Covid 19 -

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

My 19yr old went to Centrelink this morning to provide ID to progress her claim she's had in progress since last week, was there at 9am, line hundreds deep, got to the front, sorry, no face to face interviews ring the hotline which has now crashed.
Multiply that x1000's..

What a debacle... They couldn't put up signs saying what they can and can't do??

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

What a debacle... They couldn't put up signs saying what they can and can't do??

They can't do anything, everyone in one of those branches is effectively the supermarket checkout chick of the welfare system, it's a bureaucratic nightmare with a chain of command that operates like the USSR, they'll wait until they're given instructions from the top.

The only person who can make them pull their finger out is your local federal MP - the moment a federal MP starts asking questions of a Centrelink branch all of a sudden things start moving.

If you get ****ty service at Centrelink, contact your local federal MP

[five 7]

NZ is going into total lock down in 48 hours for one month.

[Citroënbender]

A friend has had the and issues with Centre**** this morning. The self-help was overloaded and kept timing him out, he tried to get an in-person consultation and as others described - lines around the block...

And, as for Skype and remote schooling - I wouldn’t trust them not to monetise the masses of user data. A few years ago someone in Skype thought it was a good idea to show people the details of “friends of friends”. Imagine if you ran a specialised medical practice and offered telehealth - the clients would find out who else was consulting their specialist-for-whatever.

[MITCHAY]

Seeing the footage of the Centrelink queues is extraordinary considering this is only the beginning of it all. Depending on how long this goes on those of us that are in a good financial position now may find themselves in the line later on.

[CoupeKing]

Originally Posted by superyob

Where will the dirty old men hold their weekly meetings now Big D?

We're having it at this Hotel. Apparently Old Franco can run pretty hard for a big fella...

[BENT_8]

Well, im not sure how I feel, part of me is relieved, part of me is sad and theres a kind of numbness in between but I was informed this afternoon that my employer is shutting the doors as of Thursday 9th March permanently as they cant survive without ongoing work.
Costs are too high to have a fleet of 20 buses sitting idle, cant blame them really and being the realist that I am, fully expected it at any tick of the clock anyway.

I've decided to finish up this Friday for two reasons, firstly to get a head start on the rest of our crew in looking for any work that I can get, although im not holding my breath, and secondly, because one of my colleagues Husband was laid off last week when the Coach work ceased and he's an older guy who'll find it even harder to find something so I figure the remaining 2 weeks of my run will benefit them more than me.

So, with that said, Saturday morning im hooking up the camper and heading up the river for a few days of isolated, free camping, to destress and clear my head whilst we're still allowed outside.

[MITCHAY]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Well, im not sure how I feel, part of me is relieved, part of me is sad and theres a kind of numbness in between but I was informed this afternoon that my employer is shutting the doors as of Thursday 9th March permanently as they cant survive without ongoing work.
Costs are too high to have a fleet of 20 buses sitting idle, cant blame them really and being the realist that I am, fully expected it at any tick of the clock anyway.

I've decided to finish up this Friday for two reasons, firstly to get a head start on the rest of our crew in looking for any work that I can get, although im not holding my breath, and secondly, because one of my colleagues Husband was laid off last week when the Coach work ceased and he's an older guy who'll find it even harder to find something so I figure the remaining 2 weeks of my run will benefit them more than me.

So, with that said, Saturday morning im hooking up the camper and heading up the river for a few days of isolated, free camping, to destress and clear my head whilst we're still allowed outside.

Sorry to hear mate. Hope you can get it sorted. I've been made redundant before and it really sucks.

[.:4:.]

