A quick word
The Government’s intentions for schools under alert level 3 are bizarre when laid alongside the intentions for business. At the end of each day all those children, and all their teachers, will return to their individual bubbles, and within each of those bubbles will exist the potential to create the scenarios that all the rules are intended to prevent. Phil Chitty, Albany
Many Opinion contributors are outraged at people breaking Covid19 restrictions. They state that nobody is above the law and therefore need to be punished. These sheep need to look at their history books. Slavery was legal. Homosexuality was illegal. Segregation was legal. War is still legal. Never use the law as a guide to ethics or morality.
Mark Lewis-Wilson, Mangonui
Correspondent Bob Marsh should be counting his blessings rather than moaning in the media about the lack of pensioner handouts. No job losses or pay cut for us oldies and a Government that cares very much for the health of the elderly. As an 85-year-old in my bubble of one I feel very safe and grateful to be an oldie in New Zealand at this time. Lois Wilkinson, Kerikeri
Looking at the scenes in and on the media bulletins from around the country, it reminds me of the Christmas holidays, when school’s out and all but the essential services and businesses are operating in the cities and towns around the country. The difference this time is the Government (taxpayers) are picking up most of the workers’ holiday pay tab.
Ian Wilson, Ngaruawahia
What a shame fast food may be available in Alert 3. Outlets opened here in the 70’s with a 30 per cent increase in obesity levels between 1977 and 2013. Wouldn’t allowing garden centres to open on a onein, one-out basis be a healthier option?
Trina J. Northcott, Gisborne
Bob Marsh is upset at the paltry (his word) increase of $9.75 a married pensioner is to receive a fortnight. If the Government had announced a decrease of that amount, there would be an outcry and that paltry increase would suddenly become a massive and unconscionable decrease.
H.E.H. Perkins, Botany Downs
Surely the Government should be looking for reasons to reopen businesses that could operate safely. How are stores such as Mitre 10 and Bunnings any different in format to a supermarket? After three weeks of lockdown many people are out of materials for projects around the house.
Jeff Berge, Takanini
After reading your tributes in today’s editorial, won’t it be interesting to see who features in the Queen’s Birthday honours in two months time?
Peter Smith, Devonport