Thought for today

Nailya Sixtus Stoke, March 3

Tamaki cartoon

I refer to the cartoon published in The Nelson Mail on February 28, re. Hannah Tamaki. My online dictionary defines bigotry as ‘‘intolerance towards those who hold different opinions towards oneself’’. By this definition, therefore, doesn’t it follow that the creator of the carton, and yourself in publishing it, are equally guilty of intolerance?

K Scarlett

Nelson, February 29

Coronavirus

I thought we were in trouble when it was announced that people arriving from coronaviruscontaminated countries ‘‘will be asked to quarantine themselves voluntarily’’. From my experience, ‘‘Will you please be so kind as to

. . .’’ doesn’t always work.

It was later said that about 70 per cent of passengers have ignored the request. Surely strict quarantine rules would be now imposed? No, this didn’t happen. So there’s little surprise that a first confirmed case of coronavirus came through the airport gates and went on.

But maybe at least now strict quarantine measures will be put in place? No. ‘‘We’ll ask them to quarantine themselves and to register with Healthline,’’ was said in the news on March 2.

Meanwhile, Samoa has shut the gates. Two cases were found in

Russia, and 2500 people were placed in quarantine. Eighty-eight foreign nationals were deported for violating the quarantine rules.

New Zealand is isolated from other countries, and has the chance to protect itself. Why would you welcome the virus into your country?

The situation is serious enough. And now is not the time to count financial losses from the coronavirus – it’s time to protect the lives of the people, and to act strongly in their defence.