We are continually being told of Victorias escalating number of coronavirus cases, but we re not being given any idea of the seriousness of this.

Are these cases of very ill people presenting for treatment, or is this a matter of the discovery of a high rate of infection discovered due to much increased testing. Does Victoria have a lot of people requiring hospital treatment, or a lot of mildly effected, with many asymptomatic people only found due to heavy testing?

The whole thrust of media reporting indicates approaching armageddon but is this simply hype?

With the current media treatment of Trump, global warming, & the great barrier reef to name a few subjects it is impossible to believe anything you see reported unless you can find corroboration elsewhere. In other words should we all cut our wrists now, or is there some chance we could still live happy lives, despite this thing.

Wasn't it great 40 years ago when we could actually trust what the media was presenting was close to the truth, rather than something so spun by activists media that the truth was the last thing you could expect.

93 year olds don't die of old age anymore, it's COVID-19 now !
Just look at the Demographic of these 'Hot-spots' with mass gatherings as if there was no COVID-19.
If only COVID-19 only attacked morons all'd be good !

Gutless politicians allowed deviants and marxist to take over the education system Hasbeen. As seen this week with the New York times that you need to go along with the lying hateful narrative to keep your job. Its been like that at the abc for decades. Noticed a 5 year old boy raped by 3 under 14 in the last few days. The lying regressives who say blm's could not give a stuff. Generally the prostestors were dumbed down self entitled (many white) who know activist judges will let off even if arrested for violence.

After being caught out for corruption and lying for 3 years about Russian and then Ukraine collusion we now have the lying liberal media and democrats causing and promoting as much violence and chaos possible to try and prevent Trump being re elected.

Personally I think they have done enough damage to the Western economies to bring them down. Here in Victoria we had the CMO writing a paper on climate change and a fool of a woman tweeting about Captain Cook being like a virus. When you have such ignorance and arrogance in Australia's worst performing Government what hope is their for the sane?

You are right in saying news 40 years ago was closer to the truth. The reality is that people were closer to wanting the truth. Today they are happier with the lying narratives no matter how devoid of facts. Look at the fools who swallowed the gw hoax. Certainly no humility as they double down of their lying narratives.

The situation in Victoria is very bad indeed.
That is because the Victorian premier is a sadist who from the beginning of this epidemic has demonstrated how he enjoys punishing his subjects and seeing them suffer, that much that now they have no goodwill left, would not obey his orders and as a result get infected by droves.

Yuyutsu,
The Vic Premier is on TV everyday to tell people to stay apart & what did they do ? Demonstrate & gather by the thousands !!
It's not the Premier's doing, people are spreading COVID-19, stupid people !

Dear Individual,

Yes, The Victorian premier was on TV everyday since March and his face-expression shows that he is enjoying every bit of it, that being able to order people around somehow gives him satisfaction and otherwise-missing confidence.

It is not the message itself which other premiers also sent, but rather the punitive unempathetic attitude in the way it is being said. People see it and lose hope, believing that the situation is hopeless anyway, that the premier would punish them anyway whatever they do or don't just because he likes it, so there is nothing to lose and certainly no motivation to make any personal sacrifices.

We have no reason to believe that the testing is all accurate. The days are long gone when we could believe politicians, public servants or the media. The fact that people refusing to be tested or those border hopping are fined, and not jailed or forcibly detained, is proof that the politicians are not serious; they are just using non-compliance as another money-making exercise. A fine is not going to stop a person who might have the virus from spreading it.

punitive unempathetic attitude
Yuyutsu,
It's the only attitude morons could possibly get some sense shaken into !

Victoria's problem is the lack of a credible Opposition. A lunatic like Andrews could not survive if there was one.

Hasbeen,

IMO, once the virus got into community, rather than mostly being confined to returning people from overseas, it became tenfold harder to contain.

We are still lucky up here in Albury Wodonga. All we can do is hope that numnbers stay very low and Melbourne gets back to very low numbers.

But it also relies on vitually everyone doing the right thing.

It appears as if the White House is advocating the scrapping of all testing and tracing of the Covid-19:

http://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/18/world/coronavirus-news.html?action=click&pgtype=Article&state=default&module=styln-coronavirus&variant=show&region=TOP_BANNER&context=storylines_menu#link-3ff7f41a

With more than 70,000 new cases each day, more than two million over a month at that rate, that may be one way to massively reduce the number of recorded cases, and also the need for more hospital beds later.

