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New Zealand PM hits back at Trump's comments on coronavirus 'big surge'

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WAs always a red herring.  what this shows is that lockdowns and travel bans are not a panacea.  We are going to have to learn to live with occasional outbreaks of Covid for the forseeable future.

-28 ( +15 / -43 )

Completely correct. We will have to learn with it and just get on with life like this for a while yet. Not quite sure why 2 people have thumbed you down.

-27 ( +13 / -40 )

Agreed. Sounds like the leaky border still needs a bit of fine tuning.

This is all a major learning experience for everyone involved.

-21 ( +7 / -28 )

No country can eliminate Covid, that window of opportunity was closed early this year. Obviously it was never eliminated in NZ in the first place. Mitigation is the only option for countries now, through widespread testing and local lockdowns when necessary.

19 ( +23 / -4 )

I'm pretty sure that they know where this current cluster originated. Ardern is hiding the information to avoid a backlash from voters.

-41 ( +8 / -49 )

wtfjapan Today  03:01 pm JST

she consulted the other political parties and they all agreed a postponement was nessassy, it was unanimous, amazing how democracy works.

Not only that. There was clear public support for doing so. The new date is also within the range which is allowed under NZ law.

In sort, no squabbling, it was logical and everyone supported it or could see the reasons for doing so.

23 ( +25 / -2 )

so they locked down their largest city and delayed their election but it wasnt caused by a surge? that seems nonsensical.

-34 ( +7 / -41 )

Nz set an unsuitable goal of elimination and now have to have the common sense to change strategy.

-26 ( +5 / -31 )

so the lockdown and the delay of the election support that there is no "big surge"?

what shows that the remarks were patently wrong? (Yes, I agree it was unnecessary for Trump to call out NZ, but what he said isnt wrong at this moment in time, or else election would be on and city would be open)

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern hit back on Tuesday against U.S. President Donald Trump for saying her country is experiencing a "big surge" in COVID-19, calling the remarks "patently wrong".

-32 ( +3 / -35 )

so they locked down their largest city and delayed their election but it wasnt caused by a surge? that seems nonsensical.

To you, yes I imagine it does.

24 ( +26 / -2 )

It was bound to happen because they can't refuse entry to returning citizens.

They may be able to stop community transmission again but chances are it will just be a cycle.

It is what it is.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Yeah Donald, a terrible upsurge of 9 cases and no new deaths!! Time to get your own pandemic under 1,000 deaths a day and let NZ do her thing.

26 ( +31 / -5 )

We went longer than many, our outbreak is certainly not as significant as 

Shouldn’t have been crowing about the 100 days thing... looks a bit silly now, to change the goal posts.

Eradication didn’t work out as a viable strategy.

Although yes, she did a better job with New Zealand than Trump did with the US, methinks. Not hard to beat that disaster.

-5 ( +8 / -13 )

Taking the differences in population into account, the US has 70 times the daily rate of infections that NZ currently has. So, according to Trump, if the so-called-surge in NZ is just terrible, how should he describe the situation in the US? Answer - Great. Why? - cause he lives in a completely different realty.

25 ( +27 / -2 )

It would be so much easier for trump if every female politician were also an aspiring TV starlet or beauty pageant entrant. He has a playbook for that scenario.

Poor man must be terribly frustrated seeing female politicians doing so much better than he is.

I wonder why he doesn’t go after Merkel.

22 ( +24 / -2 )

It is a big surge.  From 0 to 13.

-1 ( +9 / -10 )

WAs always a red herring. what this shows is that lockdowns and travel bans are not a panacea.

Nobody ever claimed it would be.

Some people seem to think that if a measure isn’t 100% effective then it isn’t worth taking at all.

22 ( +24 / -2 )

Don't worry Jacinda, mathematics isn't one of trump's stronger points.

Other than lying he is bad at everything!!!

25 ( +26 / -1 )

For those who don't know,Again,both sides of parliament are in agreement to delay the election.

21 ( +21 / -0 )

Ah, so this is why there are always accounts attacking Jacinda Arden on this site; it's because Trump doesn't like her. The penny has dropped. Naruhodo, as they say.

Ardern is hiding the information to avoid a backlash from voters.

Yeah, right. And who told you that, your mate Carl Benjamin? Link us up to another one of his videos will you, I could do with a good laugh.

20 ( +23 / -3 )

AkulaToday 03:00 pm JST

I'm pretty sure that they know where this current cluster originated. Ardern is hiding the information to avoid a backlash from voters.

