The Guardian reports Essential Research’s latest weekly round of coronavirus polling includes the pollster’s monthly leadership ratings, which have Scott Morrison’s approval at 64%, gaining a further five points after his 18-point hike a month ago. Anthony Albanese is down two to 42% — we must await the full report later today to see their disapproval ratings. Morrison holds a 50-25 lead as preferred prime minister, out from 46-27 last time (UPDATE: Full report here; both are at 27% disapproval, which is a four point drop in Morrison’s case and a two point drop in Albanese’s).
The most interesting of the latest tranche of coronavirus questions relate to other countries’ handling of the crisis, with 79% rating New Zealand’s response very good or good, whereas (if I’m reading this correctly) the United States’ response is rated very poor or poor by 71%, and the United Kingdom is similarly rated by 48%. Another question finds 57% support for maintaining Newstart either at its current level “after the current crisis passes” or aligning it with the rate for single pensioners, with only 28% in favour of returning it to its earlier level.
The poll also finds growing appetite for easing restrictions, with 37% now saying it is too soon to do so, down from 49% a fortnight ago, and 36% wanting restrictions eased over the next month or two, but still only 10% wanting them gone as soon as possible. Respondents were also presented with a series of propositions about school closures, which found 45% sayig schools should reopen, “half” saying schools should teach students remotely until the outbreak passes, and 41% saying they would keep their children at home even if schools reopened.
The latest news on the by-election front is that NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro has announced he will not run in Eden-Monaro, and Senator Jim Molan has likewise withdrawn his intention to pursue Liberal preselection, with both allowing a clear run for Andrew Constance, NSW Transport Minister and member for the seat of Bega, most of which is within Eden-Monaro. The by-election now looms as a straightforward contest between Labor and Liberal, with the Nationals sure to be only a minor presence in Barilaro’s absence, if indeed they run at all.
Constance was the subject of sympathetic media attention after nearly losing his Malua Bay house in the summer bushfires, a particularly helpful asset given the federal goverment’s handling of the fires loomed as its main liability in the campaign. He revealed in March that he would be quitting politics when the bushfire recovery was complete, albeit without making clear when that might be. The by-election that will now be required in Bega will thus be less disruptive than one in Barilaro’s seat of Monaro would have been, and the seat is also at less risk of being lost by the government. No indication so far as I can see as to who might be in the running in Bega.
The smearing of Tara Reade by the Democrat establishment is something to behold.
Guardian
SA: Deputy chief public health officer Mike Cusack said there were no new coronavirus cases again today but as restrictions eased, precautions remained vital.
I remember the passionate speech that Mary Calwell gave against their readmission in 1984. But they were readmitted nonetheless to ensure the continuing dominance of the Right
I’ve heard that polygraphs are props, placebos. They work if people think they work. I’m no expert but it would appear that they measure the subject’s nervousness and anxiety rather than truthfulness. I expect that professional liars would have no problem with them.
Rex do you have any more info on that?
Who exactly are they testing? Just people with any kind of symptom? Or does that also include samples of “well” people? And how do they tease it apart from that cluster?
From the figures it does look like NSW has ramped up testing, but enough? I get the feeling that they are catching some extra cases as a result.
Anyone know how a bottle of badly made home brew can kill you?
“A couple who made a batch of home-brew beer have died during lockdown after drinking just one bottle each.
Tony Hilliar, 54, and Alida Fouche, 42, had run out of their own supplies of alcohol and decided to make their own brew with no end of South Africa’s tough alcohol restrictions on the horizon.”
https://apple.news/AlfopnyXZRMOWdEdAg7NpcQ
Rational Leftist says:
Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 3:42 pm
I see Tara Reade refused to take a polygraph. They’re quite hard to beat.
Actually, they’re quite easy to beat.
Yep. Polygraphs are completely debunked nonsense. They are easy to beat and also easier to get false positives on. Of all the holes that appear in the Reade case, her unwillingness to attach herself to an expensive toy isn’t one of them.
