So we’re into Phase 3 as of today – and not before time.
Problem is, nobody knows what any of it means. I was out all day yesterday driving around Auckland and what I can tell you is that there are still snaking queues everywhere for PCR tests. Why?
Why is no one getting the memo on that? Why are all these people still queuing for tests? Possibly because RATs, which we’re supposed to be doing, are so hard to find.
One of my trips yesterday involved a covert side of the road operation like a drug mule, picking up RATs I’d managed to source – at no small expense I might add – from an anonymous source who was transferring them to me from their car boot wrapped in a rubbish bag.
I kid you not. It’s like prohibition days – only the prohibited substance is something that should be readily available to everybody, like it is all over the rest of the world.
Why RATs aren’t in every Pharmacy up and down the country by now is beyond me.
But here at Hermit Central, we’re still waiting to be told when we can have stuff, where, and how. God forbid we try to adult.
I was tracking down RATs because I have a family member who was a contact, and their work required a negative test before they’d let them return. Unable to get a PCR, they managed to source a single RAT kit, did the test, sent the negative result to the employer, so far so good. Except for the fact the employer said they wanted a second test result done “just to be sure”.
Now here’s where it gets iffy. Employers who are unilaterally making up the rules as they go for employees make things tricky. Where were they supposed to get another RAT from? They’re like hens' teeth, still no access to PCRs, and let’s not forget that under the new rules, being a contact doesn’t even mean you have to isolate anymore anyway unless you’re in the same household as the positive case. Was the employer going to supply the RAT? No, they weren’t.
Many businesses are struggling to source them too, they’re having to jump through hoops and if they’re not critical, they’re usually falling flat on their faces. So long story short, I went into mafia mode and sourced some RATs which even if you waterboard me I’m not going to tell you where from, and I was able to supply this family member with one so they could do another test. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
The infuriating thing is why is it all so desperate when we’ve had all this time to get ready for this?
The problem’s not just the RAT access and limited availability, but also the employers who’re freestyling the rules, the people who’re still confused about the new contact rules, those freaked out despite the Government relaxing the rules and still wanting to ’play it safe’ - and all the people just making it up as they go along.
Shambles? Yes, it is.
The Government’s clearly given up on this, but we're so acclimatised to rules and fear, we seemingly can’t let go.
If I can just say one thing to you today it’s this - it’s time to let it go.
Kate Hawkesby is a political broadcaster on Newstalk ZB - her articles can be seen HERE.
3 comments:
Yes it is time to let it go. Unfortunately the fear factor is firmly embedded in the minds of the majority of New Zealanders.
Long queues at test facilities is testament to that.
The call to only get tested only if asymptomatic falls on deaf ears,
hence the long queues.
Bulk hoarding of RAT kits will become an issue shortly.
Yes, all this 'Level X', 'Traffic Light Y' and 'Phase Z' are pretense at neatly packaging government strategy for periods of time. This probably serves to impede fast adaptations to strategy as the situation changes and as new information and research arises. Better to describe and publish the set of rules applying each day, many of which won't change from yesterday but some will in light of new knowledge. For example, the current strategy fails to provide for treatment of those infected even though we now know that effective antiviral treatments have been developed and that if they are administered during the first 2 or 3 days of infection this will almost certainly avoid serious illness and 'long covid'. If/when I become infected with COVID19 I don't want to be left just to go home and endure it alone until and unless I reach death's door. I want to be able to obtain the effective medicines quickly and easily. But our government stays focused on what is already an outdated strategy targeting transmission rather than treatment. After all, they have named this strategy so it has to be a thing. The government seems happy for the infected to suffer at home without treatment until some become seriously ill and are put in hospital, an outcome that is now unnecessary.
I've had Cv last year and as a natural health educator, I monitored my symptoms pretty closely in comparison to what live videos from world renown Awake epidemiologists described. Like a heavy weird cold/flu is my esteemed analysis as a personal participant. I definitely did not get Vxd or go near a doctor as I never do for colds or flus. You all don't need to either! Fear is the Virus..so stop swallowing it hook line and sinker!
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