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What an amazing achievement to have reached a high probability of having again eliminated community transmission of COVID-19 in Aotearoa. This is thanks to Aucklanders in particular playing their part and stopping the spread. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/427626/pm-says-auckland-will-move-to-level-1-this-week
The move to level 1 means we will have some of the most relaxed restrictions in the world. As other countries fight to contain rapidly growing epidemics, NZers can enjoy freedoms that are a distant dream for many (yes including Swedes) https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/covid-stringency-index?tab=chart&time=2020-01-22..latest&country=AUS~NZL~SWE~GBR~USA
However, we must remember that elimination doesn't mean the virus won't come back. Elimination is an ongoing process not an endpoint. We will see cases make it past the border again. How can we avoid having to go up the alert levels when they do?
3 simple things will make a big difference:
- Testing: if you're sick, stay home & get a test
- Tracing: use the Covid Tracer app to scan in - it's saved us before and it will again if people keep using it
- Masks: use masks on public transport & in places with F2F or crowds
- Testing: if you're sick, stay home & get a test
- Tracing: use the Covid Tracer app to scan in - it's saved us before and it will again if people keep using it
- Masks: use masks on public transport & in places with F2F or crowds
We can all do these 3 things without it really hampering social and economic activity. If everyone does this, it won't stop the virus coming back. But it WILL give us a good chance of catching it before it gets too big and being able to control it without needing level 3 or 4.
