Bolster the barricades
Early vaccination of residents in South Auckland would make a lot of sense. It has a population where many are economically deprived and live in overcrowded conditions, speak a variety of languages and not always fully understanding the necessary requirements and not all having the access to technology
where most of the information is found these days. Transmission can occur quickly and easily. Many work at the airport or in low-paid jobs that give them close contact to others. It only takes a few to break the rules, whether unwittingly or even carelessly, and the ramifications of a slip-up affect thousands. Since the virus only comes from outside the country, almost always brought by air passengers to our biggest airport right in the centre of the region, wide vaccination there would protect even our most vulnerable such as rest home residents. The virus is never generated in the homes but brought in by the likes of cleaners, staff and visitors. Mass vaccination in the border region would seem the best way to strengthen the barrier immeasurably.
P Belsham, Mt Albert.
Way smoothers
South Auckland is the focus of the current outbreak of Covid-19 and portrayed somewhat negatively by the country.
However, in the past, there have been outstanding examples where a sense of community, values and social leadership were called upon to cope with health issues such as the Meningococcal Disease Awareness Programme of the late 1990s and the Mantoux Testing for the Tuberculosis Programme 1999. These programmes took place previously, under the guidance of the Otara Health Incorporated Organisation (Government funded),
which developed the concept of using local talent to meet local needs.
The concept of "way smoothers" were used. This was a small group of trained volunteers, from each predominant ethnic group in Otara, fluent in their mother tongue and English, who were called upon to assist health professionals interface with neighbourhoods. These volunteers proved to be an invaluable adjunct to promote existing services.
We need to revitalise community and church participation to work alongside Government and health agencies to help win the battle against Covid and promote the vaccination programme. South Auckland has the capacity, the skills and the know-how.
F Cobden-Grainge, Parnell.
Stunted evolution
Every one of us is descended from bacteria. Each of us has an unbroken succession of ancestors surviving against the odds. That's evolution - win or lose.
As modern society arose, various mechanisms developed to control the growing population. The Church used the fear of God. Do what you're told or else. As recent as 1699, the great scientist Isaac Newton - as warden of the Royal Mint - hanged William Chaloner for counterfeiting "his" precious currency.
Scientists say we must stop destroying nature, and halve CO2 emissions within just a few years. Bacteria are evading antibiotics. We are in the midst of a virus pandemic - with more likely.
Controlling Covid-19 presents a Catch-22. A crackdown on miscreants and the virus spreads stealthily, go easy and the virus spreads openly.
Modern problems may not have answers. Modern morality has stymied evolution.
Dennis N Horne, Howick.
Buck stops
The entire responsibility for the latest outbreak and subsequent lockdown, together with the previous ones, lies entirely with the Government and the Prime Minister's desire to be kind to those returning to New Zealand but total lack of concern for the other 5 million residents.
Having made the decision to try to prevent the virus entering New Zealand and eradicate what already had, the Government did well to achieve the second objective but failed miserably on the first.
There have been numerous anecdotes about escapees from the so-called "managed isolation and quarantine" which are entirely the Government's fault. Effective quarantine would have cost millions but nowhere near what has been lost by this country as a whole and small businesses in particular.
Having allowed the virus into the community from this source it is incredibly naive to expect those in infected areas to follow the "rules", particularly when as pointed out by several of your correspondents the information has not been adequately delivered to some areas.
Rod Lyons, Muriwai.
Covid compliance
There but for the grace of luck go many who have not followed the guidelines but got away with it (NZ Herald, March 2).
It seems that at every stage over the past year we have had some stuff-up come along to focus attention, galvanise the conversation, raise awareness and thus improve collective behaviour. It's that old tried-and-true process of evolution called trial-and-error.
It does not follow that each error should result in a trial.
Michael Smythe, Northcote Pt.
