Whanganui letters: Reality of life on a benefit

A reader says those who have opted to not get vaccinated and have therefore lost their jobs should ponder what life will be like on a benefit. Photo / NZME

As I heard the news that people who had chosen to not have Covid injections were losing their jobs, I wondered if they had thought about their future lives.

Do they realise that Work and Income benefit payments will be a lot less than their work pay?

As a retired budget adviser after 33 years, I can tell you some of my clients weren't "living" on a benefit but just trying to "exist" on a benefit.

Your life may never be the same.

OLGA McKERRAS QSM
Whanganui

Errors of fact

Last week you published an important editorial on recent anti-Covid vaccine demonstrations. The title of the editorial was "Comparing NZ to Nazi Germany off beam", under the byline of NZME.

Most of the editorial is acceptable, but an editorial writer must get the facts correct. The Nazis killed a lot more than 6 million people in concentration and death camps. Six million Jews were killed plus more than 5 million Gentiles. Those figures are not estimates. The editorial writer should apologise to readers for these errors of fact.

JOHN McCORMICK
Chairman of Hawke's Bay Friends of Israel

Put the kids first

Children under the age of 16 are obliged by law to go to school. The environment therefore must be as safe for them as possible. Teachers expect all students to obey school and classroom rules in order to keep everyone safe. So how come a few teachers are rebelling against being "told what to do" by the health authorities?

The Mexican-American writer Alfredo Vea, a Vietnam vet, wrote "Ëvents don't change people, they just unmask them." Have you been complaining that you "don't have a choice"? You do ... just put the kids first.

MARY STELLA TAYLOR
Whanganui

My body, my choice

Okay, let me get this right. Whanganui Hospital has only six critical beds and three ventilators and has returned the three rented refrigeration containers? And their Covid-19 plans are not completed yet because it takes a while to consult everyone and, based on Auckland currently (and ratios), we can accommodate a similar situation plus home isolation and "maybe" some motel situation could be teed up?

Now let's add in that we are 48th and worsening out of 67 DHBs for vaccination. Now let's add that we all know there are a few cases in towns almost encircling us and it's "when", not an "if". Let's factor in we have no idea of our council's role in this.

So, I am being a really clever Kiwi if Covid-19 hits here hard. I have created the Team NZ Basic 101 Barry Crump Covid-19 Action Plan. I have measured my vertically challenged partner and the corpse will fit in our garage freezer. I will avoid my own passing re funeral gathering rules and fit in our incinerator. At least my plans are finalised and clear.

ROSS FALLEN
Whanganui