Podcast appearances and mentions of rod jackson

Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Business and Regulatory Affairs Bill Bodine reminds farmers to locate underground utilities before beginning any excavation projects this spring. Jersey County author Rod Jackson discusses his new book "From the Creek Bank to the Classroom".  Jenny Colvin from the River Bend Food Bank talks food insecurity issues and a $21,000 donation from the "Bushels for Hunger" campaign.  Freese-Notis Weather meteorologist Paul Otto details a severe weather threat later in the week. 

So the Government's looking at potential scope for a Covid review, and “taking advice”. That in and of itself should ring alarm bells given no government has ordered more reviews than this lot. They ordered reviews like a teenager ordering Uber Eats with their parents credit card. Reviews all round, bugger the expense. So now to pause, reflect, and take advice, seems out of character. It seems a stalling technique.  That aside, the taking advice bit is the other thing this Government's record has been questionable on. They talked a big game – and often – about all the ‘advice' they were taking – but then more times than not, didn't take any of it. Case and point being anything Treasury ever said to them. It included advice from the business sector, real people, organisations, even their own review committees. But one sector they did seem to take a lot of advice from during Covid was the domain of the scientist and the epidemiologist. And fair enough, in the early days of confusion and uncertainty around a virus and a global pandemic, they were the experts they should hear from. But where and when to draw the line? At what point did the ‘experts' go beyond their remit? At what point do the scientists sit down and the epidemiologists accept there's more to life than looking at everything from the lens of a lab. Things like the fact there's an economy to think about, a tourism industry, people's mental health, livelihoods, businesses and so on.  Yes the science and the warnings about hygiene, masks, surfaces, germs and closed spaces were all vital at the time.. but two years on, with fewer than a thousand cases in the community. With even our ‘abundance of caution' Government saying it‘s time to retire the restrictions, why are the epidemiologists still front page screaming that the sky will fall in? The fear and the panic is over. Read the room. Yet still they have a platform to preach fear.  It's not helpful to have the likes of Michael Baker and Rod Jackson saying we need to keep some masks, some controls, some restrictions. Baker claims we should look at “whether we should have a vaccination requirement for travellers, whether we should use testing technology as part of the arrival process into New Zealand.” He reckons we “shouldn't just abandon all controls at the borders." I tell you what we should abandon, the epidemiologists. Thank you for your service, thank you for your insight, thanks for the memories. Time to exit stage left.  We do not need this kind of advice running or trying to run our country. It's beyond their remit, it's beyond their scope, it only views things myopically from the comfort and luxury of a privileged position with no real connection to the real world. They're not running a business, they're not running a ski field or a bungy jump or a hotel or a café or a retail shop.  What we need now is normality, tourists, punters, and some basic freedoms back. We can't live in fear of future pandemics forever. We can't keep pinging guests to this country in a paranoid fervour of fear. We've waved goodbye to the traffic lights, now let's please wave goodbye to the epidemiologists.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At midnight the government's pulling the plug on its covid traffic light system. That means the only place you'll have to wear a mask is health and aged care facilities - including pharmacies. Only Covid-positive people will need to continue isolating for seven days. Household contacts no longer need to. And all vacine mandates end in a fortnight - on September 26. Auckland University epidemiologist Professor Rod Jackson talks to Lisa Owen. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6312193456112

It's been a year since the country's longest Covid-19 lockdown, and an epidemiologist is warning we can't rule out more of the dreaded lockdowns. Rod Jackson, from Auckland University, says we have to be better prepared for any future lockdowns, with new variants of Covid 19 popping up regularly. Jackson spoke to Corin Dann.

Covid-19 cases have been climbing, with experts warning we're in a new wave of the pandemic.Some experts say New Zealand should be considered.Auckland University Covid modeller David Welch says cases are likely to keep rising, putting extra pressure on the health system.He says he certainly wouldn't rule out going back into red within the next few weeks -- but he concedes it may not be politically feasible.Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says Red Traffic Lights restrictions aren't being considered.She says there's a real question mark over whether gathering limits at red would make a marked difference.Auckland University epidemiologist Rod Jackson says he's been noticing people have been getting slack with the measures.He says we need to do orange properly before talking about other restrictions, and believes if we do that, we won't need to move levels.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Covid-19 cases have been climbing, with experts warning we're in a new wave of the pandemic.Some experts say New Zealand should be considered.Auckland University Covid modeller David Welch says cases are likely to keep rising, putting extra pressure on the health system.He says he certainly wouldn't rule out going back into red within the next few weeks -- but he concedes it may not be politically feasible.Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says Red Traffic Lights restrictions aren't being considered.She says there's a real question mark over whether gathering limits at red would make a marked difference.Auckland University epidemiologist Rod Jackson says he's been noticing people have been getting slack with the measures.He says we need to do orange properly before talking about other restrictions, and believes if we do that, we won't need to move levels.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob Paris was the first athlete actively competing in his sport to publicly come out of the closet. He was in love, and wanted to shout it from the rooftop. But how did 1989 American society take it? We go through his life, from his early days in Indiana, to his current life in Canada. Coffee & Tequila Bob Paris: When Mr. Universe Came Out in 1989 Season 2 Episode 16 SOURCES: Straight From the Heart by Rod Jackson and Bob Paris Gorilla Suit: My Adventures in Bodybuilding by Bob Paris Generation Queer: A Gay Man's Quest for Hope, Love, and Justice by Bob Paris FOLLOW US ON: Youtube youtube.com/azbbonusfeatures Instagram @coffeeandtequilashow Alastair @alastairjpatton Zach @adventuresofzachandb

