Goodbye 2021, hello omicron

DJ Robert Etheridge aka Dimension, the first Omicron related community exposure in New Zealand. I am speaking to you, Robert Etheridge and Aotearoa.

Yes, he did not wait for the result, which was positive, before he went into the general population. This is not the first time this has happened.

Domestic positive cases went to Middlemore hospital and left before the result came back. Domestic positive cases have absconded from MIQ, which could be considered worse because they knew they had covid.

Why are some people in NZ angry at Robert Etheridge? I would safely bet it's not because he should've waited, it's because it's Omicron which apparently transmits faster than the original covid and any other variants before it. The potential of infection is 'higher'.

Because he is well-known? Other well-known people have also put people at risk: Rita Ora for example.

Because NZ is fed-up of living with restrictions and thought they would be fine, be it because they are an island etc? As I have said before, you are incredibly lucky, please go talk to Italy, Brazil, the US about living with restrictions/lockdowns. You have nothing compared to them. Or even your 'neighbours', Australia. You're an island? That means nothing to covid. Also, be grateful you have a competent government and Prime Minister and health experts, especially Ashley Bloomfield.

I haven't seen nor read it first-hand, but apparently Robert Etheridge said he's been on the receiving end of 'negativity', to put it broadly. I have never heard of him and I love New Zealand, I would still live in Auckland if I had the chance and if I was living there now, I would still choose to live there. So I could easily be angry at him and on NZ's side.

But stop targeting and digitally shouting at him.

Ashley Bloomfield said, and I think this is ad verbatim: "people are not the problem, covid is".

Give Robert Etheridge some credit too: he decided to reveal he is the first Omicron case with community exposures. He could have decided not to. The Ministry of Health probably wouldn't reveal his identity for privacy reasons. Him stating it online publicly could help in containing any possible spread. For whatever reason, Robert Etheridge is also vaccinated.

He is in NZ for a music festival. The organizers decided to hold it and people decided to buy tickets. How far back do you want to go? If you really have a problem, then blame the organizers for letting him be a part of the festival because if they hadn't then he would have never boarded the plane that left the UK. Do you want to blame South Africa, where Omicron was first identified? Or do you want to blame China which is where the original covid came from? In any case, it does not help, the focus now is to contain it as best we can.

It's good the close contacts are negative, but still, I say we need to wait because they could still turn out to be positive. A small and hopefully short side-note, but it is relevant: someone flew into Hong Kong and had 21 days quarantine. It was not omicron, I think it was Delta, but the positive test came back on day 19. I am not saying NZ needs to change anything, every country is different, but it's interesting.

Then I listened to Chris Hipkins and during, I thought: are people in NZ angry, or angrier this time because it's during Christmas/the New Year? What, you hoped in 2022 life would be like it was pre 17 August 2021? It doesn't matter if you contain covid-19, specifically Delta or even be the first country to be covid-free because you can't really travel out or into the country. Domestically, yes, it would be nice to have less restrictions, but this is covid-19. There are many things I want, you want, your friends want and it may happen immediately, it may take some time to happen or never happen.

I was reading a piece of the RNZ article with the video of Chris Hipkins: what if it was a Kiwi who brought it in? What if it was a domestic case? Ok, that's not possible, it has to come through the international border. What if they came from Australia? What if it was like the one case that started Delta? Would you be sending the same amount and intensity of negativity to DJ Robert Etheridge if he was a Kiwi?

Or is it because he identified himself? If he remained anonymous, you would just be angry and it would subside fairly quickly because you can't really keep being angry at so few details?

I couldn't understand why he didn't wait for the test result, but it has happened. Yes, it could have probably been prevented. But this is the now. And the future.

Many unplanned pregnancies can be prevented, contraception is only 100% effective when used according to instructions; many deaths at birth are preventable with the right skills, infrastructure and money, but too many babies die; deaths from being under the influence are preventable: New Zealand, the death toll from roads in New Zealand is often due to drink, drugs and speed, it is the "holiday death toll", it actually has a name; debt can be lessen or prevented by not having a credit card or a mortgage.

Omicron might be present in the community in a big way, just after it seems like Delta is being fully contained and possibly even eliminated. If it is, you will handle it, have faith in Jacinda Ardern and Ashley Bloomfield.

Aroha

Kia kaha.

I think if I was living in NZ during the pandemic, I would feel better because I would be on the ground. But if I had never left I don't think I'd know how much I love it. I would fly there in the pandemic if I could, my love is stronger and transcends MIQ and what you have to do to travel. I'd be so happy to be home and be there during covid.

- A.M.

Te Whanganui-a-Tara

Oh Wellington. Auckland, Christchurch and you're the last of the well-known and 'big' cities to have covid-19 in the community.

New Zealand is the only place I have a physical reaction to when I hear about covid. This has been so for a while now. It goes away after I've calmed down and even when I'm going through it I know it will fade or stabilize rather. I think it's because of the immense love I hold. I have never reacted nor felt like this to anyone and anything else, ever.

I know my reaction isn't solely because of covid in a way or maybe I should say the underlying sources aren't only caused by covid. Yes, when I read about covid in NZ, it provokes such a reaction but there is another reason why.

This first case in Wellington is an essential worker who travelled from Auckland and an employee of a construction company. There is potential large spread.

And not necessarily that it matters, but Wellington is the capital and where government and Parliament is, where the covid live updates are. Of course you can't really control covid, but it was a good look Wellington didn't have it in its community in the covid context. On the flip side, it didn't have covid in its community for a while. Just over 3 months since the country was plunged into level 4 lockdown. But in the grand scheme of things, covid is indiscriminate, the only discrimination it seems to have currently is unvaccinated people because scientists created protective formulas. However, breakthrough infections exist. And non-eligible people for the vaccine.

Wellington. New Zealand.

Now the risk for Bloomfield, Jacinda, Chris Hipkins, Grant Robertson to be infected is higher. Yes they are human and yes, it's always the minority that are in government whether you agree or not with this fact, but it is better government be uninfected by covid. And it's not just one. Imagine Jacinda is infected, the chain of transmission could spread super fast through the government employees.

And New Zealand doesn't have enough infrastructure in quantity to handle covid. The strategy is to use infrastructure smartly but quantity can and probably will overwhelm. This is for most things. Examples: you have two countries at war, both armies are highly trained but with time the one with 100 000 soldiers will be conquered by the one with 400 00; a fast food outlet receives 1000 orders at the same time and in most joints there are not the same number of staff as there are orders but with time, all the orders will be delivered.

Time is not an option with covid though, you contain and care for the infected that need it as soon as possible. In some cases, too much time equals death, and the number of deaths in New Zealand is climbing.

