Willis's Walkabouts Newsletter 107, March 2020 — Covid 19
Except for a few trips for NT residents, all our trips before October have been cancelled.
I've been working on this newsletter for weeks but with more and more Covid-related questions and info coming in every day, I've had to make major revisions several times. There can't be many more restrictions beyond those already in place so the main news should remain the same. See our Covid Update page for the latest news.
If you are viewing this on a mobile, the newsletter and many of the links should work better in a horizontal format.
Restricted content. Articles marked * or ** are on restricted websites Click for more info.
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In this issue
Cancelled WW 2020 Trips
As stated at the beginning of this newsletter,
Except for a few trips for NT residents, all our trips before October have been cancelled.
If you were booked on one of our trips, you are entitled to a 100% refund, no cancellation fee. Please be patient. We can't do everyone at once.
Special Offer. If you are willing to defer to approximately the same date on the same trip next year, we will guarantee to hold the price
- at the price that was in effect at the time you booked on any trip where we only use our transport.
- at a point halfway between the current and new prices where we charter transport.
If you decide to defer and had received less than the full 20% advance purchase discount, we will refund the difference between what you paid and that amount.
If you defer and later change your mind more than 60 days prior to the 2021 scheduled departure, we will refund your money less your original $150 deposit.
A number of people have already accepted this offer. It won't work for some, but we hope that those who can do so will consider it.
Covid 19
Covid panic is increasing by the day. More and more restrictions are being introduced. People tend to pay more attention to the worst possible outcomes so I think it's time to take a deep breath and try and make sense of the reality. I've culled through a lot of what's out there. Here are some of the best.
Covid In Australia
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) current situation and case numbers
This is the official Australian Government page. It is being updated daily with the current situation, latest case numbers and related information. Look how your state is going day by day to get a good feel for how it's going in your area. - How many cases of coronavirus are there in Australia? Live Covid-19 statistics is a similar page from The Guardian which presents the data in a somewhat different way.
General Info
- The Washington Post offers a free daily newsletter full of information about the virus. The link here is to the latest newsletter as of 25 March. If you like what you see, sign up for their updtes.
Fighting the Virus
- Coronavirus: Why You Must Act Now
This article is fairly long, full of graphs and science. It explains why taking drastic measures early is likely to have big benefits further down the line. I think it's well worth the read. - From The Conversation
- Flatten the curve
- We’re running out of time to use Endgame C to drive coronavirus infections down to zero
- From The Guardian, The case for shutting down almost everything, and restarting when coronavirus is gone
- The Conversation has excellent Covid coverage. See The Conversation home page for the latest news. I've looked at some of the articles. There's a lot there to make you think — and serious thinking is what we need more than purely emotional reactions.
- The Virus Can Be Stopped, but Only With Harsh Steps, Experts Say *
"Scientists who have fought pandemics describe difficult measures needed to defend the United States against a fast-moving pathogen." Everything here applies equally to Australia. - How Not to Get Sick While Traveling *
Do masks work? It depends. Health professionals offer some tips on how to stay healthy while on the move. - The Coronavirus Is Here to Stay, So What Happens Next? *
"if South Korea and China are appropriate exemplars, we'll need to stay apart now for at least eight weeks, and maybe more." - This was an early article which still makes a lot of sense. You’re Likely to Get the Coronavirus
Most cases are not life-threatening, which is also what makes the virus a historic challenge to contain. "I think the likely outcome is that it will ultimately not be containable." Lipsitch predicts that, within the coming year, some 40 to 70 percent of people around the world will be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.
"The more the world enters lockdown and self-preservation mode, the more difficult it could be to soberly assess risk and effectively distribute tools, from vaccines and respirator masks to food and hand soap."
Worth noting. At the top of the article is a link to a number of more recent articles. Definitely worth a browse. - Choice has a page called 10 things you don’t need to do to prepare for the coronavirus.
Definitely worth reading before stocking up on things you won't need. - Italy, Pandemic's New Epicenter, Has Lessons for the World *
The country's experience shows that steps to isolate the coronavirus and limit people's movement need to be put in place early, with absolute clarity, then strictly enforced. - The Hardest Questions Doctors May Face: Who Will Be Saved? Who Won't? *
As coronavirus infections explode in the U.S., hospitals could be forced to make harrowing choices if pushed to the brink. Planning is already underway.
