OPINION:
As kids prepare to go back to school for the start of the second term, more than 150 doctors and scientists have backed a fresh plea to keep a classroom mask mandate in place over the winter. The Government has loosened restrictions and moved the country to orange, where face masks are encouraged but not required in schools. But the group of experts are concerned Kiwis are now vulnerable to a second wave just as the colder months set in. One of the signatories to the open letter calling for a Vaccines Plus strategy, is Dr Andrew Dickson, whose son is immunocompromised, and is calling for the simple measure of face masks to be reinstated over the winter to help all our children.
Immunocompromised. Vulnerable. Pre-existing condition. Just three ways "the able" seek shelter from the threat. It is so predictable. We have an innate reaction to threat, we need to push it away, to make it not relevant to me. "I'm not worried about myself, but I am worried about [insert vulnerable person]". Many of you have said it.
My daughter is not vulnerable. She had my phone when the notification came through that two kids under 9 had died from Covid (I know, I know – you want me to say "with Covid" – you're still seeking shelter, see above). She said, "wait, what?" "I thought you said kids were going to be okay Dad?". Important parenting moment. "Not all kids Lizzie" I said, "but most of them will be ... mostly okay". Lizzie looked concerned. I am concerned. I didn't mention Long Covid.
![Siblings Ben and Lizzie Dickson. Ben is immunocompromised and vulnerable to Covid-19.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/PNC73FAWRCL7MLHNKBQJI6QNWY.jpg?auth=fbe88f78e5b005324a21ff5acc90c93c85609d594c5b9d80debb150c13e1fdbe&width=16&height=16&quality=70&smart=true)