Let’s see neighbourly defences

The idea that we should consider the next pandemic is not a priority when we are still going through one that the public and government want in the rear-view mirror.

But if a tsunami had caused the deaths of more than 1500 Kiwis, there would be inquiries underway into how the disaster was handled, what we could and our future preparedness.

In 2020, the initial fear of Covid19 was followed by relief as the country’s suffering was kept down. Last year’s vaccine rollout was accompanied by division, frustration and lockdown lethargy.

This year has brought us disconnected dread, with the coronavirus — now far more transmissible — finally causing death and severe illness at a level New Zealand had previously avoided. But it has also ripped through the population with mostly less serious consequences, and many have so far dodged it. International travel has become easier.

There’s still a lot that’s not known about the full health consequences, but the desire of people and governments to “move on” means Covid will have a long drawn-out tail, as it continues to evolve with humans the world over as its guinea pigs.

If Omicron’s subvariant BA.2 was a gnarly child, its sibling BA.5 appears to be worse. At some stage in the coming years a descendant could spark a new pandemic, or another new coronavirus — like Sars and Mers before Covid — could break out.

This week, the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum is being held in Sydney for political and business leaders, and the two countries’ prime ministers are also due to hold talks. The forum will discuss Covid’s impact, and how the neighbours can deal with various challenges over economic and foreign policies.

Australia and New Zealand are allies, rivals, and competitors for workers and trade. But the pandemic highlighted common interests, comparisons and cooperation, including on the transtasman travel bubble. That could all be deepened for a future pandemic threat. The two countries could compare notes via a joint probe into what worked and didn’t in their responses.

Dual investment in medical research and crucial health supplies would help both sides. Australia will host a Moderna plant able to produce MRNA Covid vaccines from 2024 and is building regional quarantine facilities. The neighbours would benefit from upgraded ventilation becoming part of standard building codes.

A consistent approach for a future pandemic could allow for a border bubble covering both countries from the start. It could result in a combined effort to lessen supply disruptions. And it could lead to more consistent messaging.

The two countries would be missing an opportunity if they didn’t investigate ways to work together. After all, we’re neighbours. — NZ Herald