You are pretty sure you know? Where do you get your information? It is more likely you are making up rubbish that suits your narrative. People like you are part of the problem why the net is becoming a worthless forum.

ulyssesToday 05:10 pm JST

Don't worry Jacinda, mathematics isn't one of trump's stronger points.

Other than lying he is bad at everything!!!

He is not even a good liar in that his lies are easy to detect. I am surprised people still listen to him. When information becomes unreliable, it is most profitable to discount that source of information...

21 ( +22 / -1 )

So for those keeping score:

13 infections in New Zealand = “Terrible surge”

5,514,651 infections in US = “I’m doing such a great job, best in the world”.

19 ( +21 / -2 )

Surge, surge, surge. None of them related to Trump whatsoever.

https://www.france24.com/en/20200814-new-zealand-super-rugby-match-cancelled-over-coronavirus-surge

https://www.trtworld.com/asia/new-zealand-delays-its-election-by-four-weeks-over-surge-in-covid-19-cases-38959

https://time.com/5879177/new-zealand-coronavirus-cases/

-24 ( +1 / -25 )

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, must not react to playground poking and prodding.

A heartfelt genuine but simple statement of condolences to the families of 170,000 lost US souls, victims of the devastating pandemic.  

Over and out,  point made

12 ( +14 / -2 )

no one wants to consider why if it is NOT a big surge.... why the city is shutdown and election delayed?

@ Blacklabel - Because Kiwis of all political stripes value lives. If the month delay saves even one life, its worth shutting down and putting off the election for a short time. This is what responsible leaders do. Possibly difficult for Trump supporters to grasp.

NZ - 22 lives lost, and doing everything in their power to keep it very low.

USA under Trump - 173, 713 lives lost, and tragically counting. Plus an economy he has turned into a smoking ruin.

15 ( +18 / -3 )

rainyday, in case you've missed several days of the news, the 13 cases are NEW cases that are added TODAY to the ever-growing total of NEW cases that have popped up over the past week, a total of about 100. I wonder why THAT tally has been omitted?

-17 ( +2 / -19 )

Source data:

https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-current-situation/covid-19-current-cases/covid-19-significant-clusters

Significant clusters in New Zealand

There is currently one open cluster in New Zealand, currently known as the ‘Auckland August cluster’. Data specific to this cluster is available below.

Auckland August cluster –

Auckland August cluster: (location) :Auckland (total to date) :69 (new cases in last 24hrs) :12 (currently under investigation) : 69 (status) Under investigationOpen

-14 ( +2 / -16 )

rainy-day, in case you've missed several days of the news, the 13 cases are NEW cases that are added TODAY to the ever-growing total of NEW cases that have popped up over the past week, a total of about 100. I wonder why THAT tally has been omitted?

Oh well, that makes a big difference. 100 cases? Wow, thats almost as many as the US generates every 2 minutes.

13 ( +16 / -3 )

its not a comparison to the USA. Its whether it is a surge or not.

It is. per media reports, separate from any Trump comments.

-17 ( +4 / -21 )

Blacklabel, exactly! From zero(from an arrogantly prideful declaration of 102 days) to now officially 69 constitutes a surge.

-19 ( +3 / -22 )

Blacklabel, exactly! From zero(from an arrogantly prideful declaration of 102 days) to now officially 69 constitutes a surge.

‘Arrogantly prideful’...the only surge happening is in rapidly declining brain cells.

15 ( +17 / -2 )

its not a comparison to the USA.

Its the bloody president of the USA who made the comment for crying out loud!

18 ( +18 / -0 )

By now, absolutely no one on Earth should be surprised when Trump opens his mouth, only to tell a lie.

What would be truly newsworthy would be if Trump said something truthful, for a change. Now that would be newsworthy.

17 ( +17 / -0 )

@ Bobby fizzicola

One good thing he's done is to galvanize all the kiwis to getting rid of it.If only the rest of the world could vote.

13 ( +13 / -0 )

@Blacklabel

so they locked down their largest city and delayed their election but it wasnt caused by a surge? that seems nonsensical.

To you it might. However, that's what competent leaders do to combat something like this. "Go hard, go early", as Ardern, that rarest of beasts (a real leader, with the interests of all her people at heart) said. We're talking about a handful of cases, but authorities have to jump on the first signs of Covid immediately or else it gets out of control.

