Simple solution that saves lives

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Opinion

Life has become more complicated since the Covid-19 pandemic began. Massively so for many people.

New Zealand is now on a fast-track to unwinding the complications via the simple (for us) solution of mass immunisation with a safe and highly-effective vaccine.

Unfortunately even this is hitting complications, though, thanks largely to a small number of people who resolutely promote misinformation about Covid-19 and the vaccines that are our ticket out of pandemic restrictions . . . vaccines that have now provided 3 billion people with protection against this nasty new virus — with incontrovertible proof that they are saving lives and preventing severe illness on a massive scale, as well as helping to suppress transmission of the Sars-Cov-2 virus that causes Covid-19.

Don't listen to those who call Covid a flu and downplay the threat. Millions of lives have been lost to Covid-19 worldwide — 5 million by the official count, with a true toll more like three times that as so many deceased people (especially in developing countries) don't get tested for Covid. Excess deaths around the world compared to what would have been expected, as estimated by the Economist newspaper, show a 95 percent probability that Covid-19 has claimed 10.2m-19.3m lives — with 16.6m their best single estimate.

Here in Tairawhiti we've had a relatively easy ride through the pandemic — just two lockdowns, only four recorded cases of Covid.

This will be a factor, along with the failure of New Zealand's vaccination roll-out to prioritise Maori until recently, in our region sitting last for vaccinations. Just 62 percent of eligible people have had both doses compared to 73 percent nationwide, and 23 percent have had none, versus 13 percent nationally.

Make no mistake, Covid-19 is coming and most of us will probably be infected by this virus at some stage in the next few years. Multiple studies show vaccinated people are about 10 times less likely to become seriously ill or die.

Most concerning are some of our suburbs where half or more of eligible people have yet to have a first dose; for now they have no immunity to this virus. If we were to have a case here next week that caused an outbreak, this large reservoir of unvaccinated people means the virus will travel quickly, overrunning our hospital with sick (largely unvaccinated) people, some of whom will die.

Still uncertain about the vaccine? Speak to your doctor or another trusted health professional.