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| Morning mail: shutdown fines increase, jobless rate soars, good news for Murray-Darling | Morning mail: shutdown fines increase, jobless rate soars, good news for Murray-Darling |
| (10 days later) | |
| Tuesday: Police interrupt a funeral while enforcing social distancing measures. Plus, the government expects unemployment to double | |
| Good morning, this is James Murray bringing you the main stories and must-reads on Tuesday 14 April. | Good morning, this is James Murray bringing you the main stories and must-reads on Tuesday 14 April. |
| Coronavirus | Coronavirus |
| Australian police have been criticised for interrupting a funeral while enforcing social distancing rules over Easter weekend. Helen Kolovos, who buried her father on Saturday, says she was “inconsolable” after two officers began counting the number of people attending the funeral as her father’s coffin was carried down the aisle. The news came amid an increase in fines for breaching public health orders, as the federal health minister, Greg Hunt, said Australia was “now seeing consolidation of the flattening of the curve” after new cases continued to grow less than 2% a day. Meanwhile, a Guardian Essential poll has found that Australians are just as happy as they were before the lockdown measures came into place, despite worries about the economy. | Australian police have been criticised for interrupting a funeral while enforcing social distancing rules over Easter weekend. Helen Kolovos, who buried her father on Saturday, says she was “inconsolable” after two officers began counting the number of people attending the funeral as her father’s coffin was carried down the aisle. The news came amid an increase in fines for breaching public health orders, as the federal health minister, Greg Hunt, said Australia was “now seeing consolidation of the flattening of the curve” after new cases continued to grow less than 2% a day. Meanwhile, a Guardian Essential poll has found that Australians are just as happy as they were before the lockdown measures came into place, despite worries about the economy. |
| The federal government is bracing for 10% unemployment when jobless figures for the June quarter are released, almost twice the level of 5.1% recorded in February before the fight against the coronavirus closed businesses and pushed workers out of jobs. But the government is already is arguing the jobs disaster for the three months to June could have been more like 15%. The only thing stopping this was the $130bn jobkeeper scheme passed by parliament last week to subsidise the wages of staff kept in employment. The shock workforce deterioration will be foreshadowed by the latest figures for the March quarter to be released this week. It comes as an academic tax expert warns tax reform, including a GST increase and higher land tax, will be needed to avoid the debt burden of the $214bn Covid-19 economic response falling on young people. | The federal government is bracing for 10% unemployment when jobless figures for the June quarter are released, almost twice the level of 5.1% recorded in February before the fight against the coronavirus closed businesses and pushed workers out of jobs. But the government is already is arguing the jobs disaster for the three months to June could have been more like 15%. The only thing stopping this was the $130bn jobkeeper scheme passed by parliament last week to subsidise the wages of staff kept in employment. The shock workforce deterioration will be foreshadowed by the latest figures for the March quarter to be released this week. It comes as an academic tax expert warns tax reform, including a GST increase and higher land tax, will be needed to avoid the debt burden of the $214bn Covid-19 economic response falling on young people. |
| New York governor Andrew Cuomo has spoken of the “horrific level of pain and grief and sorrow” as deaths in the state exceeded 10,000. New York lost 671 patients to coronavirus yesterday, as Cuomo told reporters there would be no single moment when coronavirus would be defeated despite being confident “the worst was over”. The White House has denied Trump was planning to fire the popular health expert Dr Anthony Fauci, after the president retweeted a message that called for Fauci’s removal. Trump’s rambling press conferences and tweets have popularised numerous conspiracy theories during the Covid-19 crisis. A recent Pew Research report shows that almost a third of Americans believe the virus was created in a lab. | New York governor Andrew Cuomo has spoken of the “horrific level of pain and grief and sorrow” as deaths in the state exceeded 10,000. New York lost 671 patients to coronavirus yesterday, as Cuomo told reporters there would be no single moment when coronavirus would be defeated despite being confident “the worst was over”. The White House has denied Trump was planning to fire the popular health expert Dr Anthony Fauci, after the president retweeted a message that called for Fauci’s removal. Trump’s rambling press conferences and tweets have popularised numerous conspiracy theories during the Covid-19 crisis. A recent Pew Research report shows that almost a third of Americans believe the virus was created in a lab. |