An Auckland University epidemiologist wants pharmacies to be doing RATs, to improve the accuracy of tests and better capture the results. There are increasing reports of people being having the virus, but recording negative RATs - sometimes multiple times. Our reporter Robin Martin has more.

An epidemiologist says Dr Ashley Bloomfield saved thousands of lives. Dr Bloomfield is stepping down as Director-General of Health at the end of July. University of Auckland professor Rod Jackson told Morning Report Dr Bloomfield was integral to a leadership group that saved the country's health service during the Covid-19 pandemic. Jackson says he's concerned New Zealand is losing someone with Dr Bloomfield's level of expertise and more public health professionals need similar training. "We need to produce more public health professionals with his expertise and his training."

Auckland University Epidemiologist Rod Jackson joins Lloyd Burr and Wilhelmina Shrimpton to talk about the government's decision in keeping New Zealand at the red traffic light setting for another 10 days.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Looks like the Government's back to listening to Rod Jackson.I started the week so optimistically yesterday. I was so full of hope that we'd be going to an orange light, after all, we're through the peak, especially in Auckland, we're largely double vaxxed and boosted, we're still in masks, we've done everything we've been asked to do.. but nope, we're staying in red.I just don't know when this Government will be able to give up their Covid micro management and all the PR and media time it affords them. I can see it is getting increasingly difficult for them to let it go. I mean here we are again spending another week angsting and dissecting more Covid framework decisions that are drip fed to us in little increments of time from their beloved podium of truth.Adding in another review period – before Easter and before the school holidays, just keeps us all on tenterhooks, keeps the Government in control and at its podium, keeps the media focused on their Covid response – and while we're focusing on that we're not looking at all the areas of failure of this Government. We're not looking at failure to deliver on housing, or poverty, or mental health, or crime, or the economy. We are instead just sitting on the edge of our seats waiting for our next lecture, our next list of instructions, our next dressing down about how serious Omicron is and how important it is to get boosted. I mean I assume they've focus grouped this and worked out the politics of it favours what they're doing. Because, as we know, this Government's one and only calling card is Covid.Event planners must be tearing their hair out. How do they even begin to plan anything? How do indoor events even grab any skerrick of hope? The PM talking up outdoor events as being without restriction is of no use to them. Her saying the Covid fund will address those who have to cancel events – come on. Who's even planning an event based on this uncertainty?No one will be eligible for cancellation compensation, because no one will be planning anything – they're in limbo, that's the problem, and that's the part I'm not sure the PM gets. But she's still trying to have two bob each way. In reminding us all of the doom and gloom, she also said people should feel safe and relaxed about going out. So on the one hand, it's not safe enough to leave a red light setting, Omicron is not a mild illness it's serious and we all need to take it seriously, but on the other hand, please head out and enjoy hospitality venues as usual. I mean which one is it?People are rightly confused and fed up. The thing about this Government is that it feels like you're permanently sitting in a waiting room. But you never get the call up, and you don't know where in the queue you are. It's just a drawn out charade of announcements of announcements of possible announcements, and just asking us all to stay tuned for their next appearance. It's so mind numbingly tedious, and I'm just so bummed that in 24 hours I went from being naively so full of hope.. to just disappointed again.  

