With X-ray vision , our waterfront roundsman , the only one north of Gotham City , made some interesting observations in torpid Townsville. First off , the fact that modern reporters are a temperance mob was revealed by them not reporting that the unfortunately named Corona Extra beer was on special in the city, Droughtmaster a drop cheaper . Japanese and German grog also on offer.
During the week, a raspy voiced spokesman for the Minerals Council warned it would be disastrous to the economy if Chinese owned or crewed bulk carriers could not dock in Queensland due to the Coronavirus outbreak .
In view of this warning , you would think the scribes might get the local angle , check the port to see what arrangements, if any, have been drawn up to handle Chinese vessels , or ones manned by Chinese. That container vessel in port with CMA CGM in large letters on the hull , could it be Chinese ? Nope. A French conglomerate which took over Australian National Lines. The ship is named Flora Delmas , which does not sound oriental anyway .
Not running on all cylinders, the stop navigation light on his car also playing up, the Shipping Reporter called at a busy Queensland X-Ray service and there on the reception desk was a sign relating to" Novel Coronavirus" asking anyone who had a recent connection with China to make this known to staff .
Then he was informed that a similar sign is on display in state schools in the region which , as far as he knows, has not been reported by the media . To counter possible attack by viruses of any kind , he downed a cheeseburger with chips and a non-alcoholic vanilla milkshake .
While waiting for a bus to the ferry terminal at the nearby sun drenched Ogden Street hub , our reporter said there was a deafening noise being made by a machine close by which seemed to be drilling all the way to China. A workman came up and offered ear plugs . A large part of Flinders Street, near where Dimmy's store used to be , seemed in the process of being turned into a quarantine station , barricades going up . What gives ? Could be a story here .
