IT has been interesting watching the politicians and public health officials fudging the answers to questions regarding the return of the NRL games. With regards to the Warriors flying into Tamworth ('Warriors two down before crossing Tasman', Newcastle Herald 4/5) would they be locked in their hotel rooms for 14 days with security guards patrolling the corridors as other returning overseas travellers have, or are they somehow exempt? They say they will be able to train. How does this fit with people being kicked off park benches and out of public parks? How does the footballers' travel fit in with non-essential travel that other people are being fined for? Most people have supported the restrictions during this crisis, but if the NRL is to be treated differently I think it makes a joke of the whole thing.
Sandy Buchanan, Largs
BREAK CYCLE OF DRIVING
IT was great to read the positive stories in the Herald last week of local bike shops doing well and helping the public get back into cycling. What a pity that there are so few designated cycle lanes in the city. I think it's almost criminal the way planning authorities have ignored this. Take Hunter Street, for example, where there is no bike lane at all and a rider needs to compete with cars, near-empty trams and tram lanes.
Why can't the council improve this and make our town a place where riding is a little bit safer, like in some suburbs of Melbourne? Post pandemic I expect public transport will be further ignored and car usage will increase, but many residents will wish to ride bikes more if only it was safer to do so.
Kim Brent, Merewether
AIMS SUPERCEDE CONCERNS
IT is hoped that the COVIDsafe app will help to slow down and eventually stop the spread of the coronavirus in this country. and our participation is completely voluntary. Peter Moylan's letter (Letters, 1/5) in my view has the potential to prolong this cursed virus, by raising unfounded privacy concerns.
The federal Department of Health has given us their assurance that any information provided cannot be accessed by anyone else whether they be a Prime Minister, premier or even ourselves. The information supplied can only be utilised by health officials when a person is diagnosed with COVID-19, and the urgent need then arises to advise those who may have been in close contact with him or her that they should be tested.
Your name cannot be given to anyone else and your permission is required in order to upload the information you provided. Declining to participate in the program for political reasons could have tragic consequences for your loved ones, friends or even you. No matter how much we dislike or distrust a particular politician, the Australian government needs and deserves our support in this endeavour.
David Stuart, Merewether
THANKS TO THE FORGOTTEN
IT has taken me five weeks of isolation to realise the worth of everyday workers behind our shopping centre checkouts. We take them for granted, but maybe we should actually take time out to observe their skills and attention to detail.
They multi-task without question and give the time of day to all walks of life; the crying kids, the elderly person who wants a short chat, not to mention swiping your groceries and setting up the payment method and ensuring you swipe your rewards cards. During all this they are packing your shopping in a fashion that makes it easier for you when you get home.
During COVID-19 we have had to pack our own bags and unless you do the shopping we don't realise how hard it is to separate various items into appropriate bags. Try packing your own bags and see how frustrating it can be while the line behind you builds up at the checkout. So well done; we appreciate your hard work, even though some take you for granted.
Maybe if we all take time out to appreciate people around us and the work they do we might realise that they are valued members of our society. Thank you to the hard workers at Edgeworth Coles, you're appreciated.
Graeme Kime, Cameron Park
THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT
THANK you to Alina Kizeweter for telling her story of life during World War II and then of coming to Australia ('Don't worry, be happy', Herald 2/5). What a wonderful lady, with an admirable attitude. I've been dealing with health problems for many years, so COVID-19 is only a small difference in some ways for me, but even so the limitations on movement and socialising are noticeable. How welcome to be reminded of how mild these travails are compared to what so many real survivors in life have been through.
And also thanks to Scott Bevan for relating Alina Kizeweter's story to us. The Herald's writers have been composing more and more compelling, entertaining and informative longer stories in recent years. Mr Bevan is one of the writers contributing to this welcome trend. Joanne McCarthy did so as well, along with her powerful investigative work. There are many other Herald journalists who have written longer pieces I've appreciated including Ian Kirkwood, Max McKinney, Michael Parris, Anita Beaumont, Helen Gregory, Damon Cronshaw, Nick Bielby, and Simon McCarthy. I apologise to those I've missed, but a big thanks to all for the more in-depth pieces.