So tonight, the big Moana Pasifika game, just hours before the restrictions lift that could've seen bigger crowds attend. Seems crazy that they just miss out by a short timeframe, midnight Friday, when they surely could have let a bigger crowd gather at Mt Smart tonight. So, two of this weekend's Super Rugby games can be held without restrictions on size, but tonight's won't be. But are fans ready to embrace the crowd thing again? Who's actually going? Are people ready for crowds? Or will they still freak out? I mean Eden Park seats 50,000 but I doubt that'll be a full house. Yes, there'll be excitement to see games live again, but how many will commit to sitting shoulder to shoulder in a large setting?  I mean I hope it's a good number. For the teams and players, to get the atmosphere back, to get the hype back, the sense of normality we've all been missing. Crowds back watching games – I mean let's hope come July we are all back to packed tournaments and good well-supported games, winter bugs permitting. Super Rugby franchises that have been bleeding money the past two years certainly need it. I'm sure team morale could do with it, and for sport-mad families, the live game scene is a really important part of family traditions. But we need some clarity back too. Being in a slightly skewed red light doesn't help with the general understanding of what's allowed and what's not. There's still a lot of confusion out there. And I notice yesterday, ironically standing at Eden Park, the PM gave another hint there may be a move to Orange sooner than we think.  Maybe they're just delaying it so as not to upset the Rod Jackson, Siousixe Wiles crowd? But they must know that for hospo and events and sports, we need to get to Orange sooner rather than later.  The PM said what may happen is a regional shift. She said “the traffic light system had the capacity for regions to be at different levels without worrying about enforcing a hard border”.. so they're going to ..“consider whether some regions are ready to move sooner than others.” However, the earliest they'll consider that will be the first week of April. Still, that's not far away. But for tonight's game at Mt Smart, crowd sizes are still limited and it's actually something Moana Pasifika's on board with. A spokesperson said they “remain committed to limiting the number of supporters to bubbles of 100, to a maximum of 900, in the interests of public safety..” because they're.. “conscious of their Pasifika fan base in South Auckland and note that Covid is still rampant in their communities.” So that's tonight's game, then tomorrow there are two matches, Highlanders against Blues in Dunedin and Chiefs against Crusaders in Hamilton. I can't wait to see the crowds back at these, and I hope they do come out to support.  It'll be good to get that crowd spirit back, which not only helps lift player morale, but also lift the franchise's revenue. 

"We are right on the border of losing control."  That's what epidemiologist Rod Jackson has been saying ahead of Cabinet deciding what to do with vaccine passes, vaccine mandates, traffic light settings … all of that stuff. And he wants to see all current public health measures kept in place until the current Omicron outbreak is over. He's talking another two-to-four weeks. So, if Rod Jackson had his way, we'd be at Red for up to another month, we'd still have to flash the vaccine passes at restaurants and other venues, and we'd still have to wear a mask pretty much anywhere and everywhere. I think he's pushing that one uphill. Because, as we've seen in the past couple of weeks, the Government – like any government that's come before it and any government that will follow it, whatever colour it is – will pull out all the tricks if it gets a whiff that it's going out of favour. The problem Jacinda Ardern and her ministers have, though, is if you look at the traffic light system, you see that one of the conditions of us being at Red is a hospital system under pressure. And I don't think anyone could argue that the hospital system is currently under the most pressure it's ever been since the pandemic began. Hovering around 1,000 COVID patients in hospital every day at the moment – with a lot more people in ICU than we've seen a lot of the time. Here in Canterbury, some of the smaller hospitals closed because they don't have enough staff to run them – because so many are isolating either because they've got Omicron or they're a household contact.  What has changed, though, since the traffic light system was brought in, is the arrival of Omicron – and the vast majority of people with Covid at the moment are isolating for seven days at home and then pretty much getting back to life as normal. So maybe this week, we'll see a tweaked traffic light system – because I think the original version is no longer relevant. We will find out on Wednesday. Cabinet is meeting today but not telling us anything until Wednesday. You don't have to be in hospital to be drip-fed these days, do you? Now, what I think is the most pressing need this week, is “clarity” from the Government and knowing what we are expected to do and how we are expected to behave from here on in. I'll give you an example. I heard about a school-aged child who tested positive for Covid on Friday but, over the weekend, instead of isolating – this kid's mother had them going all over town as per normal. Playgrounds, shops, you name it. Now is that just a case of someone being stupid, and not knowing what to do? Or someone who's had a gutful of the whole thing and doesn't want to be a part of the team of five million anymore? And does it really matter? Does it really matter that this child's mother completely ignored the requirement for her child and the rest of the family to isolate? Most of us will probably think it does matter, because we feel it's the right thing to do. But is it still the right thing to do? This is what we need to hear from the Government this week. And this is what I think the Government's going to be grappling with. It needs to come up with a plan that tells the people with no clue what they should be doing but, at the same time, convinces the others who have just had enough and want to get on with Covid being part of normal life, not to be complete idiots and not throw all caution to the wind. That's a pretty tall order. And it's what former Health Minister Peter Dunne was talking about when he spoke on Newstalk ZB today. He said it's going to be interesting to see how far the Government leans towards what it thinks is the right thing to do, and what it thinks the public wants to hear. He says it's going to be a very difficult balancing act – and he's not wrong there. But “clarity” has to be one of the main things to come from the Government this week. Not just about mandates and masks and QR code scanning. Peter Dunne says th...

