Corona Virus 2019-nCoV

[wegs]

Thanks, QQ. Why do I sense that NZ is the best place on earth? It's been a dream destination of mine. I've read that citizens take care of each other there, look out for each other. Comparing NZ to the US however, is like comparing apples to butterflies. Trump giving discretion to state governors was a mistake, because while most states are taking this very seriously, there are roughly 12 states that have loosened their guidelines. This is why the US is going to have a tough time flattening the curve, imo.

Part of me wonders if Trump doesn't care about reelection and wants to ruin the economy, and hand over a mess to Biden. If I were a believer of conspiracy theories...

 

[Seattle]

The curve will flatten eventually no matter what we do. It's flattening at the moment, apparently, in Italy.

 

[billvon]

Part of me wonders if Trump doesn't care about reelection and wants to ruin the economy, and hand over a mess to Biden. If I were a believer of conspiracy theories...

That's not a conspiracy theory; it takes people having secrets to make it a conspiracy. I am sure Trump will be quite vocal in his touting of the economy up until a month ago, and how lousy it is after he left.

 

[paddoboy]

Thanks, QQ. Why do I sense that NZ is the best place on earth?

Beautiful spot, both north and south Islands...There are some Kiwis who believe that NZ should be a state of Australia, that far bigger land mass, just across the ditch!

Speaking of flattening the curve, this appears to be happening in Australia and has been apparent for four or five days now...fingers crossed.

 

[wegs]

That's not a conspiracy theory; it takes people having secrets to make it a conspiracy. I am sure Trump will be quite vocal in his touting of the economy up until a month ago, and how lousy it is after he left.

Yep. I've been noticing that he is speaking of the economy in past tense, in his CV19 briefings. Today, in particular he said ''the economy was thriving up until recently." (and he went into some detail)

He's commented on this a few times, as though he wants his audience to realize all he has done, and that this isn't his fault. Of course, a life threatening virus isn't his fault, no one has thought this. But, he feels the need to make sure that we don't think this.

 

[wegs]

The curve will flatten eventually no matter what we do.

It would eventually, but I think they're hoping it will be quicker if most everyone stays at home.

It's flattening at the moment, apparently, in Italy.

Some good news.

Beautiful spot, both north and south Islands...There are some Kiwis who believe that NZ should be a state of Australia, that far bigger land mass, just across the ditch!

Speaking of flattening the curve, this appears to be happening in Australia and has been apparent for four or five days now...fingers crossed.

Once all of this is over, like really over...I'm going to get some friends together and travel there. I'm not going to put off dream vacations, anymore.

Australia has done a great job during CV19, you guys listen better than Americans.

 

[Seattle]

I think NYC even has had one day of declines. Lets hope it continues. The South states will pay for their mistakes (as they usually and continually do).

 

[Quantum Quack]

Thanks, QQ. Why do I sense that NZ is the best place on earth? It's been a dream destination of mine. I've read that citizens take care of each other there, look out for each other. Comparing NZ to the US however, is like comparing apples to butterflies. Trump giving discretion to state governors was a mistake, because while most states are taking this very seriously, there are roughly 12 states that have loosened their guidelines. This is why the US is going to have a tough time flattening the curve, imo.

Part of me wonders if Trump doesn't care about reelection and wants to ruin the economy, and hand over a mess to Biden. If I were a believer of conspiracy theories...

Just thoughts:
Like many small Commonwealth nations under the Westminster political system, New Zealander's do not equate unity, compassion, empathy and sympathy with socialism, nor do they consider it a threat to their individual freedom and sense of entitlement that so often prevails in the USA. Australia is similar but more prone to following the extreme capitalism that the USA tends to promote. Extreme right wing religio-conservative views are more prevalent in Australia than in New Zealand or so that is what I have experienced when being there. However Australia is more similar to New Zealand than it is to the USA or UK.
It is a relatively wealthy country with a reasonably high education base and if you wish to have a safe and secure rest from the intensity of the USA it would be ideal. Un-crowded cities, clean drinking water, fantastic scenery and a friendly hospitable population. Massive hiking (fjord, mountain, volcano) , water sports, mountaineering, ski-ing, A postcard photographers delight. The indigenous Mauri culture is amazing...
and New Zealand have broadband as well.LOL.. ( advanced technology)

I wish I could migrate...lol
The last time I was there I went for a wedding in the hills that surrounds Auckland. The wedding was between one of New Zealand's wealthy elite families ( bride) and a great guy who was Salvation Army of all things...so there is not a lot of classism nor bigotry.

