JACINDA ARDERN has clearly decided to do all she can to persuade New Zealanders to get vaccinated. Her Government is going to extraordinary lengths to reach out to the “vaccine hesitant”; to engage with them in positive conversations about the benefits of getting the jab.
Celebrities and sports heroes are being asked to provide “social proof” of the vaccine’s efficacy. Trusted figures like church pastors and community organisers are reassuring doubters that vaccination against Covid-19 will not only protect them, but also their friends and whanau. The Prime Minister, herself, is constantly reiterating the message that the fastest route to freedom is through New Zealanders’ upper arms.
No one can accuse the state of not walking its talk. Testers and vaccinators are going door-to-door in some suburbs. Special busses are cruising the streets. Taxi cabs are being paid by the tax-payer to take carless families to the vaccination centres. That the New Zealand state is pulling out all the stops in the persuasion department is incontrovertible.
For the overwhelming majority of Kiwis this massive effort simply isn’t necessary. Most of them trust their government to do everything within its power to keep them safe. That it may not do these things particularly well on occasion is irksome and frustrating, but it is not proof of official mendacity – let alone of a diabolical conspiracy. They are also pre-disposed to accept the advice of scientific experts, and reassured to learn that their political leaders are doing the same. They follow the rules of lockdown and are moved by the feelings of solidarity which their own – and their fellow citizens’ – compliance evokes.
These are the people who have lifted New Zealand’s vaccination rate effortlessly towards the 70 percent mark. Well-educated, well-housed, well-remunerated – they are not the problem. The “problem” – if that is the right word – lies with those who are poorly educated, poorly-housed, and/or just plain poor. The very people for whom all these over-and-above efforts are being made, and among whom they are proving to be highly successful.
Pasifika communities are leading the way in this respect. Vaccine hesitant, and plagued by all kinds of misinformation and conspiracy theories, these Covid-struck communities swiftly mobilised their considerable social and religious resources, driving up the vaccination rates of Pasifika people to the point where, in some parts of the country they are now well ahead of Māori and Pakeha alike.
The Pasifika example has no doubt reassured Jacinda and her government that they are on the right track. Clearly, they are doing all they can to replicate their success in Māori communities. There is no reason to suppose that the state’s outreach strategies here will not prove equally successful. When they are, the national vaccination rate will be nudging 85 percent.
Which leaves only the diehard anti-vaxxers, and those The Daily Blog Editor Martyn Bradbury colourfully calls “Death-Cult Capitalists”.
It is by no means certain that any kind of “outreach” will prove effective against those who, for whatever reason, have convinced themselves that the Covid-19 vaccines are part of a vast global conspiracy to enslave what remains of the world’s free-thinking and freedom-loving people. Against such individuals the techniques of persuasion have proved to be depressingly ineffective. The more sophisticated and evidence-based the arguments in favour of vaccination, the more the anti-vaxxers are convinced that they are dealing with forces of the most diabolical cunning. Attempts to use friends and family members to expose the delusional nature of their thinking have proved equally unsuccessful. Though deeply upset, they are not convinced. Discovering that their loved ones have succumbed to the mind-control of the global puppet-masters, only makes them more determined to hold out and fight on.
Against these folk the only reasonable means of defence is the Vaccination Passport. Denied access to all the usual locations of friendly and productive human interaction may not convince the anti-vaxxers that they are wrong about the vaccine, but, over time, it just might wear them down. There is very little in this world that is harder for human-beings to bear than being shunned by society and excluded from its benefits. What’s more, at no more than 5 percent of the population, their recalcitrance may very soon cease to be a problem. In saving themselves, the “pro-social” may end up saving the “anti-social” as well.
When it comes to the Death-Cult Capitalists, however, New Zealand faces a much more serious threat.
This vicious minority of the population isn’t against vaccination, it’s against the whole idea of society in general, and the state in particular, going to such lengths to protect the weak and the vulnerable. They regard the very idea of locking down a whole country, or even an entire city, as abhorrent.
Imposing costs upon businesses, and constraining free-market forces, is seen as far more damaging in the longer-term than losing a few hundred, or even a few thousand, of society’s weakest links. They chafe at the restrictions imposed upon them – especially those impeding their freedom of movement. That mere politicians are daring to tell them what they can do, and where they can go, is experienced by these people as the worst kind of tyranny – the “North Korean option”.
Rather than celebrate their government, and their fellow citizens, engaging in the practical application of social solidarity, kindness and love; they look at their country and see only a “smug hermit kingdom”.
