Working conditions
We keep hearing about how low our unemployment figure is at about 3.2 per cent. However, this does not take into account the 6 per cent of people on benefits, which no doubt will increase exponentially once all the thousands of people manning all the vaccine and testing stations
are no longer needed.
It would be great to see Labour put more effort into getting the unemployed out into the agricultural and farming sectors which are begging for workers.
Katherine Swift, Kohimarama.
Mob rules
While it is a fundamental right to protest, is it not illegal for more than 100 people to gather in one place?
Don't the Ministry of Health rules, which also include wearing masks, override what is happening in Wellington and also happened in the gatherings in the Auckland Domain? When these protests get taken over by some nasty overbearing individuals, something is wrong when ordinary citizens cannot go about their normal activities without suffering abuse.
Why should anyone, including politicians, be forced to listen to or put up with their disruption because these people are under the delusion they have the power to speak for everyone?
Sue Gallahar, Māngere East.
Disruptive influence
Videos show police having to deal with the "anti-mandate" protesters in Wellington. Perhaps they are worried about a possible Trump-style storming of Parliament but it is certainly a waste of taxpayer money, in a country besieged by crime.
What should be an organised message descended into shouting and bickering among a diverse rabble.
According to one journalist, some of the protesters were highly aggressive and threatening.
When does "Jacinda, we know you sold your soul to the devil" and "traitor" and signs like "natural immunity is 99.6% effective" come under the label of hate speech and spreading harmful disinformation?
People have a right to protest – but do they have the right to cause severe traffic jams and inconvenience to law-abiding Kiwis trying to survive during the pandemic?
The freedom to go on these "freedom" marches is largely due to Kiwis who have got themselves and their loved ones vaccinated, thus keeping hospital beds free, and the pressure off doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff so we can have some semblance of normality.
We don't need any more angry disruption, thanks.
John Clark, Glen Eden.
Signs of dissent
We read the news and see what those "freedom fighters" purport to claim.
Everyone says they're entitled to their views but with vile placards and derogatory photos of Jacinda Ardern, it's shameful. This is the entire world's pandemic, Ardern has only tried to keep us all safe and has done so well.
We are so fortunate to have her as our prime minister.
Helen Hanlen, Freemans Bay.
Mandate lifting
Christopher Luxon wants a timeline for the vaccine mandate but does not support the vaccine protesters.
Maybe he doesn't realise that if there is a finite date for the vaccine mandate the anti-vaccinators will wait it out and then claim their jobs and their so-called "freedom" back, thus increasing the Covid risk for us all.
His announcement is actually an endorsement of the protesters. He would benefit the country and his party far more if he came out strongly in favour of the mandate.
Sue Rawson, Pāpāmoa Beach.
