NZ Government Ditches All Remaining Covid 19 Restrictions

The Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall confirmed yesterday afternoon (Monday 14/08) that New Zealand will be ditching all remaining Covid-19 restrictions as of 12:01 am on Tuesday (15/08), just as reported cases and hospitalisations are trending back up.

The latest “recorded” weekly Covid statistics show that we’ve had 5372 new cases in the past week, that’s 763 more cases than the previous seven-day rolling average.

I say recorded because I am well aware of a number of people who have not reported their positive RAT tests and it wouldn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that the number is in reality higher, but maybe we shouldn’t go there as I’m not into conspiracy theories.

Now don’t get me wrong I’m all for reducing the amount of laws and regulations that often confound us – But in this case I’m just a tad concerned, especially for those of us with health issues. As all too often we are unfortunately not in a position to protect ourselves from becoming infected, by others, especially if one can’t wear a mask.

With the seven-day isolation rule to stay at home if you’ve tested positive removed, it certainly increases the risk for immunocompromised people like myself. The government now only ‘recommends‘ that if you test positive to stay at home for five days if you’re unwell.

If my observations of the past few months or so is anything to go by, an increasing number of people are going to work when they have obvious signs of being sick and don’t even give it a second thought.

The she’ll be right attitude has certainly made a come back.

The thing is, there appears to be a disregard by some towards those of us that may be at risk of getting infected from ‘any’ kind of respiratory illness, be it Covid or the flu etc.

Also with the mask-wearing mandate being removed, it’ll be even harder for workplaces to eliminate or minimise the risk of infecting people like me. Even though Verrall has said that mask-wearing remained an important way to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, if people don’t give it a second thought and simply won’t wear them, how does that protect others like me?

In Derek Cheng’s article for the NZ Herald he writes that “Otago University epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker said today’s decision was a “missed opportunity” to build on what he saw as one of the pandemic’s key lessons. “That is, if you’re sick with a respiratory illness, you need to take responsibility and isolate yourself, and it’s not okay just to go to work, school or social events and infect others.””

Given that the World Health Organisation has recently declared a new sub-variant of Covid called EG.5, which has unofficially been named “Eris” a concern and has asked countries to monitor it as cases grow globally, those of us who are immunocompromised should remain as careful and vigilant as we can be when venturing out.

It is important that people remember that Covid-19 is still “out there” and think about what they can do to mitigate their risk and potentially passing it on.

Unfortunately seeing as Scleroderma has affected my lungs I’m unable to wear a mask and in a few weeks time I will again be having another round of Rituximab infusions which further compromises my immune system – which on one level, in and of itself is enough of a concern. It doesn’t stop me from getting out and about – but it does mean I need to be extra careful and avoid certain situations and places that would put me at risk.

Therefore, I feel that it is still important and worth staying at home if you have any flu-like symptoms, socially distancing where you can when out and about, wearing a mask during interactions with others (where you can), and ensuring that your vaccinations are up to date (if you can have them).

For people like me, we will need to continue being extremely vigilant and reduce our chances of being infected with Covid, let alone any of the other respiratory illnesses that are prevalent in the community.

So, I hope you can all appreciate these concerns as the world returns to business as usual / normal.

Many Blessings 🙂

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The reason for my concern and vigilance as we return to normal

As I mentioned the other day on my Star Wars Day post there is a sense that we and governments across the world want to return to ‘business as usual’, ‘normal’, or at least a semblance of what life was like before. 

As soon as possible!

However, this isn’t going to be the case for some of us, especially those that are immunocompromised and today I share the reason for my concern and vigilance as we return to a level of normalcy. 

I read an article by well renowned specialist Siouxsie Wiles which featured in the New Zealand Herald on 4 May. It was also published by The Spinoff where she shares what she knows about the current Covid 19 Omicron Outbreak and the new variants that have been identified in South Africa. 

She explains that “as most countries are winding down their testing and sequencing efforts South Africa continues to be at the leading edge of identifying new Covid-19 variants and they are currently compiling information about the newly recognised Omicron lineages, BA.4 and BA.5 which are responsible for a new rise in cases in South Africa, the country’s fifth wave of Covid-19.”

Siouxsie Wiles goes on to say that “it’s not clear at the moment whether what’s driving the rise in cases is:

1. BA.4 and BA.5 being more infectious,
2. BA.4 and BA.5 having mutations that help them evade immunity even more,
3. or whether everyone’s immunity from the last wave is now waning, making them susceptible to infection again.”

“It’ll also be a while before we know whether these new lineages are more dangerous than the virus already is, at least for people without access to the new antivirals.”

As I read through the remainder of the article the concerning aspect for people like me, who are immunosuppressed, is that “the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variant may be able to infect the deeper lung tissues.” 

She goes on to say that; “One big problem with the ‘getting back to normal’ phase that most countries have adopted is that it is putting immunocompromised people at high risk of infection…. Most people who catch Covid-19 will clear the virus in a few days or weeks. But some immunocompromised people are at increased risk of the virus replicating in their cells for many months.”

In conclusion, she recommends that we need to continue “doing our best to reduce community transmission and stop the virus from infecting immunocompromised people, we need to reduce the chances a large gathering could become a super-spreader event.“

The Coronavirus Pandemic is not ending any time soon.

It would appear that we are a long way away from seeing an end to the Covid pandemic – Period! Due to the nature of the virus and its ability to morph and adapt to the changing dynamics of the environment in which it tries to live.

But we need to keep holding on and doing what we can for the betterment of those around us. In this time some people have been badly affected, not just financially, emotionally, or even spiritually.

We need to draw strength from each other, encourage and build each other up in whatever ways we can, and to coin a phrase that many people are most probably tired of hearing already – Be kind! 

You see, for some, things may look dark right now, but the light is coming! So can I encourage those that can, to reach out and help where you are able, just maybe you will be that light for someone. And for those of you that are struggling right now can I encourage you to reach out for support from those that are willing to help and keep holding on!

I for one am thankful for what the government and people throughout the country, here in New Zealand, have been doing over the past couple of years to keep themselves and many others like me safe.

I appreciated the huge sacrificial cost and the effort required by all and sundry – and because of the faith that I have in The Light I’m not overly anxious or fearful about the way forward. For when I’m afraid I put my trust and faith in Him.

However, I’m sensible enough to put systems in place to protect myself, and although from time to time I may be a little concerned, I will remain pretty vigilant as we return to normal to ensure that I protect not only myself, but also those closest to me.

Unfortunately, I am unable to wear a mask as Scleroderma has affected my lungs and I find it extremely hard to breath while wearing a mask. In a few weeks time I will also be starting a new course of medications that will completely knock out my immune system for at least a couple of months – which on one level, in and of itself is enough of a concern as we approach the cold & flu season.   

Therefore, this means that I will need to remain shielding myself from “normal”, not going out during busy periods to meet others for meetings at cafes, restaurants, and going to shops etc. Limiting my exposure to larger group settings, such as church and including the work office environment as people continue to exhibit symptoms within the community. It doesn’t stop me from getting out and about – but it does mean I need to be extra careful and avoid certain situations and places that would put me at risk. 

For people just like me, we need to remain extremely vigilant and reduce the chances of infection as much as possible. So, I hope you can all appreciate these concerns and our vigilance as the world around us returns back to business as usual / normal.

Many Blessings 🙂

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