03/03/2020
HERE WE GO AGAIN - MORE BU****IT REPORTING!!!
I must say I really thought our Aussie media would have linked Bali into the Corona Virus scare long before now but it looks like the fuse has now been lit and this time by Channel Nine.
OK, let’s put this into perspective, here are some facts that our intrepid reporters leave out of their Doom & Bloody Gloom Bali Stories that they just love churning out!!!
FACT 1.
Yes its true, (they actually got this one right), today March 3, 2020, Indonesia has confirmed it’s “FIRST” 2 cases of the Corona virus (COVID-19) in patients in JAKARTA. The in-camera report by Channel Nine’s reporter (Renae Henry) gave a fair report on the recent findings in Jakarta, but that didn’t stop Nine leading on social media with this instead “There are concerns for the health and welfare of Australian holidaymakers in Bali”…., like WTF??? Renae, mentioned briefly that these cases were reported in the city of Jakarta on the main island of Java and more than 1100 kilometers from the island of Bali, so why lead in social media by scaremongering with the by-line about fears in Bali???
FACT 2.
There are over 270 million people living in Indonesia, that is more than 10 times that of Australia’s population, so one could have reported that Indonesia is doing a wonderful job of containing the virus to only these 2 infections in a population of over 270 million. One could have easily also reported that Indonesia’s 2 cases pales in comparison to Australia’s confirmed cases of the Corona virus.
FACT 3.
As of March 3, 2020, there are now 34 confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Australia: (10 in Queensland, 9 in New South Wales, 9 in Victoria, 3 in South Australia, 2 in Western Australia and 1 in Tasmania). 15 of these cases were reported to have recovered, the remaining cases were in a stable condition, sadly however one person (an 84 year old) died. So yes Renae, Brisbane alone has 5 times Indonesia's rate of Corona Virus cases, so why no “concern about the health and welfare of holiday makers” there I wonder ??? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black… try looking into your own backyard first for a sensational story before you lay the slipper into Bali….
FACT 4.
Again also putting things into perspective as far as the COVID-19 virus itself is concerned, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics In 2017 there were a total of 1,255 reported deaths in Australia due to influenza, recording a standardised death rate of 3.9 persons per every 100,000 of the Australia population (caused just by the winter flu) and yet here with COVID-19 we have but one (1), but does this rate a mention….NO!. The one Australian death so far from the Corona virus represents a statistic of 1 in 26 million and as already mentioned this person was 84 years of age.
So… is it safe to be travelling to Bali at the moment ???
Well only you can be the judge of that yourself, but for mine statistically being in Bali (with NO reported cases of Corona Virus infection) is a lot damn safer than being in Australia right now…
Oh… and before I go, just a word for our Australian Media… “why don’t you guys get off Bali’s back and stop with this sensational reporting rubbish, always dragging Bali into your stories because you know as Australia’s #1 tourist destination the sheer mentioning of Bali is sure to boost ratings and sell more papers”. One of you guys should do a story on just how much bad reporting like this can ruin these poor people’s lives, and how unemployment numbers from accommodation suppliers, to restaurants to small shop owners and tour operators skyrocket when these negative stories impact on Bali’s fragile tourism industry.
Shame on you Channel Nine, shame… shame… shame…
I can just see Channel 7’s response (they like Nine, just hate to be outdone when it comes to laying the boot into Bali as well).
