How Aotearoa compares with other small countries' Covid situation

[Magoo]

https://www.newsroom.co.nz/comparing-cov...-stacks-up

Well written and reasoned article as is usually the case from Newsroom. The one point that wasn't expanded on is that unlike the European countries NZ initially pursued an elimination strategy which has resulted in very, very few of our population being exposed to COVID and thereby acquiring immunity by way of this method, which is reputed to be more effective that the immunity imparted by way of vaccination, particularly if the individual has been both vaccinated and has had COVID infection.

While the elimination strategy has worked well in minimising harm to us by way of infection it now leaves us more susceptable to being infected than those populations who have had a wave or three of COVID work through them. We are more reliant on vaccination (including boosters) than possibly any other country worldwide due an almost total lack of citizens with any form of naturally acquired immunity.

This is particularly important to factor into ongoing pandemic strategies by our government, and a real risk factor for those that choose not to receive vaccination.

they have watched their hospitals overflow. their economies taken a bashing since day one. lockdowns still going on. travel restrictions in place. no end in sight.
to me theres no comparison. we were reasoned, calm and followed the science and the advice of those paid to know.
we were humane and acted quickly to ensure the financial burdens were not exacerbated with people being made 'wageless'. we found places for the homeless and other vulnerables.
it was expensive. more expensive than parts of europe that have cancelled christmas gatherings and gone into lockdown again?
i think not. we managed Covid, knowing we could never beat it. sometimes managing a problem is solving the problem.