Tuesday, March 24, 2020

New Zealand declares State of National Emergency (1)

To all my friends in New Zealand and elsewhere:
I was planning to write a blog each day from when we as a nation entered Level 4 of the current crisis. I am starting today because our Prime Minister Jacinda Adern has just announced that we have entered a 'State of National Emergency.'

We must do this if we are to save lives, as Covid-19 increases its ugly presence. In a way, being well away from the rest of the world may have given us a 'window of opportunity' to avoid the terrible patterns that have become apparent elsewhere. The response to the virus has been ramped up; possibly draconian measure that other nations take well before NZ, can be used if necessary. NZers do not take kindly to the State imposing such measure, but in general, the vast majority of us understand that we are in uncharted territory.

Just over one hundred years ago, the world faced a similar foe, as the Spanish Flu swept across borders and oceans, killing more than the war that had just finished. With modern travel methods, this virus has spread much more quickly, endangering far more people, given that the population is so much bigger.

We are yet to learn of the spread in many countries. Governments have been remiss in releasing information about the true extent of the reach of the virus. In the coming days, we are going to hear of many more deaths. So far NZ has not recorded any deaths, but we expect to witness this in the coming days. Therefore our government is implementing new measures to protect us. We must stop the spread. People MUST stay home, other than those in 'essential services.' Visiting friends and family must stop. Schools are closed and only a few designated businesses are open, to supply food and medical resources.

We have the prospect of at least four weeks of isolating ourselves, keeping away from people other than those in our 'bubbles' ... those who live in our households. This is going to be challenging for us, especially if you live in a full-household, or overcrowded. Call for help, reach out and do not remain socially isolated. A voice is at the other end of a line, or screen. We can talk over the fence, across the street.
Kia kaha. We can and must do this. We are strong, whilst we shed our tears for those who have died, overseas. This who we are ... a resilient nation that is facing its biggest threat in over one hundred years. To the rest of the world, we send our love.

I shall write every day until we emerge from this dark cloud ...  into the light.