It is not very often that the Nation tunes into TV at 10
o’clock in the morning, but it did so today when the Government announced The
Plan for leading the country forward in this era of covid.
I am happy with what they are saying. I thought The Plan was positive and
definitely doable.
The progression into a controlled relatively-free style of
living (if you are vaccinated) sounds much better than staying in a permanent
flux of lockdowns.
Once the country reaches a 90% target of fully vaccinated
(for age 12 and over), then we can expect to see the new “traffic light” system
implemented.
“Green” will mean not many people in the community have
covid. There will be virtually no
restrictions on travel or business operations, with only some recommendations
(such as mask wearing) in place. Vaccination
certificates will be used in areas with high people numbers.
“Amber” means a community has one or more clusters of
uncontrolled active cases. All
businesses can remain open but there will be more restrictions put in place,
like mandatory mask wearing and compulsory vaccine certificates for more places.
“Red” will mean the number of cases is threatening to
overload our healthcare system. Schools
and most retail shops will remain open but with restrictions like capacity
limits and a wide use of vaccination certificates. If things turn really nasty, some areas may
still be returned into lockdown.
Making such decisions like this are difficult for any
government. Trying to please everyone
and still be realistic is not an easy path to take. I liken it a bit to mixing a cocktail:
Cocktail a ’la
Corona
Take a tall glass and
fill it with icy Covid Cubes.
Add a jigger each of
Unrealistic Expectations (public believing covid can be kept out of the
country) and Public Panic (public believing covid will now run rampant).
Swish in a slosh of
Health Limitations (can our hospitals cope) and a good swig of Financial
Considerations (can our businesses cope).
Now add a touch of
Political Consideration (have to stay on the right side of voters), before
topping up the glass with Pure Hope (vaccination is the answer).
Decorate the glass
with a couple of Crossed Fingers (for luck) and there you have it.
This coming weekend (today is Friday) will be Labour Weekend
holiday. Normally it would mean a rush
to the beach for the first long weekend of summer. Still possible for some, but here in the
Auckland and Greater Waikato regions we will have to stay home. At least the weather forecast looks rather
dreary, so staying home shouldn’t be too hard.
Have a happy day everyone 😊
Margaret.
Photos: some random pictures I have taken of hanging garden ornaments.
I missed the announcement as we went to the Veg stall and Library which is now open. Wet and windy yesterday and today with a week's forecast of rain
ReplyDeleteI see Northland now has new cases, so hopefully you don't all get locked down again.
DeleteJust like us at the beginning, all glued to the virus news. Now we change channels. Hope you can move about freely very soon. We move about now as long as we have our vaccine app to show if needed. Masks only indoors.
ReplyDeleteWe just have to live with it and those that don't get the jab will suffer one way or the other .
They say now that 90percent if hospital cases are unvaccinated
Sometimes Linda, I feel like we are trailing twelve months behind the rest of the world. It is a bit like being stuck in a Time Warp :)
DeleteWe watched it too but afterwards all I've seen online is constant negative complaints from people, it seems all they do is whine without offering any suggestions, I'm getting a bit over it now.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have seen some of that negativism in action as well. It does wear you down.
DeleteThis virus is not going away, so we have to live with it, hubby gets his 3rd jab this weekend, mine will follow soon. We have again decided for the winter months we are going to stay at home, we wear mask but so many people do not, so we are taking it upon ourselves to keep safe and well. I hope you enjoy your freedom, our summer was wonderful to get to see family again.
ReplyDeleteAt least they have defined the parameters, set clear targets for vaccinations, told people why and in what circumstances 'red' might be imposed. People have something to work to, to help their community work toward, and it should give people a sense of ownership of the problem rather than it being someone else's fault or problem to deal with. I hope it works - I can't wait to come home again and not have to quarantine at the border for the entire duration of my holiday. xxx F (and Mr T)
ReplyDeleteYes, that is what I feel. We have finally been given a road map to follow, something to guide us. A shame so many still want to pull it all to pieces instead of working together to make it happen.
