Our country
is currently in electioneering mode. I am
your classic fence-sitter when it comes to politics and usually avoid any
political discussions that happen around me.
But this
weekend I have been disgusted by the behaviour of our current prime minister,
Jacinda Ardern.
New Zealand
is under Level Two restrictions because of a cluster in Auckland of people with
Covid. Businesses, especially small ones
and those in the hospitality industry, are really struggling financially
because of the limits being placed on them, even though there have been no
cases throughout the rest of the country.
On the
whole, I don’t think people mind the sacrifice they are making if it can be
shown it helps protect others, but Jacinda’s show of hypocrisy hurts.
(photo retrieved online from stuff.co.nz)
Since when did the covid regulations apply to everybody except the person who should really be setting the highest example? The students she had crowded around her are not even wearing masks, and the incident was apparently not an isolated one.
The government
is expected to announce this afternoon what level of restrictions Auckland and
the rest of the country will be facing for the next week. I hope they decide that things can return to
a more normal state again.
At least
these two, Mittens and Millie, have no worries or concerns about Covid or elections!
Have a
great day 😊
Margaret.
Your prime minister has been quick to brag to the world about New Zealand's success in dealing with the pandemic, and I think she had the right to do so, which makes her behaviour as you show it totally inexplicable and definitely not the example she should be setting. Maybe she will pay the price when people vote.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, I suspect, just as in amny other countries the response to the pandemic is at least as political as it is practical. (1) Lockdowns work but they only work while we stay locked down. As soon as you lift the lid it starts to boil over again (ok not a good metaphor). (2) The scale of the damage to economies of total lockdown appears to have come as a surprise to politicians who are all reluctant to go down that road again - see (1) above. (3) Sweden might have been a bit liberal (comparatively speaking) in the first round and got bad press for their outcomes, but we aren't hearing anything about them as a second wave hits the rest of Europe who all got let out to take their summer holidays and went mad. (4) politicians can't afford to have overwhelmed health systems commandeering the headlines. (5) and nothing (but NOTHING) gets in the way of determination to be re-elected (see Belarus).
ReplyDeleteF dislikes politicians of all stripes, if they play the 'game' to get to the top they are all motivated by the same stuff (power) and will sacrifice principles for the objective. People who won't sacrifice priciples will never make to the top of that greasy pole - they aren't 'politicians'.
Sadly, I fear you may be right Tigger.
DeleteYUK!! I too am a fence sitter, but that has totally put me off ...........
ReplyDeleteLove your kittens 0- they look so relaxed. My boy is loving the warmer weather, and during the day I onoy see him if I am outside!
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine
I've seen that photo and I've been wondering where it was taken, if outside Auckland then that would be ok as the rest of the country has been in level 2. I did read on the MOH website today a quote that said something about not needing to practice social distancing or wearing a mask anymore if outside of Auckland.
ReplyDeleteThe photo was taken last Thursday at Massey University in Palmerston North. Under level two we are to maintain a distance of two metres from those not in our bubble (or at least one metre and wear a mask). As of midnight last night (almost three hours ago now!) the rest of the country dropped to level one and we will no longer need to practice social distancing or wear masks on public transport (Auckland will still have these restrictions).
DeleteMy point is that as the most important person in our country Jacinda has a responsibility and obligation to lead the way in how we should all behave, and she failed to do this.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteLove your sweet kitties. Could the photo be an older photo, taken before Covid times? Our leader is always seen not wearing a mask, he states it is Ok not to wear a mask. Hubby and I continue to wear our mask, others will do what they want. Take care and stay safe.
Enjoy your day, have a happy new week!
I am really shocked by that. I had to cancel a long overdue visit to my elderly father at the weekend because I am a carer to 2 vulnerable people and well-meaning family members decided to arrange a secret birthday party for him, which I felt unable to attend given the current restrictions here (UK) and my reluctance to be inside with a group of people, who I knew would not keep their distance. I have hardly been out in months, except essential visits to the shops. It caused a lot of hurt all round, but having been shown pictures of the party (which my father greatly enjoyed and was quite comfortable with) I feel that I was totally in the right to do so. It doesn't make the guilt go away though and, although nobody has said it, I know that my wider family think that I am heartless, despite me being the one who has been trying to protect as many people as possible. What makes their gung-ho attitude even worse in my eyes is that we actually had a death from Covid on the other side of the family during the first wave. I guess the old adage 'you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink' applies here. :(
ReplyDeleteI applaud you Tanya for sticking to your principles and doing your best to protect the vulnerable people you care for, however hard it is. There are people here in NZ making the same sacrifices.
DeleteA friend of ours owns a small cafe. If he gathered together the customers he was allowed to have and took a selfie like the one above, his business would have been closed down and he would probably have been publicly ostracized for it. Jacinda, of all people in NZ, should be showing the way - which is why I find this example of rule breaking so disgustingly hypocritical.
Politicians can let us down, that’s a given. Did your prime minister get caught up in the minute there with students and lose her mind? They are the ones she really needs to set the example for. Sad but typical of many political leaders.
ReplyDeleteYesterday afternoon Jacinda gave a weak excuse that she "perhaps should have asked people to stand back" - a friend of mine was unable to attend a funeral last week because it was "by invitation only" so they could control the number of people attending (who were all required to wear a mask). It is indeed sad that our politicians, who should be leading the way in showing a good example, keep letting us down this way.
DeleteI'm surprised about Jacinda. She's over doing the public relations. A bit unsure if her re election??
ReplyDeleteThe worst part of this "photo opp", is how she is condoning all those students, to pay no attention to Wuhan Virus Rules.
ReplyDeleteThey, being the ones, most likely to spread the Virus.
And kill we older folks.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrr...
No knowing your politics, but wondering, is she one of the "WOKE" political women? Betcha' she is.
Those "WOKE" people, make their own rules!!!!!
LOL my son says she is definitely Woke!!
DeleteI suppose politicians think themselves above any restrictions that us lowly ones must obey. I can really get my BP up when I watch the news and must therefore avoid it.
ReplyDeleteFor many years I also avoided the News as it upset me so much - I think I need to go back to doing that (I'm inclined to shout at the News readers, certainly not good for my BP either!)
Deletethe kitties have the right idea....
ReplyDeleteI'm certainly weary of all the US politics too at this point. But I feel the need to speak out, because as unpleasant as it is, politics affects us all whether we like it or not. This is too important a time in history to be quiet or to not let your opinions be known.
ReplyDelete