Never in Australia? Per capita, the number of infections here is similar to that in the US. - Here Come the Death Panels *
"Obamacare didn't lead to rationing. The mismanagement of the coronavirus will."
"the number of confirmed coronavirus cases appears to be growing at a faster rate in the United States than in any other country with a major outbreak, and we are not ready. America has fewer hospital beds per capita than most developed countries, and more chronic health problems like diabetes that may put infected people at a higher risk for complications."
"When people without access to doctors, paid medical leave or decent housing get sick and are unable to quarantine themselves, coronavirus spreads more quickly to everyone."
I'm sure that Australia will be kinder to casuals than they are in America, but will we be kind enough to avoid this problem. - How South Korea Flattened the Curve *
The country showed that it is possible to contain the coronavirus without shutting down the economy, but experts are unsure whether its lessons can work abroad. - The Great Empty *
There is a certain beauty in the expanses of public space, now vacant amid the pandemic, these photos from around the world show. There is also a reminder: True beauty comes when the builders roam the built.
It's world wide. I suspect it will be a vary long time before scenes like these disappear. - I’m 26. Coronavirus Sent Me to the Hospital. *
"Millennials: If you can't stay at home for others, do it for yourselves." This is an article all young people who think it can't happen to them should read.
WW 2020 Trips — NT and WA residents
NT Residents
There are three trips we may be able to run between late May and the end of July.
- Russell's Birthday Special The date may change slightly but it would be a variation of the first week of the Kakadu-Kimberley Special: 24 May - 13 June
- Kakadu Circle Special: 29 June - 17 July
We don't have enough locals to run the trip but do have enough so that we might be able to do it. - Kakadu Family Walk No. 2: 5-11 July
If the NT family who booked wants to do the trip, we'll run it.
If you live in the NT and might be interested in one of the above, please send us an email
WA Residents
As above, after months in town, it might be better to be out bush. We are investigating the possibility of running a Kimberley trip for WA residents. Please keep it in mind and send us an email and let us know what kind of trip might interest you.
Coping With Uncertainty
Perfect timing. I was reading an old issue of New Scientist and fond an article about Coping With Uncertainty. What could be more appropriate for these trying times?
The article started me digging and I found a number of others that might be helpful if you are finding the current situation very stressful
- 11 Ways Successful People Overcome Uncertainty
"Our brains are hardwired to make much of modern life difficult. This is especially true when it comes to dealing with uncertainty. On the bright side, if you know the right tricks, you can override your brain’s irrational tendencies and handle uncertainty effectively." - 5 Ways to Handle Uncertainty
"The first step to dealing with uncertainty is to accept that we can't control everything." -
5 Ways to Cope With Uncertainty
When you get to number five, you'll know why I had to include this one. It's something I'll be doing as soon as it's reasonably possible.
Our New Website — Please Help
Life wasn't meant to be easy. With all the changes as the Covid-19 situation developed, working on the new website had to get left for a while. We'd like to get it up soon, but with no trips except for locals for at least six months, it's not as urgent as it had been. That means we can take the time we need to get it as good as possible before it goes live and replaces the old one.
Trip List Format
Editing turned out to be harder than we thought. It works properly in some browsers, but not in others. Strange things happen to some photos in different formats. The list goes on. We need help. We have two possible formats for our trip lists. One is easier to edit than the other but neither is as easy as we'd like. Both can be made to work.
If you can spare a few minutes, please click the links above then send us an email telling us which you prefer, why you like it better, and what sort of device (big screen, laptop, tablet, mobile phone) you used to look at it.
Photos
The new website is designed to look good on any format, desktop, laptop, tablet, mobile. It doesn't always work. The new home page has a number of photos. When I tried it in tablet form, the lovely green campsite next to the pool near the top of the page was auto-cropped in a way that I thought looked terrible. If you are using a tablet, what do you see?
Not counting the campsite photo mentioned above, I think one of the other photos on the home page should be replaced. Do you agree? If so, which photo and why?
If you have one or more really good photos that you think would go well on the new website, please send them along. We'll give a $100 credit voucher for each photo that makes it onto the website when it finally goes live.