People living in New Zealand, kia kaha, take covid by the horns, no one is saying it is easy but live in reality, if you don't everything will be harder. In the long-term I think you will be living with a lot less restrictions but for now, it metaphorically walks alongside you. You may be 'going forward' slowly, but you have never gone forward and then back; Jacinda has never ever factored in the economy, only health, and be thankful: likely if Jacinda considered the economy in covid-related decisions, there would be more risk of being infected, more infected cases and more deaths than now.

My heart goes out to you Wellington.

- A.M.

Google speech to text in 'Memo'

I was looking to be able to speak into my phone's microphone and it type out my speech.

I was sure I could do it with the 'Memo' app, I just wasn't sure exactly how. I assumed I've have to download an app which I wasn't thrilled about.

So I looked it up and fiddled and was most surprised it was quite good at capturing and typing what I was saying. Aha, Google. Yes, I know Google is good at translating, but I still find it impressive because language is accent, speed, cadence etc. Note I did intentionally speak slowly.

Then I tried another language, not English. No can do.

I fiddled more, and then spoke. Wow, fuck yeah. I give you credit for this Google. Accurately typing out what comes out of my mouth is an achievement.

- A.M.

New Zealand on the counter-attack, so to speak

I really believed New Zealand could be the first country/place to have the Delta variant of covid-19/covid-19 in the community and then kick it out and resume life like it was before it got in, which is pretty much living like it was pre-pandemic.

I believe this not because of Jacinda's 'slogans' of "team of five million", "do the right thing", "get vaccinated" etc., but the consequences of the decisions. Now I don't know if it's the consequences of decisions but the concrete actions are a rise in infected covid-19 cases and not just in Auckland.

Yes, I just said I believe in 'actions', but you can hear it in their voices now - the need to stop covid spreading is more serious than before.

I don't know if it is false and blind belief, but I believe they can kick Delta out and keep it out, but the possibility is slimming fast.

I think putting level 2 NZ into level 3 is not out of the question, nor is removing the level 3 changes that apply to Auckland or just putting them back into level 4. But the latter will be hard in terms of not getting people in Auckland to breach the restrictions. It's not just the restrictions, it's trust in Jacinda, Ashley Bloomfield and to a lower extent, Chris Hipkins.

I said it will get worse before getting better.

Take Delta head on New Zealand, and kia kaha.

- A.M.

Roasted chestnuts

The smell is unmistakable and always makes me pay attention. All you need to do is follow your nose and then you can be holding a bag of roasted chestnuts in your hand.

It always takes me back. Before now and here, the last time I had some was in Geneva. It was the first time I had been there, yet my memory and my sense of smell knew what it was before I could even think it. Des châtaignes grillées. I was so excited and happy and almost couldn't believe it.

A specific time in my life. A specific time of the year. A specific place. Even the specific setup where the chestnuts were cooked, out in the open on the street.

From the paper bag to my mouth, the de-shelling and sometimes separating of the chestnuts between my fingers is all part of the experience. Roasted chestnuts have a certain texture and they're filling. Yet I can't stop eating them once I've started. They're warm and easy to de-shell, the only waste you have is the shell and nothing else. It's a pretty effortless and 'lazy' cleanup once you've finished eating.

Delicious.

- A.M.

Billie Eilish in NZ in 2022

As the expression goes: You go Girl.

It is in September 2022, and I understand about needing to plan including to confirm the one date at Spark Arena, but there is the covid-19 pandemic. 

Not to mention how there are many 'normal' New Zealanders wanting to come into the country right now. I am not saying MIQ, because if home isolation is up and running by the time she needs to come into the country and she is eligible and opts for that, then there won't be as much heated discussion. Or if for whatever reason, Billie and her team (she of course won't be on her own) make use of MIQ, then there will most likely be heated discussion.

Financial profit does not seem to be as relevant as taking spaces Kiwis wanting to come in is or will be, but if it is or will be, then it will inevitably fall on the side of the Kiwis.

And if she is anything like Adele, which I went to and commemorated in 'Adele commemoration', https://holandt.blogspot.com/2021/04/adele-commemoration.html, she may need to add more dates because of demand.

As RNZ states, "Tickets to the general public will go on sale Friday 15 October.", the date before the release of Adele's latest album, which I think is interesting to note.

Also noteworthy, on the heels of Jacinda's announcement of the 'vaccine certificate'.

Oh and of course, how many tickets will be bought in the ever-changing times? And it's not just about tickets, it's the threads that go along with attending a concert, and for Billie and her team, organizing it.

- A.M.

Source:

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/453070/billie-eilish-announces-2022-new-zealand-concert

Daylight savings put me out

Ok, we don't have daylight savings here, which I'm fine with.

But NZ having it means I can't watch the 1 pm covid updates live and that is not fine but I have to accept it. The updates at 4 pm I can still watch live. It shouldn't in theory affect how much lag time there is between the written Ministry of Health statements and me reading them, but I haven't really paid attention. And they come out after Ashley Bloomfield does his verbal statement in the 1 pm updates in any case, unless there is no update.

It puts me out in terms of RNZ too.

It might seem trivial but the 1 pm updates are important to me and live is preferable.

I suppose I can look forward to when daylight savings comes around again, then I'll be able to watch the 1 pm covid updates live, if they're still being done then.

- A.M.

Adele: here we go

Adele. Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, one of the few people in the World with the power to dictate her own deadlines, has announced the release date of 'Easy On Me': https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-58802096

Tool, Kate Bush, Ed Sheeran, Lorde, JK Rowling have the power to dictate their own deadlines, but I doubt they have the same amount of money deposited into their account that Adele does. To 'correct' myself, JK Rowling probably has more than Adele but don't quote me on that; Lorde, probably doesn't.

BBC: "Her tweet said Easy On Me will be released on Friday, 15 October, with her fourth album expected to follow.

It comes after posters and projections appeared around the world bearing the number 30, which is expected to be the title of the highly anticipated album."

I note she said herself she doesn't believe in trilogies if it's true about the name of her upcoming album.

I didn't initially really read or want to read the BBC article and didn't think I would because it would spoil the whole song. Also, seriously? You want to listen to a snippet of a song? The whole experience is about the whole song and the album. 

Yes, there's the social (and possibly financial) reasons to reveal a bit of a song. Personally, I'm not like that and I'm better for it.

But at a later point, I read the words and name 'Xavier Dolan', who directed "Hello", and I was so excited and happy because I saw his "J'ai tué ma mère" and he's a very young director (still) which I know is an -ism, but is unfortunately relevant. He's Canadian and that is a link to French and France for me, and a big part of the success of "Hello", which didn't actually break the internet, but of course caused a shit tonne of traffic. Last album and first song music video to drop from it was directed by Xavier Dolan// Upcoming album and first song music video to drop from it also by Xavier Dolan.

I just read back and realized it's the release of a song, not the album, and amended accordingly. 

In any case, Adele doesn't need to self-promote or any promotion, the subject, be it a song or album, does that in itself. ... But I'm not taking issue with that, I'm just putting it out there. And to go off at a tangent, her power also means people buy actual physical albums of 25, which is, let's face it, at least a bit unusual.