Who needs 'science' ?

Joe

Dear Hassie,

I've just re-scheduled some of my appointments
for various heart scans that were to be done now in a
nearby hospital. I've made them for September because
I don't think it's a good idea to go to a public hospital
for scans right now. I admit that I'm too nervous to
go into a public hospital in Victoria right now unless I
have to.

I'm probably being silly. But I feel - better safe than sorry.

Foxy,

The public hospital system has the best health professionals.

Not having a vaccine for the WuFlu means that we all live in a new world where we have to be alert and ready to dodge and weave our way around others whom we must assume are infected. It's like something out of a zombie movie, but that's the world we now live in and it could just be like this forever.

We now all have to make unusual decisions to survive and keep our fingers crossed that they are the right ones.

Just thank your lucky stars you don't live in America or Brazil. I suppose Hollywood will be happy now that it has an endless supply of out-of-work extras for its next zombie movie.

Dear Individual,

«punitive unempathetic attitude»
«It's the only attitude morons could possibly get some sense shaken into !»

You may be able to get a moron to comply, but nothing short of a miracle can get sense into someone who is truly a moron.

Also nothing can shake the sense out of a saint.

As for the rest, perhaps 99% of Victorians, when beaten and humiliated in a punitive unempathetic attitude, it is quite sensible to respond by disobedient hate and spite towards their oppressor, doing deliberately the opposite of what they order.

Had the Victorian premier controlled his gratifying glee at this viral-opportunity by keeping his mouth shut, then while coordination might not have been at its best, the vast number of Victorians would have used their natural common sense and natural goodwill, so the number of cases would not have been anything like what we see.

I think you owe Foxy an apology for including her in your "moron" statement. She was weighing the situation carefully and used her best sense to postpone her appointment to September, even while she was legally allowed to proceed with her original date. The vast majority are good and sensible people, but if treated contemptuously under the assumption of being morons, then they will strike back and rightly so.

The choice given between a tyrant and a virus, I would also side with the virus!

Yuyutsu,

For all that, Andrews' record is vastly superior to that of the US, supposedly the leading power in the world. Perhaps that demonstrates conclusively that socialism is superior to capitalism.

Come on, Runner, go for it :)

Or, of course, Andrews' ideology is immaterial in these circumstances, he simply follows the guidance of the best health scientists, as all sensible leaders should be doing. He's 'doing' science, not magic or religion.

As I understand it, Victoria and Florida have roughly similar population sizes. Florida has had 337,500 cases, maybe a hundred times as many cases as Victoria. Maybe Florida shouldn't count any more cases, then they'll all go away. Anyway, it's only another sort of flu.

Roll on, November. Well, it will anyway, but what might the situation look like by then ? Will Pussy Man have beaten this enemy and will bev then sweep back in for a second term ? Hi Ho Silver !

Or will we be contemplating half a million deaths (i.e. 3,000 p.d. between the beginning of August and early November) and the destruction of the American economy ? I certainly hope not.

Joe

you owe ............. an apology for including h.. in your "moron" statement.
Yuyutsu,
My bad, I didn't realise you didn't know the definition of a moron !

Yuyutsu,
below is a perfect example & I'm not referring to this Labor Premier.

https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/social/bored-is-better-than-intensive-care-dan-andrews-dig-at-karen-from-brighton/news-story/878070cd128b724ae5f18bf309894e76

Dear Joe,

The difference between Victoria and Florida, is that one is inhabited by Australians, the other by Americans. That Victoria is doing relatively better, is DESPITE Andrews, not because of him.

I was not referring to Andrews' ideology, nor to the practical steps as guided by epidemiologists - only to his ATTITUDE, his GLEE, his CONTEMPTFUL EXPRESSION and THE WAY he imposed the Victorian restrictions: this attitude further alienated his government from the people, encouraging them to break the rules more often.

You could also add his incompetence (such as employing untrained, low-paid security-guards in quarantine hotels), but was this really incompetence, or was it in fact deliberate because he enjoys this power/punishment game so much?

