Have a feeling there may be a class action for detention in hotel quarantine.

 I'm not legally qualified in any way, but I always felt the detention of people in quarantine for the benefit of the community should mean the people get compensated for giving up their liberty, rather than being treated like prisoners.

Reading today's article from news.com.au where there's a comment suggesting the hotel quarantine may not have been legal makes me think there's a class action waiting to happen. You can't just lock people up in rooms for 14 days and not make every effort to support those people beyond the basics.

https://www.news.com.au/world/coronavirus/australia/victorias-bungled-hotel-quarantine-scheme-may-be-unlawful/news-story/fe99d5c2a77f2814ddef89d5339a2913

I suspect most people will take the attitude that people should have been locked up in hotel quarantine, but then ask yourself, what if it was you? What if you had your liberty taken away from you for 14 days through no fault of your own. I've read a lot of information published and it appears that after around 5 days some 95% of people who are infected can be tested and shown to be infected. If that's true a test down after 5 days would have shown the risk posed by the majority of these people to be very low.

My only thought really is that people who have the liberty taken away from them through no fault of their own for the benefit of the community should have been compensated. 

Kelvin Eldridge
www.Mapz.com.au/coronavirusvictoria/

Coronavirus Victoria site retired and coronavirus information for Victorian again lives under the Mapz site.

 About a month ago I thought I'd would see if by taking the coronavirus information I share out from under the Mapz site an set up its own site, whether or not Google would give the site some love. Google has been good in limiting bad information and bad players, which is good, but for me that also means they're giving no love to the information I provide. That didn't change with the coronavirus information now on a separate site.

So instead of having old out of date information on one site and the new information on another, I decided to move the coronavirus information and data back to the Mapz site. Now all links point to the current and up-to-date information.

I started collecting coronavirus information as I found what was coming from the government and the media wasn't well organised. The government's lack of information at the time (almost nothing useful) and then watching for articles on the internet meant I had a good handle on what was going on around me. Perhaps not great, but much better than anywhere else that I could find. I felt safer and more informed. The first site was for public exposure locations around Victoria which also provides a daily running total of cases, change in cases, deaths and community infection numbers where the cases weren't from a known source.

Public Exposure Locations In Victoria

Interestingly I found I'd collated quite a bit of information and was able to identity a fair number of the outbreaks. It wasn't until much later (late September) the Victorian government provided up-to--date figures on aged care that I realised just how much information the government had withheld. Aged care premises with dozens of cases never got mentioned by the government or the media. It turned out that around half the cases were aged care or health workers. That helped to identify the risk to the general public was about half of what the government and media would have us believe.

Outbreak locations in Victoria

Finally around June some postcode data started coming out, but unfortunately that didn't last long. Then in August the Victorian government to their credit started releasing daily figures for individual postcodes. I found their online maps difficult to use (early versions nearly impossible), and whilst it did take some work, I created a postcode map that allowed me to more easily see the number of new cases and also a rough indicated of the number of cases for a range of days over the last seven days. Now I could better see what was happening locally day and over say the past week. I had options. Now whilst the data isn't perfect because it uses residential location for postcode (even post office boxes), I suspect it's a good indication for 80% plus of cases.

Coronavirus data by postcode location in Victoria

All of the data I collect and collect is now available in the one place at www.Mapz.com.au/coronavirusvictoria/.

Finally, when I find information I feel may be useful to others I write a blog post such as this one. From the Coronavirus Victoria pages if you click on the News menu item you'll see only posts that related to the coronavirus and no other posts.

I hope the information helps in some way.

Kelvin Eldridge

It's good to see face shields removed from acceptable list for masks in Victoria.

 Some time ago I wrote about face shields not being the safest option to protect people in Victoria from coronavirus. The following research article from Japan now shows that face shields are ineffective.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/22/face-shields-ineffective-trapping-aerosols-japanese-supercomputer-coronavirus

Kelvin Eldridge
www.Mapz.com.au/coronavirusvictoria/

Airlines would have us believe catching coronavirus on a flight doesn't happen. Research shows otherwise.

