UPDATE: Earlier today, PM Ardern announced changes to NZ's alert level status. For information about COVID-19, go to https://covid19.govt.nz/.

Thank you to everyone who showed their support for our leaders in making this hard call. For those still to sign, you can still pledge your support to show PM Ardern we stand with her to do our part for Alert Level 4. 

COVID-19 is moving so fast that every day counts - show our leaders we stand with them for Level 4 action. 

I've seen first hand in the US how fast COVID-19 came in. Now I’m back home (in self isolation of course), and can see medical professionals and public health experts calling for speed. 

Let PM Ardern know she has our support to make the hard call of Level 4.  A politically painful decision is easier to make if you know your people are with you. 

Though it sounds extreme, it is an inevitable price of COVID-19. Doing it sooner may prevent deaths, reduce health system strain and let us return to a better new normal, sooner. Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore have proven it can be done.  

In New Zealand, we have a unique opportunity to bring forward the inevitable #StayAtHome status in order to get our best shot at wiping it out, so we may be able to reopen sooner domestically, until the world has healed.

This is such an awful situation for the world to be in, especially vulnerable older or ill health people and in New Zealand, for Māori and Pacific communities who may have higher risk.  

The short term hit for the economy is hard but the long term outcome would be better if we can function domestically and export. After initial isolation, we could get quality of life until this is over. 

With us in supporting our leaders for Level 4? Sign, share and show your support.

In the community, reach out to your friends and family who are essential workers, (especially health care professionals) to offer your support, including looking after children or lending them your bike or car if they use public transport. If you are working from home, support local businesses online if you can.

For those on the front line in our hospitals, thank you! The rest of us - we don't need to wait to be told #StayAtHome