 

[wegs]

Just thoughts:
Like many small Commonwealth nations under the Westminster political system, New Zealander's do not equate unity, compassion, empathy and sympathy with socialism, nor do they consider it a threat to their individual freedom and sense of entitlement that so often prevails in the USA. Australia is similar but more prone to following the extreme capitalism that the USA tends to promote. Extreme right wing religio-conservative views are more prevalent in Australia than in New Zealand or so that is what I have experienced when being there. However Australia is more similar to New Zealand than it is to the USA or UK.
It is a relatively wealthy country with a reasonably high education base and if you wish to have a safe and secure rest form the intensity of the USA it would be ideal. Un-crowded cities, clean drinking water, fantastic scenery and a friendly hospitable population. Massive hiking, water sports, mountaineering, ski-ing, A postcard photographers delight. The indigenous Mauri culture is amazing...
I wish I could migrate...lol
The last time I was there I went for a wedding in the hills that surrounds Auckland. The wedding was between one of New Zealand's wealthy elite families ( bride) and a great guy who was Salvation Army of fall things...so there is not a lot of classism nor bigotry.

Yes yes yes, sign me up!

I remember looking into what the requirements are (if any) if someone from the US wishes to move there. Sounds like you need to have an education/profession that they are in need of at the time.

 

[paddoboy]

Once all of this is over, like really over...I'm going to get some friends together and travel there. I'm not going to put off dream vacations, anymore.

Good for you!!!
Australia and NZ are both beautiful places, although geologically quite different...NZ has its wonders fairly well clustered on the north and South from Rotorua and amazing hot springs in the Northern Island, to its southern mountains and fjords. Australia on the other hand, just being slightly smaller then mainland USA, has its sights and wonders spread far and wide, from Kakadu and the outback in WA, to the Qland rain forests and east coast beaches.

Australia has done a great job during CV19, you guys listen better than Americans.

Our biggest problems so far have been cruise ships, and of course much more sparsely populated with 25 million and 85% of them all in the coastal capital cities and towns.

 

[paddoboy]

PS: The quip about NZ becoming a state of Australia, is a standing joke between Aussies and our close Kiwi brothers.

 

[Quantum Quack]

PS: The quip about NZ becoming a state of Australia, is a standing joke between Aussies and our close Kiwi brothers.

I think NZ is the go to for timber ship building as well ( sailing ships) ?

 

[Quantum Quack]

I remember looking into what the requirements are (if any) if someone from the US wishes to move there. Sounds like you need to have an education/profession that they are in need of at the time.

Perhaps this is so... New Zealand is very much a merit based egalitarian society from what I have found..the cronyism and nepotism demonstrated else where is totally obnoxious to them as it is in Australia but less so these days..
The culture of the ANZACs was about developing a true egalitarianism free from the classism that the British were ineptly forcing upon us during the 1st world war. It redefined the Aussie and New Zealand culture and forged the notion of a universal mate-ship, based on equality and merit. Or so the pretty paining portrays...

 

[Seattle]

I seem to recall that the average salaries are lower than in the U.S. and the prices in general are higher (in N.Z). Is that a fair assessment?

 

[Quantum Quack]

I seem to recall that the average salaries are lower than in the U.S. and the prices in general are higher (in N.Z). Is that a fair assessment?

Pretty much so, however wealth has a different definition here..
As one gamer guy in Idaho claimed, his wealth was determined by how many guns he owned and he had 35 of them...lol... need I say more?
Now a days it is determined by how many bog roles ya got...lol

 

[Seattle]

Pretty much so, however wealth has a different definition here..
As one gamer guy in Idaho claimed, his wealth was determined by how many guns he owned and he had 35 of them...lol... need I say more?
Now a days it is determined by how many bog roles ya got...lol

I had to look up "bog roles". I'm wealthy then.

 

[paddoboy]

I seem to recall that the average salaries are lower than in the U.S. and the prices in general are higher (in N.Z). Is that a fair assessment?

Interesting question and after doing some research, there are many determining factors etc.
I found the following enlightening though.....
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-23/australia-tops-median-wealth-per-adult-list/10518082
Chart of the day: Australia nudges Switzerland off top of global median wealth list
Story Lab
By Cristen Tilley
Updated 23 Nov 2018, 11:36am

It might not feel like it to a lot of Australians, but we have just overtaken Switzerland as the wealthiest people in the world.

In its Global Wealth Report 2018, Credit Suisse puts the median adult wealth of Australians at $US191,453 ($264,903).

That means half of Australians are wealthier than that, and half are not.

Credit Suisse says the typical Australian's position is thanks to high average wealth — courtesy of our compulsory superannuation system and high property prices — combined with relatively low wealth inequality.

The report also notes that Australia's reliance on property prices (60 per cent of our assets are "non-financial") is higher than a lot of other places.

Globally, the median wealth per adult is $US4,210 ($5,820).

