Some still live lockdown life over
It’s a country of two halves as Kiwis either carry on as normal in the face of rising Omicron cases, or quit going to the doctor, supermarket and pub in an effort to keep safe. By Virginia Fallon.
LAST night Shelley Harris was heading out.
First she picked up a group of mates and drove them back to her place for dinner, then they headed off to the pub and a comedy show.
They were planning to have some drinks and something to eat, and this morning would likely have brunch at a local cafe. It’s what they’ve been doing for ages, or at least when they’ve been allowed. ‘‘Life is normal, we just carry on.’’
Harris is part of the carry-on camp of New Zealanders refusing to let concerns about catching Omicron change their behaviour. As long as venues are open, she’ll keep going to them, steadfastly sticking to as much of a normal life as possible.
She’s not scared of catching the virus, saying most Kiwis probably will get it, and shops, socialises and lives s as she did before the pandemic. ‘‘It wasn’t a conscious decision, but what’s the other option? I’m not going to be isolated, life has to go on.’’
A new survey reveals that’s a mindset splitting New Zealand. Research NZ says the country appears to have divided itself into ‘‘roughly two equal sized camps’’ of people: those who’ve changed their behaviour to limit exposure to Omicron, and those like Harris who are carrying on like before.
The survey took place early this month, with New Zealand in the red setting and daily Covid cases increasing. Of the 1001 adults who took part, 53 per cent had ‘‘significantly changed what they do or how often they do things’’ and 47 per cent hadn’t really changed their behaviour at all.
Of those surveyed 54 per cent have stopped or are less frequently attending large events, and had stopped going to restaurants and cafes. Half had stopped using public facilities – such as libraries or pools – and 37 per cent were no longer using public transport. Supermarket trips were also a no-go for 28 per cent.
Aucklanders are significantly more likely to have changed their behaviour but what both camps have in common is their members are just as likely to be vaccinated and have either had, or plan to get, their first booster.
Research NZ’s Emanuel Kalafatelis says the survey shows NZ isn’t being polarised by the vaccine like other countries, but it’s being split all the same,
The divide we’re seeing is between those worried about catching Covid and changing their behaviour despite being vaccinated and those just trying to get on with life: ‘‘The significant size of this former group has social and economic implications.’’
The Restaurant Association’s Marisa Bidois says those implications are being felt in the hospitality industry and the government’s modelling and messaging about Omicron has made it worse.
Bidois says she hopes a new campaign spotlighting things such socially-distanced seating and service at tables would convince customers it’s safe to
come back.
A recent survey of association members found 55 per cent experienced significant revenue drops because of Omicron.
‘‘When you see the modelling of 50k cases just before Waitangi Day it’s startling. We’re trying to combat that.’’
Dr Bryan Betty says there’s also a massive implication in the 29 per cent of people who say they have stopped, or are less frequently using health services.
The medical director of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners says that number ‘‘100 per cent’’ reflects what he’s seeing and it’s a huge concern. While all eyes are on the pandemic, other illnesses
and health issues are waiting in the wings.
‘‘I’m worried the harm/risk balance is out of sync here,’’ Betty says.
High-risk screening for cervical and breast cancer is falling way behind, and the number of six-month-old children receiving immunisations had dropped to just 74 per cent.
Betty worries influenza vaccination rates will also drop as people stay away from their medical centres.
‘‘It’s entirely possible that as the border opens up and influenza enters the country that we will have a large outbreak based on the fact we have been largely influenza-free for the last two years.’’
He says the situation hasn’t been helped by a ‘‘fair degree of scaremongering’’ in the media and predictions of case numbers that haven’t borne out.
‘‘My feeling about Omicron is that we’re dealing with a bad flu or respiratory-type virus situation outside of winter. The problem we’re running into is at what point are we doing more harm than good?’’
According to the survey, people aged 18 to 34 were still using health services and the supermarket but more frequently reported changing their behaviour.
Megan Heustice says that sounds about right. The 23-yearold Queenstown woman and selfdescribed ‘‘former club rat’’ now tends to avoid large events, and has largely given up on bars and restaurants, preferring to stay home.
While Heustice is a supporter of mask mandates, they do take the shine off socialising indoors and the crowded outdoor places she never used to think twice about frequenting now make social distancing impossible.
‘‘I also do a weekly supermarket instead of going every day – that’s quite a skill I learned when lockdown started, and I’ve kept it up.’’
They are the same sort of changes she sees among her peer group, though believes they stem from more than the fear of catching the virus.
‘‘The young people who would have headed to university or overseas are now more focused on working and saving for houses,’’ she says.
‘‘That makes us quieter.’’