| The UK government is under increasing pressure over its Covid-19 response after it was revealed it missed three chances to be part of an EU scheme to bulk-buy PPE. The development comes as anger grows over PPE shortages in Britain, with stocks of full-sleeve gowns running out and plans to buy thousands of ventilators from a group including the Red Bull Formula One team now scrapped. Spanish authorities were able to relax lockdown rules as the country began to show a modest flattening of infection and death rates. Italy has seen a similar reduction in deaths and infections, but the death toll in the worst-hit country in Europe is now over 20,000. | The UK government is under increasing pressure over its Covid-19 response after it was revealed it missed three chances to be part of an EU scheme to bulk-buy PPE. The development comes as anger grows over PPE shortages in Britain, with stocks of full-sleeve gowns running out and plans to buy thousands of ventilators from a group including the Red Bull Formula One team now scrapped. Spanish authorities were able to relax lockdown rules as the country began to show a modest flattening of infection and death rates. Italy has seen a similar reduction in deaths and infections, but the death toll in the worst-hit country in Europe is now over 20,000. |
| Australia | Australia |
| Australian researchers have found a way to safely “split” ventilators so a single machine can be used by multiple patients. The practice of ventilator splitting is generally avoided because it poses serious dangers. | Australian researchers have found a way to safely “split” ventilators so a single machine can be used by multiple patients. The practice of ventilator splitting is generally avoided because it poses serious dangers. |
| The waters of the Murray River and the Darling River in NSW have joined for the first time in two years. “Just to see fresh water flowing through the system – who wouldn’t be happy about that?” said sheep farmer wine grape grower Mat Robertson. | The waters of the Murray River and the Darling River in NSW have joined for the first time in two years. “Just to see fresh water flowing through the system – who wouldn’t be happy about that?” said sheep farmer wine grape grower Mat Robertson. |
| A homicide investigation is underway in Perth after two bodies were found at a unit on Easter Sunday. Neighbours reportedly heard screaming on Sunday afternoon before the bodies were discovered. | A homicide investigation is underway in Perth after two bodies were found at a unit on Easter Sunday. Neighbours reportedly heard screaming on Sunday afternoon before the bodies were discovered. |
| The world | The world |
| Bernie Sanders has endorsed Joe Biden for president saying “we’ve got to make Trump a one-term president”. Sanders dropped out of the Democratic primary last week. | Bernie Sanders has endorsed Joe Biden for president saying “we’ve got to make Trump a one-term president”. Sanders dropped out of the Democratic primary last week. |
| The global death cafe movement is reporting a surge in interest due to Covid-19. Death cafes encourage honest and open conversation online about mortality. | The global death cafe movement is reporting a surge in interest due to Covid-19. Death cafes encourage honest and open conversation online about mortality. |
| Scientists believe the interstellar object Oumuamua is an active asteroid. The puzzling dark, reddish object could be the remnants of a larger body that was torn apart by its host star, according to researchers. | Scientists believe the interstellar object Oumuamua is an active asteroid. The puzzling dark, reddish object could be the remnants of a larger body that was torn apart by its host star, according to researchers. |
| In the UK almost a third of people say they can’t discount a conspiracy theory that Covid-19 is linked to 5G. The theory is spread by antisemitic far-right groups, and Facebook has now stepped up efforts to remove them. | In the UK almost a third of people say they can’t discount a conspiracy theory that Covid-19 is linked to 5G. The theory is spread by antisemitic far-right groups, and Facebook has now stepped up efforts to remove them. |
| Recommended reads | Recommended reads |
| Renowned artist Shirley Purdie, 72 is one of many indigenous Australians who have returned home to voluntarily isolate from Covid-19. The Mabel Downs cattle station, or Gilbun in her language, is in the eastern Kimberley in Western Australia, a dusty 30-minute drive from the community of Warmun, once known as Turkey Creek. It’s 3,000km from Perth. Purdie has six children and some are with her. There are grandchildren, too, some home from boarding school. “We’re doing good out here,” she says over the phone. “We’ve got all the medicine, bush medicine that we use, the smoking ceremony. We’re hunting wallabies.” | Renowned artist Shirley Purdie, 72 is one of many indigenous Australians who have returned home to voluntarily isolate from Covid-19. The Mabel Downs cattle station, or Gilbun in her language, is in the eastern Kimberley in Western Australia, a dusty 30-minute drive from the community of Warmun, once known as Turkey Creek. It’s 3,000km from Perth. Purdie has six children and some are with her. There are grandchildren, too, some home from boarding school. “We’re doing good out here,” she says over the phone. “We’ve got all the medicine, bush medicine that we use, the smoking ceremony. We’re hunting wallabies.” |
