Ditching our Covid-19 Framework Makes No Sense

I can remember reading an article written by Marc Daalder, a senior political reporter based in Wellington who covers among other things Covid-19, entitled Ditching our Covid-19 Framework Makes No Sense and thinking – Here we go again!

The article was posted just prior to the announcement that the government would be scrapping the traffic light system, which although deemed cumbersome by many (especially in business circles), did at least help to keep tabs on where transmission was spreading, and help those at risk to be forewarned about increasing community transmissions.

At the time the government and health officials were busy saying that due to the numbers of cases decreasing over the weeks and months prior, and the expectation that they would remain low, we as a country were entering a new phase of the pandemic.

The thing is, the government says that they care for the little people, but in reality do they? Do they really!

As it would appear that they are throwing a small group of people under the bus.

The old sayings; “Common sense just ain’t common any more” and “united we stand, divided we fall” seem to ring true, yet again.

You see, as many people return to pre-pandemic behaviours and governments around the world loosen restrictions (mask use, testing, isolation time-frames etc.) this can feel like an especially perilous moment for older people, those with weak immune systems and other health problems that make the virus especially dangerous, regardless of the level of immunity that the general populace think they have and the amount of booster shots one has had.

While the announcement of the traffic light system being scrapped was welcomed by many, one community voiced its concerns, dismay and anxiety over this move – the disabled community. 

That’s because Covid-19 isn’t over for disabled people (as it is not for everyone – in reality).

So, what’s the plan? You tell me and we’ll both know as even many of the experts it appears would also like to know.

The return to business as usual at our border leaves us flying blind when it comes to the advent of new variants coming through, as border testing provided an early warning system of new variants entering New Zealand, and without this, variants would spread in the community before being noticed. 

Marc wrote that “It’s increasingly clear that Covid-19 will continue to evolve in leaps and bounds, new dramatically evolved variants overtaking one another like ocean waves constantly lapping on the shoreside. This is a major difference from the slow and steady mutation we see in other infectious disease threats, like influenza.” Suggesting that we need a long term framework for Covid-19.

You see, the pandemic might be over in the minds of some. But like it or not, COVID is ramping up for yet another wave.

A recent article reports that as countries loosen their preventative systems and tools (including changing the way that they report cases), new variants of the coronavirus are evading vaccines and antibodies putting those at risk – even more at risk!

Just the other day Tom Hunt, senior reporter for Stuff wrote that Wellington is leading what is tipped to be another national covid wave adding that the “Ministry of Health deputy director general and Public Health Agency head Andrew Old said the national increase in cases was within predictions, and it was expected some regions would have peaks.”

Again I ask – So, what’s the plan? As “the list of new subvariants appearing within New Zealand is lengthy and growing,” the Ministry said in a statement yesterday (13/10/2022). Read Radio New Zealand’s article available here. 

Epidemiologist Michael Baker said a return to some kind of alert level system could help avoid the worst in future Covid-19 waves. 

They, the government and health officials knew it was going to happen, they saw it happen in other countries around the world and yet only a month ago they decided to scrap the only protection measures we had – completely! 

Michael Jackson sang on his album, HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I;

“All I wanna say is that they don’t really care about us.“

Now, I’ve recently received the preventative drugs tixagevimab and cilgavimab (Evusheld) which will provide a level of protection should I be unfortunate enough to catch Covid (which thankfully to date I haven’t caught). This was followed up by a doctor’s appointment a couple of days later in which I’m advised that I’ll probably need to continue shielding from time to time as waves of community transmission appear.

So, how have other countries fared when it comes to dropping covid preventative measures – a number of countries have seen a steady increase in the amount of infections and reinfections, as well as hospitalisations and deaths.

I wonder, to coin a military phrase – acceptable losses?

Where does that leave me and others like me who have invisible disabilities, rare autoimmune diseases and disorders? Where does that leave some of the elderly who are anxious about being out and about as this pandemic is far from over? Do we have to remain socially isolating as the rest of the world go about minimalising the effects that Covid can have on others?

United we stand, divided we fall…

Read Full Post »

Prison Fellowship

Last night at the AGM of Prison Fellowship Invercargill I was nominated for the Chairman’s role for the year. For the past 9 months or so I’ve been doing the Interim Chairman’s role since Bill Cunliffe relocated back up north. It has been an interesting 9 months getting my head around what Prison Fellowship is all about, how it’s been operating here in Invercargill, what it envisages doing into the future, and how we can foster relationships with those working in “Corrections” as well as those working in the prison assisting inmates. Also how we as an organisation can provide support for those that are both in, and who have gone through the corrections system, along with their families in the community.

This is no easy task especially when the dice often appears to be stacked against those coming out of the corrections system. But is something in which we need to do our bit if we are to help them contribute positively in the community.

In my years serving with The Salvation Army so far, I have been hugely encouraged by the massive turn-around that some previous inmates have had when they are befriended by people and made to feel as if they are valued and loved. Many of whom go on to recognise that they have a contribution to make within their community to provide a safe environment. I have seen hardened criminals literally come alive and strive to make a difference in the lives of their previous gang associates, families and friends.

Therefore, it is important for us all to treat others the way that we would like to be treated as we don’t know what one simple gesture of kindness could do to impact the life of another person regardless of what they have done in the past.

Read Full Post »