It would be great if the Opposition also acted responsibly
Venkat Raman
Auckland, August 21, 2020
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has complimented New Zealanders for their cooperation and understanding in observing the various Lockdown Levels that have been enforced since March this year following the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus.
Speaking to the media at the Beehive Theatre in Parliament this afternoon, she said that coping with the Virus has been hard but New Zealanders have worked together as ‘Team Five Million.’
“While we have gone hard and early, the way we have handled Covid-19 in New Zealand has been largely different to other countries. Our people have been extremely cooperative and have willingly complied with the regulations under various lockdown levels. I thank all of you,” she said.
Vilifying people
Ms Ardern said that she was particularly thankful to Aucklanders who are currently under Lockdown Level 3 while the rest of the country is under Lockdown Level 2.
“We are where we are because of the efforts of everyone, especially Auckland, and especially those who have been tested. We would not have got in front of this cluster without them. Vilifying those who have caught the Virus, or those who helped keep us safe by getting tested is something that I simply will not tolerate. It is those who shame others, those who seek to blame, they are the dangerous ones. They are the ones who seek to blame, they are the dangerous ones. They are the ones who cause people to hesitate before getting a test, they are the ones who make people feel afraid,” she said.
Responsibility of the Opposition
A sound and strong Opposition is essential to uphold the tenets of democracy.
The Opposition has a duty to perform in holding the government to account.
Granted.
But a pandemic situation is akin to that of war.
During these times, everyone – including people in the Opposition to rally together with the government and fight the common enemy.
Picking the government at every move is not only unhelpful, it would eventually turn people away.
We have not seen anything from political parties encouraging people to comply with the regulations, have themselves tested and take measures to promote safety.
Indian Newslink does not belong to any political party but in these uncertain times, with a global pandemic confronting us, solidarity and unity are imperative.
Ms Ardern said that her Cabinet met today to review the current Covid-19 setting within the government’s Resurgence Plan and that it would again review on Monday, August 24, 2020.
“No one wants to remain in Alert Level 3 longer than necessary,” she said.
Covid by numbers
Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said that there are nine new cases of Covid-19 in the community and two in the managed isolation and quarantine facilities. Eight persons are in hospital (two in Auckland City, one in North Shore and five in Middlemore including one in ICU).
“The St Lukes case has now been linked to larger cluster through genome tracing. The person may have been on the same bus with another case. The possibility that the maintenance worker caught the coronavirus from the lift in Rydges Hotel is still being investigated,” he said.
Dr Bloomfield said that one of the newly imported cases is a woman in her 30s who travelled from London via Hong Kong and arrived in New Zealand on August 15.
“She became unwell on August 19, 2020. The second is a man in his 50s who returned from Basra via Dubai and Sydney between August 6 and August 17, 2020. Both cases have been transferred to isolation facilities. Of the nine new community cases, five were related to different churches in South Auckland and four were household contacts,” he said.
Bloomfield said 88 of the 89 cases in the community are linked to the cluster and one is under investigation. There were 223 contacts from Churches linked to the main cluster in this country – 170 tested, and further tracing would continue.
Homemade Masks
There were lighter moments at the press conferences with Dr Bloomfield demonstrating a homemade Mask.
“This was made by the mother of a friend. This is very good and serves the purpose,” he said.
