Thread by @Jenene

Yesterday was emotionally challenging. A number of friends were posting quite a bit of criticism on how the pandemic is being handled in NZ. As is their right to do & from their POV it's just "critical analysis". As someone who has been hugely affected by the virus 1/

at a health level, it's really hard to read. I couldn't work out why I was so upset all day, just in my belly feeling really nauseous and on the verge of tears. PTSD is a really big issue with those who have had Covid and I realised that watching people break away from the /2

"team" approach that has kept us largely safe thus far was upsetting - it felt like the beginning of the unravelling of people's cohesiveness. I worry - sometimes to the point where I can't sleep at night- about friends and whanau getting sick and dying. I've seen it 1st hand /3

I work with hundreds of covid survivors & they all feel the same way - worried sick. It's a personal choice how you want to show up in this part of the pandemic. Personally, I choose to put out there messaging that shows support for the many thousands of workers who slogged /4

their guts out this weekend to get people tested and vaccinated. And support for those who are joining my group as one of the newly diagnosed and absolutely terrified. Maybe it's not be going as you want it to be, but what is happening now is a critical part of keeping us all /5

safe & towards an exit strategy. And the number #1 component is breaking transmission. That requires everyone to stay home. Not ocassionally break the rules. Or just bend them a little bit. We need everyone to stay put. What I do know about leadership & managing teams is that /6

people who want to see a successful outcome figure out how to add value rather than offer criticism via social media. No one is suggesting it's a perfect response- but also an impossible ask when the tensions of vaccine supply, difficult roll outs across already challenged /7

industries & an invisible virus that shape-shifts are added. When we wash up later there will be major lessons. But right now we need to keep the team together and not end up like NSW. The virus spreads via people and as we move into this next stage if we don't keep together /8

we'll be prolonging it and then not being vaccinated will be a major problem for many people (myself included). I ask all people to consider setting aside their social media reckons and political commentary for a few weeks so that we can keep the wheels on. /9 end.