such role.  Dominic Raab who is a bit of a dickhead and definitely a lightweight is ‘deputising for Johnson.

As expected, most people including members of the Opposition expressed concern for the plight of the Prime Minister and wished him a speedy recovery.  There was very little said about what a ‘dick’ he had been at the start of the crisis in the UK.

This included boasting about the fact that he had visited a hospital which people with the virus were being treated and that he has “shaken hands with members of the public and staff at the hospital”.

Fortunately, Johnson recovered enough to be taken out the ICU and was returned to a normal ward.  

Media Not Helping

I have posted before about Fox News’s disgraceful performance at the start of the crisis in the USA.  It ‘personalities’ downplayed the significance of the crisis.  This of course, played a significant role in how Trump reacted to the crisis and the things he has said.  This included claiming in an interview with Sean Hannity on the 24^th of March that he expected that the “churches could be full at Easter”.

One the most bizarre lines that Fox News is taking is its support for the use of a drug called hydroxychloroquine as a possible cure for the virus.

Trump has picked up on this and has been promoting its use himself.  The drug was originally developed as a treatment for malaria.  It has ceased to be widely used for this purpose but is now used for other maladies including Lupus.  There has been some suggestion that it ‘may’ relieve the symptoms of the coronavirus and possibly accelerate recovery from the disease.

The USA health officials, including Dr Fauci have noted that the reports on the possible benefits of the use of the drug are only anecdotal.  He has further stated that proper clinical trails need to be undertaken.  It seems that Fox News and other right-wingers are promoting the use of hydroxychloroquine as part of the ‘contrary’ view to the accepted science.

A very unfortunate development occurred on the 2^nd of April  when Dr Fauci was assigned security protection in response to threats from ‘right-wingers’. 

Conservatives Discover the Value of Big Government

There is one consistent theme that has emerged across most countries in the face of the coronavirus crisis.

That is this:

When there is a serious problem, people ask the government for help.

The irony is that many of the governments to whom people are turning are ‘conservative’ governments. Those governments are composed of parties that are not keen on governments having a role in their countries at all.

The obvious example is the USA.  The Republicans hate ‘government’.  They hate regulation. They want to deregulate.  In the context of this crisis they despise ‘socialised’ healthcare.  Remember that in their lexicon, ‘socialised’ is synonymous with ‘evil’.

In the UK, the Conservatives have presided over a decade of austerity wherein government expenditure was slashed.

In Australia, the coalition government that was initially ‘led’ by Tony Abbott (Australia’s leading living ‘dickhead’).   The LNP has been banging on about the need to get ‘back in black for a decade’.

Now that there is a crisis, everyone is turning to the government for help. They are getting it. The purse strings have been cut.

In the UK, if people are left unemployed as a result of the virus, they are being guaranteed up to 80% of the medium income. In Australia, similar government support is promised. In the USA, trillions have been promised.  However, no one really knows who will get it and why.

‘Experts’ Speculate on What will Happen Next

Over this Easter weekend there is a lot of speculation as to what will happen next.

It would appear that two camps are emerging.

To make it simple lets talk about Australia.  Australia’s situation is somewhat simple.  We have two clear choices.  This is because we are an island.  We can effectively close the country off from the rest of the world when it comes the movement of people.  There will be some but very few exceptions.

Australia is also unique in that there the instances of ‘community’ transmission of the virus have virtually ceased

These are the options:

Australia can effectively close itself off from the rest if the world

Under this scenario, there will be no threat of virus coming into the country.  Those currently in the country with the virus will get better or die.  The ‘social distancing’ regulations will mean that there are no more ‘community’ transmissions.

There will be very few people allowed into the country.  They will be returning Australian nationals and essential visitors e.g. diplomats and ex pat business people etc.

The result of this is that the virus will die out in Australia.

The downside will be that the tourism and educational sectors that rely on a constant stream of foreign visitors will be severely impacted.    