Such people are a far cry from the hesitant, the misinformed, and the anti-vaxxers. The worst you can say of these folk is that they are either frightened, deluded or wrong – sometimes all three at once. But for those who see human society as a pitiless struggle to determine the survival of the fittest; for those who see human-beings as means to an end, never as ends in themselves; for those who would let thousands die rather than see the strong restrained in any way; for these people there is only one word: Evil.
I wonder if 2 groups-vaxxed vs unvaxxed will become a division in society with angst on both sides towards the other. I think it is brewing now and will get worse when the covid passport denies the freedoms to the unvaxxed. It won’t go down well and will reinforce their belief in conspiracy. This split is in my family, now.
I have tried to be the voice of reason pro vax, but to no avail and is best not to bring up the subject as argument quickly follows. An argument I can’t win against Facebook experts and conspiracy spreaders online.
Oh well, it is what it is, and just hope it doesn’t get worse.
No kindness and understanding to the unvaxxed it seems!
Correction: “No kindness and understanding from the unvaxxed it seems!
There will be division. Though that may only matter so long as the unvaccinated prevent the population reaching a threshold (eg 90%) that enables the lifting of restrictions. After that, it will become just another way we classify or judge one another.
Yes, you’re right GB, it will become divisive. It already is. But I think for the most part – families excepted – people will keep their vax status to themselves – unless of course it becomes tattooed somewhere conspicuous. Vax passports will come and inevitably they will deny freedoms to the unvaxxed. That may change the mind of a good many – but then, not having a passport may well become a badge of honour for some.
What will happen is that once borders are relaxed the virus will begin to circulate. Some measure of border restrictions will still be in place – colour zones, vax status and the like – but the virus will get through. Even now– even with the borders pretty much closed – with its touch and go. I really can’t see NZ continuing with the elimination strategy for much longer. Certainly not lockdowns at Level 3 or 4 – in other words, the abandonment of elimination. Our elimination strategy would have served us well but NZ will become like the rest- same same but different. Some communities will be affected more than others I suspect. That’s the worry. Once everyone has been given the opportunity to receive the vaccine – and that day is coming – there will be immense pressure to reopen the hermit kingdom. Australia will be one step ahead. What that will look like, well, the experts say 80% is too low. It could all turn to custard, public-health wise. That’s the biggest worry in my mind. The public health system must be able to work, and that’s not only for Covid-19. The evidence from overseas – at least in the UK – is clear that in the Covid space the vaccinated will fare better. That’s particularly true of the 50+’s. More so with the elderly. Less severe symptoms, less hospitalisation, not as many deaths as the unvaccinated. It’s a personal choice. Maybe most of the anti-vaxxers are under 50 (not counting kids and those already with respiratory conditions) and think they are immune, not to the virus but to sickness and death. Just another flu. Well, the stats are on their side – but there are also plenty of outliers.
The unvaxxed also become the weakest link – that is if the vaccine is effective at preventing spread of the virus. Its not clear however if the current vaccine will prevent transmission. Reduce perhaps? Someone will know the science. And what variant are we talking of? But in the minds of the greater vaccinated those who have refused the opportunity will be to blame.
The only good thing this government has achieved is Covid.
Singapore 2236 cases. Also nobody knows the effects of long Covid yet.
OZ has 1438 new infections.
UK 33,314 new cases
US 116,620 new cases
India 23,529 new cases
Sweden 827 new cases
NZ still looking good at under 50 new cases per day.
On a bad note, a lot of terrible policy coming through, the government can’t help themselves – absolute hypocrisy, on one hand 3 Waters to ‘protect’ the water (which NOBODY is buying) on the other hand, behind the scenes, tying to sneak through policy to destroy it.
From Forest & Bird.
Right now the Government is trying to sneak through a proposal to allow industries – including coal mining – to destroy the few remaining wetlands we have left.
This is despite passing crucial laws protecting wetlands only a year ago, after many New Zealanders like you called for a clean-up of freshwater. The Government has gone back on its word. It has caved to the fossil fuel industry. It’s outrageous, and the Government is hoping you won’t hear about it.
https://www.forestandbird.org.nz/petitions/save-our-wetlands
Also remember the promise of reducing immigration to 10,000 – 15,000 until the infrastructure, hospitals and housing are ready,….’ Hip hip hooray, to the warehouse, Briscos, liquor barons, developers, ‘carpenters’, chefs and supermarkets for their enormous profits on the back of temporary to permanent residency in NZ and lower and lower wages!