I'm just wondering if, when the PM announces they're dropping mandates and vaccine passes, they could also drop the scaremongering epidemiologists? Seriously, can we please retire them?  The hysteria is over, the peak is passing, in the grand total of two years of this pandemic, fewer than ten percent of New Zealanders actually caught Covid, many more had their lives disrupted and damaged in ways some may never get over. We need to draw a line in the sand. I'd love to know if the hysterical headlines are still getting the clicks. Is anyone even interested in reading or hearing from these guys anymore? Yesterday's drama from Rod Jackson was that hospitals were overwhelmed, that it's too soon to drop mandates.  Spoiler alert – the hospitals are not overwhelmed, a point even Jackson conceded, the health sector is actually coping, which is what other health professionals including Saint Ashley himself say too. They were probably under worse stress with RSV last year. We had an employment lawyer on the show yesterday saying the same thing as Jackson though – that it's too soon to drop mandates. The feedback on the text machine after that particular interview was largely unreadable given the number of swear words, suffice to say his views did not go down well. But the epidemiologists screaming that the sky will fall in are sounding unhinged at this stage. Rod Jackson for example, doesn't just want the mandates to stay – he wants all the public health measures to stay – the red light, the passes, the masks, the contact tracing, the pressure for boosters, the works. Where Jackson keeps letting himself down though, is he keeps quoting other countries..  We are not the UK, we are not Hong Kong. Our vaccination rates are high, we are a different country made up of different infrastructure and living styles, his argument we're all going to die is losing credibility at pace.  Because we're just not. Only half a million of us have even caught Covid. Yet he still wants the ‘team of 5 million' to remain punished, fear-ridden, and holed up like hermits. I'm worried about the damage being done by all this fear mongering, you still see people scanning in, socially distancing, afraid and convinced they need to stay home and away from people. Many of our CBDs are ghost towns, it's like we're in a lockdown, but it's of people's own making. Is this really how we want to welcome tourists back into our country? Welcome to New Zealand. Sorry, everything's shut and empty and no one wants to come near you, we are still trembling with fear. It's actually tragic. I know we have vulnerable, elderly, and immune compromised we need to protect, but that's true of all illnesses that come our way. How long do we stop life for? When the winter ills and chills arrive, are we back into lockdown to protect those people again?  I think when the Government announces Wednesday that mandates are being phased out, and that we're waving goodbye to passes, we also need to wave goodbye to the doomsayers too. I, for one, won't miss them. 

Auckland University epidemiologist Professor Rod Jackson says calls to remove vaccine passes now are "political nonsense", and wants them to stay for weeks longer. Jackson said NZ is currently at the peak of the Omicron wave, and the passes should stay until the wave is well passed. The number of deaths of those with Covid-19 is on the rise, with nine reported yesterday. This comes as 957 people are in hospital, including 26 in ICU, the highest number yet in intensive care. Jackson spoke to Corin Dann.

Jesse speaks to Auckland University epidemiologist Professor Rod Jackson about the rapid rise in covid cases and what we can expect in coming weeks.

An Auckland epidemiologist is urging New Zealanders to take Omicron seriously, and certainly not to think of it as similar to the flu. The warning by Rod Jackson comes as new modelling by Te Pūnaha Matatini shows that Omicron could peak by mid next month, with about 4000 daily cases. Professor Jackson spoke to Susie Ferguson.

A top health expert doesn't think any region can change colours in the Traffic Light System yet.There were 103 community cases across the country today, up from 63 yesterday.It comes ahead of the Government meeting to review New Zealand's traffic light settings tomorrow.The decision will be based on factors including vaccination rates and case numbers.Professor of Epidemiology at Auckland University Rod Jackson told The Weekend Collective it's too early to move.“I'd say Auckland needs another week, we need to see what happened on Freedom Friday. The rest of the Red areas, they got to get up to 90 per cent vaccination.”LISTEN ABOVE

A top health expert doesn't think any region can change colours in the Traffic Light System yet.There were 103 community cases across the country today, up from 63 yesterday.It comes ahead of the Government meeting to review New Zealand's traffic light settings tomorrow.The decision will be based on factors including vaccination rates and case numbers.Professor of Epidemiology at Auckland University Rod Jackson told The Weekend Collective it's too early to move.“I'd say Auckland needs another week, we need to see what happened on Freedom Friday. The rest of the Red areas, they got to get up to 90 per cent vaccination.”LISTEN ABOVE

