The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Experts are divided about the risk posed by a Covid-19 vaccination centre metres away from a quarantine facility's exercise area.
While one expert expressed concern about the arrangement in central Auckland, another expert was confident the risk was minimal, a view reinforced by those running the MIQ and vaccination facilities, who were confident in the risk assessment protocols in place.
It comes after reports released yesterday found aerosol transmission was the most likely cause of two instances of virus transmission between residents in the Grand Mercure and Grand Millennium Auckland quarantine facilities.
Both facilities would remain unoccupied until mid-June while their ventilation systems were upgraded.
Auckland resident Andrew Johnson aired his concerns after he arrived at the city's CBD vaccination centre for his first jab at the Atrium on Elliott shopping centre on Monday.
Entering from Albert St as opposed to the Elliott St entrance, the 41-year-old was shocked when he realised he was walking past potentially infectious MIQ residents in the exercise area at the Crowne Plaza hotel, which was in the same building complex as the shopping mall.

Andrew Johnson was shocked when he arrived at the vaccination centre to get his first jab. (Photo / Michael Craig)
People entering the shopping centre from Albert St are guided to walk alongside an outer fence which stands about two metres from an inner fence that borders the exercise area.
On Monday, Johnson saw people outside the area presumably talking to masked whānau and friends in the exercise area, both close to their respective fences. This was also witnessed when the NZ Herald visited the site yesterday.
Despite a strict policy for people to scan the Covid QR code before vaccination, Johnson claimed multiple people had not scanned in as they entered the site.
Johnson, who is immunocompromised, struggled to understand why a vaccination centre currently vaccinating New Zealand's vulnerable populations was situated so close to a MIQ facility, given the raft of breaches reported at other MIQ facilities.
"It was just the sheer stupidity of why out of all the places in central Auckland, they have put people who need to get vaccinated so close to those who are coming from Victoria [in Australia] or anywhere else in the world," he said.
While it did not dissuade him from getting vaccinated, Johnson strongly believed others with greater vaccine hesitancy would not feel comfortable visiting the site.
For Johnson, it was another pain point along his vaccination journey after being informed he qualified for a vaccination by Healthline because of his medical condition - only to be told the opposite when he called a Covid-dedicated helpline to book his vaccination.
After viewing an image of the Crowne Plaza's exercise area, University of Canterbury professor Michael Plank said there was some risk of virus transmission to the public, given the area was partially enclosed and evidence from prior reports of the virus staying present in the air for extended periods.
"The setup ... looks as though there is a risk of this sort of thing happening, which could result in the virus being spread from a MIQ resident to a member of the general public."

University of Canterbury professor Michael Plank. (Photo / Supplied)
University of Otago epidemiologist Philip Hill disagreed - saying the risk of transmission was as close to zero as people could hope for.
His judgment was based on a lack of evidence of transmission occurring from similar circumstances, that the exercise area was outdoors, and how MIQ exercisers were wearing masks and were closely monitored.
Fellow University of Otago epidemiologist Michael Baker said there were two important factors to consider - whether potentially infectious people were allowed in the area and if an infection prevention and control (IPC) audit had...

The Government has confirmed plans for a brand-new cycling and walking bridge across the Waitematā Harbour - at an estimated cost of $685 million.
Transport Minister Michael Wood will today announce the project, which features a new standalone structure right next to the existing Harbour Bridge, on its east (city) side. The new bridge will not carry buses or other vehicles.
The project is now approved and funded - and is expected to take five years to consent and build.
The new bridge is to become part of the Northern Pathway, which will extend dedicated cycling and walking routes to Esmonde Rd on the North Shore, with connections to Northcote and Takapuna. The pathway will cost an additional $100 million.

The Northern Pathway, a new separate structure for walking and cycling as shown in this concept drawing, will be next to the existing Auckland Harbour Bridge. Picture / Supplied
The "indicative design" shows viewing screens for the entire length of the bridge, with stepped seating along its outer edge.
It will be a "purpose-designed quality option" and an "outstanding piece of tourism infrastructure", Wood said.
Confirmation of a second harbour bridge comes ahead of further announcements expected today on the Government's transport infrastructure plans.
Wood revealed last month that the Government was rethinking some elements of the New Zealand Upgrade Programme (NZUP), a $12 billion spending plan announced in January last year.
The bridge is the first project confirmed as part of that rethink.
"NZUP is supporting our economic recovery," Wood said, "but due to Covid-19 increasing construction costs globally and the need to further reduce emissions, we're rebalancing the programme to increase investment in rail, public transport and walking and cycling."