| Paul Daley has felt compelled to record his thoughts during the pandemic despite never before keeping a diary. “It’s therapeutic. But I’m also hoping that I’ll reread it after this season ends and once my horizons have once again broadened, to remind myself of what was lost and gained in these times,” he writes. “As social isolation due to the Covid-19 pandemic continues, our daily travails become ever more mundane. But to writers, historians and researchers 20, 50, 100 years hence, the records of them will be priceless.” | Paul Daley has felt compelled to record his thoughts during the pandemic despite never before keeping a diary. “It’s therapeutic. But I’m also hoping that I’ll reread it after this season ends and once my horizons have once again broadened, to remind myself of what was lost and gained in these times,” he writes. “As social isolation due to the Covid-19 pandemic continues, our daily travails become ever more mundane. But to writers, historians and researchers 20, 50, 100 years hence, the records of them will be priceless.” |
| Come for the jokes, stay for the fashion. “Noah Baumbach’s directorial debut, Kicking and Screaming, is a charming distillation of 90s slacker posturing and the tedium of a quarter-life crisis,” writes Nathan Dunne. “Now streaming on Netflix, it’s a half-step comedy about a group of recent college graduates who stay on campus to wait out the inevitable downturn of working life.” | Come for the jokes, stay for the fashion. “Noah Baumbach’s directorial debut, Kicking and Screaming, is a charming distillation of 90s slacker posturing and the tedium of a quarter-life crisis,” writes Nathan Dunne. “Now streaming on Netflix, it’s a half-step comedy about a group of recent college graduates who stay on campus to wait out the inevitable downturn of working life.” |
| Listen | Listen |
| The hunt for a coronavirus vaccine. Scientists in more than 40 labs around the world are working round the clock to develop a Covid-19 vaccine. Despite early success in sequencing the virus’s genome, however, Samanth Subramanian tells Rachel Humphreys we are still some months away from knowing if one can be put into mass production. | The hunt for a coronavirus vaccine. Scientists in more than 40 labs around the world are working round the clock to develop a Covid-19 vaccine. Despite early success in sequencing the virus’s genome, however, Samanth Subramanian tells Rachel Humphreys we are still some months away from knowing if one can be put into mass production. |
| Full Story is Guardian Australia’s news podcast. Subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or any other podcasting app. | Full Story is Guardian Australia’s news podcast. Subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or any other podcasting app. |
| Sport | Sport |
| Athletes in the sweet spot of their career are missing out due to Covid-19, writes Jonathan Howcroft. The world’s highest ranked tennis player, Queenslander Ashleigh Barty, could spend as long as 157 days without playing a professional match. | Athletes in the sweet spot of their career are missing out due to Covid-19, writes Jonathan Howcroft. The world’s highest ranked tennis player, Queenslander Ashleigh Barty, could spend as long as 157 days without playing a professional match. |
| Media roundup | Media roundup |
| The Sydney Morning Herald reports coronavirus testing is ramping up in Sydney with people displaying only mild flu symptoms able to be tested in areas of NSW that are vulnerable to a community outbreak. The Australian reports that meals for 1,000 crew members on the Ruby Princess were prepared in the luxury liner’s galley for weeks, despite warning signs that the kitchen remained the likely epicentre of the vessel’s Covid-19 infections. And the ABC reports that some corner stores say the dominance of the major supermarket chains is preventing them from serving their customers during the coronavirus outbreak. | The Sydney Morning Herald reports coronavirus testing is ramping up in Sydney with people displaying only mild flu symptoms able to be tested in areas of NSW that are vulnerable to a community outbreak. The Australian reports that meals for 1,000 crew members on the Ruby Princess were prepared in the luxury liner’s galley for weeks, despite warning signs that the kitchen remained the likely epicentre of the vessel’s Covid-19 infections. And the ABC reports that some corner stores say the dominance of the major supermarket chains is preventing them from serving their customers during the coronavirus outbreak. |
| Coming up | Coming up |
| The National cabinet is due to meet to discuss what Covid-19 restrictions, if any, can be relaxed. | The National cabinet is due to meet to discuss what Covid-19 restrictions, if any, can be relaxed. |
| Australian evacuees from Peru are due to land on a Qantas flight today. | Australian evacuees from Peru are due to land on a Qantas flight today. |
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