Try trypanophobia
Needle phobia possibly affects 20 per cent of the population to some degree. In our drive to vaccinate our population, why do the Government and media insist on showing pictures and videos of needles about to be and even being stuck into arms, some with a little skin resistance thrown in for added entertainment?
Could it be that anti-vaxxers are actually closet trypanophobes hiding behind conspiracy theories?
Richard Kean, Hamurana.
Self-raising flower
I feel like an old steam train running out of coal as this long lockdown rolls inexorably on. Maybe, as someone suggested, I could use dried cow dung but there 's none about.
Luckily, the trees have a few joyful leaves to brighten a dreary day but I return to a house has that no flowers.
I totally get what the Government is trying to do but please add flowers to the list; they are essential to joy and well-being.
Boy, do I need some.
Samantha Cunningham, Henderson.
Cut the cruelty
Thank you for Anna Casey-Cox's piece (NZ Herald, September 17) about the cruelty and inhumanity that government agencies such as Winz dole out.
A simple solution is to provide everyone with a universal basic income (UBI). Shut down Winz, ACC, all the other departments and agencies that dole out benefits.
The ACC funds and budgets that pay for all those government agencies can stay with a fund manager to assist in paying for the UBI.
Bernard Jennings, Wellington.
Party plight
National used to believe in a "property owning democracy" but since free market "neo-liberalism" and the ageing population factor have resulted in narrowing property ownership and diminishing confidence in the sustainability of our NZ Super from age 65 (beside the additional costs related to Covid-19 and climate change), National has not come up with any visionary policy for the future so far.
Labour, with KiwiSaver and contributions to the NZ Super Fund, has become the leading party from the centre of the political spectrum, with a visionary future of widening and increasing individual and national wealth ownership creation and prosperity.
Once National starts competing on this vision with Labour, we can look forward to an era of even more constructive cooperation than we have at present.
Jens Meder, Pt Chevalier.
Hard done by
Blaming roads or cars for accidents and injuries is like a bad carpenter who blames his tools.
Chris Darby, AT liaison councillor, was wrong in touting road design as "the real determiner of speed" (NZ Herald, September 14). No, it's the driver.
Councillor Pippa Coom gets closer, focusing on education and enforcement, along with
physical changes - and vehicle improvements.
Drive to all the conditions. When will we acknowledge that it's the driver that causes virtually all of the road carnage?
John Duder, Devonport.
Just fabulous
Being a "Jafa" is part of an Aucklander's identity.
A two-year ban on the use of it, as Jo Malcolm suggests (NZ Herald, September 17), is not needed. For the time being, all that is needed is for everyone to think the "f" stands for fabulous or fantastic. Once we're all back in level 1, the original endearing meaning of "Jafa" could be reinstated.
Lorraine Kidd, Warkworth.
Roar of the mob
The online hostility, vitriol and spite directed at those who have broken lockdown rules is telling.
While the rule-breaking is unacceptable, we seem to be descending into a Lord of the Flies dystopia, exacerbated by a climate of fear.
We can rise above this.
William Black, Remuera.
Ghost patrons
In response to "doubling down" (NZ Herald, September 15), I have to agree.
I walk daily during level 4 lockdown, no specific time, no specific route. I cannot help notice there has only been twice in all these weeks that I have seen more than the driver on a bus. On both occasions, there was the driver and one passenger.
Is anyone monitoring the patronage AT? Or are we happy all these buses drive the streets of Ōrewa empty?
It's not good for Tāmaki Makaurau's vision for a lighter footprint of carbon emissions.
Helen Mackereth, Ōrewa.
Short & sweet
On essential
Since when have equestrians and, of all people, lawyers been essential workers? Society would be improved by dropping these occupations not just during lockdown but permanently. Wayne Brown, Mangōnui.
On bus
Where is this country heading when a government allows the Covid buses to be called Shot Bro? No wonder our education system is failing. Fiona Congdon, Pukekohe.
On Hades
If Dante was alive, I suspect he would conclude his vision of Hell: "Now we came out, and once more saw the stars and a cup of coffee." Brian Byrne, St Heliers.
On Australia
Australia is not aligned with the US to protect itself from China, but, for the same reason we similarly behave, Australia is aligned with the US to protect itself from the US. M Evans, Tāmaki.
On te reo
I'm delighted to note that fewer people are referring to where I live as "Tekawota". John Marcon, Te Kauwhata
On vaccine
The higher the numbers vaccinated, and follow-up booster doses as required, the sooner life can return to normal. Kia kaha New Zealand. Cam Calder, Devonport.
If you're thinking about getting the vaccination, just remember we have to vax-a-nation. Robert Clarke, Albany.
The Premium Debate
Economic outlook
The story of two halves. Auckland and outside Auckland. How can we bounce back when Auckland is so open to being locked down again and again and again as we experience another border breakdown from having so many MIQ hotels. Delta means the story has changed but this Government remains committed to sacrificing Auckland for the rest of the country. Their story has not changed. Ross H.
You all know the game, I spy with my little eye? I spy... social credit (government lending without the objective of paying back) and universal income (all on the same wage through wage subsidy).
Centralised education, centralised health, centralised water management. Socialism at its core. What is next? James C.
Right now we're following our Government but trailing the world in terms of post-Covid preparations. We rely on our Government to lead but it is so far behind in thinking and preparedness that we risk being left behind. Hats off to Sir Ian Taylor for his thoughtful suggestions from one who has successfully managed international businesses in the Covid world. The PM has had many successful people proffer advice and help but there is no evidence of listening. In the world after Jacinda this failure to engage and listen to others will go down as her greatest failure, for which we all suffer. John A.
The rock-star statistics hide deeper problems. Thirty per cent or more of Kiwis depend on small businesses for their income. It is clearly wrong when businesses in Auckland have to close without compensation to make way for the subway construction. So why should tourism, education, horticulture and hospitality businesses across our country have to suffer because we've shut down to protect us all? John A.
Economists rely on old information to predict the future. Visionaries look at the mood of people and the issues at our door to feel the trends and direction. If we are all locked up in our country we will spend inwards. Once our borders open there will be floods of people looking to go overseas for a holiday and spend up big time. With international tourism and education decimated we will not get that inwards tourism spend. The young skilled will go to Australia for higher pay and and affordable housing. The boomers are retiring and there will be mainly low-skilled people to pay the tax bill. Mark I.
