Letters: GP vaccinations, aerosol transmission, 'odd exceptions' and public transport

One reader tells of two very different experiences in requesting and receiving the Covid-19 vaccination doses. Photo / Buddhika Weerasinghe, Bloomberg

Opinion

A tale of two vaccinations

The differing experiences regarding our two Covid vaccinations are instructive. It required three phone calls to the Vaccination Centre, totalling 90 frustrating minutes, to secure our first appointment.
Regrettably, they overlooked their promised email confirmation so, on our scheduled day, they treated us as "walk-ins". Despite the scores of staff at the Highbrook Centre, we still experienced significant waits at each step, in total, just under two hours.
Over the next three weeks, we never received the promised follow-up appointment and we decided to book with one of the handful of approved general practices instead. That took a single brief phone call; later we received the reassuring text confirmation.
On the day, we checked in with one of the staff, had the jab shortly thereafter by a second and waited the required 20 minutes monitored by a third so we completed the whole process in a mere 30 efficient minutes. Chalk and cheese.
So, why have general practices, experts in childhood and flu vaccinations protocols, not had the opportunity to have a bigger role in the vaccination roll-out? Could it have something to do with the Ministry of Health's anti-GP ideology?
Henry Doerr, Remuera.

Ailments airborne
I have been, and still am, very concerned by the refusal of this Government to address aerosol in regard to Covid-19 coronavirus.
RSV, unsurprisingly, is also aerosol spread - as are influenza, measles, Tb and Sars (also a coronavirus).
I remain deeply perplexed as to why our Ministry of Health has done absolutely nothing to advocate for appropriate building (including medical facility) ventilation when there is a vast body of literature indicating this is fundamental to reducing the spreads of respiratory viruses.
Andrew Montgomery, Remuera.

Silent treatment
The Prime Minister is reported (NZ Herald, July 6) as saying that she checks in with the district health boards and the odd primary health organisation and by and large people in group 3 are getting the information about their vaccinations.
I am 73 and received a text on May 19 from our medical centre to advise that Waikato DHB were aiming to begin Covid vaccinating everyone over the age of 65 at the end of May/early June and that the DHB will notify me and arrange an appointment.
As of today (July 6), there has been no subsequent advice provided. I appreciate that Waikato DHB's computer network has been out of action for several weeks but this has not been publicised as a reason for the non-existent information about vaccinations.
Barry Towers, Leamington.

Shared transport
How refreshing to see such a sensible approach to Auckland's traffic issues as Professor Grinlinton's piece (NZ Herald, July 6).
I would respectfully add one thing related to Covid and its impact on public transport.
We all must hope the Government's freakish luck will continue while the dilatory vaccination process is completed. The incursion of the Delta strain now would be devastating – as is displayed by the damage one unvaccinated driver has caused in Australia.
But current thinking seems to be, despite all the vaccination efforts around the world, the Covid virus will survive long enough to mutate much like influenza and thus become an ever-present scourge.
In those circumstances there will grow and persist a reluctance of many to risk close contact presented by public transport. Shortly we will see that reluctance demonstrated by unvaccinated Londoners when their lockdown ends and they have to get to work safely. It follows that we must plan for the take-up of public transport to falter and perhaps stall, thus increasing the use of roads by private cars and bicycles.
Peter Newfield, Takapuna.

Opposition view
I couldn't help smiling at the statement National's Covid-19 spokesman Chris Bishop made regarding our vaccine rollout (NZ Herald, July 6).
He stated that, had they been elected, they would have rolled out testing last year, even before last Christmas. He calls the present format incompetent and lacking political will. Can you just imagine being lead by this inept bunch? They are busy falling apart at the seams. Even their own former National minister Chris Finlayson called them a disaster.
I think there are many who believe we missed a bullet four years ago.
Emma Mackintosh, Birkenhead.

Missing connection
We are encouraged to use public transport instead of our cars. I decided to take the bus to my Covid vaccination appointment but the bus never arrived. This happens fairly frequently, the reason being that there is no driver available. If an unreliable bus service results in missed appointments people will not use it.
It is astonishing that the most essential people are paid the least. If some six-figure-salaried executives were absent probably nobody would notice. But without people like nurses and bus drivers the whole community suffers.
Yet, they are forced to take action to protest against low pay and unreasonable working conditions. A shocking situation.
Anne Martin, Helensville.

Fair wages
The article headlined "Lights Out" (NZ Herald, July 6) tells of top restaurant owners closing their doors for two weeks and losing $300,000. They are forced to close due to a lack of foreign workers. If they stayed open and gave each of their 65 staff a $4615 pay raise, they would not have to rely on foreign workers willing to work for starvation wages.
I have a friend who is a top-ranked chef and front-of-house man. He is quitting hospitality and becoming an electrician because hospitality pay is so poor.
The Government is doing the right thing in not pandering to a failed, low wage business model.
John Caldwell, Howick.

Other courses
There are two quite simple alternatives to the Sahrawats' dilemma over having to close their restaurants for three weeks for lack of staff (NZ Herald, July 6).
One would be to close only one and redistribute those staff between the remaining two. The other would be to offer living wages to some unemployed locals who don't require work visas to gain employment in New Zealand.
Is there something I'm missing or don't understand here?
Jeremy Coleman, Hillpark.

