Coronavirus Update #3
Week three of the coronavirus issues in New Zealand
March 14 - The sixth case of coronavirus in New Zealand is confirmed today. This time the infected person came from the US where it was announced that coronavirus is a national emergency. I’m glad the US is taking it seriously now, but worried that there may be unintended consequences. I’m particularly disturbed that Louisiana is moving its primary date because of the virus. I hope this doesn’t set a precedent for postponing the actual election in November.
In New Zealand, more events are canceled, like the Christchurch memorial planned on Sunday, lots of concerts, and school events. Stock for Auckland airport tumbles so much that trading is halted. More travel restrictions are expected within the next day or two.
Later in the day, it is announced that starting on Sunday at 12:00 am, all visitors to New Zealand will need to self isolate for 14 days. This, more or less, shuts down the tourism industry.
March 15 - The seventh and eighth cases of coronavirus are confirmed, and one is on the south island. People begin to wonder when the schools will be shut, following the lead of Italy, France, Spain, and big chunks of the United States.
March 16 - No new cases today! However, some tourists aren’t taking the 2 week quarantine seriously and are arrested by police and deported.
I’m saddened when at the grocery store and hear an Air New Zealand employee completely freak out at the lady checking her out. The economic stress of the pandemic is already taking a toll, and I wish she hadn’t already paid for your groceries because I would’ve happily paid her bill.
March 17 - Four more cases are positive, all people who have traveled overseas or are family members of people who have traveled overseas. My daughter’s school send home a note asking if she’ll have access to an iPad, computer, and/or printer in the event of school closures. They’re preparing a full day of lessons and activities for the kids, and I’m relieved that I will have fewer hours to fill up if/when we go into self isolation.
March 18 - Eight more positive cases and two more visitors deported for failing to follow self isolation rules.
This big jump in cases sends my anxiety into overdrive, and I wonder why schools are still in session and everything isn’t locked down. That seems like such a simple fix. Just close things for two weeks and stop this thing before it can even start.
March 19 - Eight more positive cases, bringing the total to 28. New Zealand decides to close the border to anyone not a citizen or existing resident at midnight. There is a combination of relief and fear. Of the 28 cases in New Zealand, five are from tourists.
The grocery stores, which have been pleading with people not to panic buy, double their efforts to calm the masses. My local grocery store put out a video asking people to shop calmly and apply for a job because they need help.
March 20 - People are not listening to the don’t panic buy message. This morning at the grocery store, there is no pasta, no rice, no flour, very few canned beans and vegetables. Many cleaning supplies were out of stock. Stockers were madly trying to fill the shelves, but people were taking things off almost as quickly as they could get them on.
Later in the day, 11 more cases are announced. This time there is no immediate travel information released. Later, flight info for 8 of the 11 is released, but it has definitely raised my fear of community transmission that three people’s travel plans are unaccounted for. In Auckland, it is announced that all libraries, community centers, and art galleries will be closed from the end of the day for two weeks. Several universities announced they will cancel in person classes. I give school a 50/50 chance of happening on Monday.
It feels like New Zealand is gearing up and hoping to be more like southeast Asia and less like Europe and the US. I’m hopeful they make the right calls.