15 ( +16 / -1 )

In a couple of months, when we see the final figures, NZ will not look very different from Sweden. Yes, there will be difference, but as big as now. Populations are still working there way towards herd immunity, some slower some faster. The idea that you can isolate a modern country from the virus by locking down is silly.

-15 ( +2 / -17 )

Obviously it's patently wrong," she said of Trump's comments.

A patently wrong Trump comment? Another one with a PhD in stating the bloody obvious.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Another one with a PhD in stating the bloody obvious.

Which would perhaps be why she said “Obviously”?

8 ( +10 / -2 )

What this shows is that lockdowns and travel bans work better than any other action.

This moderate increase in cases is hardly a "surge" but that makes it sound worse than it really is, which was what Trumps wanted. All an attempt to have people look away from the American catastrophe that he is responsible for. Like a worm trying to wriggle off the hook, but he is responsible for the US disaster, and smart Americans will hold him accountable on November 3. Let us hope the number of Smart Americans far outweighs the dumb ones.

8 ( +12 / -4 )

Pot, meet Kettle. One of these countries is run by an intelligent person who listens to scientists and has her constituents best interest in mind. Her country has been an example to us all

The other one is run by a narcissistic sociopath who also happens to be an idiot (which is lucky because if he had even a modicum of intelligence, he’d be even more dangerous) who’s default position on any decision is “What’s in it for me?”

Trump doesn’t even have the intelligence to realize what a buffoon he makes of himself when he says these laughably stupid things.

14 ( +16 / -2 )

"Every other single country in the world has experienced resurgence. We went longer than many, our outbreak is certainly not as significant as what we are seeing in Vietnam, in Hong Kong, in South Korea or in Australia,(YET ) " she told state broadcaster TVNZ.

Time will tell.

-13 ( +1 / -14 )

Trump does say stupid things but he still score points with it. Like in this instance he managed to reel in Ardern and succeeded in attracting attention and creating distraction.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

"New Zealand reimposed lockdown measures in Auckland after several new cases were discovered. Before that, the country had gone more than 100 days without any detected community transmission of the illness. The government has raised eyebrows with its heavy-handed response to the handful of new cases, even going so far as postponing the country’s general election, originally set to take place on September 19, to October 17. The move sparked comparisons between Ardern(praised by the adoring left) and Trump(loathed by the same left) , who himself floated the idea of delaying November’s presidential election so that Americans could “properly, securely, and safely vote.”"

Why the disparity?

" Still, online pundits have quickly drawn parallels between the situation in the two countries, arguing that people should hold Ardern to the same standards as Trump, when he was labeled a “dictator” and “fascist” for toying with the idea."

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

Why the disparity?

This question has been adequately answered several times.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

I think Trump, Herve and Black are absolutely correct. How is "big sure" wrong ?

What this shows is that lockdowns and travel bans work better than any other action.

Maybe. When you have only 10 hospitals in the whole country and a very primitive economy

However, that's what competent leaders do to combat something like this. "Go hard, go early"

I think competent leaders of countries prioritize science, medical care and vaccine development. Trust me you will not see a single vaccine candidate nor treatment coming from NZ.

Another one with a PhD in stating the bloody obvious

What is the PhD in and where was this obtained ?

Lastly another question, why would you pick a fight with Trump now and over semantics while campaigning ? What if he wins ? Isn't it a bit silly ?

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

The move sparked comparisons between Ardern(praised by the adoring left) and Trump(loathed by the same left) , who himself floated the idea of delaying November’s presidential election so that Americans could “properly, securely, and safely vote.”"Why the disparity?

Arden will likely win the next election in NZ because she deserves to, no matter when it will be held.

Trump is trying to postpone the election as it is likely he will lose in a landslide, not to save lives.

Aden is a competent leader who is respected at home and abroad. Trump is an incompetant leader who is despised at home and abroad.

That is why the disparity.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

n1k1,

Trump would lose an argument with a head of shredded cabbage. He’s that dumb.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

My spelling sux *Ardern.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Trump would lose an argument with a head of shredded cabbage. He’s that dumb.

He maybe not be very likeable but he is not dumb. He plays the media anyway he wants , he plays the markets anyway he wants he is definitely smarter then me actually.

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

he is definitely smarter then me actually.

That isn't good news for you.

Smart people don't do dumb things as frequently as Trump does. They don't need to keep trying to convince people they are smart by turning hurricanes into sunshine by nuking them, then putting those sunshine pills into the body with a swig of drain cleaner to end pandemics.