I've read quite a articles from airlines that would lead me to believe catching coronavirus on a flight doesn't happen and it's safe to fly. Until now I haven't found any research to disprove the airlines' assertions but now research has shown people have been infected on flights, so it can and does happen.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/09/studies-trace-covid-19-spread-international-flights

What is interesting is the research in this case was about a person in business class where the distance between passengers is greater. In addition in the case provided the number of people infected that were around the positive person was quite high with an attack rate of 62% for the business class section of the plane.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.Mapz.com.au/coronavirusvictoria/ 

Dan Andrew's current restrictions don't make sense.

Two weeks ago Dan Andrews published a roadmap. This supposedly was based on comprehensive modelling. Yet two weeks later the state has already reached 30-50 cases. If the numbers were guiding Dan Andrews then this Sunday or sometime this week, the restrictions should have moved to what was planned for the 28th of September.

The additional problem is anyone who has been watching the numbers will have noticed there's a high chance half the cases are health workers or in age care. These are controlled environments the government should be able to control. Although to be fair, the demarcation with federal and state responsibility is really less than acceptable.

The curfew makes no sense. Taking so long to open up regional areas made no sense.

There's also many low risk activities the majority of people could participate in but instead we're locked down. I don't mind being locked down but when activities that can be down (like two people from the one family going for a short drive together or a Maccas run) the over controlling approach just doesn't seem warranted.

Yesterday I drove past the local park and it looked as crowded as the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds. Cars parked on the road since the car park was full. So people are encouraged to gather in large groups but two people who are making no contact with anyone else can't.

The government needs to follow it's plan based on the data and look for ways to allow people to participate in low risk activities. Activities where people are unlikely to need to come into contact with other people. Yes there will always be rule breakers, but the majority of Victorians are good citizens doing what they feel is right for the community.

Kelvin
www.Mapz.com.au/coronavirusvictoria/

How to end JobSeeker payment online.

For those on JobSeeker because they're income had dropped by at least 20 per cent, that now find their work has returned to normal, you probably need to cancel the JobSeeker payment. In the good old days that meant a trip to the Centrelink Office. That appears to have changed and you can now cancel JobSeeker online using the Centrelink site. To cancel JobSeeker you can do the following.

Log on to Centrelink via MyGov

Select Payments and Claims in the menu

Select My Payment (currently in the middle column)

Select Cancel my current payment

Tick the box for I accept the declaration

Click Submit

Click Yes to confirm

Print off (or print and save to PDF) and keep a record of the change.

It's good the government has help so many people during these difficult time.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.Mapz.com.au/coronavirusvictoria/

Missed Aldi's shopping basket offer, don't worry, you can get them at Bunnings.

Recently I saw an article promoting Aldi's shopping basket that was coming up on one of their specials days. You know the type of news article design to grab your attention like it's real news. Some people complaining they should be free and others saying what a great idea. Is any of that real?

I certainly don't know but the advertising/article worked on me. When I go into Aldi I only need a few items and a basket would enable me to empty the items at the checkout and put them straight back into the basket after they've been scanned. Much easier than juggling plastic bags

Now as for the people who said Aldi should provided shopping baskets for free like other supermarkets, the point is you can take the basket with you, it's yours. It folds up so it doesn't take up much room in the car.

Of I went to check out the local Aldi when the special came out and they were all gone. But you know what, that's OK. I'd already checked out the brand, who makes them, where they sell their products and I found that Bunnings had exactly the same folding basket in green (a colour I prefer), but not blue or with the Aldi logo (something that really didn't faze me).

When I got home I placed an order online with Bunning using their drive and collect service and picked the basket up on the way back from Coles.

The good thing is the price was the same as Aldi, although until recently Bunnings did have the shopping basket list for $12.99. Also finding the shopping basket on the Bunnings site can be a challenge so here's the link.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/optibox-34l-green-collapsible-crate-with-handle_p0208117

Now is this really something I'll use, or will it just be another impulse buy. Things are looking good because I've used it already to carry some of my own items. Did I mention I got it to carry things other that items I buy at the supermarket, didn't think so. There's often times I want to carry things from the garage into the house as well as when we're allowed to see family and friends. I'll let you know down the track if it's a good purchase or just another poor decision.

Kelvin

Interesting article on school fees and whether schools can force parents to pay.