Work was pretty much dead for me today. The cbd was a ghost town. I had no call outs and the 28 floor building i was working in just doing a lighting run, as the place was near empty and has been for days, as none of the bathrooms lights etc are being turned on, next to nothing was out. One bloke i work with foolishly too last week off, work said take another week. Our projects team are just about to finish a job and the next couple of jobs have been put on hold, so they all will probably be forced to take leave, and most have very little leave up their sleeves. Im probably the last person work will ask to take time as im the most experienced service guy, and breakdowns still happen. One lady im keen on runs the front desk for one of my clients, all their staff are working from home. She still has to come in and take the few calls she gets in a day and divert to whoever the call is for. No orginising catering for meetings or whatever other duties her job used to entail. Its a bit extreme at the moment how quickly things have downturned.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

Sorry to hear mate. Hope you can get it sorted. I've been made redundant before and it really sucks.

Thanks, its a weird feeling as in 28yrs of working its the first time I've ever parted company with an employer without any control over the situation, never been sacked or laid off, always left on my own terms.
I guess leaving 2 weeks early is still on my terms, but the end is nigh anyway.

[superyob]

Originally Posted by CoupeKing

We're having it at this Hotel. Apparently Old Franco can run pretty hard for a big fella...

[prydey]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Well, im not sure how I feel, part of me is relieved, part of me is sad and theres a kind of numbness in between but I was informed this afternoon that my employer is shutting the doors as of Thursday 9th March permanently as they cant survive without ongoing work.
Costs are too high to have a fleet of 20 buses sitting idle, cant blame them really and being the realist that I am, fully expected it at any tick of the clock anyway.

I've decided to finish up this Friday for two reasons, firstly to get a head start on the rest of our crew in looking for any work that I can get, although im not holding my breath, and secondly, because one of my colleagues Husband was laid off last week when the Coach work ceased and he's an older guy who'll find it even harder to find something so I figure the remaining 2 weeks of my run will benefit them more than me.

So, with that said, Saturday morning im hooking up the camper and heading up the river for a few days of isolated, free camping, to destress and clear my head whilst we're still allowed outside.

Sorry to hear mate. Hope you can find something to get you by in this tough time. As a single income family we only just get by each week however of you need anything just yell out and I'll see what I can do.

As for the camping, technically that is 'non essential travel' so may be frowned upon by some. I was intent on still going to mambray at Easter, given I can do the whole weekend without interacting with anyone but it seems I may have to cancel.

All the best mate.

[MITCHAY]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Thanks, its a weird feeling as in 28yrs of working its the first time I've ever parted company with an employer without any control over the situation, never been sacked or laid off, always left on my own terms.
I guess leaving 2 weeks early is still on my terms, but the end is nigh anyway.

Mate given the amounts of people getting the chop, I reckon you can't really do worse to try and get ahead of it given how hard it will be to find something. Best of luck.

Like I said who knows what it looks like in a couple of weeks or months time. I think the only thing that is certain is nothing is certain.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by prydey

Sorry to hear mate. Hope you can find something to get you by in this tough time. As a single income family we only just get by each week however of you need anything just yell out and I'll see what I can do.

As for the camping, technically that is 'non essential travel' so may be frowned upon by some. I was intent on still going to mambray at Easter, given I can do the whole weekend without interacting with anyone but it seems I may have to cancel.

All the best mate.

Thanks Rob, I really do appreciate that.

Fortunately as I said earlier in the thread, we've been living on one wage for a few years now whilst paying off debts and saving as much as possible so we're fairly safe at this stage on an economic front, its the health aspect which has us concerned for the immediate future, if something pops up i'll take whatever work it is, but im not losing sleep over it, in fact, i'll probably sleep quite soundly tonight if im honest.

On camping, I plan to camp around Lake Bonney which is all free camping and devoid of any facilities so i'll use my Porta Potti for the loo and Coleman hot water on demand for showering, i'll be with the same people i'd be at home with in my campsite and fully self sufficient, i'll probably be better off than 90% of the population in that setting.
Having said that, with infection rates jumping 33% in 24hrs, who knows where we'll be at in 5 days time.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

What a debacle... They couldn't put up signs saying what they can and can't do??