Another topic I'm  putting out there: do not hold thy breath for any concert or string of concerts or World Tours. She said it herself after her last one. Add in the covid-19 pandemic. 

She is Adele. 

The time to have seen her was when she was doing her World Tour and by that I mean her first proper one and the latest one, which I was lucky enough to go to, 'Adele commemoration', https://holandt.blogspot.com/2021/04/adele-commemoration.html .

- A.M.

Welcome to Netflix

I'm a 'grown-up'. I now have my own Netflix subscription which I pay for.

Like many, possibly millions, of people, my Sister shared hers with me.

Then, most probably because of Netflix's clampdown they announced a while ago and actually acted on, I now have my own. That's my theory anyway.

It all comes down to, in my opinion, money ie profit. Specifically Netflix's most senior management feeling, possibly rightfully, they should be earning more. Because the profit they have made as a consequence of the covid-19 pandemic is just not enough so now millions of people will or have already paid for their own subscription and increased Netflix's profit.

Control is part of it. But it's mainly money.

It isn't for me, I can afford it and didn't really think about it, but really? You need more profit? And, more importantly, you want to take away something that may be really helping people during this pandemic, and who may not be able to pay for their own subscription unless they share?

Even if my theory is wrong, the concept of sharing a Netflix subscription outside one household is still questionable to me. It's not like You/Netflix didn't know.

I am not saying it is the exact same situation, but Jeff Bezos just keeps making profit through the pandemic. Of course, I don't know the intricacies, maybe he donates (anonymously), raises his employees salaries etc. But I really hope it doesn't just add zeros to his bank statement. And I state I have not done research on the details of profit of these monsters of companies, but they are powerful and have you partly eating put of their hand. Yes, I know I choose to eat out of their hand. Maybe not completely when I was introduced to Netflix, but I did when I subscribed.

For an example, Netflix controls what is available to watch, even down to which season(s). They will or will not provide access and if they will, when THEY decide.

Maybe "Friends" was an exception.

And Amazon still probably has fake products up, sellers that cannot be trusted, unsafe and inappropriate working conditions etc...

Yes, each person decides to engage with monsters like Netflix and/or Amazon, but excessive profits they do have some control over, more than the customers.

- A.M.

Guilt after receiving one or two doses of any of the covid-19 vaccines?

Do you feel guilty of having the covid-19 vaccine, whether one or two doses?

Would you feel guilty of winning 2 million dollars because you entered the lotto or a lucky draw?

I bet your answer to the first question, on the covid-19 vaccine, is or could be, "yes, I feel guilty".

But your answer to the second question of winning 2 million dollars, is or would be "no, I do not feel guilty".

For your and everyone's health, you need the vaccine unless you have any health conditions that prevent you from having it.

You can choose to take the vaccine.

You can choose to enter the lotto or lucky draw.

You do not need to enter the lotto or lucky draw in the same manner as you need the vaccine.

However, you would likely not feel guilty of winning 2 million dollars, likely because it was not guaranteed you would win it. And of course, if you are sensible, you would buy a house/car/pay for your study/ pay off any debt and/or loans etc. You would consider them necessary.

The vaccine is a guarantee once you go to your appointment and it is in your body. (This is also the case with spending money). It is highly likely if you get infected, the damage on you, society and the government is much less than if you were unvaccinated. However, money and politics, among other factors, have an impact on accessibility and likely which vaccine, or more, is available for you to take. It is not just the decision you have made, it is how the vaccine came to be available to you that is also in play. 

Yet you will likely still feel guilty about getting the vaccine and not if you won 2 million dollars because you entered the lotto or a lucky draw: this is my statement.

Are humans contradictory in this regard? Are they illogical? Logical?

One thing is for sure, my statement is food for thought.

- A.M.

New Zealand covid-19 update

The update was interesting today, to say the least: Shaun Hendy's first appearance (who Dr Bloomfield addresses as 'Shaun') and a 'pivot', which has changed my view of Jacinda Ardern.

Both Her and Ashley Bloomfield seem to be saying 'we may never get to zero community cases, but we will not let it affect the daily lives of all in NZ' - this, to me, is different from 'stamping out covid', which I understood as getting it out of the community so no more cases after it had been achieved: in other words, covid, specifically Delta, got in, then the government kicked it out, and became "covid free" like before, a feat not done by any place thus far. Yes, they still really want zero cases, but are signalling and/or preparing the general population this may not happen. Hmmm. Words eh? Or rather, politics? Up until then, I was mostly on board with Jacinda's words.

All I will say is, to all you living in New Zealand, whether cases get to zero or not, prepare to wear masks for the foreseeable future. Have wet wipes, hand sanitizer. Capacity caps. ACCEPT it and fucking do it. Do not complain, it does not help you mentally if you're naturally inclined to not accept in this specific case. Do you value health and life? And to a lesser extent international travel?

I know your psyche, but you are still extremely extremely lucky and fortunate to not be impacted so much by covid. Your country is absolutely beautiful. Masks, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, aren't really an inconvenience. If that is all you need to think about and do on a daily basis at some point in the foreseeable future, be grateful. The government will manage the containment of covid.

If you don't even need masks, wet wipes and hand sanitizer, even better. Just keep enough masks in stock.

You may be at level 1 indefinitely and that's ok.

Please, please realize what you have because you may feel you've had it hard and you've been slammed, but many not in New Zealand find it hard to believe you've been living a life pre-pandemic for the most part.

Love always,

- A.M.

Hey, The Team of 5 Million, Haere mai ki konei, Bro...

Welcome to the rest of the covid-19 family, New Zealand. Specifically, the covid-19 Delta variant.

I love you dearly, but you, the general population, need a dose of reality, even more so because you have, since January 2020, basically lived without any restrictions.

It seems a lots of businesses are taking a hit, regardless of the fact many are in level 2.

I am talking to you, the customers, of all 'non-essential' businesses, the ones serving food and drink; selling clothes, books, jewellery, art; massage parlours, tattoo and piercing shops; cinemas etc.

I am not coming from a point of view of helping businesses.

I am coming from YOUR point of view:

- you want to go out but your emotions won't let you, specifically you are scared of getting infected

- you have no underlying health conditions

- you don't want to wear a mask

- you have enough disposable income to buy 'non-essential' products

Note: this takes into account the fact you have not had any shot of Pfizer-BioNTech.

Note note: if you have had one or two shots of Pfizer-BioNTech, the below still applies.

Note note note: the below applies also to level three, but of course your movement is more restricted so obviously only go out for essential reasons

- you want to go out but your emotions won't let you, specifically you are scared of getting infected: control your emotions; also, think of the risks you take on a regular basis such as driving; crossing the road; looking at your phone when walking down the street and not paying attention and possibly falling over or banging your head against a pole; burning yourself when cooking. You cannot control getting infected with covid or not and you may even get long covid, but you also cannot control if you get hit by a bus when you cross the road and if the damage is severe, you could have to deal with long-term health issues from being hit by the bus.

