The world we live in today has the greatest capacity in the planet’s history for information distribution. On that basis, one might expect us to be the best and most accurately informed society of all time.
Except that our new found information technology is in the hands of every single individual on the planet who has access to the internet and each and every person can publish whatever ill-informed information they choose with absolutely no checks and balances.
It falls to each individual to filter the information and seek out the reliable sources to ensure what they are receiving is accurate. Meanwhile the ill-informed and stupid simply re-tweet or republish whatever sensational garbage they come across as if it is proven fact, and it goes “viral” to infect even more of the stupid and ill-informed.
The internet is surely the information equivalent of Coronavirus aided and abetted by a MSM that has well and truly lost its way.
We should always treat life-threatening illnesses with seriousness and respect and take appropriate precautions. The MSM has a critically important role to play in this as does our leadership.
Both have been inept if not downright irresponsible. Our current position with only 5 confirmed cases (now 6 with a further confirmation overnight in Auckland) is just good luck, not good management.
Authors on this website have highlighted how little our leadership has done: How to Stop the Spread of Covid – 19 CANCEL EVERYTHING and People are Going to Die Before Their Time.
Relying on people to self-isolate is daydreaming. Today’s society is full of irresponsible half-wits and only a bigger half-wit would rely on their common sense to do what’s right. I won’t be the only one who has heard stories of younger visitors who have arrived here in the past few weeks who have travelled on regardless, despite having had recent contact with others from the main at risk areas.
She’ll be right doesn’t cut it on this one. Our elderly and unwell deserve better. We can all do our bit despite them by following some simple hygiene rules and being sensible. Let’s just do it despite our inept leadership.
Despite the government finally taking steps yesterday, it might well be a case of too little too late. Let’s hope not. It’s all well and good to tell people to stay home and self isolate and to leave employers and employees wondering how they’re going to get through the inevitable tough economic times that start today. Where are the help packages? Where are the economic support systems? Surely businesses and employees are not going to be left hung out to dry while another committee looks into what to do next?
Surely they’re not going to save us from Covid-19 and leave the most exposed New Zealanders to suffer and maybe even die from financial stress and poverty?
It’s clear they haven’t thought this far ahead, pretty much like during 9 years in opposition they didn’t think about or plan for being in government.
Some facts about Covid-19:
World wide, there have been (as at Sunday morning 15 March at 10.00am): 155,371 confirmed cases, 5,802 deaths and 72,590 recovered).
The majority of confirmed cases and deaths are in the Hubei province of China around the city of Wuhan where this Covid-19 strain started. 51,553 confirmed cases in Hubei Province are now recorded as having recovered.
Here are the top 10 worldwide case areas and their statistics as at yesterday morning. The first two columns are of the countries in order of numbers of confirmed cases. The second two columns are of deaths and regions where they have occurred again in order of seriousness and the final two columns represent the recovered patents and the regions they are from in order of recovery.
Don’t panic and try not to worry too much – be pragmatic and sensible. Follow the advice about hand washing and personal contact. This isn’t the first pandemic we’ve been through and it won’t be the last. Try to keep your life going as much as you can without taking risks and putting others at risk.
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