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Ed Said: The  haves  and  have-nots

 

 

20 Sep, 2021

 

The future is always open to interpretation, and marred by misinformation, and misunderstanding. Many critics of modern life in New Zealand are determined to point out the differences between the classes, and the dissolution of a middle class, as the perception grows of a widening gap between rich and poor – the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’.

While that particular debate continues, similarly the analogy can be made with the vaccination rollout, where there is also a clear divide between those that have had it and those that refuse to have it, and there’s not a lot of middle ground. We truly have become a nation of haves and have-nots. The difference though is not one of equality, gender, race, or income disparity. With the vaccination conundrum, neither side can understand the decision made by the other, despite the mountains of information for and against. Most opposed to the vaccine simply don’t like being told what to do.

Conspiracy theories aside, the fact is Covid is here (there, and everywhere) and it seems to me we had to do something about it. In the absence of any precedent, New Zealand, and most other countries, went into lockdown, effectively stopping in our tracks. It’s what you do when you’re whistling a tune during a leisurely stroll only to find yourself in the middle of a minefield. Plan A is don’t do anything, don’t even move, and give yourself time to think of a Plan B.

Lockdown number one was a shock, but probably a necessary one under the circumstances. And there’s no doubt it proved effective in eliminating Covid here. We were the envy of the rest of the world. Consequently, I don’t blame the government for the Delta outbreak and subsequent lockdowns. An outspoken public wanted its travel bubble with Australia, and this is where we find ourselves. It was bound to happen.

Many of the public and media are critical of the way the government has handled things, that’s no surprise, but it seems obvious to me that they know future lockdowns are unsustainable and untenably divisive and need a Plan B. The goal is obviously to open up the country in the future, and that will probably mean we have to learn to live with Covid, but that’s not a viable and sensible proposition without a comprehensive push that sees a high percentage of the population fully vaccinated. But we’ll be there soon enough.

Statistics everywhere show that although vaccinations won’t necessarily mean we are completely safe from the effects of Covid-19 variants in the future, they will drastically reduce the effects, and leave our health system in a better position to cope with those that need help – disproportionately the unvaccinated. In July, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr Rochelle Walensky revealed that 99.5 per cent of recent US deaths from Covid-19 were of unvaccinated people. America is also divided: In areas where vaccinations are low, hospitalisations are up.

I have tried to get to grips with both sides of the vaccination divide here. How do I reconcile ‘having’ or ‘not having’? How do we navigate the stormy waters of ethical and moral dilemma around compulsory vaccination? It was an illustrated story by Toby Morris for The Spinoff that finally put some perspective on things – that there are many ways we trade small pieces of personal freedom for collective safety, collective good. Thousands of rules, regulations, by-laws, even common courtesies – all govern our lives and relationships with each other. We all have individual rights, but we also balance this with the common good, for each other. It’s ridiculously logical: Stick to the speed limit because it’s safer for you and everyone around you. Sure, challenge mainstream views, ask questions of authority, but be prepared to listen to the answers. Check out The Side Eye at thespinoff.co.nz.


 
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