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Murray Olsen's avatar

The elimination strategy, based largely on the various lockdown levels, depends very much on consent. People should consent to forgo a little for the good of their community and the wider society This would have worked very well 40 years ago, when many Kiwis were prepared to think of the greater good.

What changed? We had Rogernomics, the first ACT government, and the unleashing of greed as the highest and most noble objective possible. Our society changed, and not for the better. Altruism became quaint and unfashionable. Everything became 'do what you wilt" as if Aleister Crowley was in charge.

Now that we need a whole of society response, we can't achieve it. Too much damage has been done and people just will not isolate. Quite a few won't even wear masks, nor will they vaccinate. They insist on their freedumbs.

I find it ironic that a Labour government is having to deal with this, something that I very much feel is a legacy of Rogernomics. But then, I blame Roger and his cabal for most things. Maybe I'm just a grumpy old man?

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Steve Nicholson's avatar

Perfect analysis Murray Olsen. That IS how we got here. The 'corp, corp, corp' of the scabs Douglas et al has lead us to relative acceptance of 'corpse, corpse, corpse'. Hectored by charlatans the likes of Scamaki and US school board freaks that their 'wants' are paramount.......'fuck it, light up the sitting room during the Blitz' sort of thing.......I too get grumpy.

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Helen McNaught's avatar

I think you have summed up succinctly the development of our social character and the reason for the lack of social licence for the current actions.

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Suze Wilson's avatar

Accepting that this has always been about trying to find the least worst pathway through has always been necessary - & always been unpalatable. It's a horribly grim bit of adulting* to look that reality in the eye. Its tempting for many to think Aunty J has magic powers to make it all go away.

"Raccoonsaurus Ninja" (on Twitter @FallenRedNinja) helps illustrate the kinds of uncertainties & pressures Ardern & co face, the sheer impossibility of getting everything right, with their excellent scenario-game thing in which they ask you to be the PM & face a range of decisions (some very real, some a bit more funny). Highly recommended - you can find out how many your choices would end up killing at:

https://kiaoramrwills.com/COVID-19.html

* apologies to grammar police for wilfully verbing a noun - twice!

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Michael Smythe's avatar

"Maybe the comms messaging has not been good enough or clear enough ..."??

The core message I heard loud and clear was a transition from lockdowns to vaccination as the primary weapon.

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Helen McNaught's avatar

I agree. It's been clear to me.

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Michael Smythe's avatar

Michèle - are your rubber gloves not redundant? You could be soaking in that green liquid could you not?

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Helen McNaught's avatar

Lol.i remember Madge.

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Steve Nicholson's avatar

Always used to feel sorry for Madge. While her bottle blonde employer Lady Lunchalot was staggering around on heels like stilts up and down Parnell Road.

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Helen McNaught's avatar

Yes although Madge had a distinctly Australian twang I thought. Memories of that ad made me smile on what has been a rather bleak day.

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Steve Nicholson's avatar

Sorry......for Parnell read Point Piper.

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Steve Nicholson's avatar

I have not forgotten that it was only weeks ago that Judy 'Ruliyani' Collins was stamping her inelegant cloven foot about the imperative of a bubble with Sydney. Good call Rudy.

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Andrew Robertson's avatar

Hi David! Thank you for appreciating my drama. 😊 mood : chuffed.

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