Yuyutsu,
Andrews is a Labor Premier & does what Labor Premiers do ! Nothing sinister about it just standard Labor practise.
However, you can't blame him for the virus show, that's just the pretend Victorians wilfully spreading it ! Nothing to do with Andrews !

I think it's important to wear masks when out shopping
or in public malls or areas, even though you keep your
distances, its still important not to catch someone else's
germs from coughs or sneezes. Wearing a mask might help
prevent you catching something you really don't want or need.

It's amazing how much more careful people are currently
being in Victoria. The seriousness of the situation has
finally hit home. And although finger-pointing at anyone
doesn't really help - at least it's made people realize
into taking the coronavirus problem much more seriously.

Hopefully things will improve as a result, and perhaps
other states can learn from the Victorian experience.

Hi Yuyutsu,

Fascinating hypothesis. Andrews is doing a lousy job, while Trumpf and the gaggle of US governors are doing a wonderful job, in spite of Victoria having a far better record of performance while he is premier than any of the US states.

Counter-intuition is always valid.

So if I run off a cliff and refuse to believe in gravity, I won't fall. In fact, if I think that anti-gravity is stronger than gravity, then I will actually float upwards. Gravity, pah !

Yep, can't deny the science.

Okay. Good to know.

Joe

Dear Joe,

«So if I run off a cliff and refuse to believe in gravity, I won't fall.»

Different laws apply to inert objects and to living beings.

Matter never rebels, but when humans (even animals) are treated badly, as if they were inert objects that have no feelings, they do.
Conversely, when humans are shown that those in charge genuinely care for them, they return in kind.

---

Dear Foxy,

«It's amazing how much more careful people are currently
being in Victoria. The seriousness of the situation has
finally hit home.»

Very nice, but why did Victorians have to wait this long? People in other states have been careful and recognised the seriousness of the situation since March, some even since February, voluntarily restricting their physical interactions earlier without having to wait for "authorities" to tell them to.

People in other states have been careful and recognised the seriousness of the situation since March,
Yuyutsu,
As you said, in other States. They're not Victorian, they have a different mentality !
From what I see, on admittedly questionable media & TV programming, Victorians seem to have a knack of being recalcitrant !

Dear Yuyutsu,

I didn't mean to suggest for one minute that Victorians
waited for so long to take action. They didn't as you
must know. I meant to say that they are taking things
even more seriously than previously. I did not express
myself well.. And as for our mentality being
different - that suggestion is probably correct. We are
more advanced in many ways. (smile).

Dear Foxy,

«And as for our mentality being
different - that suggestion is probably correct. We are
more advanced in many ways. (smile).»

Well it was not me who made that suggestion.
Rather, my suggestion was, that it is the insensitive cruelty of Victorian leaders, who punish first instead of asking nicely and humbly for cooperation, which can make Victorians as well as any other sensible person in that situation, more recalcitrant. I recall making this observation not just now but also when Victoria had the toughest water restrictions in the country.

As for being "more advanced", perhaps you equate "advanced" with "progressive"? That being the case, woe unto all of us as I hate to think what this portends.

Dear Yuyutsu,

You really need to stop taking things literally.
Recognise it when it's being done tongue-in-cheek.
Lighten up.

Oh no another couple of 90 year olds died! Well I strongly suspect that both people were not just old but had attendant medical problems , in fact were dying anyway.
I say this because since this first landed this has been an exercise in destroying Western civilisations by destroying western economies.
Morrison and Andrews are two fools cut from the same shabby cloth. They are aping other stupid governments in destroying all the jobs and industry they can. Wait till the realisation hits them that in fact the death toll is less than the last two Flu pandemics when none of this nonsense was even thought of. Then that government money comes from the people who they have personally destroyed. Another juicy moment when CMO's are told we cannot afford them in fact the whole public service is a luxury we have to reduce. Politicians will try and be the last to have their benefits cut but here is hoping a new honest player comes on the scene.
Until then put on your masks, march in lockstep to the useless, corrupt and mealy mothed crook politicos and their equally corrupt medical lickspittles!

Hello FOXY...

Just make sure you take good care of yourself, please Okay?

Dear O Sung Wu,

You always seem to know when I need cheering up.

Thank You and God Bless.