This arrangement will continue until the pandemic across the rest of the world in under control.  That will likely require the development and widespread use of a vaccine.  This may not happen for one year, eighteen months or possibly two years. In fact a vaccine may never be developed for this virus.

The other option is ‘let it rip’ with some controls

Under this scenario, it is accepted that the virus spreads through the community until we have ‘herd immunity.  That is when around sixty to seventy percent of the population have contracted the virus and are therefore immune to further infections.

There are issues with this.  The first is that it is assumed that once you have recovered from the disease, you can’t pass it to anyone else.  This appear to be likely.  The second is that once you have had the disease, you have enough antibodies that prevent you from getting it again, at least for a year or more.

The third issue is that a lot of people will get sick.  Many of these will probably get very ill.  They are the old and those with underlying medical issues like cancer and heart issues. Without hospital treatment including the use of ventilators, they will die.

It is possible that under this scenario the hospital system will be overwhelmed, and thousands will die.

An interesting week ahead

The next week will be interesting.  Clearly, governments around the world are considering various options on what to do next.

Naturally, attention will focus on our own governments – Federal, State and Territories.

However, the world will be looking at what happens in the USA. 

Unfortunately, what their mixture of what is a ‘dark comedy’ and horror show is certain to continue.

Personal Note

I am still in the Brisbane YHA.  It is not idea but it is ok.  I am getting plenty of exercise with walks and rides on the Brompton. 

I have found a flat in New Farm and plan to take residence there late next week.

Links

Fox News on Hydroxychloroqine 

https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/sean-hannity-gov-cuomo-stop-denying-new-yorkers-hydroxychloroquine

Fox News Changing Tune

Brazilian President in Denial

https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-04-09/brazils-president-refuses-to-admit-that-coronavirus-poses-a-real-threat-hes

• 

There have been a number of significant developments since my last post.

Tightening Border Controls

In Australia, as of the 25^th of March, all Australian citizens and permanent residents of other nationalities were restricted from travelling into the country from overseas. It was also announced that from 23.59 pm on the 28^th of March anyone entering Australia will be required quarantine themselves for 14 days.

Within Australia, restrictions on cross border movements between States are place with the exception of movements between NSW and Victoria.

High Profile Victims

On the 25^th  of March, it was announced that Prince Charles had tested positive for the virus. On the 27^th of March it was announced that the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson had also tested positive to the virus.  It was also announced that Johnson would continue in this role of Prime Minister.

Poor Behaviour and Management in Australia

There have been some examples of some very poor behaviour and management in Australia in the face of the crisis.

There have been reports of Backpackers continuing to ignore the ‘social distancing’ guidelines.  This has particularly been the case in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, particularly in Bondi. 

I have experience an example of this type of behaviour  here in my hostel in Brisbane.  A group of German backpackers ignored those guidelines and held a party in their 6 bed room.  The rule is that there is a maximum of 2 people in any one room.  I understand there were over 10 people at this ‘party’.  Fortunately, management have taken the necessary action.

An example of very poor management was the control passengers arriving at the Sydney International Airport.  The people in the lines waiting to go through immigration and customs were crowded together.  They were obviously not observing the ‘physical separation’ rules.  This is of course is a worry.

What was also a worry was the reaction of the Australian Border Force (ABF) officials.  A spokesman said that the control of the lines was not the responsibility of the ABF. The Minister in charge of the ABF is Peter Dutton.  Anyone who has had any experience with the officers of the ABF will  likely haved noticed that it has a certain ‘culture’.  I suspect that having Dutton as its Minister does not help.

‘Stimulus’ Packages

As the crisis progresses, the governments around that world are trying to address the economic impact it is causing.  Obviously, the economic impacts are huge and unprecedented in living memory.  Already it is looking like the Great Depression of the 1930’s.

The governments are announcing ‘stimulus packages’.  These are taking various forms, but all involve the government’s throwing money at the economy. Examples include; cash payments to individuals, salary and wage support to businesses  for people who would otherwise have lost their job, access to unemployment benefits for those people that have lost their jobs, deferral of businesses taxes for those companies who are unable to operate in the current climate.