Change urgency
Short-sighted criticism of the Government's clean car rebate scheme to encourage electric vehicles is simply bizarre.
Act Party transport spokesman Simon Court (NZ Herald July 6) has attacked the "feebate" as a stealth tax. What doesn't Act get about the very real threat of climate change?
We have just had the hottest June on record, a whopping 2C above normal. All around the world there are dramatic signs the planet is heating because of man-made greenhouse gas emissions. It will be catastrophic for coming generations if we don't take urgent action now. This is no time for petty self-interest and political point-scoring.
Over 40 per cent of NZ's emissions come from burning petrol and diesel. The new EV rebate scheme is designed to encourage us to switch to clean electric vehicles. Most developed nations are doing the same. The need is urgent.
For the first time, we have a government that is taking climate change seriously.
Jeff Hayward, Auckland Central.

Taking a fence
I totally agree with Vicky Williamson (NZ Herald, July 5) that fencing off part of Macleans Park for a dog park is an appalling idea.
As she mentioned, larger breeds like mine need the freedom to run and small dogs quickly become intimidated if they are forced to associate with large heavy breeds.
I have first-hand knowledge of this type of park which I have seen in frequent visits to Canada. They do not work and are largely shunned by dog owners for those reasons.
Why waste money on something which has failed elsewhere? Auckland Council needs to consult local dog owners as well as local residents who use Macleans for exercise.
Pam Sims, Mellons Bay.

Blunt arrow
To improve traffic flow and prevent unneeded frustration, I would like to suggest that all red traffic light arrows should turn off after a short time.
There is no logic to whether or not this happens at present. Some are efficient and others just frustrating. An example of an annoying one is Gillies Ave southbound turning right into Epsom Ave. This arrow stays on through the whole cycle and regularly unnecessarily holds up the turning traffic. This situation is repeated across Auckland although, at many more dangerous intersections, the arrow sensibly turns off after a short time.
Stephanie Watson, Epsom.

Good things
It was delightful to read Kiritapu Allan's good news story (NZ Herald, July 5).
Last week in Auckland, my car broke down at about 6pm and I decided to knock on a few doors in St Heliers to use a phone. The first one was answered by a young lady.
Whilst waiting for the AA to answer my call at such a busy hour, I was offered a cup of tea and a chair at the table where she was chopping greens for dinner.
When the AA did not answer after 15 minutes on hold, the lady halted preparation for her husband's dinner and ran me to a friend's home in her car.
Good news and good deeds are becoming more of a rarity these days, but this minor incident reminded me in reams, that really good things do still happen. You should print more of them.
Robert Burrow. Taupō.

Short & sweet

On vaccine
My wife and I are both 75 and have "relevant underlying health conditions" and according to the PM (Herald, July 6) should have been contacted about our Covid-19 vaccinations. We resent being categorised as the "odd exceptions". Mike Donovan, Remuera.

I am very firmly in group 3 and, not only have I not been informed, contacted or advised. Roger Clarke, Pirongia

I am in my 80s and have a large number of social friends. Every time I meet with them, I ask if anyone in their 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s has been approached about receiving a Covid-19 jab, and have yet to receive a "yes". Brian Main, Hamilton.

On China
Your editorial (NZ Herald, July 6) suggests Louisa Wall should have taken her concerns up "with the minister responsible". Considering the Government's limp response to China's bullying behaviour to date, it's not surprising she didn't bother. Patrick Goodenough, Red Beach.

On nurses
For goodness sake health boards, make the nurses a palatable offer but attach it to a bond of sufficient duration to arrest the current drain to Australia and allow time for accelerated training of new staff. Owen Lockerbie, Newmarket.

On neglect
Minister Sepuloni is fond of reminding us that the current emergency housing crisis has resulted from "nine years of National Government neglect". She might consider changing this scratched record by merely informing us on what they are doing about "fixing it". Larry Mitchell, Rothesay Bay.

On transport
David Grinlinton (NZ Herald, July 6) ignores this elephant in the room. We need congestion charging introduced urgently to support better public transport and alternatives to cars. Marshall Piercy, Devonport.

Premium Debate

Superannuation age

I'm not against raising the age for super but I am against the Government blaming super for debt blowout. They need to look at their own wasteful spending first. Garry R

Raise age to 67 and also only payout if not working or if working in a job paying less than $100,000. Also, increase the residency period to 20 years, up from 10 years, for when immigrants can receive it. It's supposed to be a pension, not a top-up to wages. Kahu K

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she won't raise the superannuation age of eligibility, but has someone asked her if she would consider means-testing superannuation so that it is not "wasted on the wealthy"? Kobus K

The reality is that people are living longer and healthier lives than in the past when the age of 65 was introduced. This will not be an easy conversation, but it is a necessary one. Susan M

The National Party, through RD Muldoon and supporters, did the worst thing ever for superannuation in New Zealand. Ironic for them to be thinking things are so bad now and outlining the problems they created. Ironic for them to think we should risk thinking they have the answers. Peter N

It's always about disadvantaging Kiwis that have worked hard all their lives, looking forward to retiring… how about we cut all the perks the politicians have? Andy H

Paying fit, healthy people a taxpayer-funded benefit just because they reached a certain age is ridiculous. We have 101 things we need public investment in before our current luxury version of superannuation. Awan B

In its current form, NZ Super is only sustainable through higher, controlled, immigration, which most people apparently do not want. We do not have the working-age population to support the increasing retirement age population. Adjusting the age and/or means testing is the only other solution. Ross G