I have been speaking with a guy who couldn't see any point
in lock-down. Nobody in their area had
been sick and he couldn't see any relevance in it. Yesterday and today we have had zero
confirmed new cases and no further deaths, which has only reinforced his viewpoint.
There seems to be a growing groundswell of grumbles that our
restrictions are too severe. More and
more people are blatantly ignoring “the rules” and heading out to do their own
thing.
It is left to the elderly and the vulnerable to feel fear
about the virus, as the majority of the population begin to feel unaffected.
Part of the problem, I feel, is that our government’s
strategy was too successful. They were too
efficient in preventing Covid-19 taking a hold here and the result is that many
now feel blasé about it all. As one
person stated, it hasn’t really “arrived” here yet so the general public has no
concept of the horrors of rampant community transmission and multiple deaths.
Our government is between a rock and a hard place. Do they continue to restrict citizens for
health reasons, or do they relax the rules so as to promote economic recovery
and prevent thousands from facing severe hardship and mental distress? It is a fine line that they are walking – a
dangerous tightrope, in fact, with this being election year. I don’t envy them.
Whatever people’s personal opinions are, it is surely our
duty as citizens to follow the regulations the government decrees.
Stay safe and be kind to each other,
Margaret J
'They' can't win no matter how hard they try someone will always find fault
ReplyDeleteSome of our states are beginning to relax some restrictions- here in Victoria it's stay the same although some businesses are opening up again. Large amounts of testing are wheedling out the 'hidden' cases, the very mild ones who would have gone their merry way infecting others. Clusters are appearing now after days/weeks of lowering figures.
Like NZ we have been 'lucky'
As the saying goes - you can't please everybody. I wouldn't want to be making the decisions they have to.
DeleteI think people should be grateful for your Government's success and go with them. If it hasn't been eliminated and people ignore it and it returns I hate to think what would happen.
ReplyDeleteI also shudder to think what would happen if it returned.
DeleteOh, please, no "yet"!
ReplyDeleteI hope it does never...
Kindness is the key. Distance, too, but get out, your immune system needs that...
Even when we were in total lock-down there were a few reckless people who considered themselves above the rules and still went out doing what they wanted.
DeleteHere in UK, we look at your country and think what a great action plan, put in very quickly and as you say very few lives lost, here in week 7 of lock down, we are past the peak, but still 288 people died on Sunday.
ReplyDeleteIt is very hard to understand the terrible effects of this virus, when your government has been so successful. Here as we start to think about relaxing the rules, everyone is worried about a second wave of virus and more deaths, neither of us work, even when we are released we wont use public transport and for the 1st month, only visit our children and grandchild, our fear is that great. Stay safe
I hope you continue to stay safe. Take care :)
DeleteYour government has been a very good example for all the world not just in the past but much more to how you guys battled this pandemic. Those grumblers should be thankful and grateful. NZ's total of 20 deaths is just half or at times just a quarter a day's numbers here in my country.
ReplyDeleteOh Margaret look at those cute horses looking at the camera! But those four cows stole my heart! THEY ARE SO CUTE!!! I grew up drinking Anchor Milk during my toddler to elementary days, Anchor Milk here in the Philippines is made from 100% New Zealand Milk so your country took part in making me grow as strong as I am now I must say :)
Anchor Milk!! I grew up on a dairy farm supplying an Anchor milk factory. You might have drunk some of our milk :))
DeleteI for one am happy to abide by the rules and stay in lock down as long as it takes, even though I am going a bit stir crazy.
ReplyDeleteI was missing walking in a park, but now I can do this I find I am quite happy to stay home! I really don't want to go out and risk anything.
DeleteHello, it is good that the lockdown was successful. Fewer deaths is the goal, your government did it the correct way. Love the views, horses and cows. Take care, enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteThe horses and cows are among my most favourite farm photos :)
DeleteLooking at New Zealand from the other side of the world, I have nothing but admiration for the way the country has tackled the Coronavirus, and your Prime Minister seems like an exceptionally stalwart young woman. Her courage and steadfastness are to be admired. As to following the regulations the government decrees, I agree with that sentiment as it pertains to Covid-19, but looking back on history it is too bad that German citizens in the thirties and forties exhibited such slavish devotion to "the regulations."
ReplyDeleteIt is a hard line for the government to follow, getting a balance between citizen compliance and yet still maintain the rights to freedom that we expect to have. I guess it is this freedom that is resulting now in a lot more people openly grumbling about their situation.
DeleteHello, Can you see my blog?, I think you like it because it is about wildlife and animals, I hope you like it, please look it and follow me, the name is bicheandoporelmonte.blogspot.com, I love your blog, so I´m going to follow you, greetings from Spain
ReplyDeleteHi Daniel. You have some lovely photos on your blog. I love nature :)
DeleteIt is a strange time we are going through...you would think the people would be happy to have had no more deaths than you have have had. I can understand when people are under extreme financial stress...then it would be hard not to want to resume a bit more normal life. But I don't get it just because you 'want' this or want that. A person can live without going to the beach...or shopping all day...but they do need a way to pay their bills and put food on the table.
ReplyDeleteWe live in a welfare state (and the government has been very generous with offering financial aid) and I sometimes question the definition of 'hardship' here. To a lot of people it appears to be "I don't have enough money to do what I want, so therefore I am struggling" instead of being thankful for what they have and learning to manage on that.
DeleteI have been very grateful at odd times (like the 2007 depression) to be living in a welfare state. But yes, too many people still think they should be able to have and do whatever they want, and welfare is not for that.
DeleteI know the feeling about 'what is enough'...I hear people complain about stuff, but what they consider a necessity, I know is just a want. Food, shelter, heat, water...those are necessary. A manicure, the latest, newest phone, going to the movies...or a bar...that is not.
DeleteIf a nation is to have a problem with Covid, the problem you have in New Zealand is preferable. Take care, Margaret.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Marie :)
DeleteWhat an excellent post! It's like you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. Many, many countries would gladly trade places with your country. Your government did the right thing and acted right away to contain the virus and, so far, it's worked. Contrary to how the guy you were speaking to feels many others, myself included, will be very cautious about going back to how things were. Take care.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I think Covid-19 will always be with us and we won't be returning to what we used to know. It will never go away and we will have to learn to live with it, to find a balance between health and economy that will benefit most people even though some will suffer. Not an easy path for any government to steer.
DeleteI totally agree with you Margaret. I have been shocked at people I know, and one in her mid 70s, thinking that it all doesn't apply to them, driving around to other people's places. I wonder at the entitled mentality.
ReplyDeleteI smiled at your "entitled mentality" - son calls them "self-entitled" :)
DeleteWe don't intend to venture out much for a while. Definitely will not be going to restaurants or places where people congregate. Doug is out at present but just to collect prescriptions and some topsoil which will be contact free.
ReplyDeleteI think it is going to be a long time before we feel safe enough again to be part of a crowd.
DeleteI know where my daughter lives in West Va. there were no cases until it was reported as such on the t.v and then they mysteriously appeared. Places like that , people have been practicing social distancing for ages and live far apart. I am glad it's eased up here. I am still being careful as I wear a mask to the stores, but so glad that we see neighbors walking the neighborhood and speaking. Staying in while sick or with cough, being clean and washing hands, not touching face like we were always told to do growing up may come back in style with people who were not as careful. I don't think all can be painted with one brush. Some states like New York a lot worse than some others. Betsy
ReplyDeleteOld fashioned cleanliness habits and having concern for others might be just what we need as we learn to live with this new virus. Stay safe :)
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