Coronavirus | PUNT ROAD END | Richmond Tigers Forum
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Coronavirus

Correct. Relatively very little cost across the board as funds are always adjusting their holdings across many stock holdings. They do this to increase their returns so adjusting a utility holding might even end up more beneficial to the grandmas and granddads you refer to.

Wow? So you think utilities haven't focused enough on profits? I beg to differ. Basically you're arguing the poor should be charged even more (to the already massive yearly increases for energy) to pay for the predominantly on average much better off investors. I'm all for profits for investors, I am a significant investor myself, but when it comes to essential services I definitely do not think they should be focusing EVEN MORE on profits. Essential services should NOT be focused on profits for investors as their primary goal. That view will never change for me. Poor people should be able to heat their house in winter.
Ok, so there are costs now. I don't see how hurting an entire industry that provides critical inputs to all businesses as resulting in benefits to the investment class including grandmas and grandpas. Price floors lead to supply shortages.

I think all businesses should be left alone to charge whatever they want and it's not for faceless bureaucrats that have no skin the game to say otherwise. Markets with undistorted prices are the only rational way to allocate resources. If you want poor people to be able to heat their homes then get out of the way of these businesses in meeting the demand. Leaving such a critical process to central planning committees is the opposite of what you should want if that's what you care about. Profits go to those people/businesses that best meet consumer demand and they aren't received at the expense of the consumer (unless the government prevents competition).
 
Well it's still in control but it will potentially start getting to the point end if cases aren't contained. As an example worst hit thus far NSW has 19 Corona virus cases in ICU. 4 days ago it was 10. NSW has 874 ICU beds across the state. Not sure how many of those already filled with non COVID-19 cases but they're cancelling elective surgeries to ensure maximum availability. The US has reported COVID-19 cases have averaged use of ICU and ventilators for 11 to 14 days. Please isolate. Don't let this get on top of us.
 
Ok, so there are costs now. I don't see how hurting an entire industry that provides critical inputs to all businesses as resulting in benefits to the investment class including grandmas and grandpas. Price floors lead to supply shortages.

I think all businesses should be left alone to charge whatever they want and it's not for faceless bureaucrats that have no skin the game to say otherwise. Markets with undistorted prices are the only rational way to allocate resources. If you want poor people to be able to heat their homes then get out of the way of these businesses in meeting the demand. Leaving such a critical process to central planning committees is the opposite of what you should want if that's what you care about. Profits go to those people/businesses that best meet consumer demand and they aren't received at the expense of the consumer (unless the government prevents competition).

It's OK I get your view, you've made it abundantly clear. In unprecedented times you don't think utility companies should be doing their bit to ease the pain of those suffering right now. They should charge more because they aren't profiteering enough. It's the poor person's fault if they can't afford it (ironically this includes the grandpas and grandmas). I think a majority would vehemently disagree with you but that's just me. I'm finished on this topic.
 
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Why ‘John the Generous’ handed out cash in Centrelink queue (paywalled)
Brianna Travers & Jack Paynter
Herald Sun
March 27, 2020


A generous Melbourne man is being applauded for his extraordinary act of kindness amid the economic devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Balwyn North good Samaritan Peter — who is being dubbed ‘John the generous’ — said his heart broke when he saw lengthy queues outside his local Centrelink on Tuesday.

It inspired him to hand out $100 notes to dozens of strangers queued at Box Hill, many of who were facing unemployment for the first time in their lives.

“It made me sick to my stomach, these people needed money straight away,” he said.

“The queues were unbelievable, these are innocent people who have no job and no income now.

“I couldn’t stand to see my kids fed and others starve. This is a tragedy of profound proportion.”

Peter, 62, said he rushed to an ATM on Tuesday morning when he saw despondent people lining up for government stimulus packages.

He withdrew $10,000 which is as much as the bank would let him.

Peter owns the William Street Deli, Brasserie & Cafe, which he is closing down today. Picture: Sarah Matray

Peter owns the William Street Deli, Brasserie & Cafe, which he is closing down today. Picture: Sarah Matray

The businessman said the reaction from people he gave the money to was something he will never forget.

“It was unbelievable, the most gratifying thing I have ever done in my life,” he said.

“People had tears in their eyes.

“What I saw on people’s faces broke my heart and will stay will me forever.”

Peter, who is closing up one of his own businesses in Melbourne’s CBD today, said he hopes others will follow suit.

“The more we help those in need the quicker everyone will get back on their feet,” he said.

“Those who are better off, should go and withdraw money you can afford and give it to those who need it more.

“It will give innocent people instantaneous relief.”

Peter, who immigrated from Greece when he was six years old said he felt Australia was the lucky country.

“Australia has been very good to me,” he said.
 
