Tagged: lockdown

Featured image: Lots of law, not enough order — the government must be clearer about dealing with COVID rule-breakers

Lots of law, not enough order — the government must be clearer about dealing with COVID rule-breakers - COVID-19

Guest Author • Mar 04, 2021 •

Alexander Gillespie, University of Waikato New Zealand’s COVID-19 response might be the envy of the world, but that hasn’t stopped New Zealanders themselves getting angry about it this week. In short, there appeared to have been breaches of isolation orders by people linked to the Papatoetoe cluster that sent Auckland into level 3 alert last weekend. It subsequently … Read More

Featured image: The COVID-19 pandemic in Aotearoa/NZ: A brief photo-essay with 10 photos

The COVID-19 pandemic in Aotearoa/NZ: A brief photo-essay with 10 photos - Public Health Expert

Public Health Expert • Nov 25, 2020 •

Luke Pilkinton-Ching, Prof Michael Baker, Prof Nick Wilson In this photo-essay of the COVID-19 pandemic in Aotearoa/NZ, each photo is accompanied by a brief comment on the pandemic impact or response. In some instances these images reflect success factors such as the relatively early introduction of border controls and the stringent nature of the “lockdown”. But we also consider some … Read More

Featured image: Why some people find it easier to stick to new habits they formed during lockdown

Why some people find it easier to stick to new habits they formed during lockdown - COVID-19

Guest Author • Nov 24, 2020 •

Matthew Jenkins, University of Otago and Elaine Hargreaves, University of Otago Periods of lockdown represent a massive disruption to people’s daily routines, but they also offer an opportunity to establish new habits. Our research focus is on what motivates people to change their behaviour, particularly when it comes to physical activity routines. We compared the levels of physical … Read More

Featured image: Don’t fall for the Covid contrarians

Don’t fall for the Covid contrarians - Infectious Thoughts

Siouxsie Wiles • Oct 20, 2020 •

As life in Aotearoa gets back to some kind of normal after our latest Covid-19 outbreak, cases in the northern hemisphere are on the rise again and that puts us all at risk. Because no one is safe until we are all safe. This is a tricky virus. We now know that it spreads well through droplets and aerosols and … Read More

Featured image: Auckland’s rapid lockdown has given New Zealand a better chance of eliminating coronavirus – again

Auckland’s rapid lockdown has given New Zealand a better chance of eliminating coronavirus – again - COVID-19

Guest Author • Aug 31, 2020 •

Michael Plank, University of Canterbury; Alex James, University of Canterbury; Nicholas Steyn, and Shaun Hendy As Auckland relaxes restrictions today, contact-tracing data show the rapid decision to place New Zealand’s largest city under alert level 3 lockdown has undoubtedly prevented an explosive outbreak of COVID-19. Our model of COVID-19 spread in New Zealand shows the extension by an extra … Read More

Featured image: Why Covid elimination remains the best game-plan for NZ

Why Covid elimination remains the best game-plan for NZ - Infectious Thoughts

Siouxsie Wiles • Aug 25, 2020 •

Here in Aotearoa, we’re playing Covid-19 in “elimination” mode. Some countries are trying “suppression” mode, while others are running with what seems like “survival-of-the-fittest/wealthiest” mode. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been getting messages from people who don’t think our elimination game-plan is going to work. Some of them point to the fact we are currently experiencing an outbreak. Others … Read More

Featured image: Mask or no mask? This simple ethical approach can help with your pandemic etiquette

Mask or no mask? This simple ethical approach can help with your pandemic etiquette - COVID-19

Guest Author • Aug 19, 2020 •

Elspeth Tilley, Massey University Feeling torn about wearing a mask? Me too. I don’t want to look like I’m virtue signalling or get funny looks. But I also want to be responsible about public health. I’ve ended up conflicted, wearing a mask one day but not the next. The statistics suggest this isn’t my dilemma alone. While mask sales … Read More

Featured image: How setting aside some ‘worry time’ can help reduce anxiety over COVID-19 lockdowns

How setting aside some ‘worry time’ can help reduce anxiety over COVID-19 lockdowns - COVID-19

Guest Author • Aug 19, 2020 •

Dougal Sutherland, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Many New Zealanders will be feeling anxious, disappointed and even angry about the return of COVID-19 in the community. Many of us prefer to suppress these emotions because they are unpleasant or we may feel under-equipped to manage them. But if left unrecognised and unchecked, they will drive our … Read More

Featured image: Victoria’s lockdown ‘an endless game of Covid-19 whack-a-mole’

Victoria’s lockdown ‘an endless game of Covid-19 whack-a-mole’ - Infectious Thoughts

Siouxsie Wiles • Aug 04, 2020 •

Siouxsie Wiles The restrictions in place for metropolitan Melbourne now are in some ways stricter than those that were in force during New Zealand’s COVID-19 lockdown. A curfew is in place and most people have to wear masks when they leave their home – neither of which happened in New Zealand. But the state of Victoria has lost valuable … Read More