Homelessness, poverty must be addressed

THE lockdown, that we are looking forward to leaving, is an opportunity to reflect on the society we are a part of.

How might we do things PC — postCovid? A return to the same old or maybe better?

Team New Zealand will be hosting the America’s Cup in March next year and the eyes of the world will be on Auckland. If Team NZ was to buy up halfadozen cruise ships, at knockdown prices right now, they could use them as course markers out in the harbour next year. Meantime, they could house citizens who are homeless. The philanthropic, with means, could ‘‘adopt a ship’’ for the honour of having their name on the bow along with other promotional rights.

Next March, as television cameras take in the action, a worldwide audience could not help but notice the symbolism of the homeless, afloat but going nowhere, watching those with means foiling past at speed.

What is possible, given the opportunity, is clearly not there for all of us.

Come on NZ. Homelessness is not a part of the egalitarian society that I grew up in. We can and must do better.

A government’s primary responsibility is to feed and house its citizens. In recent decades it has failed to do both.

It has taken a virus to shock and motivate us into action. We can return to a better NZ if we try.

The construct called ‘‘the economy’’ is there to serve us and not the other way around. It is the work we do that builds our country and the ‘‘money machine’’ is there to facilitate not hinder. Take dollars from greed and match them to need in order to feed.

Let Covid19 be the reminder that it is citizens who make our country great.

While I am proud to be a Kiwi, I am ashamed that we have homelessness and poverty when good government could have prevented that.

Daniel Phillips

Invercargill

I REINFORCE the positive comments of the Otago Daily Times over your excellent independent performance over the current crisis. This applies especially to the opinion piece contributed by Dr Kevin McCracken (ODT, 14.4.20).

Dr McCracken is an academic raised and educated in Dunedin and has an attitude which concisely reflects his upbringing. and training.

Dr McCracken, like the Dunedintrained nurse at St Thomas Hospital, is a product of the system that may be understated but never undervalued.

Duncan Boswell

Wanaka

ISOLATION has brought challenges for many people and finding new ways to socialise. On Good Friday it was disappointing to hear what sounded like a party — when looking out my window I could see exactly that.

Although this party was practising social distancing there were a number of gathered people in the backyard sitting on deckchairs obviously not from the same ‘‘bubble’’. My first impression was that this would be a party of youths, however I was mistaken. Instead they appeared to be in their late 60s/early 70s.

In my 30s, I feel like a boomer writing this letter and some generational roles have been reversed. Yet in this circumstance the very generation most at risk is participating in the riskiest of behaviours and acting in extremely selfish ways. Meanwhile, the youth is safe at home behind their screens.

I think the message of ‘‘stay home save lives’’ cannot be more simple. Amy Suddaby

Andersons Bay

Hospital thanks

I WISH to convey to Dunedin Hospital my utmost gratitude for the lifesaving treatment I received. I’d like to especially thank the nurses and doctors of the intensive care unit for their skill, compassion and vigilance, but also all other ICU and ward 7B staff.

Ian Breeze

Broad Bay