General Coronavirus chit chat thread - non-travel specific

[Flying mermaid]

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!

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

 

[amaroo]

The Government has been very cunning with how they're doling out the cash. BAS statements and Centrelink all create a paper/electronic footprint. Can you imagine how many people currently lining up for the dole have lived their life totally off the grid. The amount of new information the authorities will collect will be very interesting.

Hello, my name is ScoMo, I'm not from marketing, but I am calling on behalf of the ATO ....

The ATO just got a gift

By funnelling the JobKeeper program through the ATO, the government will kill the cash economy and motivate the population to get their taxes in order.

www.smh.com.au

 

[RooFlyer]

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

Awwww, couldn't you have just waited at least a day or two?

 

[PineappleSkip]

Presumably those with cash economy cash will be laundering their money, be interesting how enthused people will be to accept large amounts of cash.

Anyone still have trips booked for this year ?

Yes, heaps in my Auspost account, which is something new to monitor.
I have a rice cooker from DJs booked; for no apparent reason they sent it from Perth, and it has now made it to Sydney.
Coffee pods booked from Sydney; should land at the PO tomorrow.
Qantas Wine booked, but the flight appears to be delayed and that one hasn’t taken off yet.
Mulling over booking pasta from Enoteca Sileno next.
Tentatively booked a trip to Woolies on Tuesday, which should be a circle trip with a stopover at the PO.

Mrs Pineapple has some revised QF bookings on obscure flights from “off line point” to “off line point”.

cheers skip

 

[Flying mermaid]

Awwww, couldn't you have just waited at least a day or two?

Well you know WHO has been wrong before, so no harm trying

 

[Foreigner]

NSW

Correct, not sure about other states/territories

 

[VPS]

I know how you feel!
View attachment 211918

Unlike @Denali's nephew though, Mrs FB has made me a Chocolate Guinness Cake for my birthday (busy day, the 4th!) courtesy of a Nigella Lawson recipe.

And Happy Birthday @Flashback - I could do with some chocolate cake today. I enjoy baking but it's hard when you're by yourself as you have to eat it all and I don't need cake at the moment.

 

[VPS]

That would be the DPRSA. I have been suck here for 3 weeks and am getting in line with the program

I think it's probably more like Mrs and Miss @Matt_01 is saying - he's been stuck here for three weeks - when is this going to end.

 

[blackcat20]

We still have two international trips booked, theres nothing we can do about them just yet. June is definitely off but its outside the changes at the moment. December is still up in the air.

 

[CaptJCool]

We don’t want to over-egg it,.

...

We still have two international trips booked, theres nothing we can do about them just yet. June is definitely off but its outside the changes at the moment. December is still up in the air.

Qantas already cancelled my code-share flight with EK in June.... and I can accept a change to mid-October..... personally I think a refund is preferable.....


Today’s figures from NSW/Vic/Qld suggest The end of the beginning of the downward trend on the first wave in Australia.

There’s a lot of quiet optimism across the country mirrored by Lab Premier McGowans too
I did like this “we are different moment”

Coronavirus Australia: WA Premier giggles over NSW kebab fine

In some lighter news to come out of this week, West Australian Premier Mark McGowan struggled to contain his laughter yesterday afternoon while answering an odd question on social distancing.

www.news.com.au

 

[JohnM]

Hello, my name is ScoMo, and I'm calling on behalf of the ATO ....

The ATO just got a gift

By funnelling the JobKeeper program through the ATO, the government will kill the cash economy and motivate the population to get their taxes in order.

www.smh.com.au

Paywalled.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Paywalled.

Try looking at it incognito

 

[Denali]

I said a week ago that introducing STP last year is going to pay for itself after this.

And businesses (who claimed jobkeeper) be prepared for more audits in a couple of years.

 

[JohnM]

Try looking at it incognito

Paywalled in Chrome; OK in Firefox.

 

[Denali]

Hmm that reminds me - we were given nose/mouth coverings by Bisate to wear when we went Gorilla trekking in Rwanda - it was to protect the gorillas. I still have those I think. I might fish one out for Mr FM to wear when he goes shopping - can’t do any harm.

I was looking for 27" bandanas yesterday as hubby prefers the XL size for du-rags as its longer to cover back of neck and couldn't find any from my usual USA suppliers.

Then this popped up on my Insta, maybe this is why they're sold out

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[CaptJCool]

It worked in Safari private browsing...


And yea, choices, Stick your handout in need and get caught in the recorded economy, or stay out with no financial support...

 

[Flying mermaid]

Paywalled in Chrome; OK in Firefox.

I can access with Chrome by going incognito

 

[TheRealTMA]

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

 

[TheRealTMA]

Paywalled in Chrome; OK in Firefox.

Works fine for me.

A thought. Try clearing your cache in Chrome. That’s the usual issue with SMH and the Age.

 

[jase05]

Anyone still have trips booked for this year ?

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.