Unlevel playing field
Once again, Sunday's announcement of raised alert levels reveals how people in Auckland are being singled out unfairly. There is no justifiable reason why all Aucklanders should move to Level 3 while the populace of New Plymouth, where there are more sites of contact with the newly infected community cases than there are in all Auckland, stays at Level 2. Pubs and schools open in New Plymouth: pubs and schools closed in Auckland.
Both Dr Bloomfield and Ms Ardern were unconvincing in their attempts to explain the discrepancy at the announcement.
It seems there are two teams: Auckland and the rest.
Late last year, only Aucklanders were required to wear masks on public transport even though the city was at Alert Level 1 just like everyone else. Train riders in Wellington, for example, were no less at risk than those in Auckland. Even Michael Baker said it didn't make sense.
If the Government believes the risks of infection really are greater in Auckland than anywhere else, I expect to hear soon an announcement that Aucklanders will get vaccinated against Covid before any other region.
Brian McDonnell, Grey Lynn.
Prime position
Again, Jacinda Ardern's leadership is exemplary in a crisis. No doubt, there will be people who suggest a lockdown is not necessary, or bemoan the fact that vaccines have not been administered yet, but thank goodness Ardern listens to the advice of health experts and takes action.
Her press conference was amazing, empathetic and inclusive. New Zealand has been in a very lucky position; we have been able to enjoy everyday life as normal while the rest of the world struggles.
I would much rather have a lockdown than live overseas at the moment. We know this isn't what people want, but we must support the overall aim to reduce any outbreak of Covid-19. We also know that vaccines are not a quick fix overseas due to access issues and lengthy delays.
Businesses also need to adapt now and make changes, expect lockdowns and disruptions and don't expect things to return to pre-Covid times.
Gema Carlson, Auckland Central.
Shut the door
It's time to shut our borders totally. Anyone that is eligible and wants to relocate to New Zealand for the duration has had nearly 12 months to complete the process.
Those foreign nationals, who for some reason have residency but to date have not availed themselves of if it, should lose it.
Nigel Bufton, Pāuanui.
Making meth
Methamphetamine will always be with us. It can be used safely - and used to be a prescription medicine.
It seems clear that no amount of enforcement is going to rid us of what is a very simple molecule to make. Prison sentences and asset confiscations make no difference.
It is clearly highly lucrative - and easy for those who want to start up in business again from scratch and rapidly acquire the money to buy a gold-plated Harley to replace the one that has been triumphantly confiscated
The solution: Make pharmaceutical grade methamphetamine (Methedrine was that) and prescribe it to the addicted.
The criminal behaviour driven by the need to make the money to fuel the habit will disappear. Other bad behaviours may continue but they couldn't be any worse than they are now.
The gangs will need to make money some other way, unfortunately, but whatever it is it could only result in better outcomes than those we currently see.
And pseudoephedrine - which was inappropriately reclassified as "B" - could once again be sold over the counter; it is far and away the most effective and useful decongestant.
Andrew Montgomery, Remuera.
The sugar rush
It is no coincidence that, since the early 1980s, interest rates on mortgages have declined from around 20% to current levels of just above 2%. House prices have gone up astronomically, as have rents as so-called investors have tried to make a return on overpriced assets.
Isn't it time that we questioned the behaviour of our central bank, which has consistently fuelled this sugar rush? Think removal of LVRs as a Covid-19 response and overly stimulatory interest rates.
This is of course combined with complicity by whichever political party is in power and further aided by a lack of will to tax gains that require no effort at the expense of the productive and real wealth creators in our economy.
Jeremy King, Taupo.
