General Discussion/Q&A on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

[burmans]

Would hope drivers license proving that over 70 would be enough, my Mum is immuno copromised and doesnt have a pension card, self funded retiree.

A seniors card is a government issued concession card!

 

[VPS]

Would hope drivers license proving that over 70 would be enough, my Mum is immuno copromised and doesnt have a pension card, self funded retiree.

I'm assuming she has a seniors card and if she doesn't she is fully entitled to one unless she's working more than 25 hours a week which I think is unlikely

 

[burmans]

I'm assuming she has a seniors card and if she doesn't she is fully entitled to one unless she's working more than 25 hours a week which I think is unlikely

Snap!

 

[serfty]

I'm assuming she has a seniors card and if she doesn't she is fully entitled to one unless she's working more than 25 hours a week which I think is unlikely

In Victoria you can get a Senior's card if 1) You are of age 60 or more & 2) Work less than 35 hours per week.

 

[Pushka]

In Victoria you can get a Senior's card if 1) You are of age 60 or more & 2) Work less than 35 hours per week.

Sadly I have one for SA. But will not be using it for this purpose.

 

[VPS]

In Victoria you can get a Senior's card if 1) You are of age 60 or more & 2) Work less than 35 hours per week.

wow that's very generous - and I made a mistake in SA it's working under 20 hours a week.

 

[dajop]

So whilst I applaud Singapore in its handling, I have no doubt they are potentially a couple of bad weeks away from the MRT, HDBs and hawker centres spreading this thing wildly, and I hope that the good work done in phase 1 is similarly upheld in the upcoming phases, and that the celebration does not turn out to be premature.

Yes, I don't think anyone is celebrating yet, yesterday we had our highest number of new cases since it began, with 14 new cases. 9 of these came in from outside Singapore, mainly Europe and the US. One thing I don't understand, there was an acceptance of immediate draconian action against China and travel to/from China. Singapore, and others have been very slow acting against travel from the US. Even in Australia and NZ, blanket restrictions introduced, perhaps to avoid upsetting specific countries by calling them out (US).

I also wondered if the climate was an ameliorating factor, but Malaysia's number suggest that may not be the case (although they seem to have a lot from religious gatherings).

 

[Katie]

The governor of Washington had a press conference this morning, and banned gatherings of 250 or more people until the end of March.
I have a conference in Bellevue in May, and am part of the board of the society putting the conference on. Keeping a close eye on the deliberations of the Washington state/King County authorities!

We announced the cancellation of the conference on Friday, US time. Varying reactions, as we've decided to go virtual. Considered postponing, but that was also risky. It's sad and disappointing, but I think the best choice under the circumstances.

 

[boomy]

What is going on in Australia? We've been living with this for weeks now in Singapore. Most things remain open and there is little pressure to close places other than churches and mosques and other mass gatherings. Sick staff (whatever the ailment) are instructed to remain at home, and the social pressure is immense if showing the slightest symptom in public. Additional sanitation practices are employed. Handwashing is practiced routinely.

But perhaps our Australian culture is less accepting of government instructions on how to behave, so more draconian steps are necessary (plus the cooler climate).

Singapore, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea are all examples of nations who’s citizens come together in times of crisis and work as a team to make things better.

Meanwhile in the US and Australia people immediately blame the government for not doing enough and when things get done people complain about overreacting while the biggest “contribution” one does is emptying shelves at supermarkets like WW3 is about to start.

 

[RooFlyer]

Did someone call you a tool? Must have missed that.

Not me, the Prime Minister. Because it’s always the governments fault.

Has anyone experienced the International arrival protocols now in place and the process of self-isolation?

I’ll let you know in a couple of hours when I arrive in ADL from DOH. I’m not expecting anything radically different from previously, except maybe questions re China, Iran, Korea, etc

Meanwhile in the US and Australia people immediately blame the government for not doing enough and when things get done people complain about overreacting while the biggest “contribution” one does is emptying shelves at supermarkets like WW3 is about to start.

Exactly! you missed out the bit how everyone on social media seems to know better than the government and their various advisors/ advisory bodies, and feels obliged to offer gratuitous advice and insults.

 

[RedSMS]

In light of the Australian federal government mandatory 14-day quarantine for all arriving in Australia, how does this exactly work with Flight/Cabin crew of these flights? I would think that those working on board aircraft have been advised to stay at their hotels until flying out. If they too have to self isolate for 14 days, then they either have to stay in the confines of the sterile zone at our airports or even on their aircraft? Or are they exempt from this?

 

[drron]

Singapore, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea are all examples of nations who’s citizens come together in times of crisis and work as a team to make things better.

Meanwhile in the US and Australia people immediately blame the government for not doing enough and when things get done people complain about overreacting while the biggest “contribution” one does is emptying shelves at supermarkets like WW3 is about to start.

Youve got it Boomy.In these times I would feel safer walking around Japan,Singapore etc than back here.Even before this virus they would always cover up if ill.
Hong Kong as well seems to be doing well.

 

[JessicaTam]

In light of the Australian federal government mandatory 14-day quarantine for all arriving in Australia, how does this exactly work with Flight/Cabin crew of these flights? I would think that those working on board aircraft have been advised to stay at their hotels until flying out. If they too have to self isolate for 14 days, then they either have to stay in the confines of the sterile zone at our airports or even on their aircraft? Or are they exempt from this?

That question has already been asked and answered in the thread specific to arrivals to Australia. I.e. they are effectively exempt.

 

[boomy]

Exactly! you missed out the bit how everyone on social media seems to know better than the government and their various advisors/ advisory bodies, and feels obliged to offer gratuitous advice and insults.

You should see some of the Facebook FF forums, just few days ago most played heroes not canceling any travel and now the same people are treating even domestic travellers like they are committing crimes against society.

 

[RooFlyer]

and now the same people are treating even domestic travellers like they are committing crimes against society.

Doesn't surprise. I have 2 domestic flights after I arrive back in ADL, so they'll enjoy that.

I'm Thinking about wearing a P95 mask as a courtesy, though.

 

[boomy]

Youve got it Boomy.In these times I would feel safer walking around Japan,Singapore etc than back here.Even before this virus they would always cover up if ill.
Hong Kong as well seems to be doing well.

These days, absolutely!

An executive at my company who came to visit recently canceled his connection in HKG because of virus fears and booked via LHR on QF10. By the time he was due to return the UK already had 5 times more confirmed cases than HK

 

[Moody]

In this time off need we should all put aside our differences and egos, and focus on the problem. After all that’s what your PM (Scott Morrison) has done. He now just mimics what Jacinda does.

[Fine - I’ll stop]

 

[Pushka]

Doesn't surprise. I have 2 domestic flights after I arrive back in ADL, so they'll enjoy that.

I'm Thinking about wearing a P95 mask as a courtesy, though.

Geez don't do that in lil ole Adelaide! You'll scare off the locals. It's rather toasty here by the way.

Post automatically merged: Mar 16, 2020

In this time off need we should all put aside our differences and egos, and focus on the problem. After all that’s what your PM (Scott Morrison) has done. He now just mimics what Jacinda does.

[Fine - I’ll stop]

OK. I'll give you that one!

 

[RooFlyer]

After all that’s what your PM (Scott Morrison) has done.

Our PM

 

[TheRealTMA]

https://www.facebook.com/LandlineABC/photos/a.655982667795317/2941008572626037