How dare you tell me to stay away

Where’s the compassion for fellow Kiwis living in a world that is struggling, asks Carmen Sarjeant.

Three headlines caught my attention as I contemplate dates to travel to New Zealand from Portland, Oregon: ‘‘As the pandemic rages on, I’m grateful to be in almost-normal New Zealand’’; ‘‘Duncan Garner: It’s time to completely shut New Zealand’s border – returning Kiwis included’’; ‘‘Stay away from us’’.

Many Kiwis have their reasons for returning, and I am certain they are not without massive thought for the economic and emotional factors the journey requires. I think anyone’s reasons to return are valid.

I need to come to organise and attend the memorial for my mother, who died unexpectedly on May 15, as New Zealand started easing restrictions.

I waited to come, to make sure I wouldn’t suffer further in my grief in mandatory isolation, to see if things improved so my family and friends could be together and mourn without concern for health and safety. I applied for an exemption to selfisolate when I first got the call about my mum. But it was flatly denied.

I accepted that mandatory isolation in a hotel was my fate. I wasn’t going to keep fighting it because it seemed the safest option

for everyone. And then there were breaches about a month later – the same exemption I applied for was granted to those who had not been tested. This was painful for New Zealand. It was painful and frustrating for me too. I have always been ready and willing to be tested many times. I plan to before I board a plane, to be sure I don’t carry the virus out of my current city.

Now people are trying and able to get back. Lucky them! Flights have increased. People have realised this is no passing phase and their economic options have run out in other countries where they lived. Death and illness happened and trips to see family have become important. Visas overseas have expired, as they would have anyway.

Honestly, how dare you tell us Kiwis we can’t come home? T hat said, it is very clear New Zealand needs advance warning of numbers coming in on what days for managed isolation. Set that notification system up because at this time New Zealanders are free to come whenever they can.

Success in beating Covid-19 is not NZ’s victory alone. This should be

shared with the world, especially your fellow citizens, residents and their families, many of whom have gathered valuable international education and expertise in the years they have been overseas.

I live in the US where the mantra for Trump followers is America’s success only, and America’s success alone. We have been ashamed to live in a place that embodies closedmindedness and a lack of consideration for a global community.

I was raised in NZ where the world was open and accessible, to be shared and valued, respected. And now I hear, ‘‘You left and didn’t come back. We don’t want you. The country you live in failed to beat Covid. You must pay for your isolation.’’ Is there no compassion for your fellow Kiwis living in a world that is struggling?

The effort and preparedness it takes for even a New Zealand citizen to return right now is incredibly stressful and a financial burden.

And there is great risk. For health, job security, and even finding a return trip if the visit is only for a short time (as it will be in my case). This is not a holiday for us. It is not even a decision to be made. It just needs to happen.