Freedom and Rights Coalition protesters marching along Lambton Quay before gathering at Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell
For much of last year, I observed the scenes from the United States of people who baulked at restrictions on their "freedoms" - restrictions designed to protect them from what most experts regard as a very serious and contagious virus.
They were encouraged by a very irresponsible president who tended to ignore the advice of science but did push for the rapid development of a vaccine.
I contrasted this with the situation in New Zealand where we were spared the worst of the pandemic thanks to a responsible government that sought the advice of science and acted on it. In addition, the population by and large followed the guidance from the Government.
Recently, however, perhaps taking their cue (pun intended) from the US, a small minority with a range of agendas, has decided attempts to fight the pandemic are an issue of freedom.
In any society there must always be some restrictions of individual freedoms – these are called laws and without them, there would be chaos.
We are fortunate that the vast majority of New Zealanders are prepared to have their "freedom" curtailed in a small way for the greater good.
Demanding freedom
Cicero said it all. Quo usque tandem, "When will you cease?" How much longer do we have to bear with the hijacking of the rhetoric of freedom and human rights by commentators such as Bruce Cotterill (Weekend Herald, November 6) and his like? They should consider those who suffered and died under Stalin, Hitler, Pol Pot, apartheid, the Argentinian generals, those imprisoned after defending their land at Parihaka - the list is endless.
An assault on freedom and rights doesn't include the trivial restrictions bridled at by well-off, mostly white, self-interested commentators, for whom the common good is an alien term.
This is an insult to those who died and suffered and is the stuff of conspiracists and self-importance that has little bearing on the real freedoms that New Zealanders need to be watchful of. The freedom to live unharmed by each other is one that somehow comes to mind.
Cicero was murdered for his support of democracy. He knew what freedom and rights were really about.
Dr Ian Ferguson, Titirangi.
Means to an end
Bruce Cotterill (Weekend Herald, November 6) blasts a mean bullhorn from the back seat on Auckland's lockdown robbing his freedoms.
The Government is stripping him of morning coffees, beers and barbecues with his mates. He can't fly for a holiday. He can't work as smoothly.
With all his bemoaning of "oppression", he neglects the freedoms of life and not death, that rampant Covid will surely steal from us.
The paramount freedoms are to avoid acute and long Covid illness; to avoid a lonely Covid death; for health care workers to not be overwhelmed, stay safe and not triage who can have a ventilator.
We want the freedom to access health care that is not suffocated by the crush of Covid cases.
Lockdown is a means to an end, not an end in itself.
I and many others have and will endure lockdown because of the freedoms it delivers to others more vulnerable than us.
Barry Lowe, Epsom.
Owe dear
Fran O'Sullivan's excellent feature (Weekend Herald, November 6) highlighted her concern, our high debt levels which would be exposed in an economic downturn. The GFC originated from excessive debt in the US housing market in 2008 and subsequently spawned the global downturn which largely bypassed NZ as our exporters fell back on to a resurgent Chinese economy.
As O'Sullivan indicated, that luxury may not exist in any future decline as that country's growth is slowing. Large debt and inflated asset values due to loose monetary policy make for a toxic mix.
P. J. Edmondson, Tauranga.
Like any other
John Roughan (Weekend Herald, November 6) is delighted that we are starting to treat Covid like any other virus. But are they all alike? The Herald recently described the voyage of the "death ship" the SS Tahiti with the 1918 influenza epidemic. Alternatively, look around any old graveyard at the disproportionate number of graves that date from that event. Not all viruses are equal, and from its first appearance it was obvious that Covid was not a normal infection, and likely to challenge the 1917/18 virus for the pain and death it would inflict. An extraordinary virus is not just any other virus.
Bryan Drake, Northpark.
More advantaged
Dr Mark Craig (Weekend Herald, November 6) is absolutely right. But we must go further than getting rid of unhealthy food and increasing mental health support, and not just in order to save ourselves in a pandemic.
Many parts of our society have very little to look forward to other than a bit of yummy food, a drink and a smoke and some media. Those of us in beautiful homes with enough money and time to buy and cook healthy food, a reliable car and petrol to go to the beach for a treat, and an upbringing that encouraged us to learn and dream of success, have no real idea of life as experienced by many thousands of our fellow New Zealanders.
If all the time and energy put into attacking the hardworking government and caterwauling for certainty in a universe of uncertainty was put into thinking about how to make a fairer, more workable world, my dreams would indeed come true.
Joy Edwards, Coatesville.
Misplaced and expensive
I support the peaceful protesters who have put their time into opposing the pathetic insistence of those who want to bring in the bulldozers to have the Erebus Memorial put in the wrong place.
There are much better options. It could easily be over and done with, without all this costly and unnecessary time delay. There are more than 15,000 signatures and rising, against this proposed site.
All that is needed is a simple wall, bearing the names of the crew and passengers who were killed at Erebus, Antarctica. Other sites for the memorial could be the Auckland Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland Airport observation parking site, or the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch.
I know that my father, who was killed in the Erebus crash and had experienced hard times as a pioneer of farming at Aria in the King Country, would prefer the much cheaper option to the proposed costly, ugly concrete monstrosity.
John Brough, Ōtorohanga.
Not everyone can afford Sky Sport, so can anyone explain why there is no delayed free-to-air coverage of New Zealand international cricket? Helen Hammond, Sunnyhills.
Congratulations to The Warehouse for ceasing the sale of fireworks this year. Shall we all make a decision to ban them altogether please? Brian Todd, Glendowie.
Our vaccination rates are now ahead of all the countries we like to compare ourselves to. It's not when you start the race, it's when you finish. Maybe an apology is due from those moaning about it earlier. Mark Nixon, Remuera.
If it is good enough for public servants to be mandated for vaccinations, then the same should apply to those on benefits. Neil Hatfull, Warkworth.
Those now leaving their jobs and blaming the Government's mandate were never going to get the vaccine, or they would have been vaccinated before the mandate was passed. Jilli Andre, Otūmoetai.
Two great pieces of satire in my paper (Weekend Herald, November 6). One by Steve Braunias and the other by Audrey Young. Gavin Baker, Glendowie.
I read with surprise Audrey Young's (Weekend Herald, November 6) rating of ministerial performances. Time will not be kind to this highly overrated Cabinet and their time for delivery is fast running out. Bruce Eliott, St Heliers.
Rather than question Labour's "slump" in the polls, the question should be where did that support go? Despite Chris Bishop having chased every Covid car and barked at the tyres, National's numbers have hardly moved. John Capener, Kawerau.
All the experts agree that transmission of Covid is highly unlikely outdoors in the fresh air. Common sense should prevail and cafes and restaurants should be immediately able to offer outdoor seating service. Glen Stanton, Mairangi Bay.
For Bird of the Year, next year, I will nominate the monarch butterfly. Chris Blenkinsopp, Beach Haven.
How come I can go into a crowded supermarket to shop but I can't go to an outdoor farmers' market? Nick Hamilton, Remuera.
Cornwall Park would be nice for the elderly to visit but no, the gates are still shut. Why?
Tanya Fitzpatrick, Mt Wellington.
If Paul Rudd is the sexiest man alive, I need to go to Specsavers. Jock Mac Vicar, Hauraki.
The banner on the bank said, "The Lion Roars ... Go England." Well... it was the "Mouse" that did all the roaring. Go Black Caps. Larry Mitchell, Rothesay Bay.
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