tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post6932641560406327233..comments2023-07-10T01:17:13.383+10:00Comments on Brona's Books: The Covid Chronicles #5Bronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11110584237325026052noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-30215826795277159102020-05-02T08:59:58.746+10:002020-05-02T08:59:58.746+10:00The economists say, going by past recessions, that...The economists say, going by past recessions, that it will take a decade to recover the economy. Our govts deficit from the GFC was finally paid off a few years back and we we're on the right side of the ledger when this happened. I did not vote for our current govt, but mostly I've been happy with how prepared they've been to spend this surplus on stimulus packages and programs to help those who lost jobs, small businesses etc. We all understand it will take years to recover it again (with taxes etc). I've been reading a number of financial papers/news and some are even suggesting that since this recession has come not from a bubble or long-term economic decline or errors, then a quicker bounce back is more likely. I guess we will have to wait and see. As the virus has effected and been managed differently by each country, I guess the recovery will also depend on local factors.<br /><br />It's certainly gut-wrenching to see how many people have died so quickly and all the same time around the world.<br /><br />We have been able to relax a few of the restrictions starting this weekend. We can now meet up with 2 other people, beaches have been reopened (although it is now too cold to swim) and short distance travelling is okay. The test will be to see how this pans out for us over the next month or so as we head into winter.Bronahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11110584237325026052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-85725131253095415012020-05-02T06:02:38.817+10:002020-05-02T06:02:38.817+10:00I'm glad Australia has had such a low Covid in...I'm glad Australia has had such a low Covid infection etc. Here in Canada our province has seen 89 deaths 5,300 cases (3,387 total deaths in Canada) and apparently our "peak" is due in mid-to late May .... still they plan to ease restrictions here in coming weeks since they say the hospitals will be able to handle it ... from what models show. <br />I guess I don't think Covid will be a blip in the history here in North America anytime soon .... as too much has happened ... the economy is gutted and so many have died. Certain things have changed .... it'll be a long recovery thecuecardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08870323589682197091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-78641980735249017582020-04-27T08:18:32.227+10:002020-04-27T08:18:32.227+10:00So glad you managed to get back to WA okay in the ...So glad you managed to get back to WA okay in the end Bill. It sounds like it was quite a process!Bronahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11110584237325026052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-76372084734773026992020-04-26T10:53:07.989+10:002020-04-26T10:53:07.989+10:00It seems we're all over the shock now doesn...It seems we're all over the shock now doesn't it and settling down. I did 14 days isolation in a motel room when I stayed in NT to visit my daughter (I was allowed in ok because I had a loaded truck). I was out in the bush - on the edge of the Litchfield National Park - so that was peaceful with lots of room to walk, though too hot and humid to go outside much. But! I stuck to a diet and lost 5kg. Police came round a couple of times to make sure I hadn't gone walkabout. Darwin people very blase about restrictions (except the hospital of course where my daughter was for 3 days). Went to the bookshop in a very empty CBD mall and bought Patrick White's Cockatoos.<br />It was harder getting back into WA. Lots of forms to fill out, both to enter the state and to enter a controlled zone (Kimberleys) and entrance for truckies was no longer automatic. BillAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08782815680430450560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-77490045869073169392020-04-24T18:00:18.611+10:002020-04-24T18:00:18.611+10:00Judging by the numbers coming out of the States, I...Judging by the numbers coming out of the States, I'd agree Deb, and say that you are a long way from being ready to move out of isolation and lockdown. But obviously some others feel differnetly.<br /><br />We still have a month of lockdown ahead of us, but I understand our lockdown is known as level 3, therefore not as restrictive as some other places (like NZ who have had level 4 lockdown for a month). <br /><br />The tourism and entertainment industries are shattered, but many other small businesses have found ways to go online, provide a takeaway or home delivery service or trade is some other way that observes the safety and distancing protocols. <br /><br />Generally speaking, Australians have been in this together, even the ones who think we're all over-reacting. Thankfully we don't have gung-ho, gun-toting people roaming our streets protesting. On the news it looks like they're only a small group of discontents, but it looks frightening, and it's beyond our comprehension how people could be self-serving. Bronahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11110584237325026052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-65093016336962951462020-04-24T17:45:33.584+10:002020-04-24T17:45:33.584+10:00As hard as it has been to be in lockdown so long, ...As hard as it has been to be in lockdown so long, perhaps that is why your state has one of the lowest death rates for Covid? Some states may be opening up business as usual again, but I have an awful feeling it will backfire on them. NYC actually seems to be a prime example of what can happen if you don't listen to the medical advice and isolate everyone. Second wave infection can be even worse than the first round, if 1919 is anything to go by.<br />I was curious to hear about the number of Californians who tested positive for having the virus without knowing it. Is the west coast demographic generally younger & healthier than other states in the US?Bronahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11110584237325026052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-38737550757991782742020-04-24T06:26:51.888+10:002020-04-24T06:26:51.888+10:00I'm glad your country is beginning to go back ...I'm glad your country is beginning to go back to normal. There is a huge push for us to do the same, but I am not sure we are ready.Deb Nance at Readerbuzzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12128529491888701996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-64975227261520368732020-04-24T01:35:15.953+10:002020-04-24T01:35:15.953+10:00LOL! I'm still laughing about your Zoom experi...LOL! I'm still laughing about your Zoom experience w/ Grandma!! Great memories. :D <br /><br />I have to say, staying home has been a secretly pleasant experience for me, too (but I have other anxieties to get things back to the way they were, which I know they never will again, and I'm more irritated about that than I can say). I didn't know anyone who tested positive either until I learned 2 weeks ago that an aunt, uncle, cousin, and his daughter (who is a nurse) tested positive. Everyone has since recovered, but my uncle is now in the hospital and it has been 5 days now. They are in the hardest hit part of the U.S. (NYC). <br /><br />In the U.S., governors have more power over their subjects, I mean citizens, than the federal president, and I happen to live in one of the more oppressed fifedoms. We've had three times less deaths than NYC, yet, NYC did not have as many restrictions as Cali, and their governor has already moved to open up businesses and ease other restrictions. But the our governor king wants going to keep Cali on lockdown much longer -- well into May. He only now encouraged hospitals to begin elective surgeries again. Mind you, we've been on lockdown since March 15.<br /><br />I think California is near 1450 deaths. We are one of the top three largest populations in the U.S.; but there is confirmation now that California was infected long before other states - which makes sense bc people fly in from China to our West Coast. Now people are testing positive for antibodies, meaning they had it back in January and February and didn't even know it, and there is discussion that maybe an immunity has already been built up, and therefore, we were not hit as hard (deaths) as the East Coast. <br /><br />Ruth @ with freedom and bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15531827758868215023noreply@blogger.com