Anti-vaxxers must be socially responsible
I agree with Alister Blair (Letters, August 31) that criticism of the virus response is unhelpful, not only by the unaccountable experts but also by regular columnists.
Other countries and our government have been guided by a wide variety of scientific expertise and public health experts.
Our combination of scientific input has provided fast and efficient information, enabling prompt action, which resulted in New Zealand becoming Covid-free early last year and the present number of Covid cases seeming to be in decline.
It is cheering to note the current lockdown is buying time for the New
Zealand population to be vaccinated. When I worked in public health (University of Auckland), a 75 per cent vaccination rate in the population was regarded as optimal and would result in herd immunity, in order to break the chain of infection.
However, with the highly contagious Delta variant, this percentage may well appear to be insufficient to achieve this.
Iceland has had success with an almost 100 per cent vaccination rate.
However, this gives no room for those concerned about their civil liberties and individual freedoms by declining a vaccination. Perhaps they should instead adopt an attitude of social responsibility and civic duty, which is now becoming part of our community and wider social culture.
Dr Meg Butler Mount Maunganui
Cartoonist hits the nail on the head
I smiled at Emmerson’s cartoon (Opinion, September 1).
He illustrates perfectly, in my view, the sense of entitlement and arrogance of the National and Act parties insisting on Parliament being held physically as opposed to virtually, under level 4 conditions.
Congratulations to the Greens and Ma¯ ori Party for their opposition.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is to be applauded for her stance. Rather than railing at the decision, she describes it as “disappointing”.
Jackie Evans
Rotorua