The new bridge across the Waitematā Harbour will not carry buses or other vehicles. Picture / Supplied
Existing transport plans in Auckland are expected to cause an 8 per cent increase in carbon emissions.
A new cycling and walking bridge has been chosen because it is believed a new structure attached to the existing bridge is not feasible.
The NZ Transport Agency, Waka Kotahi, advised a parliamentary select committee in February that adding weight to the existing bridge would make it unsafe.
Attaching a pathway to the existing bridge had been expected to cost $260m.
"We need this transport connection to move ahead but it isn't technically possible to attach it to the existing bridge without putting the whole structure at risk," said Wood.
"A standalone structure is the safest option."
He added: "Major international cities all around the world have similar connections and we've all seen how well used the Te Ara I Whiti/Lightpath has become, with the Northern Pathway having the potential to be a bigger tourist drawcard.
"Northern Pathway is the missing link in Auckland's walking and cycling network. Aucklanders finally will be able to get across the harbour by foot or bike.
"It's important we get it right and make sure it's an enduring piece of infrastructure, providing alternative modes of transport across the harbour and helping reduce congestion on our Auckland roads."

Michael Wood, Minister of Transport. Photo / Mark Mitchell
With the new bridge five years away, Wood also said he had asked Waka Kotahi to present him with options for a cycling and walking lane on the current bridge now. This would involve a trial conversion of an existing vehicle lane or lanes.
Bike Auckland and the GetAcross coalition of cycling advocates have been calling for the trial for many months. Last Sunday it held a rally near the bridge to protest the lack of action. After the rally, about 1500 people broke through a police barrier and rode on the bridge.
"Waka Kotahi will continue to work on how to provide safe temporary trials of using lanes on the...

Is it Nestle's fault they make a lot of food that isn’t all that healthy?
Of course it is, they make the decision to make it.
They somehow have ended up facing international headlines this week over the amount of unhealthy food, and as the age dictates they have vowed to do something about it.
And like many stories of the age, when you look at the facts, they don’t turn out to be as bad as you might have first been led to believe.
When you take Nestle's entire food portfolio – and remember, it’s a big one – the number claimed isn’t the number in reality, its way smaller.
The original number is only applicable when you take a smaller chunk of their portfolio, but never let the fact get in the way of a good woke, alarmist headline.
But my guess is they make this stuff, whether fat filled, sugar filled or not, for a good reason: people buy it.
I’d be astonished if they made product to sit on the shelf and pass it’s used by date.
So who really, if you’re looking to lay blame in this blame filled age, is at fault here?
Us for loving bad food and buying it, or Nestle for making what we want to buy?
Equally to blame apparently is Aaron Smith for running around with Speights on his top: by watching Aaron, you’ll get thirsty or maybe aspirational to be like him.
And you will assume he runs this fast because he drinks lots of beer and you will go out and buy more of it or if you are young you’ll start drinking and that is not good
So someone must pay a price and the price is Speights, who make the beer and should not, according to Alcohol Watch, be allowed to advertise or promote or spend money or do anything I assume but hide  in the shadows where they pedal their hard liquor.
Of course, everyone is trouble if you look hard enough. Fat, salt sugar, alcohol, slave labour, deforestation for product, market manipulation, anti-competitive behaviour: they’re all at it, we are all victims and we all need someone to blame.
And like Alcohol Watch and who ever pinged Nestle, there is a growth industry of do-gooders, who at some level actually do do good, but at another fill their days justifying their ideology and making enough noise to keep their shackle up and the door open.
Self-responsibility would save us a lot of time and energy. Instead of finger pointing, if we owned a lot of our own actions, and ideas it would be a lot simpler.
I make my own choices on beer; I make my own choices on food.
I don’t need a watchdog, I don’t need more taxes, I don’t want to blame others for my actions. Let’s hope the idea spreads.

Australian Matt Nable is a man of many talents.
He cracked professional rugby league in the 1990s and played for the Manly Sea Eagles and South Sydney Rabbitohs before turning his attention to Britain's Super League.
When that career ended, he turned his attention to acting and has gone on to star alongside Robert di Niro, Jason Statham and Vin Diesel.