It is healthy to be skeptical, or maybe critically think is more appropriate, about your government, but have some faith in them. Nationally, they have done well, you are living in the country during the covid-19 pandemic so you have first-hand experience. Internationally, your government's response has been praised. And it is international, but the Economist released a 'Normalcy Index' in July 2021 which was based on what seem to be very objective and clinical criteria: New Zealand was 2nd, after Hong Kong.

- you have no underlying health conditions: this is not necessarily a factor as Delta is infecting perfectly healthy people, but it may do. If anything, it can be 'fake' self-reassurance.

- you don't want to wear a mask ie over the nose and mouth: wear a fucking mask if you do not want to get sick or die. And do not complain unless you don't care about your health. Also consider you have basically not worn one since January 2020 at the earliest or March 2020 when the WHO finally announced it was a pandemic. To connect with the first point, you are lessening your risk of getting infected with covid-19 by wearing a mask.

- you have enough disposable income to buy 'non-essential' products: there are many, many people who don't have any disposable income, let alone a place to live or money to pay rent and utilities; go out and spend it.

I will not go into detail here, in another post at another time maybe, but I do not see not wanting or being vaccine hesitant or just plainly against having a covid vaccine as necessarily selfish and against wanting to stop spreading and containing covid-19. I partly, if not mostly, covered this in 'To be injected or not injected: the covid-19 vaccine part I', https://holandt.blogspot.com/2021/04/to-be-injected-or-not-injected-covid-19.html, and 'To be injected or not injected: the covid-19 vaccine part II', https://holandt.blogspot.com/2021/05/to-be-injected-or-not-injected-covid-19.html .

I might also cover this at another time, but if you decide to take the vaccine, and by that I mean you critically think and make the decision yourself, instead of just do it because the government tells you to, or you're a sheep and follow others, it is selfish, or at least can be seen to be, to have the vaccine: who does it protect first and foremost? You.

If you can't control your emotions and/or you don't want to wear a mask, then suck it up and stay inside for any non-essential activity or go out and put yourself at risk first and foremost, and others, second.

If you don't want to wear a mask but do, suck it up and stop complaining.

In general, to the general population, stop complaining and accept the government's decisions or alert levels. Yes, many people are having money problems, businesses and individuals. Yes, you want the choice to leave your house if you are in level 4 even if you don't want to go out (or level 3 when and if); this also means you have to live with other people and/or pets if you are in that situation and cannot leave if it is healthy (for alone time for example), including children who are not at daycare/school because of covid. Yes, you want to be able to go outside in level 2 (and level 1 when and if) without covid-19 restrictions, but this is so in the long-term you can live life with no or very few restrictions and money stability (because lockdowns and restrictions by and large do nothing to help businesses).

As as I have said before, you are one of the lucky populations who have for the most part enjoyed freedom of individual movement since January 2020. Recognize and realize that and be grateful. Also, what is complaining and getting angry going to do, really, on an individual basis? You think the government is going to lift alert level 4 and 3 just because you're bored, don't want your movement restricted etc. when the alternative is being infected and death? Many, many places have been wearing masks, in and out of lockdown, working from home, getting regular covid tests, subject to capacity caps and restricted opening hours, among other measures, for over a year, or a year and a half. Uncertainty? Talk to Italy. Talk to the UK.

Uncertainty is also contextual: it can be nice to not know what present you are getting for your Birthday, it can be exciting to go on holiday to a place you know nothing about and have never been to before, it can be desirable to not know the sex of your baby and in non-pandemic times, not have a roadmap down to the last detail of your future.

I have never been in lockdown so I can't speak to that and I honestly don't know how I would fare. However, I accepted all the government's decisions. I have been wearing a face mask for just over a year and a half, the actual opening/closure of certain governmental facilities such as libraries and sports centres have been affected; so have opening hours and capacity caps for restaurants, cinemas, swimming pools etc.; but we have always been able to go to plazas, go out to eat and drink etc.

Acceptance of the government's decisions makes it easier, instead of fighting against it. Acceptance is not the same as agreement.

I have got my first shot of Pfizer-BioNTech and have my second appointment booked.

Your Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, is also a mother so she also has a covid perspective which includes children when taking decisions regarding covid.

- A.M.

Haere mai

Hello Everyone,

I cannot speak about living in and out of lockdowns with hundreds of infected covid-19 cases a day and a total amount of deaths in the six figures and/or being a frontline worker and/or being a business owner during this covid-19 pandemic and/or not having enough money for the basic necessities of rent, electricity, water and food and in my case, internet, but I can speak to living a relatively normal life before and during the pandemic.

I have been wearing a mask outside my house since late January 2020, definitely a month before WHO officially announced covid-19 was a pandemic, if not more than a month. Restrictions have been tightened and loosened here depending on the situation: QR scanning (which I don't do, but I write down my details if required to enter); temperature checks (I do depending); capacity caps; opening hours restrictions, no social distancing because it's not feasible on public transport, supermarkets and on the street; hand sanitizers, wet wipes are normal; automatic doors are commonplace and years before covid-19 existed; no lockdown ever; closures and re-openings of schools, libraries, sports centres, children's playgrounds among other 'locations'; plazas have been open throughout; border restrictions; an efficient and fairly flexible vaccination programme which caters more to the population than the programme: a choice from two vaccines, a written and digital record with a QR code, you can pick the date and time of your first jab and the only requirement for your second is it is 3 weeks/21 days after the first, otherwise you can choose as many weeks above that gap as you want; financial support directly from the government to the individuals via internet banking; financial support from the government to businesses; no protests against restrictions; a free reusable mask from the government in 2020; a free covid test in 2020; free saliva covid tests at vending machines; more financial support direct from the government to individuals but with requirements to spend it in shops and/or public transport to 'boost the local economy' (stupid in my opinion).

I have worked from home only once for about one calendar month since January 2020. This was at the request of my employer: I think it was genuinely because we knew not that much about the virus at that point and we were going through a spike or maybe even another wave. Even then, not everyone worked from home I think, they just made sure there were less people in the office.

The restrictions here work for us. I am in one of the safest places in the World to contain covid. On a global scale, our infected case numbers and deaths are great, that is to say low, especially when compared to the US, England, Australia and others. We are an influential economic and tourist hub internationally: so there is a huge financial loss (which I personally don't give a fuck about, human health and life is more important) but means the government are aware of potential spread of covid if they don't manage incoming and outgoing traffic through the border.

The government also have experience of health problems in the community and having to deal with them: they were more prepared than other governments and populations who had basically no experience.

