Goodbye traffic lights
New Zealand took a major step in its COVID-19 trajectory this week, removing the traffic light system which (theoretically) controlled behaviour according to numbers of cases of COVID-19. Are we glad to see it go?
Tag: omicron
Returning to the not-so-smug hermit kingdom
It’s been a relief being in a country where COVID is not the constant topic. What will returning to NZ from Slovenia be like?
Do vaccine mandates work?
What effect do vaccine mandates have? They can raise vaccination rates and simultaneously increase societal polarity. Given we are a highly vaccinated country and given only boosting reduces Omicron transmision (boosting not being part of mandates), do mandates make sense in New Zealand.
Water as a deterrent?
The level of tension is rising in New Zealand, fuelled by the Parliamentary protests, the length of time we have been isolated, inflation stressing people’s budgets… How can we reduce the tension?
Opening the door?
New Zealand has a schedule to reopen our borders – a major COVID milestone. The dates were pushed back with the advent of Omicron. How long will we remain cautious of COVID?
Adult aspirations
I was excited to go on a music camp to learn about songwriting. Why does a ‘camp’ sound like something for children…shouldn’t humans continue to learn and challenge themselves through their lifespan?
Ladders, snakes & lakes
We went tramping – a great rejuvenating break. Then we returned to an announcement of New Zealand going back into red light mode. The last two years with COVID has felt like a game of snakes and ladders.
Are we still not nearly there?
Who isn’t tired of the pandemic, while wondering how bad Omicron is going to be? When will the world accept the number of deaths caused by COVID and end the major restrictions? Maybe we should ask the politicians?
South American planning
So many uncertainties in COVID times. Should we take a South American approach to planning, see what comes, rather than my preferred plan-well-in-advance?
Omicron and freedom
We are having a New Year party – should we require people show their vaccine passports? I’m big on freedom to act but I also don’t want to facilitate a mass spreading event…what to do?