Middle NZ: Wearing a mask saves time

Wearing a mask is a simple thing to do to help prevent the spread of Covid. Photo / NZME

OPINION
It happened again.

The very day a community case of Covid was found in New Zealand I was set to make an appointment at the hairdressers.

That thought went out the window as I contemplated what was in the cupboards at home.

I went to the supermarket, but my mind wouldn't function so instead of buying a do-it-yourself hair dye and some loo paper (because that's what everyone else was buying — loo paper) I purchased three bottles of wine and some peanut butter coated peanuts.

I was sure I had plenty of loo paper so thought it best left to someone who needed it more. Anyway, I thought to myself, there will be time to get supplies tomorrow.

Wrong? Have to say I was stunned when the Prime Minister announced we would go to alert level 4 at 11.59 that night.

Glad she did though.

So, a week later and my sun-bleached hair is even more noticeable. Oh, okay then — it's not sun bleached, it's grey.

I'm no stranger to grey hair . I got my first one in my 20s. I plucked it out.

If I tried that now — no that's too scary to even think about. One day I'll just let it go but I'm not quite ready for that yet.

Linda Hall is assistant editor at Hawke's Bay Today.

Anyway when I got home last Tuesday, I opened the cupboard where the spare loo rolls are kept. Oh dear it was bare. I had six rolls.

What an absolute bummer, I thought to myself. What to do?

I thought about it for a while.

Then after the announcement about level 4 on the telly photos started popping up on social media with queues at supermarkets and bottle stores.

No way was I going to venture into either. The supermarkets were assuring us that there were plenty of supplies, so I stayed put and poured myself a glass of wine instead.

Mr Neat got the loo paper a few days later no problem.

For me this lockdown hasn't been so stressful and that's not just because of the wine.

We have all done this before — last time we thought we were headed for a disaster. While I don't agree with everything this Government had done in the past few years, they have managed Covid well and going fast and hard worked last time and fingers crossed it will work again.

I'm not complaining about level 4 restrictions either, they are necessary. The people who I feel so sad for are those who lose a relative or a friend in level 4.

Grief is an emotion we need to share. It helps to have a hug, reminisce, spend time together talking about what that person meant to you.

That's why it is so important to follow the rules. Wear a mask if you go to the supermarket or any of the essential services, it's not just to protect yourself.

All those essential workers that face the public every day deserve to be protected as much as possible.

It's such a small thing to do, I don't understand why some people fight it so much.

As a 9-year-old said to me recently, "well at least you only have to put makeup on half of your face. That saves your time." Very true.

The same child told me they had been "ears dropping" when someone was talking.

So I'm hoping people will start talking a lot about the Covid vaccine and those that haven't had it will ears drop, then the penny will drop and they will understand getting vaccinated is the only way we are going to be able to get on a plane and start travelling again.

I really want to meet my new granddaughter before she turns one in March 2022.

Linda Hall is assistant editor at Hawke's Bay Today.