Well done Auckland.  The high vax rates have led us to where we are now – getting shops open come Wednesday. It's several weeks too late, but we'll take it.  Key takeaways from yesterday's announcement - it's no longer about Covid and cases, it's about, as I said yesterday, length of lockdown, lack of compliance. The ‘health response' for all that the Rod Jackson's want to squeal about it, is over. Ardern did make mention of mental health though, about time. What an unnecessary strain this has been. Northland goes to Level 2 later this week, the traffic light system will be in place by the start of next month, the PM sounded super keen for a summer, and why wouldn't she be, she's got a wedding to get underway.   And call me cynical, but her choosing Wednesday as the day to visit Auckland is not lost on anyone. How convenient. The day the shops open up, she's suddenly able to waft into town... are you kidding me?  If anyone was in any doubt that this is a ‘good vibes only' PM, there's your confirmation. We won't see her at any hairdressers or hospo outlets; God forbid, she'll be in Counties Manukau, somewhere in South Auckland, looking for high fives. Surrounded by preferably children, or pre vetted supporters. She was actually asked if she expected protestors, she played that down saying only a small minority protested her, she said she won't be increasing her security. I mean why would she, she'll be sticking firmly to vaccination centres in far flung places. So poor old hospo is still on ice. At least another three weeks, it has to wait until all three Auckland DHB's reach 90 percent double jabbed. There's now a huge expectation riding on first doses rocking up for their second doses in the next three weeks. My guess is even if they don't, the Government will blink first, they'll admit defeat – though they won't word it that way. They'll word it as some kind of world leading world beating huge achievement but, basically they'll fold on the 90 percent if it hasn't been reached. So mark your diary for Freedom Day November 29. As for the border, it'll be open too. iIt's still a mystery how and that's concerning that they still don't know what they're doing there. But for the people still listening to the squealing hysteria of the ‘people will die!' epidemiologists, like Rod Jackson, you're in for a shock.  The Government's no longer listening to them, neither should we. I don't know why they get so much airtime. All they're doing is fuelling fear, and the fear mongering is over. So, I for one, will be happy to be out supporting local shops as they fling open their doors Wednesday. I'm confident the sky won't fall in, hospitals will not be swamped, we will just live with this virus, and it's about bloody time. 

I'm not sure the return to school yesterday for seniors in level three will be the super spreader event people like Rod Jackson were ‘freaking out' about. I guess time will tell on that one. But what I do know from talking to some students who went back yesterday, was that it was stressful for all concerned. I'm not sure what's more stressful at this point: online at-home-learning, or heading back into school after so long. There are parents in both camps as well as students of course; some nervous they've gone back, some grateful. What I did learn yesterday from returning students, is that there's a lot of stress from feeling so behind on school work – and worry about how to catch that up in time for exams. The big talking point at school of course is Covid, and the stress around what that means for them, whether their exams will happen or not, how they might happen, and what the rest of the term looks like. That's something we can all identify with, really. No one really knows what the rest of our year looks like. I'm not sure at this point that even the Government does. Teachers, I heard, were very negative about the return - most of them saying at one school that they didn't want to be there. They're worried they'll catch Covid and potentially pass it on to younger children of their own at home. That's a valid concern. Students, while happy to be back with their friends, were of course finding the social distancing tough. And by tough, I mean, non-existent. Masks, though mandatory, I hear were hard to keep on all day as it was so muggy and humid in Auckland yesterday that most found it too hard and hot to breathe. So, masks were off a lot, and that's what I hear from many level two schools that are back as well in other parts of the country; the mask thing is non-existent. It's classic theory versus reality. So, what's more stressful for teachers and students right now? Being at school with strict rules which are being loosely interpreted and, in some cases, not followed at all?  Running the gauntlet of a large-scale environment with some vaxxed, some not?  Or staying home doing sub-par learning in an online environment? We know that 15 percent of Auckland schools said no thanks to heading back into class yesterday and it'll be interesting to see how long they keep up that stance. It's a tough call and one the Government's making right now for younger students. And based on the concerns so far around seniors going back, I can only imagine even stronger reactions are on the cards, when it's the turn of juniors. 

A suggestion more work needs to be done following the Super Saturday vaccination drive.Just over 130,000 doses were administered nationwide.It means at least 85 per cent of the eligible population has had their first dose.But Auckland University epidemiologist Professor Rod Jackson told the Weekend Collective the vaccine push is far from over.“500,000 eligible Kiwis who are not vaccinated, and that's where we need to turn our energy to now. We need a different approach.”LISTEN ABOVE

A suggestion more work needs to be done following the Super Saturday vaccination drive.Just over 130,000 doses were administered nationwide.It means at least 85 per cent of the eligible population has had their first dose.But Auckland University epidemiologist Professor Rod Jackson told the Weekend Collective the vaccine push is far from over.“500,000 eligible Kiwis who are not vaccinated, and that's where we need to turn our energy to now. We need a different approach.”LISTEN ABOVE