Michael Jameson, New Lambton
PANNING THE PROVISIONS
TWO recent letters by Victor Carroll and Susan Poulter (Letters, 18/4) reminded me that some weeks ago I visited the men's toilet at the Newcastle beach building and found there was no soap or soap dispenser (I have been told they would probably be stolen, but that seems unlikely given they are locked at night). There was no paper towelling either (probably because there was no dispenser). I have checked it several times since, as well as other toilets ranging from The Junction to Hamilton, and found they were identical except for one with an empty towelling dispenser.
Why? These hygiene facilities are supposed to be absolutely essential. No-one expects hand sanitiser and perhaps even hot water but we are entitled to minimum essentials, particularly in this time of crisis. Are the female toilets as bad?
As an aside, the toilet pans, appear to be surplus stock from one of Her Majesty's jails; stainless steel with no liftable seat or lid.
Keith Parsons. Newcastle
OPPOSE WITH POSITIVITY
I'M so glad that Jodi McKay doesn't represent Newcastle any more. In this time of COVID-19 where people are working together to come up with solutions, there she is giving another negative angry speech. Wouldn't it be better for all if she made a speech starting with her idea? I wonder if her constant bitterness goes back to her time in Newcastle.
Neville Morris, Valentine
SHARE YOUR OPINION
Email letters@newcastleherald.com.au or send a text message to 0427 154 176 (include name and suburb). Letters should be fewer than 200 words. Short Takes should be fewer than 50 words. Correspondence may be edited and reproduced in any form.
SHORT TAKES
HEARING the second verse of the national anthem sung twice on Anzac Day reinforced just how inappropriate it is and has been ever since its composition. From the first British settlement of this continent, I believe only white people have been welcome to share our boundless plains. For nearly two centuries the White Australia policy was implemented and now the current government thinks that it is justified to lock up genuine refugees indefinitely to serve as a deterrent to boats. It is time we deleted the second verse from our anthem; it should never have been there in the first place.
Joan Lambert, Adamstown
WITH the overwhelming medical advice being that all schools should quickly go back to normal student capacity, and also a government urging that as many as possible in the community should download the COVIDsafe app to be proactive in containing this virus, perhaps it should be stipulated that students, perhaps the largest base of smartphone users, should be required to sign up. After all, they will be in close and extended contact each day, which I understand to be essential for this technology to be successful.
Allan Searant, Charlestown
DARRYL Hadfield's questions are valid and require specific answers. Events of the last week by some NRL players are the perfect example of a small group of highly paid athletes who see themselves as different to everyone else in the community. Why and how is it that the restrictions that the nation has been living within over the last six weeks don't apply to players of the NRL? The NRL is certainly not an essential business in my view. The push to get this back up and running so quickly when the rest of the nation is struggling to comprehend the loss of employment and businesses is arrogant. The decision is not about the clubs or the supporters of the clubs but more about content and subscriptions for Foxtel.
Mark Bird, Charlestown
TRUMP has a way to go yet. There is the election and maybe not as many votes as he was expecting, for several reasons.
Vic Davies, Tighes Hill
AFTER the crisis is over, can we agree to stop saying epicentre when we mean centre?
Peter Moylan, Glendale
I'M saving heaps on not playing the pokies and not over indulging in schooners at the pubs and clubs. Now I've plenty to spend on leg waxes, fake tans and budgie smugglers so I can strut the Bathers Way.
Bryn Roberts, New Lambton
DAVE McTaggart, I need to lift my game. I'm no longer the craziest cat in Fingal. The title belongs to my neighbour who I spied walking back from the shop on Easter Sunday wearing an Easter bunny suit; he was smoking a cigarette and putting Easter eggs in locals letterboxes as he walked.
Steve Barnett, Fingal Bay
AFTER weeks of social distancing, how can free-to-air television stations justify their programming? If you're not watching an ad or an encore/repeat, there's nothing else on.
