Comparing Covid laws

SIR – While C Brian Smith’s defence of New Zealand’s Covid policy is admirable (Letters, February 6), he ignores basic facts in his suggestion that the country places a higher value on human life than Britain does.

Britain has a population of 67 million; New Zealand’s is just five million. Britain is also a major hub for global businesses, and is connected to the landmass of Europe by all transportation links. Mr Smith’s comparison is unfair.

Ian Dickens

Gurnard, Isle of Wight

SIR – It is foolish to compare New Zealand’s Covid situation with that of Britain. The cost that New Zealand will suffer is in its economy, which has in essence been shut down. Farmers, on whom the country relies, cannot find workers, who normally flow from the nearby island countries. Tourism, which is also vital to the economy, is non-existent. Inflation is now at 6 per cent and government expenditure at an all-time high.

In Britain, Covid infection rates and deaths are now running on par with flu. It is time for New Zealand to open the doors and learn to live with the virus, as the rest of the world has done.

David Grey

Auckland, New Zealand