Hospital shipping containers raise eyebrows

The presence of empty shipping containers at Brisbane’s biggest hospital has some people wondering whether they are related to the fight against coronavirus. Now the Health Department has provided a reason for their sudden arrival

CITY Beat spies have noticed some unusual activity around the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH). One eagle-eyed spy sent your diarist photos of three large shipping containers parked at the back of the emergency department of the Herston hospital.

One container appears to have power connected though a power cord running from the main hospital building. The spy also noted trees at the Butterfield St loading bay have been cut down to provide easier access.

The Health Department has denied the activity is related to preparations for the coronavirus epidemic. A Metro North Hospital and Health Service spokesperson said the RBWH “frequently uses additional general storage facilities to provide maximum use of clinical space.”

The spokesperson says occasionally these storage facilities “will be moved closer to clinical areas to ensure staff have easy access to equipment stored in these facilities.” Preparations are certainly gearing up at Queensland hospitals to fight the epidemic

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk last week confirmed the Department of Health is exploring options for temporary hospitals state-wide in vacant hotels, convention centres and possibly mining camps to treat Covid-19 patients if there is an overflow from hospitals.

In Brisbane, the RNA Convention Centre could quickly be transformed to take Covid-19 patients and it would be a case of history repeating - the RNA showground was used as a treatment centre for patients during the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic.

Some hotels, particularly near Queensland’s major hospitals throughout the state have also been approached about providing bed space.

GONE FISHING

FINALLY some good news on the business front amidst all the doom and gloom around coronavirus.

Queensland manufacturing icon Alvey Reels says it is now shipping its famous reels to the United States with further opportunities on the horizon in what is a very promising market.

In 2017, more than 49 million Americans participated in freshwater, saltwater and fly fishing with only running activities attracting more participants.

Alvey Reels chief executive Bruce Alvey says that with the company celebrating its centenary year in 2020, the shipments to the US could not have come at a better time.

“We are working hard,” says Bruce, who notes that the company recently made a special edition centenary reel out of 200-year-old red cedar. “We made 200 of these reels and they all sold out.”

April 1 marked 100 years to the day the first Alvey reel was sold by Charles Alvey, Bruce’s great grandfather. The company has been through some tough times recently but with a new investor brought on board a few years back, things are looking up.

If you are thinking of heading out to the beach with your favourite Alvey this weekend apparently that’s still allowed in the age of coronavirus as long as the two persons in a public gathering rule is adhered to.

HAIR RAISING

BRISBANE-based hairdressing chain Price Attack is temporarily shutting its 69 salons because of coronavirus but says it will continue to sell professional hair care products.

Price Attack chief executive officer John Pascoe said distancing regulations and only being able to service a minimum number of customers made for dire conditions for many small businesses.

Mr Pascoe said the company's salons that operated together with a retail outlet would continue to trade while shopping centres remained open.

“We did our best to balance business continuity for our staff, the local community and broader economy, but will now focus on providing our professional care products through home delivery and courier services,” Mr Pascoe said.

“Across Australia some stores closed on Monday, others will remain open to meet bookings until Sunday." Many stores have already started to provide free deliveries to those at risk, over 65 or with chronic health conditions whom have been directed by the government to self isolate at home.

SIGNING UP

BRISBANE City Council appears to be doing its bit for employment during the coronavirus epidemic.

Spotted at a local park on the northside was a council employee taking photos of the “closed” signs on the playground equipment. Playgrounds around the city have been closed due to the spread of coronavirus.

When asked what he was doing, he said the photos were for council records to ensure all the playground equipment had the correct signage. Not sure why the council employee who put up the signs could not have taken the photos as well but bureaucracy moves in mysterious ways.