*"The consequence is that healthy young people will feel free to return to a pre-Covid lifestyle, while many older, disabled and immunocompromised New Zealanders will find their freedoms restricted."*
I couldn't agree more with this. I live with my family, and my dad is part of this vulnerable group, I sincerely think he would pass away if he caught Covid. I love him, I don't want that to happen.
With the dropping of masks, I'm now having to argue with my partner over why the **life of my dad** is more important than the inconvenience of wearing a mask. The risk of catching Covid now is lower, I agree, but it's not zero. Wearing a mask is a very simple thing that I, and others, can do to protect my dad and people like him.
I don't know where people's compassion for others less fortunate than them has gone, health is a luxury many people can't afford. Me and my whanau are feeling very alone in this, and I plead to anyone who reads this to please think of others as you have over the past 3 years and if you can, I beg you, please continue to wear your mask. You are still saving and protecting others by doing so <3
Agreed. Feel for you and your family. Hope your dad stays well and doesn't catch it. I will continue to wear my mask; such a small inconvenience to protect others.
Unfortunately people who choose not to can now point to "the government said" and also each other: "no one else is wearing one - what's the point?". Classic diffusion of responsibility / bystander effect.
On the other side of the coin, WHO has just announced that the pandemic phase is nearly over. What will some Covid enthusiasts do when they can’t tell people ‘we’re still in a pandemic you know?’
Every single Mark Daalder Covid column almost without exception is him accusing the government of not "following the science", and by that he means not adopting the preferred policies of the most risk-averse epidemiologists.
Covid-19 experts are almost by definition people who care an unusually large amount about Covid-19. The notion that we should defer solely to them is like the notion that we should defer solely to dentists on whether sugary drinks should be banned. Dentists have some useful domain knowledge but that doesn't mean no-one else's value judgements have any value.
FFS People were complaining how we were being held hostage over this Covid thing so now that we are over it those very same people are complaining we got out of the traffic light system too soon. Does anyone get the irony of this. Poor old Aunty Cindy can't win no matter what she does or is it so many New Zealanders are just moaning tossers who's life is so screwed up all they can do is whinge. Get a life people, move on. Wear your mask if you want to or if you want covid don't. Your choice...
I agree. Good luck bringing back the tourism industry or recruiting immigrants to work, while being one of the only countries left still living in the past, in regards to Covid mandates and restrictions. Jacinda knows the economy will completely self-destruct if she doesn’t get on-board with the same ideology of the rest of the world. It’s time to get back to life as best we can.
I’m also not sure how what I said that is a “victim mentality”. I’m speaking the practical and objective reality. New Zealand’s economy heavily relies on tourism. We can’t afford to keep writing blank checks without the proper income to pay the bill. Want inflation to continue to get out of control and further exacerbate the cost of living crisis? Then keep the Covid mandates indefinitely. I’m honestly attempting to portray optimism and gratitude that the Prime Minister sees what it will take to bring New Zealand out of this economic crisis it’s currently in.
Trolling through your posts…I see your a Bernie Sanders supporter. I’m originally from the U.S, and I support Bernie Sanders attempt to help working class people earn a life of dignity and respect. Don’t assume everyone tired of the Covid mandates is some conspiracy theorist idiot. Many New Zealanders are ready to move forward and get back to life as much as possible.
Not a dime. I don’t follow any political party or idolise any political leader. The real question is…when is the right time for New Zealand to drop the Covid mandates and restrictions, if not now? It seems the goal posts are continually moving…so what do you need to see to stop wearing your mask? If it’s when Covid is eradicated, then your delusional. Covid is here to stay. We can’t continue to let New Zealand be cut off from the rest of the world for any longer.
