General Coronavirus chit chat thread - non-travel specific

[lovetravellingoz]

Virologist claims drinking alcohol can protect against the coronavirus

A German health official has told people they can drink alcohol to ward off any illness in relation to COVID-19, saying “the higher the percentage of alcohol, the better it is.”

This could possibly please a few people here if it is correct!

With so many false claim on the internet, one has to be wary of the many things one sees.



Without a direct link I would normally be sceptical, but in this instance I will sacrifice my personal comfort to raise a glass for the common good.

 

[serfty]

i am sure it is pleasing news but .....

COVID-19 Mythbusters – World Health Organization

Highlighting some of the misinformation circulating on COVID-19

www.who.int

I'm gunna set up my own research project ...

 

[serfty]

Anyone still have trips booked for this year ?

I initiated the cancellations of three bookings today for June.

However I still have NZ booked in early August and BKK/SIN at the end of that month.

Also, two "Starter MAX" bookings on 3K between BKK and SIN - I've been moving them around to flights they hopefully cancel.

 

[mrsterryn]

Looks like there are quite a few hopeful that trips will still be happening nearer the end of the year. Husband this week has booked some additional things for Denmark middle of September. The flights and accommodation were long since booked

 

[kyle]

I’m shocked to find out only today that we’ve been misled and it’s not a virus but 5G that is causing the pandemic.

British 5G towers are being set on fire because of coronavirus conspiracy theories

A growing disinformation campaign is targeting 5G in the UK

www.theverge.com

Lol... then there shouldn't be any confirmed cases in remote NT...

 

[serfty]

We still have a trip booked for a conference and a few days relaxations for around 10 days end of July to KUL and HKT. My expectation is we won't be going as while there might be some semblance of returning to something like normal domestically the international resolution of the virus spread will not have been resolved by then.

We have a non-refundable booking for a hotel on HKT which in the whole scheme of things is not many $$.

The quandary at the moment is the flights with MH which we booked via Aunt Betty because the $$ was the best we could find at the time.

MH current policy is to offer a credit voucher that must be used and all flights completed before xmas which is not very palatable given the current uncertainty so tempted to hold off until with the hope the flights are cancelled and/or the policy is updated. MH have also indicated the ticket class forbids the no show for any one of the sectors otherwise the entire ticket will be forfeited and a penalty charge incurred meaning we would have to go to both countries and not cut the trip short to just KUL. While I enjoy travel to both countries I'm 80% sure the conference will be cancelled unless some miracle occurs to resolve the pandemic.

Aunt Betty are currently nagging us with unsolicited emails saying they can arrange to cancel our flights for us and to contact them. However when you read the fine print at the bottom of the forms it is obvious this is nothing more than a blatant attempt to built the coffers for the Flight Centre Group as for every ticket cancelled they collect an admin fee of $250.

So whirling around in circles in my head are will MH still be around, will they change their policy, will they cancel the flights, when will it be safe and/or opportune to travel overseas to either/both those countries again, will the economy go so far down the toilet that we won't be able to afford to travel, the original impetus to make the trip (the conference) is unlikely to go ahead.

Trying not to think about it too much and just let the whole matter lie over the next month or so.

I have a similar situation with MH business class fares for BKK to SIN return.

Look here: Entry Restrictions Due To Coronavirus

Under current Singapore rules I cannot enter Singapore, so on that alone, I qualify for the MH COVID-19 Travel booking and Refund Policy.

I used the webform on that page today to send this in:

I will not be able to use this ticket as I am impacted by the travel restriction of two countries.

-Singapore will not permit me entry.
-Australia will not permit me to depart.

As per your published policy on your "Coronavirus Entry restrictions" web page;

"Cancellation and service fees are waived for partially used and totally unused tickets, applicable for refundable and non-refundable tickets.";

please cancel this booking and provide a full refund.

Thankyou for your assistance.

I'll see how it goes.

 

[Denali]

Had a US trip organised for the start of October through to middle of November but thankfully had only booked return flights to SIN at this stage. I was only about a week away from paying for the remaining flights plus 6 weeks of car hire and accommodation when things started to go crazy so I guess I’m lucky in that regards. I really think chances of any travel to the US by then are zero but will just play it by ear and see if my bookings to SIN are cancelled or not. If not we will look at where else we can go.

I'll be looking for a nice rental right on a beach somewhere in Aust and just sit on the deck, watching the sun set and relaxing.

 

[jase05]

I'll be looking for a nice rental right on a beach somewhere in Aust and just sit on the deck, watching the sun set and relaxing.