Promising signs on the horizon. Auckland's going to get to 90 percent vaxxed soon, fingers crossed, and that's going to force this Government to open some stuff up. And by stuff, I mean the border. The shops. The Auckland boundary. Normality is calling. Not for the people still steeped in fear and “freaking out” like Rod Jackson and Siousxie Wiles. Unfortunately, in going hard and early on the fear mongering, and in pursuing it for so long, there's still a large chunk of New Zealanders trapped inside the fear and unable to get out. These are the same people craving another level 4 lockdown. The epidemiologists - given so much airtime and limelight throughout this pandemic, risk becoming increasingly obsolete and irrelevant. They're not on message anymore, the Government now distancing itself and making calls that the academics disapprove of. A classic example of this is the new traffic light system the Government wants to implement to replace levels. Most of their “experts” poo pooed this idea as “not fit for purpose”. Yet as far as the Government is concerned, they've ‘consulted' on it so that's that. Arrogance means you just have to go through the motions, you don't actually have to listen or act on anything, you just give them a platform to speak, nod politely, and move on. This modus operandi is this Governments forte. In fact, these experts should be grateful they got any consultation at all. So, what will happen today then? Well certainly not level 4 as the panickers would like, in fact I think more freedoms are coming. They know tolerance for lockdowns is through the floor, they know they're taking a hit politically on the MIQ shambles, they will only tolerate so much political damage.  So, despite cloaking it all under the veil of a “health response” what we'll see in the coming weeks will all be political. Opening the border for Kiwis to come for Christmas will be a ballsy but welcome move, opening CBDs and retail, getting people back to the dentist and the hairdresser and the physio, allowing Aucklanders to escape T ā maki MaCovid. This all needs to start rolling out over the next few weeks surely. The pace at which they move here is key. Quick enough to get the ball rolling in time for Christmas, but slow enough not to infuriate the chicken littles running round saying the sky will fall in. It's a balancing act, and one they need to weigh up in good enough time for Kiwis to get their much-promised summer. 

The government is on the verge of allowing Covid-infected people who are deemed low-risk to isolate at home. Experts say the move indicates health authorities are expecting cases to escalate and that MIQ facilities soon won't cope. Rod Jackson is a professor of epidemiology at the University of Auckland and believes it's time for every New Zealander to prepare. He spoke to Corin Dann.

The government is on the verge of allowing Covid-infected people who are deemed low-risk to isolate at home. Experts say the move indicates health authorities are expecting cases to escalate and that MIQ facilities soon won't cope. Rod Jackson is a professor of epidemiology at the University of Auckland and believes it's time for every New Zealander to prepare. He spoke to Corin Dann.

Good morning — and a special good morning to the South Island.  I see you. I know you're there.  Even if other people seem to have forgotten about you — I know it's important for those regions in stricter lockdowns to hear the news regarding their alert levels first but surely a — and that means the South Island must stay in Level 2 for the meantime — wouldn't have hurt.  Anyway, the news was pretty much what I expected to hear when I listened to ZB at 5.  Although I heard the collective groans of parents when the announcement was made that school-aged children would not be returning to school on the 18th.  Parents who've been hanging on, glancing up at the calendar on the wall when things get tough and counting down the days to the 18th, circled in red, must have despaired when they heard the kids would be staying home for the foreseeable.  And the children themselves — many of them must be yearning to get back to some sort of structure and routine, to be with their mates.  And that's just the kids who are safe and well, who are loved and have a warm home and food on the table.  What about those poor little tykes living in less than ideal homes?  Whose best meal of the day came with the school lunch provided for them?  There are about 158,000 children living in hardship in this country.  There'll be plenty more living in misery and I wonder how they are being protected and cared for — Oranga Tamariki is still working but that's only for the most extreme cases. So how is the welfare of children living in poverty being monitored?  I hope they're not forgotten.  And businesses — Michael Barnett says there should be a wider vaccine mandate to support businesses who are otherwise being left to police this on their own.  Heart of the City's Viv Beck says there needs to be a deadline for mandatory vaccine passports, to create urgency and focus.  Even epidemiologist Rod Jackson has said that businesses should have been given the mandate yesterday to introduce compulsory vaccinations for staff without fear of being prosecuted.  Job ads in Wellington increased by four per cent month on month and Canterbury by nine per cent — in Auckland, they dropped eight per cent. As Liam Dann wrote in the Herald the ongoing lockdown isn't sending NZ's economy off a cliff — but that doesn't mean long term damage isn't being done.  There were signs of hope that the government is finally listening to different sectors — the mandating of vaccinations in the education and health sector, permission for Sir Ian Taylor to trial his private MIQ system for international travel.  Common sense coming through. Let's hope we see more of that.