Home Page Featured Trips
This part of the page looks very different to the page I use for editing. It should look much better when the site goes live.
Serious Editing and Proofreading
If you have plenty of time and are interested in such things, we need one or more people who are happy to go through the different pages and make suggestions. I've undoubtedly used too many words on some of the trip pages but I couldn't work out how to say what I thought needed to be said in substantially fewer words. We can't offer to pay you for your help, but we can offer credit vouchers to those who provide the most assistance.
Tech You Can Use
Your Phone
- Get the Most Out of Your Fancy Smartphone Camera *
The latest Apple and Google models have software that automatically enhances your photos, but you can also take control to get your perfect shot. - Stop Your Phone From Using So Much Data *
Data overages from your wireless carrier can add up quickly. Here’s how to keep your bill under control. - Organizing Your Unwieldy Photo Collection Is Easier Than You Think *
Here is the trick: Let your smartphone do the work.
Your Car
- How to Set Up Your New Car *
It's full of electronics, so think of it as another device that you can make to be more you.
Protecting Yourself
- Activate This 'Bracelet of Silence,' and Alexa Can't Eavesdrop *
Microphones and cameras lurk everywhere. You may want to slip on some privacy armor. - These Devices Can Prevent Major Home Damage and Save You Money *
Smart-home sensors can detect leaks, frozen pipes, and open doors so that small problems don't turn into big expenses. - These Smart Devices Protect Your Home While You’re on Vacation *
Take these steps to protect your home from mishaps and intruders when you leave for vacation.
Get The Most From Online Searches
- Don’t 'just Google it': 3 ways students can get the most from searching online
Most students think they know how to use the internet to search for information, and teachers agree. But this isn't always the case.
Covid 19 — Science and Economics
Science and Covid-19
- Two from the New Scientist
- Why the coronavirus is different from flu and warrants major action
"The only people likely to have any immunity to the new coronavirus are those who have already had it." - Coronavirus: What are the worst symptoms and how deadly is covid-19?
"The most commonly reported symptoms include a fever, dry cough and tiredness. In the most severe cases, people with the virus can develop difficulty breathing, and may ultimately experience organ failure. Some cases are fatal. But many other individuals will just get a runny nose or a sore throat. Some people with the virus don’t seem to show any symptoms at all.
- Why the coronavirus is different from flu and warrants major action
- How the Virus Got Out *
"We analyzed the movements of hundreds of millions of people to show why the most extensive travel restrictions to stop an outbreak in human history haven’t been enough." - The coronavirus isn't alive. That's why it's so hard to kill.
The science behind what makes this coronavirus so sneaky, deadly and difficult to defeat.
This is one of many free articles about Covid-19 from the Washington Post. It contains links to other Covid stories and a link you can use to sign up for a free newsletter. - How the Virus Got Out *
"The most extensive travel restrictions to stop an outbreak in human history haven’t been enough. We analyzed the movements of hundreds of millions of people to show why." - Before Virus Outbreak, a Cascade of Warnings Went Unheeded *
Government exercises, including one last year, made clear that the U.S. was not ready for a pandemic like the coronavirus. But little was done.
Being prepared costs money. Will we learn from this one?
Covid and Essential Workers
Tales of overworked doctors and nurses are everywhere. Other people are just as essential to keep the rest of us going. I don't think it's as bad in Australia as in America, but spare a thought for some of the most vulnerable essential workers.
- When Stocking Grocery Shelves Turns Dangerous *
Grocery stores have been deemed essential businesses, meaning their employees are worried about being exposed to the coronavirus. - 'Terrified' Package Delivery Employees Are Going to Work Sick *
Truckers and warehouse workers at UPS and FedEx feel they have no choice but to keep showing up, even with coronavirus-like symptoms.
This could be how the virus keeps spreading even if almost everything is in lockdown.
Covid and the Economy
Life is not going back to normal any time soon. The economic repercussions will last for years.
- Compromising on Corona
"Battling the coronavirus is essential. But the battle has costs, which are invariably measured against the gain. “No matter what the cost” — the approach many countries appear to be taking — is a principle that can be disastrous, particularly when the cost is so high that it cannot be borne socially. With the coronavirus, like all new and lethal diseases, alarm shapes the responses. As the cost starts to emerge, there is an inevitable recalibration. We are approaching that point of recalibration." - Flying. It seems likely that a number of airlines will go bankrupt before this is over.
