Letters for Thursday November 18, 2021

Dear Editor,

The political decision to reopen our borders on 13 January 2022 is a very real dilemma. Balancing our people’s lives, especially our Pa Metua with serious NCD (non communicable disease) illnesses, with the economic reality is a predicament, no one wants to be in a position to decide. The decision to open our borders should not be left to the six Cabinet Ministers and the Ui Ariki. These institutions, in my view, are not the majority and should not be in a position to put our vulnerable people’s lives at risk.

At this stage, I strongly oppose the 13 January 2022 border opening. I say this in light of the rapid and uncontained Covid-19 delta variant developments in New Zealand. I understand that the Covid-19 booster shot injections will be available and launched within the next month in New Zealand.

Dr Douglas Lush’s comments to expect 2400 infections, 100 hospitalisations and 10 deaths when Covid-19 arrives in the Cook Islands is frightening. I commend Dr Lush in his honesty and transparency in revealing this scenario as the modelling situation for the Cook Islands. The reality could be worse, we just don’t know. It’s a real and difficult balancing act between protecting the welfare of our vulnerable Pa Metua and the economic wellbeing of the country. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, ‘damned if you do, damned if you don’t’. My view would be to delay the reopening of our borders and wait until such time our whole population has been vaccinated including receiving the booster shot, then we can reassess our situation.

Paul Raui Pokoati Allsworth

Terea Mataiapo

Former Koutu Nui president

Where are these stats plucked from … and if we’re expecting that many hospitalisations, what is the proposed treatment protocol for those who show symptoms or test positive for Covid? People don’t need to die. But they will if they’re just made to isolate at home until they can’t breathe and require hospitalisation and to be put on ventilators.

There are international doctors successfully treating patients, both vaccinated and unvaccinated patients, stressing the importance of early treatment, and publishing treatment protocols, I’m hoping to God we have a plan.

Serena Hunter

(Facebook)

Please, don’t make promises that you can’t keep! You as the government keep contradicting your own statements. Get proper and accurate resources to prevent this man-made virus from reaching our shores and it starts here in NZ! Don’t be so naive and expect for the worse. You should be more focused on what you need to do to protect the people. A vulnerable island with limited resources! Its plainly obvious that no one is allowed to step foot on the island without being fully vaccinated and tested with a negative result.

Michelle Kaikura Ravarua

(Facebook)

Statements like this keep feeding the fear. No wonder there is so much mental health out there. If things are going to be so bad in Raro, put people before money then, and no tourists. We all have to start living with it, so start being more positive.

Jennifer Taylor

(Facebook)

Online comments

Financial Secretary

Thank you Garth (Henderson) for your services. Might be good to see some fresh blood come through with new ideas, skills and knowledge. All the best to all the applicants. – Mata Puia Huch

Keep the team together please. No bailing. You’ve done a wonderful job of navigating us through this mess. – Derek Peyroux

Reapply. Your ideas and support have been fantastic. – Brent Fisher

Thank you for all that you’ve done and achieved Garth and you are gracious in acknowledging that you have already served two terms (6 years) it will be competitive especially if other applicants fresh new ideas, knowledge interests and skill sets are highly recommended for the appointment given that I’m assuming applicants will be accepted from overseas? All the best to all of the applicants. – Patricia Fanefau Strickland.