Concerns from an epidemiologist following the confirmation of 60 new community cases of Covid-19 today.There are 56 new cases in Auckland, including 17 that are yet to be linked to existing cases.There are another three cases in Waikato linked to the initial Hamilton East case and a case in Katikati in Bay of Plenty that was already announced last night.Auckland University epidemiologist Rod Jackson told Tim Roxborogh and Tim Beveridge he's concerned about the situation in Northland where a Covid case hasn't been cooperating with authorities.“Doesn't look too bad in the Waikato, I think we might stamp out that one. Auckland, we just have to suppress it until we all get vaccinated. Northland, I'm freaking out in a major way because I think we could have big problems there.”LISTEN ABOVE

There's been some disagreement about Covid-19 case rates in Singapore. Rod Jackson, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Auckland, spoke to Kim Hill.

The city state of Singapore is now opening itself up again to the outside world with fully vaccinated citizens now able to travel to many countries and many big public events are back on the social calendar. University of Auckland professor of epidemiology Rod Jackson has been following the Singaporean story closely. He spoke to Kim Hill.

Concerns from an epidemiologist following the confirmation of 60 new community cases of Covid-19 today.There are 56 new cases in Auckland, including 17 that are yet to be linked to existing cases.There are another three cases in Waikato linked to the initial Hamilton East case and a case in Katikati in Bay of Plenty that was already announced last night.Auckland University epidemiologist Rod Jackson told Tim Roxborogh and Tim Beveridge he's concerned about the situation in Northland where a Covid case hasn't been cooperating with authorities.“Doesn't look too bad in the Waikato, I think we might stamp out that one. Auckland, we just have to suppress it until we all get vaccinated. Northland, I'm freaking out in a major way because I think we could have big problems there.”LISTEN ABOVE

There's been some disagreement about Covid-19 case rates in Singapore. Rod Jackson, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Auckland, spoke to Kim Hill.

The city state of Singapore is now opening itself up again to the outside world with fully vaccinated citizens now able to travel to many countries and many big public events are back on the social calendar. University of Auckland professor of epidemiology Rod Jackson has been following the Singaporean story closely. He spoke to Kim Hill.

A leading epidemiologist says while he has breathed a sigh of relief level 3 is still in place, he thinks the government has gone too far with the stepped transition, and it is too risky. Professor Rod Jackson told Checkpoint the government had missed the most important step in the roadmap and that was continuing to push for more people getting vaccinated.  

After a tense week of bouncing numbers, Auckland's future remains uncertain. With Cabinet's crucial decision looming, epidemiologist Rod Jackson tells us whether leaving lockdown is too risky. Despite repeated calls for it to be dumped, controversial child safety agency Oranga Tamariki is instead to be transformed. The man behind the decision and chair of the ministerial advisory board, Matthew Tukaki joins us live. New Zealand's video game sector is on track to be worth a billion dollars by 2025 but will a tantalizing tax rebate across the Tasman stop that growth in its tracks? Finn Hogan reports. It's a form of sexual assault experienced by up to 10% of people, but we only had our first and only conviction this year. Anna Bracewell-Worrall investigates why the law is just catching up. And parliament has rapidly passed new anti-terror laws. Green MP Teanu Tuiono tells us why he opposes them and relates his first hand experience of anti-terror raids. Finally to dissect the news of the week: Stuff Sundays Editor Tracy Watkins and economist at Sense Partners, Shamubeel Eaqub. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There were 19 new community infections confirmed on Friday, but health authorities estimate there will be at least 30 more based on transmission rates and the number of households contacts. More than 65 Middlemore Hospital patients have potentially been exposed to the virus after two people in separate incidents turned up to hospital on Wednesday night and later tested positive for the virus. And Te Pirimia, Jacinda Ardern has already confirmed the hard border will remain around Auckland even if alert levels shift next week. Auckland University epidemiologist Professor Rod Jackson told Checkpoint there needs to be a vaccine passport to incentivise vaccination.

Aucklanders are still largely locked off from the rest of the country, and an epidemiologist wants it to stay that way unless vaccination rates rise. Professor Rod Jackson from the University of Auckland wants hard rules put on the supercity's border - no jab no travel. It's an idea that's getting mixed reviews. Katie Doyle reports.

"There's only one game in town, and that's vaccination. Everything else is stop gap measures". That's the view of Auckland epidemiologist Professor Rod Jackson. Jackson says politicians should be putting more energy into making sure 95 percent of the eligable population is vaccinated - rather than figuring out how to open the borders. He spoke to Susie Ferguson.    

"There's only one game in town, and that's vaccination. Everything else is stop gap measures". That's the view of Auckland epidemiologist Professor Rod Jackson. Jackson says politicians should be putting more energy into making sure 95 percent of the eligable population is vaccinated - rather than figuring out how to open the borders. He spoke to Susie Ferguson.    

Epidemiologist Professor Rod Jackson discusses Auckland's move to Covid-19 alert level 3.

