Coronavirus Update #2
Here’s what’s been happening in New Zealand with regards to coronavirus. This is a continuation of my first coronavirus post. I’ve tried to provide a quick timeline along with some of the commentary I hear from the community. It’s been fascinating to talk to my friends and family back in the US and hear about their take on the spread of Covid-19 versus what’s going on here.
March 4 - There is a second confirmed case in Auckland, and this one is concerning and most certainly put the illness out into the community. A woman returned from Italy on February 25. On March 2 she travelled domestically to Palmerston North. On the 4th, her case was confirmed and her husband also had symptoms.
The most striking thing about this case is the Ministry of Health's Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield’s comment: "This is a Kiwi family that has been affected by a virus that is part of a worldwide outbreak. What they need is support and understanding." It is uplifting and reassuring that the New Zealand government is calling for support, compassion, and community. This is in stark contrast to the “hoax” comments divisively made in the United States. And yet another reason why I love my adopted country.
March 5 - A third confirmed case is announced in Auckland.
March 6 - A fourth case is confirmed and is related to case #2 and attended a concert at Spark Arena on the 28th of February. People start to absolutely flip out at this revelation. There is general consensus that any hope of stopping the virus is gone because of how many people this person could’ve infected at the concert. The timing of this announcement - on a Friday - doesn’t help the mass panic buying that happens over the weekend.
March 7 - A fifth case is announced, related to case #3.
March 9 - While there haven’t been any new cases reported, there are 43 hospital staff members in self isolation at the North Shore Hospital as a result of coming in contact with a 70 year old who is a probably case since she was on the Grand Princess cruise.
Now people start worrying about availability of medical staff if self-isolation because a requirement for so many after contact with just one person. There are talks of pulling doctors and nurses out of retirement if necessary, which seems asinine as they are most likely older individuals who would be more at risk of severe illness.
March 10 - No new cases. This evening I attend a parent’s drinks night for my son’s grade. Usually this event is quite popular with the parents and well attended. This evening, however, there is a stark difference in the attendees: only one Chinese parent is there. In the past, there would be 30-40 Chinese parents at this sort of thing. I don’t know for sure that coronavirus kept them away, but it wouldn’t surprise me at all if that was the case. I can’t help but wonder if they know something we don’t (and the stories the one Chinese parent tells don’t help calm my fears.)
March 12 - The proverbial poo hit the fan in the US, and the reverberations are being felt in New Zealand and, despite there being no new cases of coronavirus here. People are starting to get more and more nervous about the economic impact as the markets crash. It isn’t quite as severe in New Zealand as it is in the US, but it worrying.
On the bright side, grocery stores are stocked up again. There are plenty of canned foods and toilet paper to be found.
March 13 - New Zealand is still sitting on 5 confirmed cases and 2 probably cases for the sixth straight day. While people are calming down a little bit, there are further travel restrictions expected soon in response to the US’s bizarre banning of European travel, excluding the UK where there are hundreds of confirmed cases. Many people expect the US to be on the list of countries facing travel restrictions simply because people are absolutely flabergasted by how poorly the US is responding to the virus and the lack of testing.
Today is the day the cancellations begin in earnest. The Pacifika Festival is cancelled as New Zealand feels it is the gateway to the Pacific and could unnecessarily endanger the 60,000 people coming in for the event. The recent Samoan measles outbreak is fresh on everyone’s mind. Several concerts and sporting events are delayed.
Generally, we’re all preparing for self-isolation and event and school closures. I’ve stocked up on things like arts and crafts supplies and some extra non-perishable food items just in case we’re stuck in the house for an extended period of time. People are resigned to the inevitable measures we’ll need to take to keep the virus’ progression slow and steady. New Zealand is a small country and simply does not have the resources to respond to a massive surge in patients. Fortunately, everyone is on board and taking this seriously while trying to live as normal a life as possible.