 I thought I'd share the following article on what I'd consider to be non-compulsory school fees. Parents should keep in mind that schools may put parents under pressure to pay school fees that are not compulsory. I remember one school had a parent calling other parents to pay non-compulsory fees and the pressure can be considerable. There is also peer group pressure to pay the fees.

Remember it's your choice with some school fees. There schools generally won't let you know which fees aren't compulsory which also makes it harder for parents.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/schools-told-not-to-press-parents-into-paying-for-key-learning-materials-20200915-p55vuf.html

Kelvin Eldridge

Petrol price hike Melbourne - Unusual dual price hike.

I noticed around the 28th of August petrol prices in Melbourne had already started hiking to 147.9 cents per litre, then something unexpected happened. I started to see a second price group at 129.9 appear. Some petrol stations jumped to 147.9 whilst others hike their prices to 129.9.

At the moment there's really a lot of difference in prices around Melbourne from around 104.7 to 147.9. It really is worth shopping around when there's such a range of prices.

The price hike this month didn't wait to get down to the wholesale/gate price of 104.6 on the 28th of August. What I did notice was the petrol had dropped to around 108-110 cents per litre when the price hike started to occur. 

A hike of around 40 cents per litre really is too much, but I can't help thinking the behaviour of the petrol industry long term will help to destroy their own industry. The more the petrol industry puts the public offside, the more likely people will more quickly move to electric cars. It won't be because they're cheaper, it will be because you don't have to put up with the silly petrol price cycle behaviour and ridiculous price hikes. Who knows, we may see one last push of low prices and no price hikes as the petrol industry gasps it's last breath, although sometime businesses in this situation charge more to keep their margins as they know, those who haven't moved probably won't for some time.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.PetrolPricesMelbourne.com.au

Healthcare workers continue to make up a considerable percentage of coronavirus cases.

When we look at the current lockdown Victorians are faced with, you have to wonder if perhaps the government is locking down all of Metropolitan Melbourne (and stage 3 for regional Victoria) when a considerable proportion of cases are related to two groups. Healthcare workers and Aged Care.

These two groups are contained groups, or can be contained, and would often amount to 50% or more of new cases. This isn't meant to be a reflection of these groups, just of reflection of the situation for these groups.

If you take out these groups you can almost immediately halve the number of daily cases and then you have to wonder if the Victorian government isn't being too harsh on the general public. Today I read of two elderly ladies sitting on a park bench being threatened to be arrested by police.

https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/social/man-tells-why-he-filmed-cops-around-elderly-women-in-melbourne/news-story/beba9be1a0d86f2e66b99667e5a97704

I can't drive with my partner to get takeaway which poses no (or no additional) risk to anyone. I feel if I were to eat my takeaway in the car I could also get fined by police. As a compute support consultant I've spent hours trying to find if I can provide onsite support and still don't know. To me this is absurd for the government to treat people in this way. The government needs to be more creative in what people can do that is low risk. I understand they have a problem that people break the rules. Having only one person in a car means it's easier for police to enforce rules but they've enforcing rules for the sake of enforcing rules. The police look bad and the government looks bad. You then start creating anger in the people because when things don't make sense people know.

I wonder what activities other people think should be OK.

For example I think it should be OK to order takeaway food and eat the food in the car park. Subject to that it is only yourselves and you're not meeting anyone else, or connecting with anyone else.

I think it should be OK for two people from the same household to go shopping together. Yes there is additional risk of one of the two people getting infected, but chances are they'll take less time, split the tasks and reduce the overall time, thus negativing that increased risk. And if they go to different shops, there's no additional risk compared with one person going to two shops, or two people going to one shop each.

I think people should be allowed to go for drives, as long as they don't stop and leave their car. Again this is for people from the same household. 

If you can do activities where you don't mix with other people you're not increasing the level of risk to yourself or others. With exercise, try going to the local park for a walk and see how many people you pass. That's more risk than driving in a car. In a recent bike ride to the local park I took a video and counted 82 people that I passed or passed me. To me that's a much greater risk than two people driving in a car to get takeaway together.

The problem is the government is putting laws into place that help the police enforce the laws, rather than laws that actually make people safer. Sometime doesn't feel right with this approach.

The following is a graph of the percentage of cases each day for the last three weeks for healthcare works.

