Thread: Corona Virus

Originally Posted by W&KO

As posted, previous trip I crossed the border through unmanned locked gate. Last time o crossed a manned border was early August

I was short on time today and figured a slight hold up checking permits at border was worth it instead of the 1hr + detour I was taking.

It was a work trip, no need to be dishonest.

My point, really. They know you, and know you are honest. Taking short cuts with their scrutiny, definitely. Did you have a key for the locked gate? If you did, that's another level of trust they have in you.

Originally Posted by bob10

My point, really. They know you, and know you are honest. Taking short cuts with their scrutiny, definitely. Did you have a key for the locked gate? If you did, that's another level of trust they have in you.

How would they know me or even remember me?......probably 50 White hi-luxs drive through ever day. The last time I went through (early August just before border was closed) there were two navy guys, one army guy and one transport inspector and a couple of police. I am certain two of the guys today were not there two months ago.

The locked border gates are operated using your smart phone, you connect via blue tooth to unlock and lock, a council official downloads the data off the lock every so often, there are six of these locks within the shire I needed to apply for, I was only given approval for one of the locked gates. .. Quite a detailed application process requiring a phone call from QLD police before approving the shire council paperwork. I use my smart phone as required....but not everybody does.

Originally Posted by W&KO

How would they know me or even remember me?......probably 50 White hi-luxs drive through ever day. The last time I went through (early August just before border was closed) there were two navy guys, one army guy and one transport inspector and a couple of police. I am certain two of the guys today were not there two months ago.

The locked border gates are operated using your smart phone, you connect via blue tooth to unlock and lock, a council official downloads the data off the lock every so often, there are six of these locks within the shire I needed to apply for, I was only given approval for one of the locked gates. .. Quite a detailed application process requiring a phone call from QLD police before approving the shire council paperwork. I use my smart phone as required....but not everybody does.

Interesting. So are you suggesting large scale unchecked border crossing? If so, it should be brought to the attention of the proper authorities.

Originally Posted by bob10

Interesting. So are you suggesting large scale unchecked border crossing? If so, it should be brought to the attention of the proper authorities.

Well, the manned border crossing I might have been the only since the start one although I doubt it. Hmm, I don’t think my dash cam would still have the footage, it would have been written over by now.

Re-locked gates, I have actually seen anybody not using the correct way but it kinda stood out like dogs balls......and the authorities would be well aware. This gate isn’t on a main road and even before covid probably 99% usage is by locals. One of my previous pics might be at the right angle.

Originally Posted by W&KO

Well, the manned border crossing I might have been the only since the start one although I doubt it. Hmm, I don’t think my dash cam would still have the footage, it would have been written over by now.

Re-locked gates, I have actually seen anybody not using the correct way but it kinda stood out like dogs balls......and the authorities would be well aware. This gate isn’t on a main road and even before covid probably 99% usage is by locals. One of my previous pics might be at the right angle.

Let's hope COVID complacency is not setting in. After all the angst of the past few months, it would a total shame for COVID to slip in the back door due to someone's boredom. It would be unbearable.

Spare a thought for the surprise medical bills in the USA.

What’s behind those surprise medical bills

Congress tried in coronavirus relief packages passed this spring to shield Covid-19 patients from unexpected medical charges — and yet many patients continue to receive heartstoppingly large bills that their insurance companies won’t cover.

One patient in Philadelphia was flown between hospitals by helicopter while she was unconscious and returned home weeks later to a $52,112 bill from the air ambulance company. Another faces as much as $4,000 in medical debt after spending 10 days at an in-network hospital in Austin, Texas, because many of the doctors at the hospital were out-of-network.

Our colleague Sarah Kliff told us that patients were often charged fees by providers or companies that they didn’t choose or even realized were involved in their care. A big reason for these exorbitant charges, she said, is private equity.

Take the helicopter ride, for example. Private-equity firms have poured money into air ambulance companies after courts exempted air ambulances from any state price regulation.

“From a private equity point of view, it’s actually an amazing investment,” Sarah told us. “Prices that can go as high as you want, plus customers who can’t negotiate those prices. Like, if you need an air ambulance, you need an air ambulance, and you can’t call someone else and you can’t negotiate.”

Sarah told us that private-equity money was flowing into these areas of health care where patients have little or no say, including emergency room doctors and anesthesiologists. Firms buy the companies that staff doctors in hospitals, and then they raise prices or go out-of-network.

Last year, a plan to ban these surprise bills was popular, bipartisan and backed by the White House. But it fell apart at the last minute after the private-equity firms that own many medical providers poured millions into advertisements opposing the plan.

Originally Posted by bob10

What gives you the idea they are not testing in QLD?

Because you've got traces in sewage in cities that have no active cases, according to the Government. It can circulate unseen, as NSW is discovering.

My point is that there were just 3 cases in Melbourne today - in a city of 5,000,0000 people. There were as many cases in Shepparton. The odds of this woman travelling to Melbourne and then catching it here the day she arrived are infinitesimal.

Originally Posted by bob10

Spare a thought for the surprise medical bills in the USA.

What’s behind those surprise medical bills

Congress tried in coronavirus relief packages passed this spring to shield Covid-19 patients from unexpected medical charges — and yet many patients continue to receive heartstoppingly large bills that their insurance companies won’t cover.

One patient in Philadelphia was flown between hospitals by helicopter while she was unconscious and returned home weeks later to a $52,112 bill from the air ambulance company. Another faces as much as $4,000 in medical debt after spending 10 days at an in-network hospital in Austin, Texas, because many of the doctors at the hospital were out-of-network.

Our colleague Sarah Kliff told us that patients were often charged fees by providers or companies that they didn’t choose or even realized were involved in their care. A big reason for these exorbitant charges, she said, is private equity.

Take the helicopter ride, for example. Private-equity firms have poured money into air ambulance companies after courts exempted air ambulances from any state price regulation.

“From a private equity point of view, it’s actually an amazing investment,” Sarah told us. “Prices that can go as high as you want, plus customers who can’t negotiate those prices. Like, if you need an air ambulance, you need an air ambulance, and you can’t call someone else and you can’t negotiate.”

Sarah told us that private-equity money was flowing into these areas of health care where patients have little or no say, including emergency room doctors and anesthesiologists. Firms buy the companies that staff doctors in hospitals, and then they raise prices or go out-of-network.

Last year, a plan to ban these surprise bills was popular, bipartisan and backed by the White House. But it fell apart at the last minute after the private-equity firms that own many medical providers poured millions into advertisements opposing the plan.

And yet the working class there have been brainwashed that any other system, like the NHS or our system, is socialism.