I am more scared of hearing and reading about what people on the frontline are going through, than scared of covid-19. I have enough faith in the government in this regard. I also educate myself so I understand about covid instead of just ignore it because it's too scary or decide to be ignorant or for any other reason. Knowing is better for me, even if reading about covid to better understand it is difficult and emotional.

If you're scared, do not like the unknown and uncertainty of your future which is basically having a lot less control over your life, want my advice/opinion and/or to talk about anything else that has a connection with covid, haere mai, viens là, vengas aquí, send me an e-mail using the 'Contact me' form and I'll do my best.

1. I can tell you it is possible to live a lot like life was before the pandemic during the pandemic, albeit with restrictions, and in more detail if you e-mail me

2. Covid has made a lot of us deal with a lot psychologically. Many people don't even understand lockdown/restrictions are psychological: you want the option of going out or flying on a plane, even if you don't actually want to

I believe I can help you psychologically, I am aware of the mental aspect of myself which may be useful to you.

Otherwise, I can provide insight to yourself that may help.

3. I can talk to some extent on covid-19 vaccines, specifically Pfizer-BioNTech

4. I can explain how a lot of money and manpower are very helpful in containing covid (such as emptying a whole apartment block within 12 hours and quarantining everyone); as well as other important contributing factors in responding to covid

5. I can talk about some consequences covid has caused such as women's equality going backwards,

6. I have contacts/ information from the World over, some from places the hardest hit by covid so my perspective is wide and knowledge through many lenses

7. I will be flying when it is easier, so I can tell you how I plan to do that and/or give you advice. Travel is in my blood and nothing will stop me, within reason

8. I am used to not physically seeing my family regularly. I might be able to provide comfort or ways to cope if you're not used to seeing your family on an irregular basis

I am reaching out to all, but especially those living in New Zealand. The majority of you have no idea of what you are going through, you have no experience of health problems like this, I know your psyche and the lifestyle many of you are used to. You're complacent towards covid and need to get better and accept level 3 or 4 instead of complaining, but it hurts me so much to hear about the spread of covid. I am emotionally supporting you.

Do not question the past, deal with the present. Accept the uncertainty and unknown of the future to a large extent. You can still plan, but without dates. I still have a list which mainly involves travel and I'm still saving money. I don't know when but I will travel.

And for people who believe travel pre-pandemic will stop forever, it won't. It may be different, but it will start again. Humans are too connected now to not fly. That's like believing from now on we should only have ten people on each mode of public transport or even not have public transport after the pandemic is manageable, or over. No.

-A.M.

P.S. I did have this typed up and it was beautiful but then I lost the original and it's no one's fault but mine.

P.P.S. I think I mentioned most if not all the restrictions in place here and if not, the ones relevant to the point I'm making.

Tāmakimakaurau

Auckland.

No covid update in front of media at 1 pm. A written statement, 20 new community cases, one death which is the first of this outbreak, 782 community cases in total.

But an update on the terror attack at 2 pm with Jacinda Ardern and Police Comissioner Andrew Coster. The attacker's criminal history revealed. Not his immigration status because his family overseas have been given at least 24 hours. Jacinda Ardern never intended to reveal his name, even if legally allowed.

More information but of course questions and whilst his ideology was the cause, there are still many whys, which we may never have an answer to.

Kim Hill had a one hour special on her Saturday Morning programme, which is where I heard some of the information Jacinda Ardern said in the media update later on.

I think tomorrow, 5 September, there will be a covid and terror attack update.

One of the legal issues, not just for New Zealand, but for many governments and legal systems the World over is you can't have a legal process brought against you for an action you haven't committed. Thinking is not an action. When you have broken the law because you have done something, an action, yes, you can.

After hearing more about the attacker, and specifically in relation to this case, or maybe inspired by it, planning is, again, not actually doing it. Anyone can plan to do anything, but you are not doing it.

Personally, I think planning is a stronger argument than thinking.

I will take banal examples and completely unrelated to the terrorist attack.

I can think about going on holiday to a hotel next to the beach. But absolutely no practical action has been taken, I have not even started saving money, I have not looked up flights nor accommodation, asked for time off work etc.

I have thought about going on holiday to a hotel next to the beach. I have saved up money, I have looked up flights and booked them, I have looked up accommodation but not booked yet because I can't decide where to stay, I have asked my boss for time off work.

There is clearly a difference between thinking and planning. Thinking is less concrete, planning is more concrete in terms of it actually happening. But even with thinking, I could still research flights and accommodation but not actually make any practical steps and one could still find, to use the legal term, evidence: my browser history, handwritten notes, but if that was all they found, to me it seems it would still be firmly in the 'thinking' area. I have not made any more concrete steps as 'planning' for my holiday.

Although planning is more concrete, I could still not go on my holiday. I may suddenly cancel my bookings just before my planned holiday, I may not cancel and simply not show up. There are many reasons I may not go on my planned holiday: family emergency, work suddenly needed me, I get sick, I wake up late etc.

Until I actually am on the holiday in the hotel next to the beach, I am not on the holiday next to the beach.

This is absolutely not to say I will not go on holiday whether I am thinking or planning to. There are indications I will.

It is because officials and the Police had indications they carried out the actions and precautions they did. And they turned out to be correct.

Of course the government are trying to make 'planning' a part of counter - terrorism law, to explain it generally and badly. But now, it is not law.

Luckily, the Police, Surveillance Team and NZ Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) were on to it which meant/means the attack was most likely not as harmful as it has been. Seven victims and seven lives, but it could have been more.

Covid level alert 4 also likely reduced the victims because there were less people present but as Andrew Coster said, it made it harder to surveil the attacker. Even so, the reaction of the Police, Surveillance Team and NZSIS was extremely fast in Countdown. And the police cars and helicopter arriving at the scene were too.

Auckland, you may soon be a place in NZ with the most scars: not Christchurch, not Westport, not Wellington.

Yesterday you had a lot to deal with.

Today you had the first covid death of this outbreak and if you felt that earthquake, that too.

Also, Phil Goff, you seem decent. A politician but more open and 'honest' than others.

Also, to note matter-of-factly: Christchurch had a terror attack, Auckland's had one, Wellington has not. It could be coincidental, but an interesting point I think.

- A.M.

Countdown LynnMall, Auckland, New Zealand

Auckland. You're in covid alert level 4, complete lockdown, you had a covid escapee, then an internet outage and now, a terrorist attack. All in the same day.

In the last 72 hours, West Auckland had floods as well.

Afghanistan and Northland being in its first day of level 3 are in the background.

Not only did it hit me when Jacinda Ardern said it was a terrorist attack, but he had been in New Zealand since October 2011 and a person of national security interest since 2016. A Sri Lankan national. Suppression by a court order.

Jacinda was not present for the 1 pm covid update* but around 5.15 pm, around 4 hours and fifteen minutes later, she found herself in front of media.

I praise the police in cars and the helicopter who got there as fast as they could, aside from all who were surveilling him.