During the last three weeks the average number of healthcare workers has been 37% of the total number of new cases each day. You can see in the graph on multiple occasions the percentage has exceeded 50%. These healthcare workers will infect their family and friends so if this group was considered an outbreak, you have to wonder what percentage of daily infections the group would make.

Very broad restrictions don't really make sense when a large proportion of cases is limited to sections of the population. The government needs to become for more nimble in its approach, otherwise it will crush the spirit out of the people.

The good thing is at the next election we get to vote. You can decide if you think the government's done a good job. 

Kelvin Eldridge
www.Mapz.com.au/coronavirusvictoria/

Update: 9/9/2020
Today basically Dan Andrews confirmed restrictions on Victorians aren't because they're' required for health issues, but to make policing easier. Now it makes sense. That insight has never to my knowledge been stated before. That means people are most likely getting fined not because there's a health issue, but for taking actions that make no difference to our safety and wellbeing, but to simplify police enforcement.

At his daily press conference on Tuesday, Mr Andrews admitted that the curfew makes “the job of the Victoria Police much easier”.

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/coronavirus-victoria-brett-sutton-says-he-did-not-recommend-curfew/news-story/43e246ebaf7e5a63286084209d0f0291

You have to now start asking the question "is the curfew even necessary?" Where's the science to justify the restriction. Brett Sutton stated it wasn't based on health authority advice.

Once people start to question one of the restrictions, you can understand why people start to question many or all of the restrictions.

Scam/ Fraud calls claiming to be Telstra/NBN using www.helpme.net

 Over the last day we're had a large increase in calls from scammers. The calls come from different numbers.

02 4049 8394
0426 264 438
0405 573 067
0486 096 857
0492 609 329

Given the number of calls I decided to let one of the calls proceed to see what the call was about. The first person gets you to test your speed of internet using www.speedtest.net. 

My speed information was:

Download: 45.03 Mbps
Upload: 1.14 Mbps
Ping: 19 ms

NOTE: This scam call was about my speed on the NBN. I don't use the NBN. I use my mobile phone to access the internet so trying to speed up my NBN service, which I don't have, is never going to work.

Once they have that information they then pass you on to a more senior person. This is a testing phrase to find susceptible people. If you've kept on the line for this you're a person they are more likely to be able to scam.

The will tell you, you have an internet speed problem and they'll fix the problem.

At this point I decided to hang up and see what would happen. I immediately received a call back on the number 03 9530 7873.

They then get you to press the Windows key plus the R key to open the run command window.

Next you're asked to type in www.helpme.net.

At this point I entered the website address into Google's virus checking site and the site came up that www.helpme.net had one hit as being a Phishing site and two hits for suspicious.

At this point I felt continuing may be more of a risk than I was prepared to take. I know this caller is a scammer. Most likely they're trying to get me to use a site that will enable them to access my computer, but I wasn't prepared to continue due to the level of risk.

At this point I pointed out that Google's virus server has reports of them being a phishing site and they immediately hung up.

Hopefully now they'll remove the number from their calling database, but who knows.

Whilst these scammers are a problem, the real problem is our telephone companies who do nothing to stop this fraudulent activity. The telcos are all gain and no responsibility. Millions have been scammed out of people and telcos continue to allow this. Politicians continue to allow this. I don't see why the telcos and politicians continue to allow scamming to continue without doing anything. It makes no sense. Scammers and crooks will continue to steal. That's what they do. But why telcos and politicians assist or do nothing really is beyond belief.

Treat every call you receive from an unknown number as a potential scammer. Chances are you'll be more right than wrong.

I've set my phone to ring with one tone for calls from people I know and another tone for calls I don't know. For the calls I don't know I let them go to voice mail. I've found if it's important the person will leave a message and I can get back to them. Most of the time no one leaves a message.

Stay safe.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Bunnings Drive and Collect at Eltham video

 The other day I did a drive and collect at Bunnings. Afterwards I thought it might interest people to see what the drive and collect at Bunnings was like and how long it took. The Bunnings drive and collect option is a good option if you wish to get your item fairly quickly and also have minimal contact with others.

Use this Bunnings Drive and Collect link to view the video.

Kelvin Eldridge