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Assuming the NBC article is factual the Taiwanese government has made many interventions to help keep people safe, including:
the use of Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control - gov funded i assume
inspections of incoming travellers- gov funded i assume
sent a team of experts to Chine- gov funded i assume
requiring hospitals to test- government intervention, and i assume funded
tracing those infected and their contacts- gov intervention and funded
set up their Central Epidemic Command Center - gov funded
cleaning of suspected infected areas- gov funded
banned arrivals from Wuhan, then other places, early- gov intervention
use of temperature monitors at airports- gov funded i assume, or at least gov intervention
health data sent to CDC- gov intervention
mandatory quarantining- gov intervention
fines for those who ignore quarantine- gov intervention
control over equipment and price setting- gov intervention
and free health care- gov intervention

appears the governments actions, and funding, have played a very strong part in allowing Taiwan to remain relatively Covid19 free. Would you agree?
Yeh its clear previous experiences had them prepared. Not sure many Taiwanese have heard of Mises.
 
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Scomo just spoke well. He obviously doesn't want further restrictions on business. The states have the power to go further. Surely we wait and see what influence the current restrictions have before going further.
 
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I'd spoken to friends about the possibility of using vacant hotels to put people in quarantine coming from outside of Australia. Makes a lot of sense and sustains some revenue into the hotels industry in a time when they don't have any. Protects all of society and will help the hotels industry.

I won't be critical that it could have happened before but happy that it is going on now. Not sure if this is an Andrews thing or if its a National thing.
 
Pretty cool that this Melbourne based company Endo X has developed a 15 minute coronavirus test with 500,000 units to be rolled out shortly.


I think I'd also heard that they could produce either 100,000 / week or month (I can't remember which it is), but I'd love them to go further and licence it to other labs to increase the production count. Could be a game change, as I would assume the aim would be to test healthcare workers either daily or at least every few days in a perfect world.
 
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There are plenty of staff they can offload.

Ok, so there are costs now. I don't see how hurting an entire industry that provides critical inputs to all businesses as resulting in benefits to the investment class including grandmas and grandpas. Price floors lead to supply shortages.

I think all businesses should be left alone to charge whatever they want and it's not for faceless bureaucrats that have no skin the game to say otherwise. Markets with undistorted prices are the only rational way to allocate resources. If you want poor people to be able to heat their homes then get out of the way of these businesses in meeting the demand. Leaving such a critical process to central planning committees is the opposite of what you should want if that's what you care about. Profits go to those people/businesses that best meet consumer demand and they aren't received at the expense of the consumer (unless the government prevents competition).

Right, so the businesses should raise prices at the same time as they "offload" people to ensure profitability and protect the "Investment class".

Do you seriously wonder why people view neo-liberals as a pack of selfish, uncaring, greedy m*****f***ers?

DS
 
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It's OK I get your view, you've made it abundantly clear. In unprecedented times you don't think utility companies should be doing their bit to ease the pain of those suffering right now. They should charge more because they aren't profiteering enough. It's the poor person's fault if they can't afford it (ironically this includes the grandpas and grandmas). I think a majority would vehemently disagree with you but that's just me. I'm finished on this topic.
What I’m saying is that we need to focus on the costs side of profit here not the revenue side. Reducing the revenue side won’t help because it will hurt the utility businesses, their investors and ultimately their consumers as they can’t run at a loss. The margins are razor thin.

What we should be doing is making it easier for these companies to reduce their costs. If they want to market themselves as the helper of people in tough times then they can do that. If they don’t then that’s on them. It is their call and no one else’s.
 
Right, so the businesses should raise prices at the same time as they "offload" people to ensure profitability and protect the "Investment class".

Do you seriously wonder why people view neo-liberals as a pack of selfish, uncaring, greedy m*****f***ers?

DS
Who said anything about raising prices?
 
Scomo just spoke well. He obviously doesn't want further restrictions on business. The states have the power to go further. Surely we wait and see what influence the current restrictions have before going further.

Yeah, full lockdown is the big gun. They won't use it until they have to.
 
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I'd spoken to friends about the possibility of using vacant hotels to put people in quarantine coming from outside of Australia. Makes a lot of sense and sustains some revenue into the hotels industry in a time when they don't have any. Protects all of society and will help the hotels industry.

I won't be critical that it could have happened before but happy that it is going on now. Not sure if this is an Andrews thing or if its a National thing.

Its a result of the national cabinet I think
 
What I’m saying is that we need to focus on the costs side of profit here not the revenue side. Reducing the revenue side won’t help because it will hurt the utility businesses, their investors and ultimately their consumers as they can’t run at a loss. The margins are razor thin.

What we should be doing is making it easier for these companies to reduce their costs. If they want to market themselves as the helper of people in tough times then they can do that. If they don’t then that’s on them. It is their call and no one else’s.

lol, I'm really not sure what parallel universe you're living in. Margins razor thin? Have a read of some of these and come back to me. I'm sorry but the least these money grabbing thieves can do now is give back to Australians in need.

https://www.originenergy.com.au/abo...s-and-results/full-year-results-20190822.html
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/energy-australia-four-years-30-billion-zero-tax/
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08...rebles-on-higher-electricity--prices/10092796
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news...d/news-story/8416c9e733c78f0bc0a1a6b36784a56e
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/gas-how-australia-privatised-the-profits-and-socialised-the-losses/
 
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