I am genuinely surprised why some people around the world still doesn't understand New Zealand's pandemic response strategy and our plan going forward so I will attempt to explain it here.
We have a solid plan folks, we didn't just "get lucky".
🧵
Firstly, it has been VERY successful.
Since March 2020 until Aug 15th we've had:
-380 virus free days🎉🎈
-49 lockdown days in NZ (77 in Auckland)🏡
-Deaths: 26
-Total cases: 3159 (with 56% of these being border cases arriving from other countries directly into quarantine)
The plan: 1. Keep people safe with an elimination strategy - quashing the virus when it enters NZ (via border quarantines, masks, distancing, c19app, tracing, testing, isolation, regional short sharp lockdowns when needed to find out source of virus and keep virus from spreading)
NZ elimination strategy’s four pillars have been:
- Border management
- Detection and surveillance
- Quarantine
-Community support
It is all about Keeping it Out, Preparing for it, Stamping it out, and Managing the Impact of it.
2. Proceeding with this #zerocovid (preventing/eliminating the virus)strategy UNTIL vaccine arrives and population is vaccinated.
The world now has vaccines. We're are doing really well vaccinating and expecting to finish the population, incl. 12-15 year olds, by December.
3. Once majority of population is vaccinated, we then relax our border measures in a phased approach, meaning careful and safe.
This is now planned for the beginning of 2022 (even this year for some measures).
If you don't have time to read, here is a graphic for you of the same plan.
I want to urge people to read up and stop the disinformation around NZ, so we don't have to answer your pesky tweets around "will the borders be closed forever in your prison?" No. And it hasn't been a prison.
Opposite. We have been one of a few luckiest countries in the world.
Here is Jacinda explaining our intentions for some backing up.
”No one likes to use lockdowns forever, and that was not ever our intention. Our collective goal is to move away from these measures when we’re vaccinated. But for now, whilst vaccinating, elimination is the goal.”
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We've been building a house for the past years.
Our move in date was November 2024. Just found out it will be in 2025, due to..🥁..Covid.
Turns out that 3 different companies - electricians, glaziers and window fitters - are all out with Covid (95% of all staff)now which..
1/5
..affects the timeline majorly when so many people are ill. One of the companies lost the job entirely.
The majority of businesses in NZ are small to medium enterprises. 93% of businesses have less than 10 employees. If 7 of 9 staff is out, it's detrimental to the business. 2/5
So why does our new government, who is all about the economy and the 'hardworking' small Kiwi businesses, not drawing this correlation?
Why aren't the businesses? One said to me "I didn't know Covid was back". I know it's almost absent from the news but as I business owner..
3/5
I wanted to share the contents of my "Covid-19 First Aid" box as some of you have asked.
Note: I'm not a health professional, so please keep in mind that everyone's needs will be different.
But this is what I found useful: 1/6
The most crucial to start immediately when testing positive:
-Isolate, put on air purifiers, open windows and get spaces ventilated
-Use 3M Auras or similar in shared spaces
-Start nasal rinsing, CPC mouth wash gargling & nasal sprays to reduce viral load (family members too!)
The supplements & medicines will vary for all.
I didn't have fever, a very sore throat, body aches, runny nose or cough so didn't need to use those products.
These were my regulars:
-C-Vitamin
-Quercetin
-Zinc
-Magnesium
-Omega-3
-Panadol
-Oral probiotics Bliss
-Melatonin
Despite my diligent masking and precautions, I too succumbed and tested positive to Covid last week.
It was a week of few interactions so origin is unknown and somewhat perplexing.
Perplexing is also governments across the world ignoring Covid - not surprising we are ill. 1/5
The Covid Emergency kit is cracked open and used, 3 air purifiers are buzzing, all doors and windows are open and husband seems to be in the clear so far.
I tested early - at only a tickle/dryness in my throat, and that has also kept family members/friends safe.
It is Day 6 now, and if I followed my government’s advice I could be out and about with people.
Despite testing positive.
Once again as the only masker at my raquetball today I was asked by an unknown lady ”ARE YOU SICK?”.
The same happened last week and I actually left to go to another venue.
Today I had enough.
I said:
Firstly - If I was sick I wouldn’t be here, I’d be home.
1/4
Secondly - if you are worried about contracting anything, I presune you have checked with the other 30 unmasked people?
In fact, I’d probably the only one keeping you safe.
Thirdly ~ I don’t know you, and I actually don’t approve of you asking me these kinds of questions.
2/4
I am quite pissed off about it. I don’t ask you about your personal preferences right?
Her: Well, masks are ok for bacteria but not so much for virus.
That is bullshit, I said.
Hey lady any time you see a person in a mask, presune they have a reason and do not ask them why.
3/4
@Jeff_Jacoby @BostonGlobe Although Sweden did not 'lock down' they had more restrictions than the few you mentioned.
-2 mill elderly were asked to self-isolate for 1 year.
-People were asked to work from home for 1.5 yrs
-All events cancelled for 1.5 yrs
-Max 8 ppl could attend funerals/weddings.
etc
@Jeff_Jacoby @BostonGlobe All secondary schools in 🇸🇪had remote learning, some for almost a year.
But Sweden did force primary school kids to go, as social services can remove your child in Sweden if they don't.
Unvaccinated (under 12 can't get vaccines), unmasked.
Right response huh?
@Jeff_Jacoby @BostonGlobe And as you would have known from your 'research', the elderly in Sweden had to take the biggest hit.
Many were given morphine instead of oxygen and died.
2 million had to self-isolate for over a year.
But they were old right? bylinetimes.com/2020/12/18/how…
I have just been verbally assaulted. I am so furious, so sad and frustrated.
A guy in his 50s at racketball and I were discussing bad knees and hips and sports. Suddently he looks at me (masked) and says with a smirk:
- you think you will die if you get Covid huh?
1/
- We never know do we?
- Well, I had it and was fine as I am vaccinated. Are you an antivaxxer?
- As far opposite to one as you can come.
- Well, why wear it if you are vaxxed?
- As vaccinations isn’t enough. It may save lives but there is longcovid, 1 in 10 risk and..
2/
..I’d like to continue being able to play racketball. Don’t you?
-Well, as I said, had it, was breezy!
- My 5 friends in longcovid beg to differ. I also have a immunocompromised friend who is terminally ill I support so masking not just for me, but for others.
Not a flinch..
3/