Northern danger
The rationale used by our Prime Minister to extend Level 4 to Northland is totally unfair. We have no identified cases. Wellington has, and their level is moving down. Patients with cancer here are sick with worry about their delayed treatment - and basic dental health treatment, as in a broken filling, is denied. If the Government is so concerned about the vast number of Aucklanders, rumoured to be 20 thousand, travelling to Northland after the lockdown announcement, why wasn't a barrier put in place earlier?
Annette Moncur, Onerahi.
Fundamental truth
Steve Gore (NZ Herald, August 26) opines on the subject of a single truth defining humanity in an increasingly complex world. It was the subject that occupied me most throughout a life enriched in the age of travel.
If I came to any conclusion, it is that most things sheet back to two fundamentals that are diametrically opposed - self interest, or the common good. Lay that template over most things and see what happens.
D B Hill, Freeman's Bay.
Leaders' example
As an atheist I'd like to congratulate the two Samoan Assembly of God churches in South Auckland who've been in the news for their response to the Covid outbreak.
Atheists often accuse churches of denying science, but these communities have taken the science seriously and one has also been creative in its response, supporting the local pop-up testing site.
One of the churches also had to cope with bigoted criticism, which was particularly unfair since they could not have known about the infection in advance.
Keep up the good work. You are an example to all of us.
David Hines, Westmere.
Quorum decorum
I have watched with interest the Government Zoom committees this week in lockdown, particularly the transport and health committees.
One thing that has stood out to me is the much higher standard of behaviour of the MP's during these sessions. No yelling out, few interruptions, few snide remarks.
Granted, those not speaking are muted while someone is talking, and the committee chairperson is in control of committee members, but this behaviour is rarely seen during debating chamber sessions of Parliament.
I propose that after lockdown is over, all Parliament sessions are held on Zoom, including House sittings. This could result in much higher standards of behaviour of MP's and provide a much more pleasant experience for the New Zealand public.
Kevan Leadbeater, Totara Vale.
Cancer support
I have always been a supporter of Daffodil Day and the Cancer Society in general.
Now, even more so, having received a significant cancer diagnosis the day Auckland went into the second lockdown a year ago. Since then I have been under a rigorous treatment regime and still am. Fortunately it has been extremely successful and the advice and care I have had from my specialist medical team has been exemplary.
Andrew Young's article (NZ Herald, August 27) on the need and benefits of cancer research was outstanding. Similarly, Emma Russell highlighting the cancer journey of six patients, to assist in raising funds, was most worthy. In no way do I wish to belittle those.
However I find it unfortunate that no male perspective was included.
Regrettably, in my observation, this is often the case in media exposure of cancer-associated issues.
I sincerely hope that with online donations, Daffodil Day is the success it deserves to be.
Alex Baker, Mission Bay.
Spoilt for choice
Congratulations to BNZ for implementing a special "waiting" option.
Viz: after listening to a lengthy list of options, the inquirer is asked to "press 1 for Kiwi music, or press 2 for easy listening music".
If only other companies/agencies would give us a similar innovation.
Peter Cooper, Ellerslie.
Stuffing up
Agreeing with Wayne Brown is not my forte, so upon reading his dissertation (NZ Herald, August 25) about our "stuff-ups", I found myself both nodding approval and reaching for the indigestion pills.
My condensed offering is that this country is managed (mis?) by people who have spent their lives behind a desk.
I further venture that "spent" may be the appropriate term.
T R Cant, Northland.
Max Cryer
Years ago, a boyfriend of mine hitchhiked up to see me.
The ride he got was with Max Cryer, who had all the children from his choir in his van.
My boyfriend was an accomplished singer and said he, Max, and the children sang from Hamilton to Tuakau. He said it was a wonderful journey. What a shame there were no cellphones to record it all in those days.
What a huge loss Max is for the myriad of skills he bought us all. He will be missed.
Susan Wilson, Surfdale.
Short & sweet
On vaccine
Why was it ethical to be "at the front of the queue" for a Covid vaccine but unethical to pay $40 million to get it early? A J Morris, Epsom.
On grieving
Matthew Hooton's column (NZ Herald, August 27) broke my heart. Why can't one close loved one be equipped with full PPE gear and stay with them? V. Hall, Whangaparāoa.
On Taliban
It may be time for the West to get in bed with the Taliban. As Shakespeare said (approx.) "misery makes strange bedfellows." Robert Myers, Auckland Central.
On MIQ
While the other regions may not like it, Auckland is the economic powerhouse of the country. Does it really make sense to have MIQ facilities here that are not leakproof? Tony Sparkes, Albany.
On Sistema
Can MBIE explain why a factory with 700 workers making plastic containers is "essential", but a butchery with five workers supplying food is not? Ross Boswell, Auckland Central.
The Premium Debate
Vaccine stocks
The PM said last week that there was no issue with vaccine supply. We should all be able to trust what she says is the truth; it is after all the year of the vaccine. Anna K.
There are no vax appointments available in my part of Auckland until mid-October. So they are either fully booked for the next seven weeks or they know they will run out of supplies. Heather T.
Too little has been done to land the vaccine here earlier - this really deserves a full inquiry as other countries are now starting to do as they complete their first-round vaccination programme. Rachael H.
Running out of stock due to high demand is a better situation than having a slow uptake. The lockdown and threat of Delta is the current impetus. Hardly embarrassing. John T.
The problem remains an extremely difficult global pandemic, made worse by the highly infectious Delta variant. A lot of the complainers don't seem to have noticed how devastating the pandemic has been everywhere (in one way or another). Ed W.
The problem is we are not getting sufficient supply to keep up with demand. We will have to slow the rate of vaccination or run out. This is 100 per cent on the Government, nobody else. They have had so long to prepare and wasted that time. Ian U.
The only reason people are showing up now to get vaccinated is they got a shock and thought it may affect them. Calm down, observe the lockdown rules, take some responsibility, be grown up and we will get there. Don M.
