As an American-born NZ citizen, for the past month, I've been so so so grateful to live in New Zealand. (WARNING: GROSS GENERALISATIONS AHEAD)
Number 1: We have competent and respected leadership. Jacinda Ardern has been communicating transparently, consistently, calmly and decisively since the crisis began.
Number 2: Largely as a function of number 1, public trust is high. People here are not suspicious of what the politicians or the medical professionals are saying. It helps that outstanding communicators like Siouxsie Wiles and Michelle Dickinson are applying their superpowers to the cause.
Number 3: We have a highly functioning, socialised healthcare system, accessible to everyone. There is no charge for COVID-19 testing or treatment, and therefore no financial barrier to doing what is medically necessary to look after yourself and others.
Number 4: We have government-mandated sick leave. Even before the boost from today's financial support package, people could stay home if they were sick without being terrified they would lose their job.
Number 5 (If I didn't have enough gross generalisations before, you're going to love this one): Kiwis, by and large, are a rule-abiding, tidy, community-minded population. If we are told to stay home, we will stay home.
As of Monday March 17, travellers from overseas are required to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival. "Feedback from Healthline staff was that Kiwis had been proactive with self-isolation, and were even staying indoors longer than the 14-day period."
Yesterday the government came out with a financial support package getting funds directly to people who need it. The worker subsidy also applies to self-employed artists.
I don't share all this to brag. We have serious problems — child poverty, youth suicide, racism. Sunday was the one-year anniversary of a horrific attack on two mosques, killing 51 people. We have lots of work to do.
I'm also well aware that things can get bad here. Our luck so far may well be a function of timing, low population density, and a stonking big moat. It's very possible that in a week or two we're looking at some of the same grim realities that other countries are facing now.
The reason I'm sharing this is to make the point that these elements should be non-negotiable in your society. There is no reason at all not to have healthcare for everyone. We should expect our leaders to be trustworthy — and if they're not, vote them out.
As Jacinda said, “Be strong. Be kind. We will be ok.”
Ngā mihi mahana,
Kaila
Kaila Colbin, Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator
Co-founder, Boma Global // CEO, Boma NZ
Boma Global is running a free, virtual, global summit on COVID-19 on Monday, 23 March. We will have speakers from 10 different countries over 24 hours. Click here for more info and to register.