The costs of these packages are running in to billions of dollars, pounds and euros etc.  In the case of the USA the cost is already running into the Trillions of dollars.

I think the use of the word ‘Stimulus’ is misleading.  Where these packages have been used before, for example in the 2008 Global Financial Crisis (GFC), the circumstances were different.

In the GFC, consumers lost confidence and stopped consuming.  Goods and services were still available to be consumed and the challenge was to get consumers spending again.  The Labor Government in Australia implemented a significant ‘stimulus‘package.  The government was criticised for spending too much.  However, no one knows if it was too much.

One thing this is certain, Australia did not fall into a recession and the government avoided to the costs of significant a rise in unemployment with the attendant welfare expenditure and a drop in income tax and other tax revenue.

This situation is significantly different to the GFC.

The obvious big difference is that the ‘supply’ side of the economy was still in place in the GFC.  In this case that ‘supply’ side has been severely impacted.  Clearly, the production of some physical goods have been impacted.  For example, cars made in Italy.

However, the big impact is this crisis,  is on services.  For most rich economies, the ‘services’ sector is the largest part of the economy.  Industries like tourism and hospitality, entertainment and education are huge.   These industries have largely been ‘shutdown’.  It doesn’t matter how much money the government pumps into the economy, people are not going to buy services that are simply not on offer.

No one is going to restaurants.  No one is taking flights to holiday destinations. No one is going to the cinemas or theatres. No one id going to sporting events.  No one will be going to the 2020 Olympics. 

It doesn’t matter how much the governments pump into their economies, these industries are not going to recover until the virus is brought under control.

Politicians Found Wanting

Of no one will ever take the ‘dickhead’ crown off Donald J Trump.

However, in the lower league of Australian politics, Senator Mathias Corman aka the ‘Belgium Waffle’ is climbing up the ladder.

Just believe me.  Don’t even both to watch his performance on the ABC’s Insiders program this morning.

I am continuing my blog on the coronavirus.

First few Days in Brisbane

My first day in Brisbane was Thursday the 18^th of March.  I was staying at the Brisbane YHA.  I realised that this was probably not best place to be.  One obvious problem was that I could not get a private room and I was sharing a 3-person room with another bloke. 

The hostel was fairly full.  Many were oversea backpackers.  A lot of these were hitting the phones and clearly trying to organise travel home.

As I moved through the main shopping centre in the city, the place appeared to be normal. 

I did have an urgent task to perform.  I needed to top up my supply of Glaucoma eye drops.  When I was in Grafton, I had bought a bottle at a Ramsay Pharmacy.  I was shocked to find that they had expired.  When I returned the drops, the Pharmacist was clearly embarrassed.  She took back the drops and returned the original repeat script. I informed Pharmacist that I would making a complaint about what had happened.  I registered my complaint on the Ramsay Heath Services website.

When I arrived in Brisbane, I told one of my ‘Doctor cousins’ what had happen.  This cousin has an extremely low opinion of the ‘Chemist Industry’.  “They are being paid ridiculous amounts of money for simply sticking labels on bottles”.  You should really get stuck into that person”.  He gave me the details of the government and professional bodies to whom I report the incident.   

Shortly after that conversation, I received a call from a woman in the Ramsay Head Office. She thanked me for the reporting what had happened to me and said the “it was totally unacceptable, and that appropriate action has been taken”.   I won’t bore you with the rest of the conversation.   The upshot was that I decided the spare the Ramsay and the pharmacist the pain of dealing with a formal complaint the lodged with the authorities.  I was also mindful that the authorities were already having to deal with more significant issues related to the coronavirus.  

Things Start to Tighten Up

Over the weekend, further reports were coming out of Italy and Spain about the spread of the virus of the rising death toll.

Not much changed in Brisbane at all.  The shops, restaurants and pubs were essentially operating as normal.