Lol, if its not in the text book its not an option.
Truth is they'd love the queue's as its great for media attention to get the help they'll need.
This whole sorry thing has been scripted and managed for maximum shock on every level if you ask me.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Lol, if its not in the text book its not an option.
Truth is they'd love the queue's as its great for media attention to get the help they'll need.
This whole sorry thing has been scripted and managed for maximum shock on every level if you ask me.

I think you are right.

With our advanced digital age I can't believe we need to physically go somewhere to line up to prove our identities to fill out paperwork to apply for stuff.

Like when I call the bank / ATO / Service NSW - they know it's me, yet they still ask to confirm my phone number, you know, the one on their screen that I'm calling them from that's also on their system.

Look how long it took to get the census and voting electronic and what a total stuff up that was...

We will go full digital around 2040 at this rate....

NAPLAN (state wide standardised testing) was apparently meant to be totally online this year after the 'trial' last year (that was a disaster).

Has been cancelled. I think a lot of people behind the scenes are cheering as it would have been another disaster like everything else that has to do with mass people using the internet.

[Citroënbender]

I observed some (anti?)social distancing today, a couple talking to an apparent acquaintance through a closed wrought iron gate. It was a bit surreal; the “body language” was a gatepost yarn but the physicality made it just weird.

[HIPO]

Originally Posted by roddy1960

Trump better get off his rhetoric filled backside and start making some very hard decisions . I hope the malaria drug makes a difference . That'd be great but they're now saying that the disease is going to have a much bigger impact on the USA than what Trump says . Listen to him at his press conferences and he trots out the usual crap he usually does trying to say that it's under control. It bloody isn't . Tell the American people the total truth Trump because if they get told that it might make it easier to get them to self isolate or take better measures in public.

They're just saying on TV now that it's spread ten times the size of infections in New York State in the past seven days with 8000 confirmed infected that they know of .

By all means quickly trial the malaria drug but that's not going to wipe out the disease for a fair while even if hopefully it's pretty effective on current sick people.
It's multiplying spreading as each day passes so all sorts of decisions not least by Trump's mob have to start happening right now.

Trumpys got this! ….oops!

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

I observed some (anti?)social distancing today, a couple talking to an apparent acquaintance through a closed wrought iron gate. It was a bit surreal; the “body language” was a gatepost yarn but the physicality made it just weird.

I'm looking after the needs of my uncle and aunt. I get what I can for them from several stores then drop it at the door step and run before they open the door.

I wave goodbye to them from the street near my car.....

Like something out of a movie.

I'm currently at work in the CBD - hardly anyone around, the odd person walking past, most wearing masks (Like I am).

My parents still don't get it, I have told them so many times to close the gate and stay home for a few weeks, I will deliver anything they need and leave it at their gate (however my constant warnings and nagging over the last few weeks left them better prepared).

To think I may not physically see them up close or go into their house for 2 weeks or more is still not settling in.

And I'm very worried for my dad, he is a stubborn old ba5tard that just doesn't care. If you look fine your are not sick. If you just interact with someone for a short period of time you will be ok.

It's just a big joke for him. I know he will go out of his way to do as he pleases to show to everyone how tough he is - much the same as he refused to leave when the bush fires were at their back gate....

Just wonderful....

[Romulus]

Originally Posted by Bushbasher

As a part time milk delivery driver, the average bogan dole bludger is now going to earn more money sitting on the couch, bong an beer in hand, than I make going to work and taking all the risk.

The average 2 child family on unemployment now will have more money coming in AND get all the benefits, than me the missus and 2 teenagers, and she's a health care coordinator dealing with in home aged care, so and we're basically essential services.


Ya got to laugh about it or you'd cry...

It's disgraceful. There's no good reason to increase the amount of payment for anyone who's on the welfare.

I'm shocked 7.8 million people are on the welfare, a statistic from the federal government. That means 7.8 million people are not net contributors to the taxation system. FTB A, B, childcare subsidies and so on. Disgusting.

Australia will end up with a trillion dollar debt and who's going to pay it back?

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

I was informed this afternoon that my employer is shutting the doors as of Thursday 9th March permanently as they cant survive without ongoing work.