It might not count for much, but I always liked Auckland and would have lived there if I could. I still would, and most definitely over Wellington. I would love going out for a walk in lockdown along a deserted Queen Street because it would feel as if the city is mine and it would be beautiful.

It is entirely different, but I am a Christchurch Earthquake Baby and I remember thinking the All Blacks had to win the Rugby World Cup that year. And they did. New Zealand needed it. Christchurch needed it. Christchurch went through that.

Auckland will get through everything in its own way.

Kia kaha Auckland.

Aroha.

BoDeans "Prayer for the Weary" is appropriate in my opinion.

- A.M.

* The covid media update did happen, just not with her present

Northland, Auckland and the rest of New Zealand

Thirteen days in lockdown level 4. 17th August to 30th, then Aotearoa is not completely basically confined to their houses for the most part.

I wasn't feeling good about the community cases numbers going up and now some are in hospital and ICU.

I'm still not sure about bringing what is not Northland and Auckland out of level 4. It's not to do with the competency of the health experts and governmental decisions. It's because it's covid-19, specifically Delta. It's not even really to do with vaccination, or lack of.

I looked up level 3 again on the official NZ Covid website and yes, it still is pretty restrictive, but still more free than level 4 of course. Yes, it's the mental aspect too, but NZ don't have the same access and amount of resources like the UK, Hong Kong and other governments with healthy enough economies, resources etc.

Lockdown isn't good for any government and population but to protect human life, if it is the best decision, do it.

Long-term, governments can't keep using lockdown (I might've said this before), so they need competent advice, solid allocation of resources, solid infrastructure and sound decisions, among other factors, so everyone can live as safely as possible with the least amount of restrictions.

NZ has by and large only had two major lockdowns, at the beginning of 2020 and this one, which may be longer when the country has the least amount of restrictions. I say the latter because one health expert, maybe more, has said maybe level 1 after this outbreak, will not be the same as the level 1 before this outbreak.

I really hope the general population learn and understand from this outbreak and at least wear fucking masks more than they are, or aren't. If in a few years when covid is contained globally and I ask someone in NZ what it was like when I'm visiting, I would not at all be surprised if they responded along the lines of: "we dodged a bullet"; "it was alright, we had two lockdowns"; "we had two lockdowns, they were horrible, I hated them" or they don't really remember, it's a vague feeling. That means it didn't impact them much, which quite frankly, is frightening but not surprising at all.

- A.M.

Delta in Aotearoa

This is crunch time.

I read about the first covid community case in New Zealand before others who live there. One case, no link to the border or MIQ as far as they knew, which is their Managed Isolation Quarantine.

Then I asked a good friend who knows what the fuck he's talking about if the World could contain the covid Delta variant, which is the most infectious and transmissible variant currently, before it mutates to an even more infectious and transmissible variant, theoretically is it possible we might contain all variants and the original? His answer: yes.

Later on, I still don't understand why masks are not mandatory at level 4 - what the fuck?! 'Advising' people is not enough, throw money, manpower and everything else you need to make people wear them.

Then I thought I heard on rnz.co.nz that it was the Delta variant. I couldn't believe what I heard but it was one sentence. RNZ live had started around that time. I waited. Then they said it was Delta and 4 more community cases, so a total of 5, all linked to the man in Devonport announced yesterday. One of them is a fully vaccinated nurse, which is a double whammy: Delta and double vaccinated. If you've educated yourself, then you know why vaccination is still important and possibly, what it was created for, but my information for the why/what is for AstraZeneca.

The information of the four new cases and it being the Delta variant were directly from Jacinda Ardern.

I didn't have a positive response to the one case and it's got worse since hearing about the 4 new ones around 6.39 am. I love NZ dearly, and I acknowledge it has done well, it deserves praise, but I also know the psyche/culture/lifestyle after living there for over 9 nine years. It's not just about the virus. The NZ government is restrained in its covid response by money, possibly manpower, inexperience and fear (Jacinda said this herself, see sources below). No NZ government has had to handle a health issue like covid before.

It is up with Hong Kong in its response and The Economist's normalcy index, Hong Kong was first and New Zealand second when said index was announced. Aside from Hong Kong's politics and almost necessarily included in that is its relationship with China, Hong Kong had SARS and not only that, was the epicentre. It also had bird flu and swine flu. NZ basically had neither of the three. Hong Kong is an international hub. New Zealand is not. Hong Kong borders China so that is a close gateway for covid. New Zealand is an island and far away from China so possibly and likely it would take a longer time to reach New Zealand. Broadly speaking everyone in Hong Kong can get one of the two vaccines available and the progranme started earlier this year. NZ has only recently started. Hong Kong has never been in lockdown. NZ has and is.

I am terrified of New Zealand discovering whatever "too many cases" are (I'll feel it when it's too many) and not being able to handle it. Ashley Bloomfield is super competent but I think governments who can afford to throw A LOT of money to contain covid, even if the number is uncomfortable huge, they should do it.

Living in New Zealand is perfect in many ways, but paradise, whatever the reason, covid or not, can be broken/dented/shattered. Actually, maybe it can contain it, but it needs to do a lot more. No one can be surprised by the USA or England's response to covid with Trump and Johnson 'leading' them: they have infrastructure, money, but bad, maybe even an incompetent leader in Boris's case.

I will not be surprised if Aotearoa struggles and/or gets overwhelmed or even had to live with it indefinitely, but I really really do not want it to.

Everyone, wear a fucking mask at all times outside the house.

New Zealand, show the World you can efficiently keep covid/Delta out of the community.

Jacinda Ardern, show the World what a young, a woman, a working mum country leader can do, among a majority of leaders who are male.

You could be the covid fighters.

- A.M.

Delta in Aotearoa

This is crunch time.

I read about the first covid community case in New Zealand before others who live there. One case, no link to the border or MIQ as far as they knew, which is their Managed Isolation and Quarantine.

Then I asked a good friend who knows what the fuck he's talking about if the World could contain the covid Delta variant, which is the most infectious and transmissible variant currently, before it mutates to an even more infectious and transmissible variant, theoretically is it possible we might contain all variants and the original covid? His answer: yes. Practically I know this is probably not possible.

Later on, I still don't understand why masks are not mandatory at level 4 - what the fuck?! 'Advising' people is not enough, throw money, manpower and everything else you need to make people wear them.

Then I thought I heard on rnz.co.nz that it was the Delta variant. I couldn't believe what I heard but it was one sentence. RNZ live had started around that time. I waited. Then they said it was Delta and 4 more community cases, so a total of 5, all linked to the man in Devonport announced yesterday. One of them is a fully vaccinated nurse, which is a double whammy: Delta and double vaccinated. If you've educated yourself, then you know why vaccination is still important and possibly, what it was created for, but my information for the why/what is for AstraZeneca. I wouldn't be surprised if it is the case for Pfizer-BioNTech. 