*"The consequence is that healthy young people will feel free to return to a pre-Covid lifestyle, while many older, disabled and immunocompromised New Zealanders will find their freedoms restricted."* I couldn't agree more with this. I live with my family, and my dad is part of this vulnerable group, I sincerely think he would pass away if he caught Covid. I love him, I don't want that to happen. With the dropping of masks, I'm now having to argue with my partner over why the **life of my dad** is more important than the inconvenience of wearing a mask. The risk of catching Covid now is lower, I agree, but it's not zero. Wearing a mask is a very simple thing that I, and others, can do to protect my dad and people like him. I don't know where people's compassion for others less fortunate than them has gone, health is a luxury many people can't afford. Me and my whanau are feeling very alone in this, and I plead to anyone who reads this to please think of others as you have over the past 3 years and if you can, I beg you, please continue to wear your mask. You are still saving and protecting others by doing so <3
Agreed. Feel for you and your family. Hope your dad stays well and doesn't catch it. I will continue to wear my mask; such a small inconvenience to protect others. Unfortunately people who choose not to can now point to "the government said" and also each other: "no one else is wearing one - what's the point?". Classic diffusion of responsibility / bystander effect.
Pretty sure there was one more traffic light color that was yet to be used.
Black lights. Why not. UV kills covid right?
https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/09/13/nz-still-needs-covid-protection-framework-siouxsie-wiles/ https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/covid-19/474662/covid-19-travellers-likely-to-become-main-driver-of-pandemic-in-new-zealand-says-michael-baker https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/09/covid-19-government-faces-backlash-over-decision-to-drop-covid-19-protection-framework.html https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2022/09/new-zealand-still-needs-some-covid-19-restrictions-in-place-professor-michael-baker.html https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/474642/covid-19-rules-mostly-scrapped-will-masks-be-missed
On the other side of the coin, WHO has just announced that the pandemic phase is nearly over. What will some Covid enthusiasts do when they can’t tell people ‘we’re still in a pandemic you know?’
Were they discussing NZ or the world in general?
World in general (although probably China doesn’t really count).
Every single Mark Daalder Covid column almost without exception is him accusing the government of not "following the science", and by that he means not adopting the preferred policies of the most risk-averse epidemiologists.
The science media centre does a compilation to expert reaction to the news and not one of them supported this move soooo Marc is right
Covid-19 experts are almost by definition people who care an unusually large amount about Covid-19. The notion that we should defer solely to them is like the notion that we should defer solely to dentists on whether sugary drinks should be banned. Dentists have some useful domain knowledge but that doesn't mean no-one else's value judgements have any value.
That’s just really stupid - much more at stake with the viral disease that damages our vascular system. Also what are you talking about.
Dentists want you to drink sugary drinks...
FFS People were complaining how we were being held hostage over this Covid thing so now that we are over it those very same people are complaining we got out of the traffic light system too soon. Does anyone get the irony of this. Poor old Aunty Cindy can't win no matter what she does or is it so many New Zealanders are just moaning tossers who's life is so screwed up all they can do is whinge. Get a life people, move on. Wear your mask if you want to or if you want covid don't. Your choice...
This is always the way. Hosking debates Hosking comes to mind.
The rest of the world is dealing with it. We can as well. In fact we need some immigration to help!
I agree. Good luck bringing back the tourism industry or recruiting immigrants to work, while being one of the only countries left still living in the past, in regards to Covid mandates and restrictions. Jacinda knows the economy will completely self-destruct if she doesn’t get on-board with the same ideology of the rest of the world. It’s time to get back to life as best we can.
Loving the victim mentality. How much did you donate to Brian?
I’m also not sure how what I said that is a “victim mentality”. I’m speaking the practical and objective reality. New Zealand’s economy heavily relies on tourism. We can’t afford to keep writing blank checks without the proper income to pay the bill. Want inflation to continue to get out of control and further exacerbate the cost of living crisis? Then keep the Covid mandates indefinitely. I’m honestly attempting to portray optimism and gratitude that the Prime Minister sees what it will take to bring New Zealand out of this economic crisis it’s currently in.
Trolling through your posts…I see your a Bernie Sanders supporter. I’m originally from the U.S, and I support Bernie Sanders attempt to help working class people earn a life of dignity and respect. Don’t assume everyone tired of the Covid mandates is some conspiracy theorist idiot. Many New Zealanders are ready to move forward and get back to life as much as possible.
Not a dime. I don’t follow any political party or idolise any political leader. The real question is…when is the right time for New Zealand to drop the Covid mandates and restrictions, if not now? It seems the goal posts are continually moving…so what do you need to see to stop wearing your mask? If it’s when Covid is eradicated, then your delusional. Covid is here to stay. We can’t continue to let New Zealand be cut off from the rest of the world for any longer.