The 9th of April ?

[Romulus]

Originally Posted by falcon_bandit

I agree it is more of a primitive decision, and is not ideal at all.

But the wife has a multiple history of pneumonia, & currently (coincidently) has been off work for the last 3 weeks with dangerously high blood pressure. Her poor health means we can't afford to send our kids out right now in the early stages of a pandemic, and bring something home that will almost certainly kill her. Maybe there's nothing we can do, but can try?

No need to wait for a bullsh@t artist in a suit on television, to tell u what to do, and when to do it.

There's the problem, the bullsh@t artists in the suits on television aren't telling you what to do. Not one public broadcast has mentioned anything to help people like your wife (and me) advise us on how to build our immune systems to prevent or deal with this virus. I too am susceptible to pneumonia, I've had it twice. I've had to resort to 'quackery, alternative medicine' treatments to keep my immune system strong. You wont hear the CMO and other pharma owned pill pushers recommend anything that doesnt come in the form of a script. Rockefeller based medicine and treatment is a joke.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

My parents still don't get it, I have told them so many times to close the gate and stay home for a few weeks, I will deliver anything they need and leave it at their gate (however my constant warnings and nagging over the last few weeks left them better prepared).

My in-laws don't appear to either, they have faith in the system.

We explained to them that there is a treatment option, and to go and get a script for it - better to have an option than none at all. But he's the type to never go against official advice, and she never does anything he isn't ok with.

We got a script, but there's only enough for maybe 8-16 people depending on how long we need to take it. They didn't, and now my wife wants to send them half of ours because they didn't bother getting a script. There were tears when I said no.... chances are they wouldn't use it anyway unless a doctor told them it was ok.

[XByoot]

Originally Posted by HIPO

Trumpys got this! ….oops!

Yeah he’s all over it like a fly on a fresh turd and it smells about the same to me
Friend of mine lives in Florida, runs a health food cafe, terrified of the gun buying frenzy and resulting crime, unemployment is rumoured to hit 30%. We are lucky here. Please don’t get me wrong, I understand things are getting very bad for many, but at least we don’t fear getting shot. Trumpie be hoping he has a win with the medications and fast.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

The 9th of April ?

Yep, sorry, 9th of April.

[XByoot]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Thanks, its a weird feeling as in 28yrs of working its the first time I've ever parted company with an employer without any control over the situation, never been sacked or laid off, always left on my own terms.
I guess leaving 2 weeks early is still on my terms, but the end is nigh anyway.

It’s a weird feeling but your playing the game right in my books. I’ve been retrenched before, part of my business. Play the smart game.Many younger guys in my place don’t get it, they have enjoyed relatively stable times and are tossing the toys out of the cot. Just gotta roll with the blows. We will get thru this.

[zipping]

Sorry to hear that Bent_8

Tough days ahead, brutal when downturn this strong

ty for the heads up early in thread boson (realised shut down coming after some research), even so the downturn is brutal.

Every CEO/COO and CFO be barely sleeping atm trying to keep people employed and get the financials right.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by zipping

ty for the heads up early in thread boson (realised shut down coming after some research), even so the downturn is brutal.

Even with a little foresight, it still takes the wind out of your sails when it's announced. We were in a bit of a panic over the weekend. One of my dad's friends sent him a essential vs non-essential categorisation document, presumably out of the UK, and while it's not necessarily of any relevance here, it did leave us a little calmer as to whether we could keep operating.

If nothing else though, when Chinese clients complain about the impact of our lockdown on their delivery dates, it's fun to remind them who is ultimately responsible....

[zipping]

Only catching up on news now.

Shocking to see the Dem's blocking (atm) the stimulus bill, playing politics at a time like this is insane to throw in more uncertainty.

In good news 3M will start producing 35 million ventilator masks a month (hoping some get here)

[aussiblue]

Well the WA Government just instructed us: "Don't Panic..................Buy Beer"

Sounds like a good idea to me but I am sure some grammar Nazi is going to spoil my fun.