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@tim said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:
@majorrage US excess deaths have consistently been greater than reported covid deaths, so I don't doubt those figures.
the States is an interesting case study, not of Covid, but of humanity in general.
It really does appear that they managed to make the virus a political issue, and that has huge ramifications. Throw in their health system, or rather the access to health care and it's a fucking nightmare. "freedom" and what that means for a compliant populace also has a part to play.
They started their rollout almost before anyone and yet they are 15% behind Australia in fully vaxed. That's enormous given what we are seeing in Aus with regards to the effect on the un-vaxed.
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@tim said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:
@kirwan Excess deaths were down about 2700, cumulatively, over the covid period.
So take people off the roads, no flu, etc the likely cause of that decrease? I remember reading there had been a spike in suicides, so that's what was making me wonder
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Whether the closed NZ border is right or wrong, I wouldn't know. It seems like common sense at this stage but at what cost later? I have a daughter stuck in Japan who can't return to NZ to start her studies at university so a little bit frustrated but it is a problem much lighter than many.
What I am feeling is that the border closing is a very political decision. Labour obviously knows that the million or so Kiwis abroad will not affect their popularity or do not support them in meaningful numbers. They are being completely ignored and cut off without even a comment in their direction. When Hopkins announced the border changes he was very obtuse and apologized to the Kiwis who had their "holidays abroad affected" (from Stuff).
On the other hand, I am getting mails from a National party rep. about their fight for border openings (I am no Nat, supporter but must have signed up for something at some stage). National obviously have the stats that show they can benefit from Kiwis abroad support so they are working on the Kiwis abroad.
Personally, if the govt. came out and owned their decision, said tough shit but vulnerable people in NZ are more important to us than you pricks who don't vote for us, I would be more in line with their policies.
And to the Kiwis who live in NZ and have booked MIQ cos they just want a holiday....well FUCK YOU! I hope your plane crashes. -
@kirwan said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:
@tim said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:
@kirwan Excess deaths were down about 2700, cumulatively, over the covid period.
So take people off the roads, no flu, etc the likely cause of that decrease? I remember reading there had been a spike in suicides, so that's what was making me wonder
I've heard a bit of informal commentary to that effect. Interestingly (and sadly), the suicide rate has been relatively consistent in NZ for the last decade.
In 2018, there were 623 suicide deaths in Aotearoa New Zealand. The age-standardised rate of suicide deaths was 12.1 (95% CI: 11.1, 13.0) per 100,000 population.
From 2009 to 2018, the change in the rate of suicide deaths was not statistically significant, from 11.5 (95% CI: 10.5, 12.5) per 100,000 population in 2009 to 12.1 (95% CI: 11.1, 13.0) per 100,000 population in 2018.
During this period, the highest suicide rate was in 2012 with a rate of 12.4 (95% CI: 11.3, 13.4) per 100,000 population. The lowest rate was in 2014 with a rate of 10.8 (95% CI: 9.9, 11.7) per 100,000 population.
Source: https://minhealthnz.shinyapps.io/suicide-web-tool/
(Am just exploring that web tool now... substantively higher rates for men...)
In the year to 30 June 2021, 607 people died by suspected suicide, compared to 628 the year before – a decrease of 21 deaths, and a drop in the suspected suicide rate from 11.8 deaths per 100,000 to 11.6
Form informal conversations with someone involved in responding to suspected suicides, if the post Christchurch earthquake experience is any broadly relatable guide to Covid, suicides may reduce slightly for the first couple of years, partly from an increase in checking in on each other, but there may be an increased strain with the return to normal/routine.
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And in direct contrast, Qld Premier just announced that from Saturday vaccinated Qlders can return from overseas without restriction. You do need a RAT rest within a couple of days which is currently a bit of an issue
But that is huge.
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@mariner4life said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:
And in direct contrast, Qld Premier just announced that from Saturday vaccinated Qlders can return from overseas without restriction. You do need a RAT rest within a couple of days which is currently a bit of an issue
But that is huge.
Huge good though aye?
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@hooroo said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:
@mariner4life said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:
And in direct contrast, Qld Premier just announced that from Saturday vaccinated Qlders can return from overseas without restriction. You do need a RAT rest within a couple of days which is currently a bit of an issue
But that is huge.
Huge good though aye?
yeah for sure mate! big for those who need to visit family (both ways). Bit for people who want to escape (considering it is only a month since people in Qld couldn't even go to NSW or Vic).
Big because it means the Qld Govt have been true to their word
I've been scathing in my criticism over the journey (some completely unjustified) but credit where it is due.
If i can look at it politically, changing Chief Health Officer in October was a political master stroke as it meant they could take a different path with no blowback at all. And this dude is so measured when he speaks.
Anyway, the point for NZ is the path is possible if you are willing to take the political risk (and this in no way seeks to diminish the loss people are now experiencing every day)
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@old-samurai-jack my wife booked to see her family when the border was unblocked now she needs miq, with no possible refund of the tickets will get half on a credit. This must've happened to alot of people.
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@mariner4life said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:
And in direct contrast, Qld Premier just announced that from Saturday vaccinated Qlders can return from overseas without restriction. You do need a RAT rest within a couple of days which is currently a bit of an issue
But that is huge.
Just imagine if you had your competent CHO two years ago!
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while no one living in NZ seems to give a fuck about those living elsewhere
surely they care about sport still?
Seems crazy to me people are still so happy for the status quo to continue indefinitely?
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also, that they are not going as they are unsure when they will be able to get home is still a really weird thing to read.
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@mariner4life said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:
while no one living in NZ seems to give a fuck about those living elsewhere
surely they care about sport still?
Seems crazy to me people are still so happy for the status quo to continue indefinitely?
I don't think that is true. There are a growing bloc of people who are not happy with living in a hermit kingdom. But having means to do something about it? That's another thing. For starters we are not the marching protesting type, just look at how we view Tamaki and his lot
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@mariner4life said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:
And in direct contrast, Qld Premier just announced that from Saturday vaccinated Qlders can return from overseas without restriction. You do need a RAT rest within a couple of days which is currently a bit of an issue
But that is huge.
Yeah great News for us here in Qld, game changer in a lot of way's.
Chance to see some friends again. -
@mariner4life said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:
And in direct contrast, Qld Premier just announced that from Saturday vaccinated Qlders can return from overseas without restriction. You do need a RAT rest within a couple of days which is currently a bit of an issue
But that is huge.
That's great
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NZ has become pathetic. Shutting borders to its citizens. Yet again. Omicron is highly contagious but not particularly dangerous.
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@billy-tell I've come to believe that Omicron has actually saved us. Maybe rescued is a better term. Now all we have to do is convince the cnuts that made this shit show.
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@crucial said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:
The Omicron experience around the world is still playing out
It's pretty much played out in the UK with virtually all restrictions lifted next week. The booster programme made a huge difference
At the moment it isn't doing much harm to NZ (as a whole) to keep stalling from allowing it to run free while we get some further protection against severity.
While It may not be as dangerous when you catch it as other variants except in vulnerable groups and the unvaccinated, but a 3-Jab vaccination programme is key to control Omicron. What are the plan n NZ for a booster programme?
I get the 'let it in' arguments but also understand that when faced with actually making that decision it is not a reversible option and if it backfired it would be close to a criminal act against some.
It'll get in anyway and is way more virulent than previous Covid variants - though much milder (there's a school of thought that it is a "natural vaccine"). Summer would be a good time for that happen and for a Booster programme to be well up and running..
Coronavirus - New Zealand