Trump's leadership has been so pitiful that he's trying to find people who are doing worse than him. His misery needs company.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

 He plays the media anyway he wants , he plays the markets anyway he wants he is definitely smarter then me actually.

and how is his play on the markets as of today, seems pretty abysmal , his play of the 40million lost jobs, or his play on the failed pandemic response, estimates that 200000 Americans will be dead before the end of the year.... Trump fans oh that all apart of his big plan. !?

8 ( +8 / -0 )

He maybe not be very likeable but he is not dumb.

losing a $billion in ten yrs and bankrupting a casino!?, even those far richer smarter guys always say, if Trump was smart he would have invested in the stock markets and just sit back, he would have made far more money than putting it in golf resorts and hotels

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Maybe. When you have only 10 hospitals in the whole country and a very primitive economy

Sigh. There are forty hospitals just in the Auckland region. There are another 25 in Canterbury. You are as sloppy with the facts as your orange jesus. It's not something to be proud of. Facts matter. Truth matter. Both of these you seem to be unacquainted with.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

200000 Americans will be dead before the end of the year....

This wasn't part of his plan. No. It probably wasn't even China's plan.

It just happened. Wrong bat kebab shop, i don't know..

It is a big number and it is truly sad, there really isn't much anyone could do. The low mortality in Japan is not a product of superb governance it just happens to be the case for unclear reasons.

Harshly enforcing anything in USA results in clashes with police and death because everyone has a gun. Locking-down obviously would resulted in more lost jobs.

It is not a plan , just like me and perhaps you most of the time it seems to me he plays it by ear.

osing a $billion in ten yrs and bankrupting a casino!?,

Given he is 80. I think he is doing OK.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

New zealands response is definitely out of line with the rest of the world.

Anyone who just read the headline "nz in lockdown again" would automatically assume the situation is out of control.

This probably means trump doesn't read the whole report, (but we knew this already)

And it means nz"s heavy handed tatics are so out of wack with the rest of the world even an idiot like trump took notice.

Doesnt really reflect well on either country.

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

Sigh. There are forty hospitals just in the Auckland region. There are another 25 in Canterbury. You are as sloppy with the facts as your orange jesus. It's not something to be proud of. Facts matter. Truth matter. Both of these you seem to be unacquainted with.

I think it is more like the truth hurts in this particular instance. You really shouldn't compare NZ with USA .

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

So why did Jacinda Ardern delay the democratic election?

-10 ( +0 / -10 )

You really shouldn't compare NZ with USA .

You should tell Donboy that.

Over 170,000 dead, he should choose his trolling targets better.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

So why did Jacinda Ardern delay the democratic election?

Maybe to reduce the risks of people becoming infected? What do you think?

And the Prime Minister determines the timing of elections.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

A rancid dictator calling out a Countries Leader because she showed him up.

trump said , to show me something. All about me, trump turns everything into

It's all about me.

Our Country is not in a race with the trump owned virus.

Jacinda adopted a "go early-go hard" policy. The Team of 5 million complied.

For 103 days we did good, now we have a new attack, so we again "attack back"

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Kiwis getting all worked up that Trump talked about them. I bet they're secretly chuffed;-)

And... @ZENJI - He's not a dictator. But of course there's no convincing you.

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

You should tell Donboy that.

Over 170,000 dead, he should choose his trolling targets better.

I don't think he was. He used it as an example to show how lock-downs even when perfect and people are cooperative ( no riots and no protesting) once you start opening up the virus will find it's way back.

According to the Ministry of Health, New Zealand has 176 intensive-care unit beds and 57 high-dependency/cardiac care beds spread across the country's 20 DHBs.

And maybe this is why for NZ lock-down while people around the world die trying to find a vaccine which probably will reach NZ as a gift from UK or Australia could in theory make sense but, to propagate that this works and this is what the rest of the world should do is just irresponsible.

You your benevolent leader should also know that the vaccines will all depend on existing immunity and we will be seeing complications and even deaths long after everybody is vaccinated.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

n1k1

He used it as an example to show how lock-downs even when perfect and people are cooperative ( no riots and no protesting) once you start opening up the virus will find it's way back.

Actually no. He was shown up by New Zealand successfully beating the virus and when he saw that there were new cases in the community, he gleefully took the chance to proclaim a "surge".

The thing is, if New Zealand is having a "surge", what do you call daily increases that are 7000% higher than New Zealand's "surge"? How can you still claim that you are doing just fine with this "super surge"?

Due to quick action by Ardern, they will beat this again and New Zealand can go back to normality again.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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