Yesterday’s behaviour from the National Party reinforced why I should use every spare minute I have to make sure that Labour and the Greens should continue to form the Government.
Because in the middle of a pandemic where the numbers in hospital are increasing and a number of Kiwis have died from a virus that is spreading promising the loosening of current restrictions is the most irresponsible, stupid, foolhardy, idiotic, imbecile thing I could ever expect a political party to do.
The outbreak is finely poised. Vaccination rates are high, much higher than many other western nations. Auckland’s daily new case numbers has stabilized, at least for now. Elsewhere in the country infections are popping up and making their way down Te Ika a Maui. I fear that the virus may soon cement a base in Te Wai Pounamu. Hopefully vaccination rates everywhere will be sufficient to see the incursion off, or at least minimise the damage it is causing.
Citizens of Tamaki Makaurau will, all going well, have the chance to travel elsewhere over Christmas. The right is not absolute, people wishing to travel will need to either be double vaccinated, have a recent negative covid test, or be under the age of 12. December 15 is the date set.
The rationale is clear. For as long as possible we need to prevent the spread of Covid to the rest of the country so we can continue to get vaccination rates up.
So what is the most irresponsible thing that a major party could do?
How about saying to all Aucklanders that they should be allowed to travel and that there will be no checks on them? So that they can spread the virus far and wide.
This is profoundly anti scientific and completely reckless.
We are still in a good position despite recent incursions. But for an extended period of time there will need to be in place health measures to dampen down the spread. Loosening restrictions will only invite an increase of cases.
National’s use of this issue for political gain is appalling and totally irresponsible.
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