Swab and jab
Hundreds of people are lining up to be tested for Covid-19, in some cases for hours.
There should be, in addition to the Covid testing facility, an opportunity for these same people to be vaccinated. It should take about half an hour more and the people would have some assurance that they were on the way to being protected.
The required paperwork that has to be done for the testing and the vaccination would only have to be done once, making the process more efficient
The team of 5 million is being left behind with only one million vaccinated
Arthur Moore, Pakuranga.
Vocal minority
It's crunch time, as we decide if all minorities can exist and demand their rights when they threaten the rest of our species and us, the majority.
I refer to groups like the 250 anti-maskers and vaccine denialists in Sydney who had to be cuffed, fined and removed from their parade as potential superspreaders.
Here is a minority threatening the majority with many extra months of lockdown and loss of freedoms once thought a right.
Rob Buchanan, Kerikeri.
Booze lapse
I've agitated for better drinking laws since Auckland Council ratified the most recent Local Alcohol Policy (LAP), a document prepared and presented by the liquor industry. Submissions from the police were dismissed without discussion at the meeting that approved the policy.
As it stands, it's council's gift to alcoholics. The shouting and swearing on Friday nights is atrocious and I'm tired of the vehicles without mufflers and with very loud music roaring up and down Queen St.
Close the bars at 1.30am, one-way doors from 1am. Put police patrols in place Friday and Saturday nights from 11pm to 3am.
Support bar staff against intimidation by customers. Penalise drinkers who are buying alcohol for their already intoxicated mates. If we can force a revision of the LAP, the liquor industry must not be involved. Alcohol Healthwatch has realistic views on the social damage of alcohol.
Rex Fausett, Auckland Central.
Seized assets
Europe and the USA have frozen over $10 billion Afghan assets; it would be foolish of the Taliban to release its hostages before they get the money released.
The confiscation of Iranian money is a major cause of enmity with the USA; in this case, $120 billion.
It is understandable why these people play hardball.
Neville Cameron, Coromandel.
Hardly a ball
Consider this typical scenario in an All Black test.
An opposition player knocks on
near his 10m mark.
At the ensuing scrum the front rows collapse. Reset. Smith puts the ball in again, blatantly and with impunity under his hooker's feet, but the props go down again.
The referee stands everyone up and lectures them about scrummaging.
The crowd (and the outside backs) are getting fed up. Then a third failed scrum sees the ABs awarded a penalty. Our No 10 kicks for the corner where, 8m out, Coles feeds the lineout, not exactly straight, incidentally. Spider-like he joins the maul, crabbing this way and that towards the line. The ref already has his arm out for some unseen offence, but the peloton tumbles over the tryline in a bruising heap. The conversion attempt adds another minute to the seven since the knock-on. The crowd hasn't seen a stroke of real rugby - no open running, tackling, passing, solid defence, clever attack.
The backs, selected for their ability and prowess are left cold and redundant.
If this common spectacle keeps recurring, the stands will keep getting emptier.
E. Field, Hamilton
Bird feeders
In response to Janet Vaughan's letter (NZ Herald, August 20), many exotics in our Auckland suburbs flower when natives are not. Exotics have allowed birds like the tui to thrive in our suburbs.
Trees that are mature enough to flower and thereby offer nutrients to our native birds, whether the trees are native or exotics, have no protection and are being destroyed at an alarming rate in the name of development.
If the tui finds food in a flowering exotic, let us be thankful for the beauty of it all.
Linda Hill, Pt Chevalier.
Short & sweet
On complaints
I've just been watching the world news. All that terrible suffering in Haiti, Kabul and elsewhere, and all some people do over here is whinge about wearing a mask and having to wait for tests/jabs. Peter Brooks, Mairangi Bay.
On briefings
Could we please just have the alert level updates, without a 30-minute sermon first? Mike Wagg, Freemans Bay.
On anti-vaxxers
It seems only right and proper that those not wishing to partake of Covid vaccines should make it clear they will eschew their ability to access scarce health resources if they do contact the "obviously harmless" virus. James Archibald, Birkenhead.
On TV reporters
I would say that the reporters take their masks off so the people who need to can lip read. Patricia Kingham, Huapai.
On Hipkins
Just how far can Chris Hipkins spread his talent? Leader of The House, Covid Response Minister, Education Minister, Public Service Minister and now stand up comic. One would hope he is being adequately recompensed for his efforts. Reg Dempster, Albany.
On differences
Further to Clarke's excellent "Spot the difference" letter (NZ Herald, August 23) a company would need to double sales simply to retain its share of a market increase of 100 per cent over the same period. John Norris, Whangamatā.
The Premium Debate
Elimination strategy
It has been increasingly obvious that the Government has been implementing the wrong strategy this time round; that its strategy wasn't being adapted to new and different circumstances. Grant O.
We've known about Delta and the havoc it has wreaked around the world for months.
Of course it's a game-changer. It's too late for Covid Response Minister Chris Hipkins to come out looking for excuses when the truth is the complacent government failed again, were complacent on vaccinations and unprepared, leaving the country unprotected. Walter H.
The first half of 2020, the Government was reasonably decisive and, in retrospect, got many decisions right. Until now. What has since changed? Instead of watching the world, developing our procedures, layering our protections, ensuring we are as vaccinated as possible and also importantly preparing for the changing nature, the Government has been totally remiss. Geoff H.
We've all known for months how Delta behaves but, for some reason, this knowledge has escaped our Government and Ministry Of Health leaders. Why are they not capable of being proactive? All we can do now is get everyone vaccinated quick smart and announce a date to reopen the borders. No jab no travel. Stephen GT.
Of concern is that how hospitals haven't had more resources invested since last time either - something like only 300ish ventilators in the country. Belinda M.
.
This has to be the start of this Government extracting itself from the impossible position it has put itself in. Continuing with the elimination strategy when we have offered the vaccine to everyone would be foolhardy. Andrew S.
I think it's now obvious to the majority that the elimination strategy cannot be retained once everyone has been offered a vaccine. I accept why we're at L4 now but I'm disappointed that no progress has been made on the ICU from in the last 18 months. David S.
