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Together, we can beat Covid-19 by staying apart at home

Michael Wood

Wellington, March 27, 2020

With Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s announcement that New Zealand is at Covid-19 Alert Level 4 from Wednesday, March 25, 2020, we are in the unprecedented situation of a nationwide lockdown.

I want to start off by saying thank you to all Indian Newslink readers who are doing the right thing and staying home as we head into our nationwide period of self-isolation.

I know that you are giving up a lot; but it is for a good cause.

Stay home benefits

By staying home, you are breaking the chain of transmission of COVID-19.

By staying home, you are denying the virus a chance to jump from one person to infect another.

By staying home, you are saving lives.

You would have seen in the statistics that it is likely that COVID-19 has already started to pass from person-to-person in our communities. We need to break that chain if we are to slow it down and protect our health system from being overwhelmed.

Doctors and other experts have done analysis which suggests that taking isolation measures now has the potential to save thousands of lives. Everyone has a responsibility in this.

Slowing the spread of this virus and protecting New Zealand from the worst requires every single one of us to play our part. Complacency just isn’t an option. The stakes are far too high.

That’s why I am so grateful to you for starting the lockdown period with a positive outlook, and with respect for the rules.

Beating the virus

Every coffee you make at home, every walk you take alone rather than with friends, every time you respect your isolation bubble, we come closer to beating back the virus.

From the teddy bears in the windows to the makeshift home schools to the lockdown dance videos, New Zealanders are doing a great job in a tough spot.

Thank you especially for being kind to each other at the supermarket.

You will know by now that supermarkets, pharmacies, hospitals and other essential services will be up and running throughout this period of self-isolation.

Essential Services

It is important to emphasise that the farmers and growers and drivers and related people who bring food to your supermarkets are continuing to operate during the lockdown, too, so that there will be plenty of food when you get there. There is no need for anyone to rush to the Supermarket – my family are continuing with a normal once weekly shop.

I want to say a special thank you to all those essential workers.

It is not just those in our medical professions, our primary industries, and our law enforcement.

It is also our supermarket workers, our transport workers, the people who keep the house warm and the internet on, and so many more.

This is a busy, stressful, and potentially scary time for them, and we are all indebted to them for their efforts. The best way you can say thank you at your supermarket is to keep being kind when you see them.

To learn more about all the things we’re doing as New Zealanders to unite against COVID-19, I encourage you to visit the website, covid19.govt.nz.

This website also includes information about the steps we are taking to minimise the huge economic impact and to keep as many businesses and job going.

Remember, let us be kind, stay home, break the chain, and save lives.

I hope you and your family are adapting to the current unprecedented conditions.

If you have questions or concerns please feel free to email me on michael.wood@parliament.govt.nz or leave a comment on my Facebook page.

Michael Wood is elected Member of Parliament from Mount Roskill in Auckland and Senior Government Whip.

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