moneypenny20

Any posts turning this thread political will be moved to this thread. Or you could always make sure, when heading down the politics rabbit hole, you open up the other thread instead of this one. COVID 19 is a politic free zone, it doesn't care who it kills.

abner

On a closer-to-home front, we've had some excellent and well-deserved news pertaining to a family friend, who has been staying with us since late January.

She's a degree nurse, with extensive experience as an OR nurse specialist, who came to Australia to upgrade her degree to Master-level. When Covid-19 struck, her course went into limbo (no classroom work or practicum available), which in turn put her temporary visa into jeopardy. Any number of hospitals locally have been giving her casual work, but nothing which will allow her to complete the qualifications upgrade, or sponsor her for PR status in Australia.

She was getting very disheartened about her situation, crying at night, and considering bailing out altogether, when yesterday one of her job applications came through, in spades. She had applied for a base-level nursing position, desperate for anything to maintain immigration status in the current crisis. They checked out her references, and came back with a visa-track offer fully reflecting her OR experience, i.e. above and beyond what she'd applied for..

Truly a win-win, both for her and the hospital involved. While I have no basis on which to judge her professional qualifications, I can say that she is one of the truly nicest persons I have ever come across.

moneypenny20

Great news for her. Good to hear a good news story for a temp visa holder. Couple I know had to just give up and find a flight back, leaving all their stuff behind. They'd been here 14 months and were devastated.

carcajou

It went unremarked by the media, but Qantas' and Virgin Australia's subsidised international flights ended yesterday. So we are back to a situation where the only flight option to the US right now is the daily United flight between Sydney and San Francisco, and I think Auckland-Sydney is back down to something like 2 flights weekly on Air New Zealand.

spouse of scouse

That's wonderful to hear

Kooky.

I'm not in Oz right now but thought I'd see how you all are - glad to see some things never change, and you're keeping moneypenny occupied. Spouse, I hope your loved ones especially are doing OK.

We still consider Sydney home so hope you don't mind a quick update from me.

Washington State's just extended the Stay Home directive to at least 31 May, with a 4-phase plan to reopen that takes us to at least 6 July. (Won't bore you with that unless you're interested.) We'd planned a trip to the UK in March, one to Sydney over Easter, booked a holiday to Mexico for next week and another to the Caribbean for August. Still holding onto the August booking right now, mainly because our friend is upset we'll have to cancel (and I have 3 brand new cossies), but I know it's coming. Senseless to proceed, especially with a small child. And an old lady with a few health issues (that would be me).

The one real friend I've made here is Australian and felt the need to get back to her family which she managed just before the hotel quarantines came into effect; she did self-quarantine for 14 days and took a test at the end of it. She said the test was not compulsory but recommended (this was in VIC). So it's a good job Mr K and I like each other a little bit, especially as he's been WFH for 8 weeks now with no end in sight. Amazon announced just before yesterday's state announcements that anyone who can WFH can do so until 2 October; he doesn't work for them but they're very influential in this town so I expect other tech companies to do similar. Not least because reconfiguring offices to facilitate social distancing will be a nightmare.

I took part in a local study and did a DIY 'rona test, came back negative (as expected). I didn't have to tickle my brain with the swab so not 100% convinced on the test but the results did say they got an adequate sample.

We go out to the local supermarket and/or Target (which has a supermarket level) a couple of times a week, masked up and distancing, Pick up takeaway a few times a week too, to try to keep our local restaurants afloat. It's been estimated that 4/5 will go under; unemployment here is at a terrible level and homelessness can only get worse. The Amazon announcement will also have a huge impact on Downtown Seattle (where we live) businesses.

We're on a renewable temporary visa very much like the 457, and just over half way through it. Watching with interest to see what the Orange One does with his immigration freeze. We're quite chilled but, having two elderly cats, having to get out at short notice would be a pain. Especially as I believe there are currently no flights from the US to Melbourne and animals are not allowed to be brought into any other port. (This info from the embassy's newsfeed.) We'd possibly end up in the UK living off beans on toast and Gregg's pasties.

Meanwhile we are healthy and happy and not starving. Could be a lot worse.

Beoz

I can see 2 United flights in the air right now from Syd to San Fran on FlightRadar24 if that helps. Assuming they go the other way too.

carcajou

Yes. Currently United's daily Sydney to San Francisco flight is the only flight option between Australia and the US.

I am on the US Embassy's mailing list, we get sent 2x updates per week and it states that this flight is currently the only option.

When the Australian Government subsidised the Qantas and Virgin flights from Los Angeles, which ended a few days ago, it was stated that Australians in the US wishing to return would be expected to make it on their own to California to either get on these flights or the United flight.

Amazulu

Interesting to note that QF's PER-LHR flight is still operating

carcajou

Premier Mark McGowan has announced that there are no new cases in Western Australia, for the fourth day in a row.

There have only been 2 cases in the last 8 days.

Last night Health Minister Roger Cook declared that all regional areas of Western Australia except for the Goldfields are now "virus-free." Kalgoorlie still has 3 active cases.

There are 19 active cases still in Western Australia including the three from the Goldfields.

McGowan also warned West Australians "don't be an idiot" and prematurely get complacent.

carcajou

Is it actually though? Perth International's arrivals board shows no arrivals today or tomorrow from London - just one flight from Bali and one from Singapore, and no international arrivals tomorrow. There is a departure to London today. I also checked Heathrow departures for Perth and Melbourne and found nothing for the whole week.

Is it a re-positioning flight or are they continuing with another repatriation flight?

Heathrow still had plenty of departures for points in Europe, North America and Asia, albeit substantially reduced from normal operations.

Amazulu

Flightradar shows it scheduled for a 6:50pm departure to LHR today:
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/qf9

Looks like it's operating once a week

I live not far from PER and I've seen QF B789s about a few times over the last few weeks

old.sparkles

If you can't find posts moved due to political nature - check the other thread.

Can we keep the two topics separate as far as possible as previously requested.

old.sparkles

My nephew in the UK has COVID 19.

He's young and no serious issues, so he should be okay I hope. He currently has pneumonia caused by the virus so my worry is that he'll pass it to his dad, my brother.

He has dangerously high blood pressure and is on blood pressure medication and that put's him in a higher risk group. Plus he's a smoker

Worrying times

Dmorgan07

Sorry to hear about your nephew. Hope he has a speedy recovery 🤞