EMBED: Chart of the day: Median wealth per adult

Median wealth per adult ($US), 2018
Australia
191,453
Switzerland
183,339
Belgium
163,429
Netherlands
114,935
France
106,827
Canada
106,342
Japan
103,861
New Zealand
98,613
United Kingdom
97,169
Singapore
91,656
Spain
87,188
Norway
80,054
Italy
79,239
Taiwan
78,177
Ireland
72,473
Austria
70,074
Korea
65,463
United States
61,667
Denmark
60,999
Israel
54,966
Finland
45,606
Greece
40,789
Sweden
39,709
Germany
35,169
Portugal
31,313
Chile
23,812
Slovakia
21,203
Czech Republic
17,018
China
16,333
Hungary
15,026
Poland
10,572
South Africa
6,726
Romania
6,658
Mexico
5,784
Colombia
4,937
Russia
2,739
Turkey
2,677
Indonesia
1,597
India
1,289
Thailand
1,085
List of countries selected by Credit Suisse. Iceland was disregarded due to data reliability issues.
Chart: ABC News Source: Credit Suisse Get the data

 

[Quantum Quack]

Interesting question and after doing some research, there are many determining factors etc.
I found the following enlightening though.....
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-23/australia-tops-median-wealth-per-adult-list/10518082
Chart of the day: Australia nudges Switzerland off top of global median wealth list
Story Lab
By Cristen Tilley
Updated 23 Nov 2018, 11:36am

It might not feel like it to a lot of Australians, but we have just overtaken Switzerland as the wealthiest people in the world.

In its Global Wealth Report 2018, Credit Suisse puts the median adult wealth of Australians at $US191,453 ($264,903).

That means half of Australians are wealthier than that, and half are not.

Credit Suisse says the typical Australian's position is thanks to high average wealth — courtesy of our compulsory superannuation system and high property prices — combined with relatively low wealth inequality.

The report also notes that Australia's reliance on property prices (60 per cent of our assets are "non-financial") is higher than a lot of other places.

Globally, the median wealth per adult is $US4,210 ($5,820).

EMBED: Chart of the day: Median wealth per adult

Median wealth per adult ($US), 2018
Australia
191,453
Switzerland
183,339
Belgium
163,429
Netherlands
114,935
France
106,827
Canada
106,342
Japan
103,861
New Zealand
98,613
United Kingdom
97,169
Singapore
91,656
Spain
87,188
Norway
80,054
Italy
79,239
Taiwan
78,177
Ireland
72,473
Austria
70,074
Korea
65,463
United States
61,667
Denmark
60,999
Israel
54,966
Finland
45,606
Greece
40,789
Sweden
39,709
Germany
35,169
Portugal
31,313
Chile
23,812
Slovakia
21,203
Czech Republic
17,018
China
16,333
Hungary
15,026
Poland
10,572
South Africa
6,726
Romania
6,658
Mexico
5,784
Colombia
4,937
Russia
2,739
Turkey
2,677
Indonesia
1,597
India
1,289
Thailand
1,085
List of countries selected by Credit Suisse. Iceland was disregarded due to data reliability issues.
Chart: ABC News Source: Credit Suisse Get the data

I think the main reason for the USA being where it is, is that any averages must include all the extreme poverty found in the USA. and how top wealth is slanted towards a few citizens only.

 

[Write4U]

I think the main reason for the USA being where it is, is that any averages must include all the extreme poverty found in the USA. and how top wealth is slanted towards a few citizens only.

Yep , the result of the US (unrestricted version) form of Capitalism has resulted in the following skewed ecnomy and the reason why the "wealthiest " country in the world has also one of the greatest number of low-income households.

As of 2007, the richest 1% held about 38% of all privately held wealth in the United States. while the bottom 90% held 73.2% of all debt. According to The New York Times, the richest 1 percent in the United States now own more wealth than the bottom 90 percent.

Hello Capitalism, the economy of the "free and the brave". Who is benefitting from Capitalism?

Not even "Medicare for all", a right enjoyed by all European countries.

Anyone noticed the complaints by the rich of "the socialization" of the US economy? Are you kidding me?

 

[Seattle]

I think the main reason for the USA being where it is, is that any averages must include all the extreme poverty found in the USA. and how top wealth is slanted towards a few citizens only.

I think that's an overstatement. There is extreme wealth in the U.S. and there is some poverty. There's not a lot of "extreme poverty".

This is more equality of opportunity here than equality of results for sure. In other words there isn't a great standard of living that is guaranteed to you here.

There isn't a lot of extreme poverty however. It's hard to be in the top 1% here but it isn't hard to be in the top 10% in terms of assets if that's a goal for someone. If you are a college grad just coming out of school the median salary is about $50k.

It's not hard to have a family income of $100k after a few years. Combine that with the cost of living being lower than in many other highly ranked countries and there is little to complain about in reality.

Moving around can solve most issues. If you want a big house, don't live in the biggest cities. If you want more income, move to a bigger city. If you don't have any education, get some.

Beyond a certain dollar amount your quality of life doesn't really get any better so just because someone can make hundreds of millions of dollars doesn't mean you are missing anything if you don't.

Living in a mansion isn't better than living in a nice house in a nice neighborhood in a nice city. Less than a million in assets will get that for you and a family income of $100 k or so.