Whanganui letters: Gang members and their whānau deserve vaccinations too

Gang members get their Covid vaccinations in Auckland. Photo / Supplied

I continue to be flabbergasted by what Judith Collins and David Seymour say in our response to Covid, the latest being their antagonistic criticism of the gangs uniting to get themselves and their whānau vaccinated.

It is okay to be critical of gangs' criminal activity, but gang members have whānau ... children, parents and grandparents, all needing to be vaccinated. As well, the more that get vaccinated, the safer we all are.

If those who have ever behaved badly don't deserve the chance to get vaccinated, then that would leave few of us who do.

KEN CARVELL
Whanganui

Good homes are good news

Thank you for including an article (News, November 3) about the high number of dogs and puppies rehomed from Whanganui pound - 175.

All those dogs went to good homes instead of being put to sleep because no one wanted them. As mentioned, the pound staff work closely with ARAN - Animal Rescue Action Network - to find the right home or foster home until they are ready for a forever home.

In the past dogs like Skinny Winnie (pictured in the story), found in a skeletal state tied to a fence, would have been euthanased. She will be fostered until she is the correct weight and rehomed.

ARAN is run by volunteers who raise every cent needed. Donations, offers to foster or adopt are welcome. Contact aran.rescue.nz@gmail.com.

WENDY WARD
Whanganui

Protect our rights

There have been some letters in the paper recently about medical treatments and vaccines.

One letter referred to the Bill of Rights and our right not to be forced to undergo any medical treatment. The others, apparently in reply, spoke of freedom in a narrow or limited form. They presented responsibility to others through a specific lens. They made odd statements about "your mates" and the "evil" of Covid, but they never actually engaged the point about our right not to be forced.

The issue that should be clear is that our basic human rights must be protected. Our Bill of Rights is supposed to do that. We should not allow or consider allowing that Bill of Rights to be altered. We certainly should not allow it to be changed due to a particular circumstance or issue.

There is always some circumstance or issue that can be claimed to justify such changes. And such changes always erode the protection of our rights, never enhance them.

FR HALPIN
Whanganui