The information of the four new cases and it being the Delta variant were directly from Jacinda Ardern.

I didn't have a positive response to the one case and it's got worse since hearing about the 4 new ones around 6.39 am NZ time. I love NZ dearly, and I acknowledge it has done well, it deserves praise, but I also know the psyche/culture/lifestyle after living there for over 9 nine years. It's not just about the virus.The NZ government is restrained in its covid response by money, possibly manpower, inexperience and fear (Jacinda said this herself, see sources below). No NZ government has had to handle a health issue like covid before.

New Zeland is up with Hong Kong in its response and The Economist's 'Normalcy Index' a short while ago, Hong Kong was first and New Zealand second when said index was announced. Aside from Hong Kong's politics and almost necessarily included in that is its relationship with China, Hong Kong had SARS and not only that, was the epicentre. It also had bird flu and swine flu. NZ basically had neither of the three. Hong Kong is an international hub. New Zealand is not. Hong Kong borders China so that is a close gateway for covid. New Zealand is an island and far away from China so possibly and likely it would take a longer time to reach New Zealand. Broadly speaking everyone in Hong Kong can get one of the two vaccines available and the programme started earlier this year. NZ has only recently started. Hong Kong has never been in lockdown. NZ has and is.

I am terrified of New Zealand discovering whatever "too many cases" are (I'll feel it when it's too many) and not being able to handle it. Ashley Bloomfield is super competent but I think governments who can afford to throw a lot of money to contain covid, even if the number is uncomfortably huge, they should do it.

Living in New Zealand is perfect in many ways, but paradise, whatever the reason, covid or not, can be broken/dented/shattered, whatever verb in the past tense you want to use. Actually, maybe it can contain it, but it needs to do a lot more. No one can be surprised by the USA or England's response to covid with Trump and Johnson 'leading' them: the countries have infrastructure, money, but bad, maybe even an incompetent leader in Boris's case. By that I mean he is still in power.

I will not be surprised if Aotearoa struggles and/or gets overwhelmed or even has to live with it indefinitely, but I really really do not want it to.

Everyone, wear a fucking mask at all times outside the house.

New Zealand, show the World you can efficiently keep covid/Delta out of the community.

Jacinda Ardern, show the World what a young, a woman, a working mum country leader can do, among a majority of leaders who are male.

You could be the covid fighters.

.

.
. 

I didn't watch the covid update with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield live. But I did watch it. Around 1.54 pm latest NZT.

I am glad mask use is mandatory for basically when you are outside your house. But, Kiwis will likely stay in because they don't want to wear one/it's too much fuss. Really? I've been wearing a mask since late January 2020: I make sure it covers my nose and of course my mouth.

Two more community cases so 7 in total.

All cases are linked to the New South Wales outbreak. As I said in 'Happy Valentine's Day New Zealand', https://holandt.blogspot.com/2021/02/happy-valentines-day-new-zealand-3.html, "Australia is like a 'travel tunnel' to New Zealand".

Also to note: 

- Police had arrested people

- Police can issue infringements to people

- Police can fine people for not wearing a mask or not wearing one for no reason

.

.

.

Then I read on RNZ live about Minister for COVID-19 Response Chris Hipkins's saying there were more positive community cases, less than 10, with no "confirmed chain of transmission" and he couldn't say if containment was going to be in Auckland and the Coromandel. I didn't like reading that. I will listen to the interview when I can, Checkpoint was still live so I couldn't and this post will be published soon.

stuff.co.nz, link below, informed me of the positive AUT student in the community so total is now 8. RNZ Live confirmed this as Stuff isn't always accurate.

Kia kaha New Zealand, Aotearoa.

- A.M.

Sources:

https://www.miq.govt.nz/

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300185880/flattening-curve-was-not-enough-jacinda-ardern-talks-about-new-zealands-covid-response-us-elections-in-ap-interview

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/126112124/covid19-aut-student-tests-positive-avondale-college-on-alert-over-teacher-case

To be injected or not injected: the covid-19 vaccine part III

So I got my first shot of Pfizer-BioNTech this morning.

Why? It's better than nothing; my age group is affected; it will make travelling easier; but maybe most of all, I don't want the people who love me to get hurt. 

As usual, the process was smooth because the government have too much money so they can haul ass and have everything not only in place, but without any hitches. I got to the sports centre and they let me in about 30 minutes earlier than my appointment, which was nice. It was the first time I've been inside a sports centre here and it was a bit surreal: huge, with nets and a basketball hoop that can be lowered, but of course not in this instance. We have to scan the QR code or write down our details in the event we need to be contacted if there's a covid cluster. There's a chance to use hand sanitizer. Then the registration officers dressed in green waist coats or white shirts check we have the SMS message for our appointment and check our identity before giving us a folder of information.

Then we actually enter the centre itself and are directed to sit down. A large part of the centre is taken up by chairs, some for waiting to be injected, some for resting for 15 minutes, others for 30 minutes. While we wait to get jabbed, we have to read the leaflet about the vaccine and then sign it. We're then told to go to one of the cubicles where details are checked, the signed leaflet is taken and questions asked by a nurse. I haven't had an injection since 2017, but it definitely felt like the needle was inserted for longer than other ones I've had, like the vaccine had a long way to go or either there's a lot to go into the human body. The nurse prints out my vaccination record: it is this that can be used when I travel and there is a QR code on it too. 

The nurse then writes on the folder the time I can leave the centre and I sit down to rest for 15 minutes. When the large digital clock corresponds to the time on the folder, I leave, but have to stop. The time on the folder is checked, I am given a pack of disposable masks (which I likely won't use) and a sticker. 

As for the injection site, I made sure the shot was injected in my non-dominant upper arm. It's just a bit sore and no noticeable side effects. When I took the plaster off, I was surprised there was blood: I've never had blood from an injection before I think. 

We'll see in 48-72 hours if I have any side effects, which is actually a reaction to the vaccine and positive because it means my body is defending itself. I'm in the category to experience side effects more than any other category. Apparently the second dose can have side effects or more side effects than the first, if you have them.

Do I feel guilty? No.

Do I have reason to be? Yes.

Inequality is everywhere and for all issues: race, sex, income, sexuality, education, wealth etc.

Covid has shown us, more than ever how selfishness, money, sex has contained or not, covid-19. The government here lets us choose between two vaccines. They have too much money and bought double the amount of the population. The most vulnerable could get vaccinated first. Then in April or May or maybe June, everyone else could get it. Not the young. When they felt comfortable, 12 year olds and up could get Pfizer-BioNTech. Unlike NZ, there was no supply nor manpower issue. At some point recently, 'older' people could just walk in. Online, you only had to book your second dose at the same time as the first and even then you can cancel or change the second appointment for Pfizer-BioNTech.

Yes, I am lucky. Yes it is unfair. But the government here has too much money, made the decision to buy double the amount needed, to open the vaccine programme to the general population. I do not control those factors.

