Back In Those Covid Times Again
I think we’ve been pretty lucky here in NZ, when you look at what’s happening in so many parts of the world, to have enjoyed 102 days with the only new Covid cases being those of returning NZ-ers in managed isolation and quarantine.
Reality bit on Tuesday, though, with four new cases that look remarkably like community transmission, and yesterday (Wednesday) we moved from Level 1 (everyday life as usual within the country but heavily controlled borders) to Level 3 in Auckland (only 1 step away from full lockdown.) It’s Level 2 in the rest of the country, which basically means social distancing is back with no gatherings greater than 100 people.
We only have to look across the Tasman to the Australian state of Victoria to see how quickly Covid-19 can get away, so I support the government trying to jump on this hard and stamp it out quickly. Fingers crossed we can, because I like living at Level 1. I think we all do — and I really feel for Auckland businesses, and for people and their jobs, that will be hard hit by this.
So far it’s only for three days, but my expectation is that it will go longer because all the experience overseas points to there always being more people infected than the initial cases indicate. A Professor of Medicine from Auckland University has indicated that the Auckland restrictions could potentially continue from between two to seven weeks, depending on the severity of the outbreak.
I have to say, though, that although a quick look at Victoria should scupper any complacency on NZ’s part, my experience out and about yesterday suggests that complacency is alive and well in my area of Christchurch. When walking through a local community garden I encountered two groups, one of 3 people, the other of closer to 10, none of whom were social distancing. And although masks are recommended now under Level 2, the only people I saw wearing them were in a local takeaway (takeout) shop. And the greengrocer I visited didn’t have the Covid tracer app., or seem to know what it was. When I explained, though, they did say they would get it. We’ll see… Overall, though, it’s not an encouraging start if Covid-19 is back in the Christchurch community.
For now, though, all I can do is hope, and wait and see. Oh yes, and keep writing. I can definitely do that! 🙂