Letters to the editor: 'Messages of hope' needed in a Covid-19 world

One reader has called for a mobile Covid-19 vaccination group. Photo / Getty Images

As an ex-smoker in their 70s with heart damage issues, I realise that my life expectancy is well below average.

I hold no fear of death as I know my Redeemer lives. I've been a beneficiary of New Zealand's excellent, advanced medical systems which endeavour to treat all citizens equally and in my experience does a world-class job.

I've maintained a relationship with my GP and generally heeded his advice over the years, which has contributed to successful outcomes for me.

A 91-year-old woman died recently, her death attributed to Covid and sadly, at this great age, life expectancy is very short.

We mourn, death always robs us of loved ones, but in my view the fear promoted by daily Covid updates, mandated masking and vaccine pleas encourage only fear.

We need to hear messages of hope and learn how to live with this disease.

John Williams
Ngongotahā

Covid-19 vaccines for the homeless

Would it not be a good idea for a mobile Covid-19 vaccination group to travel to all the homeless, emergency and transitional housing sites, not only the ones we have here in Rotorua, but throughout the country?

I believe many of the people want it on their doorstep and brought to them.

Surely in places such as these it would be particularly needed as they are in such close proximity to one another.

Think of the number of vaccines that could be done all in one place.

Viv Radley
Rotorua

Vaccine passport needed

Open borders? Hell no, not before we have a secure Covid-19 inoculation passport, one that can't be forged or that can be checked with the country of origin for validity.

Also due to the extraordinary shortage of housing, it would be insane to bring in more residents before the motels and emergency housing complexes are empty.

We will need them for all the tourists who, once the passports are sorted, will flock to our country.

We do need to set an immigration limit, say 1000 per year, to allow for New Zealand to bring in properly vetted experts and scientists who will be able to bring their immediate family with them and should be bonded to NZ for five to 10 years.

I suggest a public inquiry to find out why, when housing is in such a state, Immigration allowed 4000 or more people to immigrate every month for several years.

This, combined with the Reserve Bank destroying the value of our dollar, caused the terrible housing problem we are now stuck with.

Obviously seasonal workers should be welcomed because Kiwis seem unable to carry out this work.

Growers are good at bringing in these workers and looking after them. It's good income for the Pacific Islands too.

Dan Russell
Tauranga

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