Lockdown 37/47 – How we're going

Day 37 of my diary of a LOTR Fan Museum owner during our national lockdown (extended from 28 to 47 days: 33 at level 4, 14 at L3) – in NZ we’re uniting as a country to beat Covid-19 to break the chain and save lives, but …

So, are we doing OK at L3? Our cases of Covid-19 are in single digits, with no deaths yesterday and nobody in intensive care. And, our testing and tracing are ramping up. This all bodes well. Economically, things are dire. Some work is starting back up, but there are clouds on the horizon with people out of work and families and businesses struggling to pay rent. So, this remains a big worry.

But, are we coping as a nation with a limited lessening of lockdown? Looks like we’ve been maybe too enthusiastic out of the starting gates.

Enormous queues at takeaways on the first morning, but later in the day and yesterday things had calmed down a little. My sis sent a photo from her friend who lives near a pristine beach in Taranaki showing takeaway rubbish overflowing the bin. Her friend took the rubbish and disposed of it - what a good citizen! Huge increase in cars on the road … . Hundreds of complaints about lack of social distancing in newly opened workplaces … .

And me, did I go further afield too soon in my forest walk???

But, lockdown and adjustment to different working arrangements are hard. So let’s be kind, cut ourselves some slack and give it just a little time to settle down. Woah Merry and Pippin - slow it down a little, and enjoy that second breakfast at home not Maccas!

I just loved the photos I was sent yesterday of others’ shortcuts to mushrooms. Thanks team - beautiful! Signs of fairies, I’m told, but no hobbits.

Overseas there’s also some encouraging progress but still lots of new cases, lots of deaths. So, my thoughts remain with everyone in extended lockdown and on the cusp of relaxation. Be safe, keep the faith. Best wishes, Kathy xx