DeleteLove your cocktail recipe Margaret :) That was very clever. I read the details online after the announcement, and found the information much more succinct than listening to the broadcast...
ReplyDeleteStay safe
Blessings
Maxine
I like the idea of the cocktail. We also need to develop an antidote to the rabid anti-vaccers, preferably one that renders them speechless. .
ReplyDeleteLOL, so true. They have spread so much fear and misinformation around, way beyond the bounds of letting us know some people will have side effects (a common thing with all drugs, even herbal ones).
DeleteToi, toi, toi ... I wish. We have markets again. And I used it and went to the fabric market in town.
ReplyDeleteAll the best from Viola.
I am glad you liked what you heard...here in my state, the only place we have to wear masks is when we go to drs. etc...an I don't mind. Our county was red for a bit, but it is back down to orange. And a county next to us was red and it is now back down to yellow, the lowest setting. We shall see if it remains. They just had their big annual Covered Bridge Festival, where millions come.
ReplyDeleteBut we now know... The Jab only lasts a certain number of months. And even during the 'Happy Months', one can still get and harbor China/Covid.
ReplyDeleteThen, when the first Jabs lose their ability to protect, will come a lifetime of Booster Jabs.
Whereas, if young, healthy people get China/Covid, they develop natural immunity. Not 'pie in the sky'. Fact.
For now, protect the Old, Obese, and Not Healthy. Let the healthy, get it and develop natural immunity. Only way to get to living with it, like we live with all the rest of the Flus and etc.
I respect anyone's choice to get the Jab. We are old, and got it. I also respect anyone's choice, not to get the Jab. If I got it, why am I concerned, about those who did not??????
Does anyone accept "the so called news"???????? Don't people dig, for other facts???? Do people actually believe, that all cases are the *unvacced*? The complacent acceptance, of all, that the News and Government, broadcast... It amazes me.
I do not accept Government infringement on Freedom, in the name of this China/Covid. If that is 'bothersome negativity,' so be it.
🍁🌰🌻🍂🌻🌰🍁
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI like all the cute yard art, the dragonfly is one of my favorites. Hubby and I are vaccinated and I am hoping to get the booster shot soon. In some places we are still wearing a mask to stay safe. I hope you stay well, take care. Have a great new week!
Cases here are leveling out, but still worrisome. Everyone wants it to be over and get back to "normal" so I see fewer masks and more risk taking. I'm vaccinated, but still wear a mask in places with lots of people because evidently I can have it, and spread it, without even knowing it. We lost a neighbor to COVID...she left behind a husband and three children...I'd hate to be the cause of such heartbreak. Interesting to see that all around the world worries are the same. Mary
ReplyDeleteWow great post with nice photos
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a plan. I wish that they would do something similar here but it would cause a civil war. Some people are so radical. It is frightening...I guess we just have to wait for more of them to get Covid and die before we get to a safe level:(
ReplyDeletePeople are starting to protest here as well, especially now the government is trying to force people into having a vaccination. Personally, I think carrots work much better than sticks :)
DeleteLike the cocktail recipe Margaret,I might have to borrow it and make a wee poster of it. Your garden ornaments are lovely. Margaret,this might be a bit cheeky but I see you live in NZ so I as wondering if you would like to join our little craft group craftynzcardmakers.yooco.org we are a breakaway group from an English card site and are looking for some crafty minded people to join us,We have a group chat on a
ReplyDeletewednesday night purely optional,and we have a monthly card swap where every one gets a turn to pick the theme and of course if you know of any other ladies that might like to join that would be great thanks for taking the time to read this
Hello Jaybea. You are welcome to use the 'recipe' - I'm glad you liked it.
DeleteI won't join your craft group as I am not a great craftsperson and seldom do anything like that (except when it comes to admiring other people's wonderful creativity), but I do wish you all the best and hope you will soon gather some like-minded people into your group.
Hi Margaret its all good,I dont normally ask people like this but it was worth the try, you will be pleased you have moved a level up there stay safe
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