- 'Almost Without Precedent': Airlines Hit Hard by Coronavirus *
"The effects could wipe out up to $113 billion in worldwide revenues this year, a trade group said, a new blow to the industry." - Qantas now has a special web page, How we’re keeping you healthy while you fly
Good info and a link to all known Qantas flights where one of the passengers tested positive for the virus. - Air North has a corona virus update page. They do the Darwin to Kununurra run that is so important to our business. Without some government help, I can't help but wonder if they'll survive intact.
- 'Almost Without Precedent': Airlines Hit Hard by Coronavirus *
- This Is How the Coronavirus Will Destroy the Economy *
This once-in-a-century pandemic is hitting a world economy saddled with record levels of debt.
Be Careful What You Predict For - Some Ask a Taboo Question: Is America Overreacting to Coronavirus? *
With "social distancing" now widely adopted nationwide, a small group of contrarians urge a more careful weighing of the harm as well as the benefits of such policies.
"It seems to me global policymakers are caught in a classic Catch-22 dilemma. If they allow life to go on as usual and the CV goes even more viral (the World Health Organization has now officially—and belatedly—designated it as a global pandemic), they will be thrown out of office. This is a risk that Donald Trump has been taking, until recently. If they reside in a totalitarian regime, they may be sent off to gulag or lined up in front of a wall. The quandary is that what is more protective for humanity is devastating for the global economy."
The entire article is full of graphs and analysis of the economic impact both probable and so far. If that's too much for you, scroll down to the section, Addendum Section on the Potential Genesis of the Coronavirus. I strongly recommend that you read it or at least have a quick browse. I haven't seen anything to say that the suggestion as to the origin of the virus is not possible.
A Final Thought
Coronavirus Is What You Get When You Ignore Science *
"Scientists are all we have left. Pray for them."
Pity our politicians don't pay more attention to science.
A Smile To Finish
With all the bad things that have been going on, I thought a touch of humour might be a good way to finish.
- Senior's — Can You Remember These
How times have changed. - Obvious Signs
It says a lot about our society when people feel they need to put up signs like these. - You've Gotta Love Millennials
A song. Funny but with a bit of a sad truth. My generation has stuffed things up for those coming behind.
News About This Newsletter
Restricted websites. The NY Times and Bloomberg Business Week both allow non-subscribers to look at ten free articles each month. I've got more links than that in this newsletter so I've marked them with a red asterisk (*) so that you can choose which are of most interest to you. The Washington Post and The Economist both have limits but I'm not sure what the current limits is so I've marked Washington Post and Economist articles with a double red asterisk (**).
Next Newsletter — April? May? I had hoped to get a newsletter out last month, but there were too many things happening. Maybe the enforced shutdown will let me catch up with a few things.
As always, I welcome a bit of feedback about some of the things in this newsletter and suggestions for the next one.
Sending the newsletter
I'm now using a paid version of MailChimp to send all of the newsletters. I'm not sure what I'll do if the list goes over 2500.
walkabout@bushwalkingholidays.com.au is the contact address on our website. If you would like to continue to receive these newsletters, please include this address in your "friends list" so that it isn't blocked.
Emails sent to walkabout@bushwalkingholidays.com.au are currently automatically forwarded to rrwillis at internode.on.net. If you want to send an email to that address, replace the word "at" with the symbol @. I am trying not to put that address any place where it can be harvested by spam bots.
We don't want to add to the mass of email spam. If you don't want our newsletter, please send us an email and let us know. We'll then delete your name from our newsletter list.
Our email address is walkabout@bushwalkingholidays.com.au.
Note. Both MailChimp and the other program we use to send some of these newsletters have an automatic delete at the bottom. Clicking that link will delete you from the mailing list on the server but it will not delete you from our main database. One of the programs will not allow the auto delete to send me an email notifying me that a deletion has been made. If you want to be sure that you are removed from all further mailings, please send an email to walkabout@bushwalkingholidays.com.au
If you know someone you think would enjoy this newsletter, please forward it to them. The more people who get it, the more likely it is that I'll be able to run the trips which might interest you.
I wish you all the best in these very trying times.
Russell Willis