THE DAY OF THE VIRUS

The Labour Government's surrender to business interests will see the most vulnerable in our community exposed to a virus now out of control. 

IF THE LABOUR Government had not been asleep at the wheel while the delta virus inexorably made its way down to our part of the world and only woke from its slumbers when the virus hit our shores, then we might not be in the position we find ourselves in today. And if this weak Prime Minister had not succumbed to business pressure and dropped Auckland to level 3, then we also might not find ourselves in the position that we are today.

But here we are indeed. In the poo. Having previously refused to provide a figure, the call has gone out from the Government for ninety percent of over-12's to get vaccinated pronto. That's double vaccinated. There's no guarantee that the Government will actually be achieve this target which is no doubt why it is resorting to strong arm tactics, effectively condemning the unvaccinated to the status of second class citizens. Will the prospect of being banned from public venues like bars and cinemas be enough to 'persuade' a large enough number of the unvaccinated to submit to 'the jab'? Or will they simply dig their heels in and tell the Government to 'f**k off'?

In the meantime, like the plants that strangle the life out of the planet in John Wyndham's classic science fiction novel The Day of the Triffids, the virus is now marauding around Auckland and spreading its tentacles further into the country. We live in fearful and anxious times, especially if you are a resident of Auckland. But Jacinda Ardern isn't exaggerating when she says she's right behind Auckland. To be precise, she's 647 kilometres behind Auckland in Wellington.  

While the Government may have switched from an elimination strategy to one of 'suppression' this is really a strategy of what the Government thinks is 'acceptable' damage limitation. The modelling suggests that even with a ninety percent vaccination rate there will still be 14,000 hospitalisations and some 1600 deaths. These might also prove to be  optimistic figures. It is the most vulnerable among us who are most at risk - the poor, people living in overcrowded conditions, the homeless, Maori, Pasifika, the elderly, folk with underlying health conditions. Jacinda Ardern's failure to stay the course and stay at level 4 will cost lives - and let's see Arden's sycophantic supporters sugarcoat this bitter pill, if they dare.

But, of course, this is a Government that always wants to help the most vulnerable. That's why it has doubled the amount of money eligible Auckland businesses can claim. It has also earmarked an additional $60 million package for business advice, and mental health support will be made available to help Auckland businesses.

There's nothing remotely like that for the rest of Auckland doing it hard. The best the Government has been able to come up with is a mere $10 million for hardship grants - which will, in theory at least, be available for people working 40 hours a week on the minimum wage and need money for essentials like food. I say 'in theory' because applicants will have to endure the usual Work and Income bureaucratic obstacle course.

Oh, there's a big load of nothing for beneficiaries. Auckland Action Against Poverty has tweeted: 'We’re DEEPLY upset and distressed that NOTHING was announced for people on benefits given how hard the govt talks about protecting and keeping safe our vulnerable and marginalised communities.'

Aren't beneficiaries lucky to have such a 'kind' Prime Minister?

Artwork : Covid19 by Abby Martin.