Opening borders
I value John Roughan's weekend column ("Freedom Day") proposing "the state provides vaccinations to anyone who wants it, then we open the borders".
In practice this should be by year's end, with the Government giving two months advance warning of that date — one month for the unvaccinated to decide and hopefully book-in for the jabs, and another month to be fully protected (3 weeks between shots then 2 more weeks).
But I think we should then go back to "normal" in stages — steadily opening the borders, reducing MIQ use, etc. (If we do it in one step the number of unvaccinated catching Covid would overwhelm our hospitals. Done in steps will encourage the unvaccinated to push their luck no further.) Meantime the critical statistic the Govt should be spreading is that in the USA, where about 50 per cent are fully-vaccinated, 99.5 per cent of Covid cases needing hospital care are unvaccinated.
This means the vaccinated people are 200 times less likely to be hospitalised with Covid than the unvaccinated. Those who vaccinate fully will escape infection altogether or get only mild symptoms and recover quickly.
Chris Marshall, Hillcrest.
Quarantine deposit
I could have used the travel bubble to visit Australia. However, like many prudent people I considered the situation, listened to Jacinda when she said I would have to plan for an extended stay in Australia and quarantine in New Zealand if the bubble was closed. It does not seem right that some New Zealanders disregarded the Prime Minister and got away with the Government paying for their quarantine.
When the bubble reopens, a fairer scheme could be that travellers to Australia pay a deposit of $3000 before going in case quarantine is required on return, refundable if it is not needed.
Rosemary Balme, Howick.
Rezone open spaces
Present and future generations will thank the owners and administrators of racecourses, golf clubs and reclamations adjoining marinas if they rezone their land "Public Open Space" for all Aucklanders to use, appreciate and enjoy in perpetuity.
Their foresight and generosity might be rewarded by the Auckland City Council providing rate relief and other privileges.
This outcome will require collective action by all of us.
Bruce Tubb, Belmont.
Naming hospital
Recently we have seen Princess Diana's two sons unveiling a memorial to their mother in Kensington Gardens.
It became obvious from the beginning that she adored children and this was clearly displayed when she and Prince Charles visited NZ with a very young Prince William, with Diana
declaring that "William goes or I do not go".
At that time the Children's Hospital in Auckland was nearing completion so the Auckland Health Board wrote to Buckingham Palace asking their permission to name the hospital after her, since protocol prevented them from approaching Princess Diana directly.
The Palace quickly ruled that this would not be appropriate. I wonder if Princess Diana or her sons were ever aware of this. If not, it seems a tragedy that NZ was not given permission to do this for somebody who loved children regardless of their background.
Alan Baldick, Mt Eden.
Fuel price rises
Over the last month the price of petrol has skyrocketed. What will happen when Marsden Point refinery is closed? All petrol will come to NZ in tankers, what happens if there is another backlog in the Suez Canal? I guess the Government will say we should all have EVs, there is a shortage of electricity at the moment, the hydro lakes are low in water.
Also we will be importing gas in the near future, and gas fields are being closed. We import coal to use in power stations.
Wendy Galloway, Omokoroa.
A dog's lament
I write in response to the article about doggy day care in the Herald (Saturday, July 17). As a canine myself, and an occasional reluctant visitor to such establishments, may I say that I regard my incarcerations there as a complete abdication of responsibility by my owner.
I did not agree to be a loyal companion and faithful friend on a part-time basis. That my owner considers it to be OK to farm me out for the day (or sometimes even longer) distresses me greatly, sometimes to the extent that my normal good behaviour suffers.
I am willing, indeed eager, to accompany him at all times without fear or favour. If that is not possible then I would much prefer to be left home alone in familiar surroundings.
Peter Clapshaw, Remuera.
Short & sweet
On leadership
I think PM Jacinda Ardern's leadership has gone up another notch with the emergency virtual APEC leaders meeting she initiated and chaired to address the pandemic. The leaders have pledged to redouble vaccine distribution in the region. We in the Pacific can be thankful for such a progressive leader in our region. Rajend Naidu, Sydney.
On arrogance
It's concerning to see the extent of third term arrogance being displayed so early in this Government's second term. Ian Collinson, Remuera.
On lighthouse
July 24 marks the 150th anniversary when the Bean Rock lighthouse was first exhibited. Be nice if it was repainted bright yellow as it was previously, to make it more conspicuous against Auckland's skyline. Paul Schirley, Hamilton.
On new laws
Splendid article (Herald July 17) by Bruce Cotterill, emphasising NZ is now under siege from myriads of new Governmental laws changing forever the NZ we have known and loved. Hylton Le Grice, Remuera.
On vaccine
If we had been at the top of the pack for the vaccine as claimed by the Prime Minister many of our problems would now be solved. Instead of that we are 123 in the OECD list of countries. Max Brown, Cambridge.
The Premium Debate
Farmers' protest
Everyone feels pushed around by this Government. What it says is often incorrect. So frustrating. Judith B
It was a whole-of-community protest against the Government and dopey policies and regulations. Salina I
Government, you need to bring the silent majority on the sustainable journey. Change too fast will alienate. Dianne M
There is rising ill feeling towards a Government that changes laws in line with their ideologies, but can't deliver on promises or fundamentals. Richard W
If serious about climate change, stop buying from third-world countries, where the carbon footprint is out of control. Global warming is a global issue. Jeremy T
The mass tantrum with tractors was well named. Infants howl if anyone threatens their toys. Farmers are the first to call for help as global warming — drought, fire and flood — worsens. Peter W
The farmers have a self-entitled disregard for NZ's economic future. Countries who put in the effort on climate change and environmental degradation won't give a free ride to others who don't do enough and will stop trading with them. Timothy T
What happens when the UK, the EU, and the US stop buying our meat and dairy products due to NZ's poor reduction in greenhouse emissions? They have vowed to punish such countries. Scott J
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