The (Traffic) Light at the End of the Tunnel

 A colleague said to me yesterday, over a virtual meeting obviously, "What are we going to talk about when Covid is over?" She had a point. What were we going to talk about? Or conversely, what did we used to talk about? It's a mystery that I'm sure will resolve itself when the time comes.

Speaking of time coming, Auckland will soon be on the move again. And by move I mean stop. Well it would be if that's what a red traffic light meant. But it doesn't, not in this case. What? Let me explain....

The Government said a while ago that as soon as the three Auckland health board areas hit 90% fully vaccinated, which in our world means two injections of the vaccine, then the restrictions that have been in place for nearly 14 weeks would be lifted. And everything returns to normal then? Not quite. 

Under the traffic light system, which will be launched nationwide next month and under which Auckland will operate a few weeks earlier, life can return to a new normal with some caveats. But aren't they still restrictions? Well yes, but relatively minor. For example, bars and large entertainment venues will be open (yey!) but under a red traffic light system, numbers indoors will be limited and vaccine passports will be required to enter the premises. Fair enough I say. 

There are a vocal minority - and by minority these are tiny percentage of the country - are opposed to the whole thing and think that we should all be allowed to do whatever we please. Needless to say, they're not vaccinated and don't think that the government should be permitted to insist on such a thing. Which they're not. But that's beside the point to them. This vocal and angry mob are in effect a collection of anti-vaxers, far-right foghorns, fascists, QAnon conspiracy theorists and for some reason anti-water reform lunatics. Quite how you could hang out with a group that openly believe that Jacinda Ardern has kidnapped 250 babies and is keeping them in the basement of the government building in Wellignton is beyond me. Anyway I've digressed. 

So with Auckland a smidge under 90% fully vaccinated, and the rest of the country not far behind, it is finally time to ditch the elimination strategy and move towards returning to normal life, albeit under the aforementioned traffic light control system. Most importantly, there will be more freedoms for vaccinated Aucklanders who have been in lockdown for more than three months, but greater restrictions for those who are not vaccinated.

At red, masks are mandatory on flights, public transport, in taxis, retail, public venues and recommended when leaving the house. Record keeping and scanning are required. Public facilities can open with up to 100 people, retail is open - with 1m distancing, schools and early childhood are open, with public health measures, and some outdoor community events are allowed, with limits on numbers. Gyms, hospitality, churches, marae can open if using vaccination certificates to up to 100 people, based on 1m distancing. Same applies to weddings, civil union ceremonies, funerals and tangihanga and other indoor and outdoor events. Gatherings are limited to 10 people and hospitality must remain contactless only if vaccine certificates aren't used. Some places, such as close contact businesses, including hairdressers, and gyms cannot operate without vaccine certificates.

Although there was a little bit of congestion on the web-site at first, we all can now download our vaccine certificates - it's a quick process and takes a couple of minutes for you to request it and for it to be emailed to you. From there you can either print or keep on your phone to present at venues.

Then, on the 15 December, the Auckland border becomes crossable. Freedom? Well something like it. But with great freedom comes great responsibility. I, like many others, have been looking forward to reconnecting with the rest of New Zealand so it's tempting to see that day as the date we can all go forth and enjoy the rest of the country. Before booking that road trip however, pause for thought. Is it really necessary to stop at dozens of places on route? Just think about the communities into which you are traveling. What is their vaccination rate like? How close is their nearest hospital should Covid come visiting? It's easy to forget that although Aucklanders have been living with Covid in the community for months, this will still feel very new to many others. And no doubt that will make them fearful. And fear leads to anger and anger leads to.....well you can guess the rest. Obviously it goes without saying that Aucklanders are usually greeted with open arms but please don't spoil the warm welcome by acting irresponsibly.

For the sake of transparency, we have booked a pre-Christmas camping trip, as has become the recent tradition, but will be taking care on the way. Thankfully the camping ground is only accepting double-vaccinated people and they must have their vaccination certificates. But I'm getting ahead of myself. That's four weeks away so in the meantime there will soon be the opportunity to enjoy life returning to normal-ish within Auckland.

I can almost guarantee that the first time I use my vaccine certificate will be to buy a pint in our local. No I'm not obsessed. But I have been looking forward to that moment for nearly four months! 

Star Jasmine

I think this is my favourite time of year in Auckland, or at least it is when it stops raining. Days are getting longer, mornings are light and temperatures are pleasant. Almost to the point where I can sit out and enjoy my morning cuppa.

It’s the time of year when daytime temperatures are in the sweet spot. Not too hot like you feel your skin is cooking, or with a humidity that means you sweat just standing still. Instead,  there’s a gentle warmth that comforts and energises. You really do feel like you could achieve anything when it’s like this. Except we can’t - but I won’t go there today.

It’s also the time of year when Star Jasmine starts to appear….and be smelt. It’s such an amazing plant. Quite how it manages to be so fragrant from such a distance is beyond my comprehension. It’s so aromatic that more often than not, you smell the plant long before you see it. It starts with a slight whiff in the air which then gets slowly stronger. You know then that there must be Star Jasmine around here somewhere…..

Auckland’s gardens and parks are starting to fill up with this little plant, their small white flowers hiding their power to fill the air with amazing scent.

But I suppose above all, the appearance of these plants can only mean one thing…..Summer is on the way!