I only control if I get vaccinated or not.

- A.M.

Wellington... superprehendere

I was shocked to find out there was an update. I assumed, reasonably so I think, there would be no more. But I was wrong. So I missed the live start. I was also less concentrated for good reason.

There wasn't anything particularly important, such as an alert level move or a notable increase in positive cases in MIQ or an announcement on the travel bubble.

I may be falling more and more in love with Director-General Dr Ashley Bloomfield though. If I am not already. He might be the reason I actually get the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The one and only reason. I know I have stated my reasons in 'To be injected or not injected: the covid-19 vaccine part I', https://holandt.blogspot.com/2021/04/to-be-injected-or-not-injected-covid-19.html and 'To be injected or not injected: the covid-19 vaccine part II', https://holandt.blogspot.com/2021/05/to-be-injected-or-not-injected-covid-19.html, but until now, my knowledge has come from the written word. 

Dr Ashley Bloomfield is not just a voice, but he is physically present, he moves and has body language. As I read in an article, sorry for not putting the link here, he is "consistent". He exudes trust and knowledge, he gets straight to the point, knows the details or as the article stated in similar words, "recalls facts quickly", and for the most part answers the question asked (Minister Chris Hipkins is a politician).

Do enjoy Chris Hipkins at 28m50 during the update and 32m25 about his experience,

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/445835/covid-19-one-case-in-managed-isolation-investigated-a-million-doses-of-vaccine-to-be-delivered-in-july

Alan Wendt is back, but sadly I didn't spend much time watching him. Maybe because I've warmed to and/or am falling in love with Chris Hipkins and Ashley Bloomfield.

- A.M.

Wellington... normalis. So to speak.

"Two people at the Novotel Auckland Airport MIQ facility have tested positive for Covid-19."

"The decision to extend the MIQ stay follows two positive Covid-19 cases found on day 12."

The above was in RNZ's live update for the 29th, before the 1 pm update with COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins and Director-General Ashley Bloomfield. Not good. Over 100 people have to have their quarantine period extended now.

As for the update, this is the first time I disagree with the New Zealand Government's decisions about the level alert and the Trans-Tasman travel bubble. I'm shocked and surprised, the level alert should stay at 2 for longer, I thought it would stay until a decision was made on Sunday 4th July whether to change it back to 1 at 11.59 pm that day. The travel bubble shouldn't be re-started at all on Sunday 4th July in principle.

I don't want to see New Zealand go 'backwards' like Taiwan and Viet Nam have, among others: their response was great and then they had large spikes this year to fight against. New Zealand can't handle covid-19 without a substantial negative impact. Anyway, I suppose I should stop 'complaining', because it's been decided and I have no power on governmental decisions.

Chris Hipkins is going to lose his voice if he keeps talking. The problem is, if he does, then he won't be able to do the updates if there's more on a regular basis (I'm not even including he has to use his voice in his other daily responsibilities) or will have to battle through such as not talk much at home and/or use Strepsils etc.

As usual, Chris Hipkins was humorous, whether intentionally or not, but it seems to be his personality: "victory laps" and stating the Director General of Health wanted one point to be reviewed/assessed and then said words along the lines of "well actually we could ask him now" and turned to Ashley Bloomfield.

I might be falling in love with Jason Walls too, note 14m - 17m05 at https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/445751/wellington-drops-to-alert-level-1-at-midnight-tasman-travel-pause-extended

I for one do not want to feel those emotions if within two weeks there is a covid-19 case because of the Australian traveller or the mine in Australia. It will be worse for the Government and harder for them to recover and gain back everything they had with the general population.

- A.M.

Wellington... in extendere

stuff.co.nz informed me, not rnz.co.nz (my usual source), the expected 1 pm update was written and there would be a 4 pm visual update. The minute I read the Prime Minister would be there and not Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield, I thought, big news was coming. Spoiler alert, there was no extension of the level alert, no up or down of it, no extension or re-start of the travel bubble.

The below didn't do me any good.

Well, Jacinda Ardern was very dynamic, and did a lot of the talking - it seemed like she had come in wearing invisible armour to respond to the reporters. However, she did smile a lot and so did Chris Hipkins. Not only that, she was bombarded with questions of all topics unrelated to covid-19: hate speech, sexual violence, spies in New Zealand. Maybe it wasn't a coincidence Chris Hipkins was there, as he is the Minister of Education. Big Potato and Chris Hipkins can handle a lot of the covid questions and he is the Minister for Education.

It did irritate me, if that's the right word, that Jacinda didn't always let people finish and would jump in. One time in particular, she said Chris Hipkins could respond and she basically did instead.

It was the first time Jacinda had participated at this round of updates, as in for this latest covid national impact, and so the first time I've seen her live. As I said, she was dynamic. She also seemed keen to talk. It could have been the lighting/camera angle etc., but she also looked worn down and tired. Yes, I know that's to be expected not just in politics but during covid, but still. I reckon she must have aged too - if she looks at photos from two-three years ago, hell, even a year ago, she must have changed. 

Not that I've watched a lot of politicians on TV or inside the Houses of Parliament anywhere, but Jacinda was also sympathetic, which was nice, as politicians' main job description is to run the place they work for and emotion, especially personal emotion, isn't always good in decision-making for leading a population you're responsible for.

One note I have about people who had/have return flights and are now stuck in Australia. To everyone: reporters, the people it has happened to, their loved ones in Australia and New Zealand etc. Maybe not the under-18s who are not legally responsible for themselves. You chose to travel. Regardless of what the Kiwi government told you or not, and the reason you travelled (even if it's for serious health issues or a death), now is not a good time to travel with no expectation or even consideration you may get stuck somewhere you don't want to. I have said this in another post, which I will not put a link of in this post, otherwise it will distract more than me 'saying' it now. You are the one most impacted. You have to suck up the consequences. The people with power will not budge. If you can't suck up the cost, which is most likely financial, then don't fucking travel.

I have said this before too, previously: vaccines won't help us travel. Worst-case scenario: you have had two doses and are medically fully vaccinated. You travel somewhere and find yourself stuck because borders shut down. Do you really think you being vaccinated will open up the borders? Fuck no. To expand, if every single person on planet Earth is vaccinated, will we live like it was pre-covid-19? Will we travel like we did pre-covid? No. Not everyone will be vaccinated at the same time, not everyone will be vaccinated, you can be re-infected, the possibility of you being stuck will still exist, even if it's small. But you could be the person it happens to.

To end, I think all the below are enjoyable (I don't think I missed all the ones I found funny), https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/445682/government-to-consider-mandatory-masks-qr-code-scanning-pm-jacinda-ardern:

5m33 - I feel you Chris; I almost thought your voice was going to 'break' quite soon after

9m

28m25

30m25

34m50 - "once more with enthusiasm" is what Jacinda says.

- A.M.