Things have gone too far we need to speak up.

The science of the initial boarder restrictions, vaccine and lock-downs was appropriate. Jacinda’s management of that first 12 months was suitable given what we knew at the time. Her quick, decisive action saved lives.

That said, the level of controls and restrictions the government is maintaining now that the risks are mitigated by high vaccine rates and OMICRON are NOT OKAY. Many of the current policies are unnecessary, unhelpful, outdated, cruel, wasteful, costly and no longer fit-for-purpose.

The following are not justified:
• Mandates forcing people to get vaccinated against their will.
• Mandatory masks for primary school children.
• MIQ for COVID-negative, fully vaccinated Kiwis & visa holders and critical and scarce workers.
• Forcing business owners to enforce mandates to have access to funding and subsidies.
• Treating un-vaccinated people like second class citizens with no access to libraries, pools, concerts, sports and outside zoos.
• Cancelling festivals/concerts and gathering size restrictions for our young, fit, largely vaccinated population
• Promising a return to normal life once 90% vaccination is reached….then reneging.

We need to see Omicron for what it is with a 0.01% serious illness rate and develop a smarter, more strategic, long term-approach where restrictions are relevant to risk. 

We plead with the government to remove all mandates before March 1st or we will have covid in winter and it will be worse.