Singapore 2236 cases. Also nobody knows the effects of long Covid yet.
OZ has 1438 new infections.
UK 33,314 new cases
US 116,620 new cases
India 23,529 new cases
Sweden 827 new cases
Almost all fully vaxed
We already have a lot of separatism in our country this vaccination issue will add yet another layer.
And that is how thee rich and powerful stay in power, the debt-slaves are always too busy fighting amongst themselves.
Divide and conquer, works every time.
Read Matthew Hooton this morning Chris. His ‘take’ is the right one.
Media channels are like blocked toilets at the moment with “Death Cultists” special pleading.
Each evolving move in MIQ and COVID handling seems greeted with anguished howls of this or that industrialist, petit bourgeois, cafe or tourism operator, and aggrieved relative who did not get to see their gran expire. For goodness sake, unrestricted international travel is over for now, and possibly for good. Move continents and or to the other side of the world, and you should be prepared for farewells being final.
Sir Ian Taylor is the latest whinger who has come up with a privatised travel model.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/first-up/audio/2018814577/sir-ian-taylor-has-own-plan-for-business-self-isolation
These people, and Mr Key, do not pop up for something to do–they are part of the 1%ers campaign (and their toadying enabler group) to open up borders for free movement of capital and labour in so far as it is needed to keep their cashflow up. Sod ’em I say, Public Health first.
I saw the ‘Death-Cult Capitalists’ and wondered about what and who they could be. Read the piece right through and recognised the run-of-the-mill Kiwiblog contributor.
Its time to leave this country forever.
https://www.interest.co.nz/property/112518/average-value-new-zealand-homes-27-over-last-12-months
I definitely will say for a large inflexible government department that is the MoH and a government that’s is not known for action, the bus and taxi initiatives are fantastic, as are the shopping vouchers.
They are trying and because of that I support what we as a nation are doing even if it may fail to achieve all its goals.
You can’t ask for anything other than their best efforts.
So I’m proudly vax-hesitant, I’ll do a wait and see thanks and see how it goes. But before you heap abuse, vitriol and hate upon me (or worse still ‘Unfriend’ me) my hesitancy doesn’t make me an enemy of the state, or a tRump-loving, mark-of-the-beast redneck!
Why would I run to the front of the queue like a sheep for an experimental drug to be pumped into my body, after only a few months of clinical testing, when the normal FDA testing/development regime takes 7-10 years? Do you trust big-pharma billionaires without question, and are we all supposed to just roll over and obey pontifications from the 1pm podium-of-truth?
Yes, there is no big-Reset conspiracy here, I’ll get the vax, maybe next year sometime (then again maybe not) depends how the data pans out. I do want to travel overseas to see family so I guess I’ll have to get it then.
Hears a link to the truth instead of spin…
https://thelibertydaily.com/important-distinction-dr-robert-malone-reminds-people-hes-not-anti-vaxx-but-adamantly-opposes-the-current-covid-injections/
Whatev Oldie, you do exactly as you please, but don’t come onto my property (I ask people these days if they are vaccinated), or into my local dairy without a mask on. The local Couriers are good with their distancing. Keep your distance in public too. Expect to be barred from various places, services and activities also until you put public health ahead of paranoid reckons.
These vaccine types have been in development for a number of years now, particularly since SARS etc.–the health experts predicted the viruses would mutate, likely become global pandemics, and cross species.
Once Covid starts taking your whanau, you’ll be begging for it mate.
Again all the ‘other side’ offer are invariably Ad Hominem attacks. Hardly helps in figuring out what is best.
As the article says, did you read it?……. What has been delivered are drugs that are still in the middle of their testing, have been less effective than any vaccines we’ve seen in history, and pose exponentially more risks of adverse reactions than all previously approved vaccines combined.
Can’t handle the jandle. 🙂
……………….The push for universal vaccinations has reached cult-like adherence by vaccine-nannies across the globe. That fact alone should concern people since the Covid-19 vaccines have been mediocre at best in regards to defending our bodies against the disease. If they worked, Covid-19 would never have seen a spike in populations that are over 80% vaxxed. They can torture the numbers but they have no answers for the lack of positive results being delivered.
Just because someone opposes medical tyranny and is skeptical of experimental drugs that do not deliver the immunity that was promised and that pose unambiguous risks of adverse reactions, that doesn’t make them an “Anti-Vaxxer.”
Kevin the wording in your replies betrays you. Pretending to be some kind of neutral expert on vaccines. Just another mouthpiece for anti vaxxers more like it. Don’t believe anything you say.
