In gratitude to nurses

So I’m sitting here in hospital with uncontrollable tears. Not with pain, as I’m over that and well on the mend. I was thinking of just how wonderful the nursing staff have been, along with every other support person – doctors, orderlies and, of course, the food service staff.

The nursing started at exceptional and stayed at that level with each change of shift. Unbelievably so.

So I was thinking, what can I do to say thanks. At which point my nurse turned up and was interrupted with the message that room such-and-such was to be treated as Covid+. Without batting an eyelid, she launched into ‘‘we’ll need this, that and the next thing’’. No hesitation, no panic.

It may be that I lucked in and got the best three nurses in the country, but that seems unlikely. I’m not saying which hospital, because I’m sure it applies across New Zealand.

So, a shout out to all the nurses in the country. You know you deserve it even if you say it’s just doing your job.

To the nurses, and their support people, you have my heartfelt respect and admiration. Thank you.

Allan Grigor, Auckland

Govt unprepared

New Zealand has physical boundaries. It is one of the most experienced countries in regards to biosecurity. In recent times the kiwifruit sector had to deal with PSA . It learned how to operate and survive under very strict biosecurity rules. With M. bovis we learned the hard way how important testing and tracing was.

Therefore I find it incredible how unprepared the Government was when it went to level 4 lockdown. I have no doubt had the Government acted earlier on border control, prepared the country for an efficient level 2 and put testing and tracing in place early we never would have had to go into a very expensive level 4 lockdown. If the disease had been treating the agricultural sector and been knocking on the door as loudly as Covid-19 the Government would have acted very swiftly. I am pleased I am a farmer, not a business owner or worker on the verge of losing everything.

Chris Kaelin, Te Awamutu

Back to making stuff

The article looking at the future from the perspective of 10 diverse businesses (Focus, April 12) illustrates one of the weaknesses of our country’s economy.

Nine of the highlighted firms don’t actually create anything. The other two are a fishing company and a winemaker, and they are primarily export focused.

I would like to see our economy return to having a greater focus on creating objects we can use, housing for all and self-sufficiency in food.

The last is very pertinent today. Flour has been absent from retail shelves for weeks now, partly because we are reliant on others.

Wattie’s are flat out meeting demand but when did you last see a can of New Zealand-grown apricots or peaches?

The tin may have a Wattie’s label but the fruit is most likely grown in South Africa.

Murray Reid, Cambridge

Critical thinking

Thank you, Andrea Vance, for reminding us of the ‘‘imperfect flow of information’’ about Covid-19 from Government officials (Sunday Politics, April 12).

The final line of her column should sharpen critical thinking and embolden not only activists but all New Zealanders to demand the truth: ‘‘So long as we stay alert and wary of how the message is being imparted and manipulated to influence our behaviour.’’

Michael Fleck, Waiheke Island

Small sacrifices

In response to Fiona Mackenzie and others who slam the Government response to Covid19 (Letters, April 12), I want to say I hear you, however, a quick look at the Covid stats in the US, where government was slow to act and when they did so lacked integrity or reason, should offer good reason as to why the New Zealand Government acted as they have.

The US now has the highest number of Covid deaths, and over a quarter of the cases worldwide. Alternately, we have a tiny proportion – as McKenzie pointed out – and the reason we have that tiny number is because we acted quickly and decisively.

I understand that it’s hard not being able to go swimming or visit our favourite spots, but the reason some areas are closed off is because they have high populations of very vulnerable people. In my mind, missing a few swims is worth it to protect their safety.

Nicky Taylor, Christchurch

A water warning

Recent letters – the latest John Veysey’s (April 12) – highlight the need to rethink politics.

Recovery for New Zealand after the coronavirus pandemic should include the Coalition Government’s promise to reverse the decline in our freshwater resources both in terms of water quality and quantity, ie over-allocation.

The resulting expansion in industrial (irrigated) dairy farming under the folly of the Key-led Government left Canterbury with a growing