The National Cabinet, which comprises the Prime Minister the leaders of the States and Territories met on Sunday afternoon.

After the meeting, the Prime Minister announced the implementation of ‘social distancing’ rules and the numbers of people that could be in indoor areas such as restaurants, pubs etc at any one time would be reduced.   There was a confused message regarding the operation schools.  There was obviously a disagreement  between the Federal Government and the States of NSW and Victoria on several issues including the operation of schools.

Watching the USA

 As the new week started, my and a lot of other peoples’ attention also turned to what was happening in the USA.  In particular, people were looking to what Donald Trump was saying a doing.

By this stage there were already a significant number of cases in the USA.   This was despite the fact that the USA has stopped travel from China at the end of January and in the previous week, they had stopped travel from Europe.

The White House was now holding daily briefings on the crisis.  These were being broadcasted live on TV and internet streaming.  I started watching them on the New York Times website.

Everyone knows how Trump has reacted to the crisis.  He downplayed it, he claimed that it would be all over when the weather warmed up…etc..etc.

The people ‘on the stage’ at the briefings were Trump, Vice President Pence who is the leader of the Coronavirus Taskforce and couple or more relevant ‘experts’ e.g  health experts, representative of the Armed Forces, logistics advisors etc.

It was interesting watching his performance in the briefings.  Naturally he took centre stage.  He was in control of the podium and decided who could speak.  This included answering questions that were explicitly directed at other people.

The media often show short clips of the briefings.   These did not convey what actually happens and how appalling  Trump is.

I give one example:

A reported asked the logistics advisor what the Federal government could do to assist those States that were experiencing shortages of essential medical supplies.

Trump stepped in and spoke for about 5 minutes.  During this rambling rant, he mentioned “the wall between the USA and Mexico”.  He said it was “a great wall and he knew about construction because he ran a great construction business”.  

Another issue that emerged in these days was the possible use of a drug that used for the treatment of malaria and other illnesses.  It was being touted a  as possible cure for the virus.  This would to be highly unlikely, however Trump promoted the idea.

Click on the link below to the Fox News take of the media coverage of this issue.

Stage Two Implemented

On Tuesday the 24^th of March, the National Cabinet met again and decided that Australis would move to ‘stage two’ of restrictions. These were to apply from midnight on Wednesday.

These restrictions meant that all restaurants, clubs and pubs must close except for the sale of take away foods and drinks.  Cinemas and other places where people gather were  to close completely.

The Queensland government also announced that its border with NSW was also to close with the limited exemptions.  This had an impact on me personally as I was due to travelled to Sydney for an appointment with my eye doctor.  In communications with the doctor I was advised that the appointment was not ‘essential’ in the context of what was going on and that other arrangements could put in place.

Holed up in a Hostel    

By this time, I had changed rooms in the hostel.  My ‘Doctor cousins’ had all kindly offered me accommodation in their houses.  They are ‘empty nesters’.   However, I decided not to impose on them at this time.  The hostel isn’t a bad option by any means I have a room with nice view, an en suite bathroom and I can get in and out of the place without travelling in lift or stairway.  There is a supermarket nearby and there a plenty of restaurants  and cafes offering take away food in the vicinity.  

Looks like Stage 3 is On the Way

As I write this post its looks as though Australia will be moving to Stage 3 restrictions.

This has already happened in the UK.

It is also being reported the USA has the highest number of cases, more than China and Italy.

Life goes On

As the crisis rolls on, so does ‘life’.

Unfortunately a mate has lost his father a couple of days ago.  Another’s mother has suffered a stroke and a bad fall and required an emergency operation.

Another friend became a grandmother for the first time.  She is understandably “beside herself with joy”.

An Interesting Take on Trump’s Thought Processes

https://gen.medium.com/we-wish-to-inform-you-that-your-death-is-highly-profitable-22c73744055c

White House Briefings

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10222275209217805&id=1493116307

Another Example of Fox News’s Take on Things

The ‘malaria drug’ issue.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10222302714065409&id=1493116307