______________________________
I would agree with that. For what it’s worth, and in case some people with an interest did not see it, I’m going to relink the best article I’ve seen on the issue. It’s forensic, but not judgemental.
https://www.vox.com/2020/5/7/21248713/tara-reade-joe-biden-sexual-assault-accusation
Looking at some of the comments here on the matter, those who believe Ms Reade seem to do so on with the same political biases as they regard those who reject her allegation.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/low-community-transmission-encourages-state-to-ease-coronavirus-restrictions-20200507-p54qtn.html
Diogenes @ #3306 Saturday, May 9th, 2020 – 4:21 pm
My old man made a batch of Potato Wine one time that after bottling exploded and set off a chain reaction that produced a scene that Picasso could almost imagine.
***
Leo Jai™
@lionheartleojai
·
1h
Replying to @karenandrewsmp and @smhThat’s rich. You IGNORED the scientific advice. Are you insinuating you weren’t getting the best scientific advice about the bushfire danger?
Time you took responsibility for your own role in the disaster.
wayne swann :-
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/may/09/already-in-this-crisis-we-are-slipping-into-over-optimism-about-the-economy-and-over-pessimism-about-debt
-a.v.
Tweet from health minister
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Jenny Mikakos MP #StayHomeSaveLives
@JennyMikakos
There are 1477 confirmed cases of #COVID19 in Victoria & sadly 18 deaths. 157 cases may be community transmission. 7 people are in hospital, inc 6 in ICU. 1336 people recovered, >145,000 Vic swabs taken in blitz. Our message: even if you have mild symptoms, get tested #springst
I think it’s possible they had Methanol contamination which is apparently possible if you use the wrong fermenting agent
Yesterday I was having a chat with one of my neighbours who has a son living in South Africa.
Buying cigarettes is also prohibited there. To get around the booze ban, she said one enterprising guy has set up a business delivering alcohol by drones.
There’s always a way around prohibition.
‘Diogenes says:
Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 4:21 pm
Anyone know how a bottle of badly made home brew can kill you?
“A couple who made a batch of home-brew beer have died during lockdown after drinking just one bottle each.’
Wood alcohol?
Diog, never heard of a homebrew beer killing someone. Sometimes reporters have got mixed up and reported homebrew when it’s actually spirits being made.
I have made a Belgian tripel around 11% alc that drank way too easily, often resulting in waking up wishing for death though.
OC @ 4:31pm
Yes.
https://www.qt.com.au/news/a-man-has-died-after-consuming-home-brew-known-as-/3525620/
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/police-issue-warning-following-death-of-man-who-drank-bootleg-alcohol-20180920-p504vh.html
“Go down to your local supermarket!
If you are only going to believe your own fucking eyes, then that’s probably the bes t way to sort out whether it is true.”
GG – I have. Unfortunately, even I need to eat. What I think: there’s been some relaxation, but it certainly isn’t a return to normal.
Given the number of cases in WA, I don’t think it’s all that reasonable to think people will maintain the same level.
Saying that, the two supermarkets I go to are not as busy as they would normal be and people are spread out more.
Blobbit says:
Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 3:25 pm
Loving all the people complaining about how many people are at shopping centres today….based on their personal observation.
——————————————————————-
Use your head Blob. People are allowed to shop for food and other essentials. The comments are aimed at either the shops not limiting entrants or at those who do go in, not observing social distancing.
So much for your cheap shot of hypocrisy aimed at people like me who shop once or twice a week, using a mask and gloves.
It’s obvious that our Boofhead Prime Minister (Scott Morrison, as the ABC insists on calling him) yesterday gave many people a licence to act in a way that will soon have the curve trending upwards.
If you want to slavishly follow every word of Prime Minister (I’m going to the footy), and act as if it’s business as usual, or soon will be, welcome to covid-19.
How many of those Texans who gathered to protest have now come down with the virus?
OK Now I’ll be fair.
Tell me that you actually are not itching to escape from the lockdown and you will be patient until it is safe for the states to relax restrictions. Otherwise you must think that the Premiers don’t know what’s best for their people.
Diogenes @ #3305 Saturday, May 9th, 2020 – 4:21 pm
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5028366/
TPOF,
Thank you for linking that article today. I found it genuinely uncomfortable but unbiased reading. Uncomfortable because she followed a benefit of the doubt line as far as it took her. The reporter laid all relevant matters out dispassionately.
