Tagged: lockdown

Featured image: Auckland is likely to remain in strict lockdown for several more weeks to stamp out NZ’s Delta outbreak

Auckland is likely to remain in strict lockdown for several more weeks to stamp out NZ’s Delta outbreak - COVID-19

Guest Author • Aug 26, 2021 •

Rachelle Binny, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research; Michael Plank, University of Canterbury; Shaun Hendy, University of Auckland, and Siouxsie Wiles, University of Auckland As New Zealanders wait to hear if a nationwide level 4 lockdown continues beyond midnight on Friday, our latest modelling shows that the current Delta variant has spread much faster than last August’s outbreak, when around 90 … Read More

Featured image: After its first suspected Delta variant community case, New Zealand goes into short, sharp nationwide lockdown

After its first suspected Delta variant community case, New Zealand goes into short, sharp nationwide lockdown - COVID-19

Guest Author • Aug 18, 2021 •

Michael Plank, University of Canterbury   New Zealanders are back in their bubbles after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a three day alert level 4 lockdown for the entire country, and a seven day period for Auckland, following the confirmation of a community case — most likely infected with the Delta variant. This is the first community case since … Read More

Featured image: Have introverts really fared better in lockdown?

Have introverts really fared better in lockdown? - COVID-19

Guest Author • Apr 14, 2021 •

Lis Ku, De Montfort University Since the onset of the pandemic, everyone from newspaper columnists to Twitter users has advanced the now idea that extroverts and introverts are handling the crisis differently. Many claim that introverts adapt to social distancing and isolation better than extroverts, with some even suggesting that introverts are practically “loving” the crisis, as it offers … Read More

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