Brenda Greene's Blog: You can't rush an earthquake

2022 is here, and as our government steps back from leading the Covid19 response, over 90% of New Zealanders have exercised their right to chose to step up and take advantage of all of the tools we have to resist the worst effects of this rapidly evolving disease. While Europen countries learn to live with the virus" with much lower vaccination rates, more frequent lockdown and costly impacts on healthcare and economies, our government continues its focus on our border. New Zealand's remote location, small population and trust in evidence (instead of the opinions of the amoral wasteland that riddles social media like a virus) places it in a strong position as the bedrock of the world economy rests on each countries vaccination response. Although international travel and trade will remain slow, this welcome change will protect us from the next pandemic, lead to a more sustainable world and give us the time to appreciate what we have. Happy 2022!

Finally the veggie gardens are in! We've constructed a frame draped with bird netting to protect the peas, which the sparrows love to feed their chicks. A cloch similarly shelters the lettuce and the tomatoes, staked well, are already in flower.

The South Island has been a global haven, largely free of Covid19 and associated long lockdowns. The government, bowing to tourism pressure, is planning to open internal borders around Auckland, then international borders to Australia. Everyone will be bursting back into Queenstown from which the virus will spread it's tendrils.

Freedom comes with responsible action and the vaccinated majority are already carrying antibodies, providing variable protection to a vocal minority (0.5 %) who, while demanding their own freedom to be unvaccinated, are about to risk severe illness to gain their antibodies and to place pressure on our hospitals which decreases all of our freedoms, but especially their own.

We are rushing to slow the virus down and it's been done this way elsewhere in the world, but the virus is faster than our speedier response.

May your mask be firm, a breeze caress and the sun shine warmly on you and yours this Christmas.

Daffodils have done their dash. Cheery blossoms lie in drifts of white and pale pink. Tulip heads bob in the breeze or bow to the nor wester. The sky is taking on a pale, baby blue. Green leaves pop with iridescent glow, a haloed canopy. It's spring.

The Covid 19 pandemic is a disaster than impacts on us all. Any one of us could unknowingly carry or catch the virus and spread it to others.

Unlike other disasters, there are simple things that we can all do to protect ourselves and others.

Our future is within our hands.

Get vaccinated, wear a mask, track your movement on your phone (your privacy is secure), keep physically distant, if sick stay home and get tested.

Yes, it's inconvenient, but not as inconvenient as becoming sick. Yes it impacts on the economy, but not as much as if we carried on "as usual".

Yes, there is a lot of misinformation, particularly on social media, but good information is available via government sources.

There are lots of positives. Our homes are not damaged. Government support is available. Once enough of us are vaccinated, we can adopt a "new normal".

Vaccinating millions of people take time. You can't rush a pandemic.

Thank you for the feedback so far on my indie book, hot of the Press "You can't rush an earthquake: repair, rebuild, repeat".

The book describes the lived experiences of five major earthquakes 2010-2016 and a botched insurance claim to repair a character home 2016-2021.

I feel humbled that all found that our story was well told and well written.