Okay, so Twitter isn’t the whole picture, but so many like this.
As has Daniel Andrews. Yes, he was waiting for the results of the 2 weeks of testing but Josephine and Joe Public who are breaking out as we type probably don’t care about that.
Rex Douglas says: Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 4:19 pm
The smearing of Tara Reade by the Democrat establishment is something to behold.
Gasp! Shock! Horror! Let’s hope the republicans never stoop to using such tactics.
Flaneur says: Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 4:40 pm
Diogenes @ #3305 Saturday, May 9th, 2020 – 4:21 pm
Anyone know how a bottle of badly made home brew can kill you?
An NT stubby filled with badly made home brew precariously balanced on a shelf above your head?
Pegasus @ #3324 Saturday, May 9th, 2020 – 4:48 pm
I hope they don’t die.
I love how you are the Trump advocate here.
The ornamental pear outside my back door has turned golden, and even when the weather is dull, it lights up the rooms inside.
“Tell me that you actually are not itching to escape from the lockdown and you will be patient until it is safe for the states to relax restrictions. Otherwise you must think that the Premiers don’t know what’s best for their people.”
I’m not particularly desperate, but equally I don’t see prolonging the lockdown longer than needed is great either. Just as it’s valid to question opening stuff up, it’s equally valid to challenge the other side of the equation.
I didn’t, btw, know that being made a Premier automatically have a person super powers.
I’m in WA. My worthless opinion, McGowan had done really well. Given the low number of cases in the regions and the continuing restrictions between regions, I think the time is nearing when outside of Perth there should be thought given to open up more activities in those regions.
In Perth itself, I think the measures are about right.
Am I “itching” to return to normal – fuck yes. I don’t want to prolong this longer than necessary. Do you? The obvious bit that’s hard to get right is the necessary bit.
Thank you all.
The symptoms they had fit perfectly with methanol poisoning.
I had no idea home brewing could be so dangerous.
The only thing about methanol poisoning I can remember from med school is you can’t get it from methylated spirits and you treat it with ethanol.
Pegasus @ #3014 Saturday, May 9th, 2020 – 4:48 pm
I for one am encouraged that there’s a Labor leader who is not for capitulation to the careless. Andrews is in a league of his own.
It’s almost ironic that Russian Camelot just won the SA Derby.
Tomorrow we will see our son and three eldest grandchildren for a while. We have set up an area outside so we can keep a safe distance while enjoying their company with cake and scones.
Hugs will be at a safe distance without physical contact.
davidwh @ #3023 Saturday, May 9th, 2020 – 5:12 pm
Are you wearing a full bodysuit type getup ?
In fact we will have less chance of contact than grocery shopping or the chemist. Sanity will prevail.
No Rex just being sensible and prudent as they have been self isolating as long as we have.
How do you hug with no physical contact then ?
Victoria
Are they putting that message to get tested out on TV?
Rex just do the hugging action from a safe distance. It’s all we have. 🙁
davidwh @ #3029 Saturday, May 9th, 2020 – 5:17 pm
Sounds good mate. 🙂
People just need to be sensible about things but unfortunately, based on some earlier posts, not everyone is taking this seriously enough. Pity really because we may end up back at the beginning and have to do all this again.
*hugs davidwh*
South Australia
“AAP reports that from Monday, all country accommodation can reopen, including caravan parks, hotels, motels and Airbnb services.”
You could type “full body condom” into Google, but be warned..
*back to you DN*
RD
Two of these.
poroti @ #3036 Saturday, May 9th, 2020 – 5:26 pm
Is that part of the Biden collection …?
I’ll pass Cud. 🙂
Nobody can claim that Morrison and his pack of media supporters aren’t smart. McGowan has not changed the restrictions in WA yet but with the papers and media reporters all blanket bombing the population with the message that the restrictions are lifted, it is not surprising that people are out and about.
This of course is good for Morrison, he gets the economy moving and if cases sky rocket the smaller announcement that people are to listen to the state premiers will be aired repeatedly to protect Morrison from the blame.