But he's also a talented author, and his latest novel still is out now.
Matt Nable joined Mike Hosking.
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According to TikTok, drinking lettuce water will help you fall asleep.
Just boil some lettuce in water, let the water cool a bit, and drink it.
The Tik-Tokker says it's backed by science, as the active ingredient in lettuce is said to induce sleep and promote relaxation.
This, of course, sounds fool proof.
Nutritionist Claire Turnbull told Mike Hosking there are more trustworthy methods of getting yourself to sleep.
"We have a circadian rhythm, which is regulated by natural light. We need to expose our eyes to natural light within 30 to  60 minutes of waking up. That tells our brain that in 12 to 16 hours time you need to release melatonin which will help induce that night time sleep."
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There are concerns our healthcare system is damaging those with eating disorders, rather than helping them.
A petition is being delivered to Parliament today, calling for more expertise to deal with eating disorders.
Dietitian Victoria Schonwald told Mike Hosking unskilled health practitioners are doing more harm than good.
“You can be a nurse and get a job in an eating disorder unit without any knowledge about how to work with eating disorders, and that’s a very specialised area.”
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An F45 gym in Hastings has cancelled someone's '7 day experience' and offered her a refund, because she didn't want to be filmed while working out.
The gym-goer received an email saying that because she didn't want to sign the waiver to be filmed for social media, they couldn't guarantee she wouldn't end up in them anyway.
Therefore, they couldn't offer her the gym's services.
Privacy lawyer Kathryn Dalziel told Mike Hosking even taking a photo or video of someone can be classed as gathering their private information.
“When you’re collecting personal information from people, it has to be necessary, and my question is ‘why was that necessary for them providing that service.”
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Water is being seen as a three-legged stool that won't function with even one leg missing.
The Government hass working on a proposal to trim the country’s 67 council providers down to four regional bodies.
The Water Industry Commission for Scotland says up to $185 billion will be needed in the next 30 years to upgrade our drinking water, stormwater, and sewage infrastructure.
Chief Executive Alan Sutherland told Mike Hosking good management and effective economic and environmental water quality regulations are needed.
“And then you need real clarity on governments and the objectives that the industry is going to be asked to tackle.”
Alan Sutherland says that's why amalgamation is a sensible way forward.
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Proposed changes to the Harmful Digital Communications Act could improve the success rate for prosecution.
Former National candidate Jake Bezzant allegedly shared explicit photos of his ex, and pretended to be her during cybersex.
He wouldn't face charges under the Act, as a person only commits a criminal offence if they intended to cause harm when posting.
An amendment, brought forward by Labour MP Louisa Wall, would remove the intent requirement.
Netsafe chief executive Martin Cocker told Mike Hosking that would remove a barrier to prosecution.
“The complexity of anything that happens online does mean, often, that we see victims of an offence turned away at the first instance by law enforcement.”
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Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal from the French Open is a lesson I think in many things - not least of which is to think before you act.
Her mental health cannot have been impacted in any sort of positive way by unilaterally announcing she was no longer dealing with the press. Did she honestly think we all think it was a good idea?
The good thing about the reaction to her announcement was it came from what some of us see as a world in which boundaries are still adhered to, expectations must still be met, and certain toughness is required. It was the world of professional sport.
To succeed you must have certain qualities and those qualities are constantly on display: the thrill of triumph, the agony of disappointment. That’s why sport is a stage and we love to watch.
It’s an exaggerated version of our existence, with better, fitter people chasing bigger, more dramatic dreams.
And part of the deal on that stage is you don’t whine, you can melt down or explode and say sorry later.
But you get the sense that what most likely would have been tolerated in many a modern work place, i.e. I’m fragile, I’m shy, I’m tired, I’m over it, I don’t want to deal with the rules any more, Was never going to be tolerated at ATP level.
That’s because they have not entered the woke age of handing out free passes to everything and everyone who plays the mental health card.
Part of me thinks it was little more than attention seeking, given her excuses simply didn’t add up.
In her statement, she didn’t actually seem to have a problem with the press at all, she sighted the fact she wore head phones as an indication of escapism.
Well, hello, have a look pre -ame at any Super Rugby match, any NBA game, any NFL game, any professional sport of any sort.
Jonah Lomu used to stand out a bit when he did it, but that was decades back: these days, it’s the uniform, or a lot of escapism.
And then you get the fact Osaka has been hitting a ball since she was three. She was moved to Florida. It’s all very Andre Agassi: the machine produced by the parent, with the grand plan of global dominance.
Her aversion to the rules didn’t likely start this past week. She didn’t suddenly have to do something she had never done before. She had been doing it her entire life.
It’s possible she’s over it: when you start at three, retirement most likely creeps up at a younger age, and there is nothing wrong with that.
But none of it made sense. What did she think would happen? And what does she do now, given she knows the system doesn’t acquiesce, and what right did she have to distract an entire Grand Slam so we could all focus on her fragilities?
If you do not love it, don’t do it. If it’s too hard, don’t do it. But don’t dress it up as a 'woe is me' pity party with special rules just for you.