Letters to the editor and short takes May 16 2020

Unfortunately there is a minority of cyclists who think these paths were put in for their exclusive use, so now they think they are entitled to go flat out, weaving and dodging among the traffic and waiting for an accident to happen.

There are signs saying to go slow, give way to pedestrians and advertising a 10kmh speed limit on these shared paths, which apparently does not apply to them. The police seemingly turn a blind eye to these problems. It's easier to catch someone sitting in the park. As a result, these cyclists can make up their own rules.

When driving we are required to miss a bike by at least a metre. With pedestrians and cyclists, it's millimetres when passing pedestrians. It's too scary to walk with your back to them. In days gone by we were taught to walk towards the traffic. If these irresponsible nongs want to go flat out they should stick to the roads.

I HAVE a question: during this period of coronavirus. The fact is that most establishments will still accept cash payment, but most are requesting preferred payment be made by EFTPOS. Where does this leave us?

Most financial institutions charge a fee for every EFTPOS transaction. Mine allows for eight transactions per month for free, and anything over that incurs a charge. This includes bill payments via BPay or direct debit using your own account. Are these financial institutions willing to absorb these costs during this period, or will we be charged extra fees if we go over the limit per institution charges? Many Australians will be so out of pocket.

I UNDERSTAND and currently practise the concept of social distancing, but with regard to the several NRL footballers who chose not to have the flu jab and are being confronted with the no jab, no play threat, I am confused.

Isn't the theory that if most people are immunised so that each participant develops a strengthened immune system against the current strain of flu, the risk of getting that flu in general is greatly reduced?

Again, I am confused.

The extremely important question is if most NRL footballers (elite athletes who should have strong immune systems) and officials get the jab, thus protecting them from contracting the current flu strain, why is there so much worry about the few footballers who choose not to get the jab too? The theory doesn't seem to add up to me. Could it be that this reaction appears to be based more or fear and less on science and logic?

Surely if I work with a group of, say, 20 people, and 18 of them have been vaccinated, and thus are protected according to the theory from a current flu virus strain, why is there so much concern about the two of us who aren't vaccinated?

PETER C Jones (Short Takes, 13/5), what I can remember of Jack Mundey was that he was a bully and stand-over man in my opinion.

Then again, I may be wrong. Maybe we should ask some contractors of the day.

YOU were right about what you said about Jack Mundey, Peter C Jones, (Short Takes, 13/5). Not only did he and his Builders Labourers Union save The Rocks area from destruction, but also the Queen Victoria Building that the state government was going to sell to developers to demolish.

The premier at the time in my opinion considered himself to be more like an auctioneer than someone acting on behalf of the people of the state. His policy seemed to be that anything belonging to the government was open to the highest bidder, and they gave him a knighthood for it. I guess it just depends what side of politics you're on.

THE erosion of sand from the southern end of Stockton beach is a problem which certainly needs a solution. The coastal management plan ('Sand and deliver', Herald 13/5) is welcomed, but there appears a widespread urge to apply the quickest and easiest band-aid solution available.

My concern is the apparent lack of consideration given to where the lost sand is going. Filling Stockton up with sand alone, whether by dredge or pump or truck, is a temporary measure at the mercy of the inevitable next storms.

The northward drift along our coast means that the other end of the beach has the opposite problem; too much sand. Birubi is being steadily choked. Rock formations are being buried and marine habitat is being permanently changed.

My casual observation over 30 years is that Birubi beach has gained 1.5 metres in depth of sand, and the beachfront has advanced up to 100 metres at times. Sandbanks, surfing peaks, gutters and channels seem to be less predictable as the beach moves away from its rock foundation.

I worry that pumping of sand onto Stockton beach will simply accelerate the build up at Birubi unless underlying structures are put in place at Stockton to retain the beach profile such as groynes, a break wall or an artificial reef.

The once great dive site at Halifax has already been destroyed by excessive sand drift, and Fly Point could well be next unless a more comprehensive Stockton strategy is adopted.

I PROMISED in 2014 that my next trip to Newcastle would be when the heavy rail is restored. It looks like it could be coming soon as the Hunter Development Corporation, who I believe were instrumental in removing it "to open up the city to the harbour", are now declaring it's time to install a fast rail to Sydney ('Further study into rail line improvements', Herald 14/5) with no elections in sight.

Of course, the Hunter Development Corporation aren't elected and their main interest appears to be property development. So what do property developers want from rail upgrades? Along with the need to isolate freight rail from passenger rail, there will naturally be a great deal of real estate involved, all the way to Canberra.

THE pen goes to Adrienne Roberts, of Kahibah, for her letter on masks.

I DROVE by McDonald Jones Stadium this week and thought jeez, I've seen some brave performances on that field, but none braver than those healthcare workers in the car park. Thank you. Thank you also to their family and friends; it must be an extremely stressful time for you all. Let's not forget the back ground staff, the pen pushers (or whatever they are called these days) and cleaners, without whom it would be chaos.

I RECENTLY parked my car at John Hunter Hospital. The sign on the parking station generously said the first 20 minutes was free. Your time starts when you get your ticket as you enter. By the time you find a car space, then walk the long distance to the hospital, and before you have conducted any business there, your time is up. Very generous indeed.

HAVE I got this right? Everyone else is supposed to return to work (if they have a job), Prime Minister Scott Morrison has questions to answer about allegations he misled parliament in the sports rorts scandal, and parliament is not sitting until August. Poor fellow, democracy...

IF I have three visitors from Tasmania, will I get fined when the police do a headcount of my guests?

I AM a fan of NRL, but I disagree with dropping a referee to save money. Why don't they drop a player? That would save much more. What selfish prima donnas.

EMPLOYMENT has been decimated by the coronavirus ('600,000 jobs go', Herald 15/5). Does anyone care to comment on the percentage of unemployed caused by backstabbing and buck passing?

NO need to worry Stan Keifer (Short Takes 15/5), Cameron Smith will be second referee when the Storm plays.

I WONDER how many good ratepayers of Newcastle know that Newcastle East residents have recently been informed by City of Newcastle that their streets will soon be closed to be repaired again for the following reasons: asset preservation and road rehabilitation. This will involve improving traffic and pedestrian safety and the minimisation of noise. In my opinion it seems the suburban ratepayers, who struggle to get the smallest pothole repaired, can easily be fooled and pay the price for Supercars.

THESE are dangerous times, especially when I pick up a pen and scratch my head. Twiggy Forrest laid his hands on 10 million fair-dinkum test kits for $320 million, so that's 32 bucks a pop. ScoMo has an initial kitty of $160 billion for COVID-19 recovery assistance, so we could all have 200 tests over a period of four weeks to allow for incubation then go back to normal. Twiggy would need to buy more, but why not?