21 more cases in the community today with cabinet to meet tomorrow to deliberate whether New Zealand's lockdown is extended.But epidemiologist at The University of Auckland Rod Jackson says there's cause for optimism. He says "it's really easy to stop an outbreak" and that we can knock this on the head in a couple of weeks if New Zealander's all follow the rules.But he also had a dire warning, saying if we open our borders, people could die.LISTEN ABOVE

21 more cases in the community today with cabinet to meet tomorrow to deliberate whether New Zealand's lockdown is extended.But epidemiologist at The University of Auckland Rod Jackson says there's cause for optimism. He says "it's really easy to stop an outbreak" and that we can knock this on the head in a couple of weeks if New Zealander's all follow the rules.But he also had a dire warning, saying if we open our borders, people could die.LISTEN ABOVE

Hope as we get closer to identifying how Covid's Delta strain got into New Zealand.Our cases are a likely match to a recent returnee who flew in from Sydney on August 7.They tested positive two days later and transferred from the Crowne Plaza MIQ to Jet Park quarantine.Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says it's reassuring the variant's been in the community for a ‘relatively short' time.Auckland University Professor and epidemiologist, Rod Jackson agrees.However cases in New South Wales are continuing to grow by hundreds daily, and Jackson says it proves Delta is a much bigger beast to beat.He says the rate of infection as opposed to the original variant is hugely different.LISTEN ABOVE

In this episode, Michael Connelly and Chris Kenward interview Rod Jackson, the president of the Bulimba Memorial Bowls and Community Club. The 'Bulimba Bowlo' was literally on the brink of folding and it seemed like the situation couldn't have been any worse, when all of a sudden, COVID-19 shut down the club completely! Rod shares how he and the committee led an incredible turnaround since the club's reopening in July 2020. This is an inspiring story of how any club can make a series of decisions and little changes that can add up to achieve amazing results. 

Dr Rod Jackson is a professor of epidemiology at Auckland University, so, not someone you'd expect to have been happy about the border bungles at the coronavirus quarantine and isolation facilities. But he was – and he joins the show to explain: hear him out and you might agree. He also talks about a statistical measure shedding light on the impact of the virus, and how he became a YouTube hit. Meanwhile Adam and Eugene discuss the unexpected side-effects of experimenting on your kids. Links: Click here for every episode of Coronavirus NZ. Full Stuff coronavirus coverage Eugene on Twitter; Adam on Twitter Support Stuff I'm sorry Rod Jackson parody Our email: viruspod@stuff.co.nz

Formerly the Duck Eclipse Radio Show after being kicked off the radio twice because of their raunchy topics When Rawstarr and CW brought their brand of Comedy to Indiana.Prince Rawstarr has worked in casting reality television and casting models since 2005. He has worked with Viacom, Newscorp, Playboy, Independent Movie companies. Rawstarr has created Web Sites & graphics for Politicians, Universities, Musicians, Actors & Actresses, and other companies. Since 2005 Rawstarr has shot Photography for which he has shot and edited photos and red carpets for Knockout Network.CW Chandler operates out of his personal Gym at CCFitness in North Hollywood, CA. Chris also is an actor and comedian through his style of performance he is requested, comedian and performer. Burbank Misfits Social Media http://www.burbankmisfits.comhttp://www.twitter.com/burbankmisfitshttp://www.instagram/theburbankmisfitshttps://www.youtube.com/user/burbankmisfitshttps://www.facebook.com/burbankmisfits/Rawstarr Social Mediahttp://www.RawstarrCommunications.comhttp://www.twitter.com/Rawstarr http://www.instagram/Rawstarr https://www.facebook.com/RawstarrCommunications/CW Social Mediahttps://www.ccfitnessla.com/http://www.twitter.com/ccfitnesslahttp://www.instagram/ccfitnesslahttps://www.facebook.com/ccfitnesslahttps://www.instagram.com/just_genetics_chris/

Hung Alone 2, Dangle in New York! The spring holiday is here and it's time to celebrate! Paint your balls like Easter Eggs and put them in a basket! For this episode, Dangle and The Stepfather catch up on some of the fun excursions that Dick has been a part of, like Brooklyn Chase's birthday party and a trip in NYC visiting Porn The Game! The crew discuss the latest Fleshlight Girl, a restaurant closing, an embarrassing classroom moment and role-playing gone wrong! Then, Dick brings you an interview with brand new XXX male performer talent, Rod Jackson! This amazing man talk about  entering the industry, life before the industry, his recent shoots and fun stories along the way! Now get out there and do nasty things with chocolate bunnies! https://avn.com/business/articles/novelty/kissa-sins-named-fleshlight-girl-825053.html https://munchies.vice.com/en_us/article/yw7837/naked-restaurant-closes-because-no-one-wants-to-eat-naked-in-public https://www.ynot.com/substitute-teacher-accidentally-shows-students-porn/ https://worldnewsdailyreport.com/couple-having-sex-outdoors-in-bigfoot-costumes-gets-accidentally-shot-by-hunters/