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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be shocked at how normal everything looks in New Zealand?

999 replies

GoldenLabbie · 31/12/2020 14:55

Huge crowds seeing the New Year. No masks, no social distancing. You wouldn’t know that the rest of the world is in the grip of a pandemic looking at those scenes. How did we manage to get it so wrong but they got it so right? When you look at that you realise how the rest have screwed up so badly don’t you? I wonder what they make of all?

OP posts:
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JayAlfredPrufrock · 31/12/2020 16:55

Look at the uproar when France closed its borders to our trucks!

A better comparison is NZ and the Isles of Scilly.

MarshaBradyo · 31/12/2020 16:55

Plus talking about smart do people not think developing a vaccine in record time is this?

Shutting borders late March wasn’t that hard overall.

donewithitalltodayandxmas · 31/12/2020 16:55

@goldenlabbie we are an island a little smaller than nz with over 60 million they have about 6 million
We are also part of europe and always will be ( forget the eu ) it was widely over here way before
How can people still try and compare the two
Technically europe could of closed its borders to neighbours as well

Kazzyhoward · 31/12/2020 16:55

NZ isn't an international travel hub.

NZ isn't just a few miles from mainland Europe.

NZ doesn't have thousands of trucks coming in and out every single day.

NZ doesn't have huge numbers of couples/families from different nationalities living "together" but apart, spending half their time in one country and half in another.

It's simply not comparable. There'd have been howls of protest if we'd really closed our borders, food shortages, claims of human rights abuse etc.

Why didn't any other European countries close their borders if it were so simple?

hopefulhalf · 31/12/2020 16:56

Yes the new year celebrations were bizzare weren't they (to our eyes) and yes a bit saddening.Xmas Sad

ny20005 · 31/12/2020 16:57

Nothing to do with NZ being so far from nearest neighbour or population density.

Jacinda closed borders & enforced strict lockdown that was policed.

This was a public health issue & that comes above economy. Her quick action meant business could start to return to normal more quickly not like the absolute shambles that's happening here.

Even Australia who had 2nd lockdown in Melbourne - all international passengers were escorted to a hotel at government expense & quaratined for 2 weeks.

We're still allowing anyone to come & go with no checks

AldiAisleofCrap · 31/12/2020 16:58

@RETIREDandHAPPY Why, oh why did a uk hospital worker deliberately destroy over 500 vaccines!!! they didn’t that was in America.

donewithitalltodayandxmas · 31/12/2020 16:58

@Indecisivelurcher we have over 100 million on order , on order and receiving is a totally different thing

Agoodbriskwalk · 31/12/2020 16:58

That's because their country isn't run by assholes.

Bowerbird5 · 31/12/2020 16:59

The lockdown was quick( 24 hrs) and hard. People fined for going out. They were limited to a mileage when they did go out. Closed down the north and south islands. Closed down links to China and soon after to other airports. Still very few flights in and out. Australians can go to Australia but not to come back. Visas are being extended but you have to also pay for a medical even though you can’t get out if you want to unless it is crucial...surgeon in London etc.
Just extended visas without medical and without the expense my DD and her DP paid for theirs when they can’t afford to and have missed out she wasn’t too pleased when we spoke to her on Christmas Day. Their dream holiday has cost them and us a lot of money but the main thing is they are safer there than here. They are fruit picking now to earn some money. They are full of praise for the PM there as everything has been so clear and the NZealanders are taking heed whereas some people here no doubt will be partying tonight.

Passmeabottlemrjones · 31/12/2020 17:01

Nothing to do with NZ being so far from nearest neighbour or population density.

You honestly don't think it's anything to do with those two things?! Confused

happystone · 31/12/2020 17:04

Look boris and his friends and family are on here sticking up for his shit actions.I won’t be gaslighted into thinking they have Done a good job.They have fucked this country up.end off

anniegun · 31/12/2020 17:05

Jacinda Ardern vs Boris Johnson is the main difference
See also Angela Merkel vs Boris Johnson

In fairness he is doing slightly better than Trump

happystone · 31/12/2020 17:05

Borris pr on here

GetOffYourHighHorse · 31/12/2020 17:06

'Nothing to do with NZ being so far from nearest neighbour or population density.'

'You honestly don't think it's anything to do with those two things?!'

I know, it is extraordinary it really is.

happystone · 31/12/2020 17:06

Agree only trump can make borris not look as bad. That says it all. 2 incompetent men

MarshaBradyo · 31/12/2020 17:07

@happystone

Look boris and his friends and family are on here sticking up for his shit actions.I won’t be gaslighted into thinking they have Done a good job.They have fucked this country up.end off
You just need to look at the factors. I know it’s hard if you’re so convinced about ‘Boris and his mates’. But compare factors such as timing / population / international hub / location. I mean I know you won’t. But if you could.

Say he’s shit all you like I don’t care just at least try and look impartially for a minute. Or not.

jasjas1973 · 31/12/2020 17:07

Very true, can't compare NZ with the UK...

but what about Japan, daily infections at 4k, UK @55k today, Japan has stopped ALL foreign travel until end of January.
then there is Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, Taiwan.

We are stopping people going to the pub but not going skiing to Verbier.
France had less than 10k infections today, Germany even less, even Italy is no-where nr the UK's

Face facts, Johnson has messed up big time, too little too late, indecisive leadership.

jasjas1973 · 31/12/2020 17:09

oh and Japans population is elderly and almost double that of the UK's.

MarshaBradyo · 31/12/2020 17:09

France had a second wave that reached 50k whilst we were on about 10k

Unsure33 · 31/12/2020 17:09

It’s not a matter of defending the government , but here we are in dire situation and still people are not abiding to the rules and won’t be told what to do .

Plus there are many other European countries that have rates as bad as ours if not worse . Belgium is still the worse death rate per 100000.

singsingbluesilver · 31/12/2020 17:09

They have Jacinda Ardern we have Boris.

happystone · 31/12/2020 17:10

Doesn’t matter what you say borris pr on here will slick up for him. If borris killed all dogs they would still justify it.

MarshaBradyo · 31/12/2020 17:11

@happystone

Doesn’t matter what you say borris pr on here will slick up for him. If borris killed all dogs they would still justify it.
It doesn’t matter if you ask people to think impartially and rationally about facts. They can’t
jasjas1973 · 31/12/2020 17:11

@MarshaBradyo

France had a second wave that reached 50k whilst we were on about 10k
So, they got it under control, what about Germany's?

there is always some excuse or other to excuse Johnsons lack of action, usually blaming someone else.