Thanks for the Ad Hominem reply. That’s a really useful way to help two parties agree on what they disagree on.
It is a quote from the link, if you’d bothered to follow the link to have some idea of how the other side thinks.
I’ve also had so many REAL vaccines and the 1980’s-90’s Vaccine passport equivalent.
So engage brain before mouth/key-board.
The wording in Kevin’s reply betrays that he is doing some independent research . Why don’t you?
You are entitled to that oldie, trust is important, I really hope you don’t live to regret your decision though and by that I mean, you might get the virus and pass it on to someone putting them at greater risk than perhaps yourself. I think we (us sheep as you refer us) need to get to 95% vaccination rates, baaah!
How many vaccinated people do you need to see before you are willing to trust your body to it protection. I am glad you are happy to take the chance of taking up a bed in hospital that could have gone to a person with cancer just because you feel like it I hope you are proud of yourself. Life comes with risks but it also comes with obligations to do the best you can for your fellow travellers .
I’ll just note
John Key said love money it will trickle down to those of the poor still alive eventually.
David Parker said the government had a social contract with Auckland not to go back to Level 4 whatever happened – so elimination is dead.
In the end, whether it is “love of money” or a “social contract” to let Auckland to have its freedom, the results look the same.
SO its vax up, or become a hermit, or trust in the health influencer you trust on social media …
So: comments on the massive gang funeral in Auckland today?
A pro-gang government giving them millions of dollars, letting them run roadblocks in the first lockdown, allowing their numbers to multiply more than 50% with ensuing outbreaks of violence and now riddled with covid.
One of the blocs who aren’t vaccinating or following lockdown rules are those passionate Labour voting gangs.
No I don’t buy that it’s all capitalism’s fault, being poor doesn’t mean you have to choose to be a shitbag.
They are us, we are them.
Why would you expect anything else in this “stamp it out farce” we are enduring.
It take no more the a cursory look at your posts tank to realize you are one of the individuals who drinks from the cup of cupidity.
As you and others like you have proven over and over, those who embrace such piggishness ideologies – soon start to display the worst of our nature. And for the right, that means the casual death of thousands is acceptable.
I know you won’t change, and you actually you have a habit to wallow in you hubris. So don’t think this is chastisement, just a reminder to others that purity of thought, no matter if it left or right is a dangerous road.
That the right of politics are hip deep in this closed minded thinking at the moment is something we should reminded ourselves everyday. They are quick to jump on the idiots of the left who embrace Woke or PC culture – but there own love affair with the causal death of the weak, is pure sadism.
You have no data on gang voting habits.
It’s worse.
We have the video of the mob leader telling his crew to all vote Labour, same outfit gets 2.8 million dollars.
im not keen of the vaccination. i wear my gloves and my mask and sanitise my hands and things but if covid gets me i’ll take a test, self isolate (i have 29 sick days and i live alone and don’t care for overseas travel or live venues) and either recover or die. its life and if i do die . . i’ll never have to work again which would be a relief . . i’m never going to own a house or retire in comfort so i’m keen to take covid head on.
Locktor, consider leaving mate. Jacinda has destroyed our country for us because we are not one of her rich friends but there is still hope elsewhere. Please keep your chin up and join the rest of us on the next flight out of here. NZ does not want our type anymore.
Seeya jonesy!
Loktor, I completely understand your position. I am in a similar position and also seriously considered doing the same, as a “retirement” plan. However, I had to also consider my grown child’s position. He still needs his parent. I hope we can be together again over summer. I got the jab yesterday. Fingers crossed. You’re not alone Loktor. We’re all doing pandemic together. Hope to see you on the other side of it, whenever, wherever and however that will be 🙂
im not interested in the vaccine at all new view and i’m not hesitant and in fear of it . . or in fear of covid like the rest of you sound like you are. i’ve a 99 per cent chance of dying from it just like the majority of healthy people. i have cardiovascular disease and have for 15 years. i gave up with medication 12 years ago and turned to food high in flaviniods and antioxidants, micro nutrients and essential fats and acids and vitamins.
its people who like their processed food that should fear covid
My dad is 90, has a pacemaker and has been on heart and blood thinning medications since 27 years of age. He is fully vaccinated for fear of dying from this virus. It now appears he may end up dying from the anxiety of being around the unvaccinated(his words).
Yeah, the anxiety of it all is draining. Buckle up, the storm has arrived and it’s gathering pace. Hold on tight and hang in there everyone!
Good for you loktor
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