NO AVAILABLE BEDS IN 50 FLORIDA HOSPITAL ICU UNITS

Florida's lack of lockdown "response" to the COVID threat may be Australia's grim future if COVID cases escalate in Australia.

In Florida COVID cases are filling ICU beds - leaving no available beds for the usual diseases and accident caseloads.
_______________________________________

Voice of America News, 20th July 2020 reports http://www.voanews.com/covid-19-pandemic/no-available-beds-50-florida-hospital-icu-units

"The coronavirus outbreak in Florida grew more dire [on 19th July 2020] as nearly 50 hospitals throughout the state say they have no available beds in their intensive care units [ICUs].

[Florida] is not only the COVID epicenter in the United States, it is one of the world’s hot spots, with more than 12,000 new cases reported Sunday – the fifth straight day that number exceeded 10,000.

[Only now is] Miami Mayor Francis Suarez is making mask wearing in public mandatory.

Starting Monday, anyone without a face covering gets an immediate $50 fine. A third offense brings a $500 fine."
______________________________________

Florida's past lack of COVID measures, in favour of "opening up the economy as usual"

seem to be the future some COVID-Libertarians suggest for Australia.

Plantagenet said..

Florida's past lack of COVID measures, in favour of "opening up the economy as usual"

seem to be the future some COVID-Libertarians suggest for Australia.

Answer- Strangely I agree broadly with the Libertarian's view that the economy needs to keep running as much as we can. We still need supplies- people still need to pay rent- the government can't continue to keep borrowing on our behalf for an extended period. Obviously "what" the Socialist Left are doing is attack the (Libertarian) Liberal Party any chance they get. But one has to ask- "where" were the Socialists on the BLM rallies that were a risk to the spread- supporting the rallies. "Why"- well we have to go to history for that. "How" are you going to vote at the next election due to socialist duplicity? Hopefully for the other side(s)...

Sadly any bad state government policies especially from State Labor Governments will have an impact as to how long the Australia Liberal Government will have to pay the bill in terms of Centrelink payments. I'm sure this will encourage Labor to use the tactics that suit them.

I see it as an opportunity to use home working as a basis for increased productivity rather than less.

plantagenet

maybe planned parenthood could holt the slaughter of millions of babies and provide some beds for old people with covid. It might stop democrat mayors from sending infected patients into old people's homes. Just think you would be helping the elderly and not killing the young! Just a suggestion.

Ar ain't no "Socialist"

Me has shot assault rarfles, submachineguns, GPMGs.

An arr ber-leave in nu-klar weapons for Oz.

Against dem A-rabs.

So dah Liftists!!

From Plantagenet

"Ar ain't no "Socialist"
Me has shot assault rarfles, submachineguns, GPMGs.
An arr ber-leave in nu-klar weapons for Oz.
Against dem A-rabs.
So dah Liftists!!"

Answer-

Fascinating...

Thanks for your feedback "King Henry".

Are you implying that Australian Traditionalists/ Anti-Leftists/ Anti-Socialists are stupid and aggressive and violent and are instrumental in causing the arms race?

Well when confronted by much larger threat perhaps powerful weapons are in fact warranted- thanks for your suggestion Plantagenet- China certainly qualifies as an extreme threat being 50 times larger than Australia in population terms and having an economy at least 10 times larger. In fact many Communist countries are in fact Nuclear Powers- I believe that Pakistan (not Arab but related) is also on the way to becoming a nuclear power. The UN sort of rewards nuclear status by giving them permanent security council member status. There is a link between the New Left and Communism and I can explain it if you like.

By your argument I believe that makes the Left stupid.... I'll give you the benefit of the doubt- how Australian is that?

http://defencenewsofindia.com/how-pakistan-became-nuclear-power/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenin_Peace_Prize
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Davis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Marcuse
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab%E2%80%93Pakistan_relations

At yo service Can Mal U.

http://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries

I find this site useful.
I've been surprised by the rankings as one sorts by the different columns. In some rankings the USA- despite others claims- is doing fairly well in relation to other countries- it also changes from week to week.

Well spotted Canem

Stats for Victoria are at http://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

and NSW http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/stats-nsw.aspx

COVID-Libertarians can see that VIC and NSW numbers, from a low base, are rising sharply.

Pete

How bad is Victoria's coronavirus problem?

- Well we might have to build a border fence to keep them in.