Definitely an option.
My parents live near the Snowy Mountains and we normally visit them every month or so but last trip was at the end of January so it would be nice to catch up with the first when this all blows over

 

[Flying mermaid]

I’m shocked to find out only today that we’ve been misled and it’s not a virus but 5G that is causing the pandemic.

British 5G towers are being set on fire because of coronavirus conspiracy theories

A growing disinformation campaign is targeting 5G in the UK

www.theverge.com

Look I don’t think that’s right - I am pretty sure it’s caused by pedophiles manufacturing drugs in pizza parlours. I think Hilary Clinton is involved somehow, but I didn’t have enough time to totally unravel the theory. Apparently it’s one of the really popular beliefs among a certain set.

 

[VPS]

I'm gunna set up my own research project ...

I've been secretly working on this for several weeks now (years probably) but it's working so far so I'm not about to change anything.

 

[get me outta here]

And they vote, in some places.

Look I don’t think that’s right - I am pretty sure it’s caused by pedophiles manufacturing drugs in pizza parlours. I think Hilary Clinton is involved somehow, but I didn’t have enough time to totally unravel the theory. Apparently it’s one of the really popular beliefs among a certain set.

 

[RooFlyer]

I'm gunna set up my own research project ...

I’m sure there would be a grant or two available for it.

 

[RooFlyer]

And they vote, in some places.

How deplorable!

(Honest apologies, couldn’t resist , I’ll be good now )

 

[get me outta here]

AFP recruits busted over late-night party in breach of coronavirus social-distancing rules

AFP recruits busted partying in breach of social-distancing rules

Australian Federal Police (AFP) recruits are under investigation for throwing a party at their residential college in Canberra in apparent breach of strict coronavirus social-distancing rules.

www.abc.net.au

 

[RooFlyer]

AFP recruits busted over late-night party in breach of coronavirus social-distancing rules

And LOUD! "We don't give a flying ... "

 

[Flying mermaid]

Dr FM tells me rules have just changed. They are now allowed to wear surgical masks when dealing with all patients and P2 for high risk ones. NHS must have sourced more, or decided too risky for frontline staff not to.... Whichever it’s good news.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It's disappointing to see the proliferation of so many articles and 'news' commentary against social distancing. Most seem to seize on just the smallest thing - like the 'ban' on couples seeing each other in Victoria (quickly reversed, although I don't know why) - as a reason to argue the whole thing is a sham.

Do they not see the news in Italy, Spain, Europe, Uk, USA?

No. This is not the typical flu we can all get vaccinated against. 1000 people dying a day in those countries.

Judging by the comments left with many articles, it seems like a fair proportion of the public agree that we should all just carry on life as normal. Because like, two months of not going to a rave, or a bar, is worth dying for.

 

[Flying mermaid]

It's disappointing to see the proliferation of so many articles and 'news' commentary against social distancing. Most seem to seize on just the smallest thing - like the 'ban' on couples seeing each other in Victoria (quickly reversed, although I don't know why) - as a reason to argue the whole thing is a sham.

Do they not see the news in Italy, Spain, Europe, Uk, USA?

No. This is not the typical flu we can all get vaccinated against. 1000 people dying a day in those countries.

Judging by the comments left with many articles, it seems like a fair proportion of the public agree that we should all just carry on life as normal. Because like, two months of not going to a rave, or a bar, is worth dying for.

Maybe they need to see the photos of refrigeration trucks in New York for all the bodies

 

[RooFlyer]

Judging by the comments left with many articles, it seems like a fair proportion of the public agree that we should all just carry on life as normal. Because like, two months of not going to a rave, or a bar, is worth dying for.

Quite pathetic. But I'm not seeing them (thank goodness). Are the articles facebook, twitter (which I'm not on), or Australia news outlets? I'm not after links , just curious.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

It's disappointing to see the proliferation of so many articles and 'news' commentary against social distancing. Most seem to seize on just the smallest thing - like the 'ban' on couples seeing each other in Victoria (quickly reversed, although I don't know why) - as a reason to argue the whole thing is a sham.

Do they not see the news in Italy, Spain, Europe, Uk, USA?

No. This is not the typical flu we can all get vaccinated against. 1000 people dying a day in those countries.

Judging by the comments left with many articles, it seems like a fair proportion of the public agree that we should all just carry on life as normal. Because like, two months of not going to a rave, or a bar, is worth dying for.

I am not sure what proportion you see as a fair proportion?

My observation is that vast majority are now doing the right thing, and that the new habits have gotten better and better.

That does not mean that a small minority has not been, but my perception that is an every decreasing number who are not doing the right thing.