Covid 19 coronavirus Jo Raphael: We need to keep the world at arm's length - for now

Let's not think about opening up until our Covid-19 vaccination programme is complete, writes Jo Raphael. Photo / Getty Images

OPINION

At what point does one simply throw in the towel?

To me, it seems like that's just what England is doing by this week allowing people to return to normal by removing most of its Covid-19 restrictions including lifting mask requirements.

They dubbed this "Freedom Day".

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This is all despite a rise in Delta variant infections among young people.

Britain's Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, who has tested positive for coronavirus, says the country needs to "learn to live" with the virus and that its population should adopt the "personal responsibility" approach.

Australia is facing a similar decision – carry on with the yo-yo-ing restrictions, or learn to live with infections?

Callous as it may sound, these countries are looking to tear off the band-aid, take the hits on the chin, and keep their fingers crossed that herd immunity will protect most of the population.

It's a hideous thought when you think about the human cost.

And although New Zealand has been somewhat protected by our geographic uniqueness, it's a question that we may possibly face down the road.

If we ever found ourselves in the same situation as Britain - found that we've lost control and the only option is to "live with the virus" - how will we cope?

I don't believe it's a question we should even contemplate. At least not until our vaccination rates are higher.

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It's a scary thought and we should be scared. We know this disease is a killer and it's highly contagious. It targets the weak, the elderly and the vulnerable, and it uses the strong and healthy to help its spread. And to let it in the community – intentional or not – is unthinkable.

So many countries are facing rising infections, rising deaths and stretched, overwhelmed healthcare systems.

If Britain's NHS, one of the most lauded healthcare systems in the world, was struggling to cope during the height of the pandemic, how does that bode for countries whose healthcare infrastructures are not as great?

We know our best defence, in the beginning, was lockdown level 4 – breaking the chain of infection - now it's vaccination and border closures.

While most of Britain's vulnerable populations have been immunised, opening up is a risk I believe Aotearoa should not be willing to take just yet.

We need to keep Covid-19, and the rest of the world, at arm's length until our vaccination programme is complete.