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New Zealand PM says 'we beat the virus again'

45 Comments
By Marty MELVILLE

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45 Comments
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I hope not, but this could easily be "famous last words"......  I think achieving "zero virus" is going to be impossible.

7 ( +12 / -5 )

Till you "beat" it again next time. Until the virus runs its natural course, this game of whack-a-mole will go on.

2 ( +15 / -13 )

Key word, again. And she said it with a straight face.

-4 ( +11 / -15 )

Key word, again. And she said it with a straight face.

What happened to all the positivity?

You’ve been rumbled mate.

14 ( +17 / -3 )

Fewer cases in the community in NZ than the Whitehouse. That IS funny.

12 ( +19 / -7 )

Politics, will or is unlikely to successfully overcome this pandemic.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern…..

"It felt longer and dragged on in what was already starting to feel like a very long year. but despite this, Aucklanders and New Zealanders stuck to the plan that has worked twice now, and beat the virus again."

New Zealand Economy Shrinks the Most Since Great Depression……Sept

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-16/new-zealand-economy-contracts-the-most-since-great-depression

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Yes, more cases will probably pop up at one point or another, but in the meantime, people are much safer in NZ than most other countries. The fact is, people aren't getting sick and their elders aren't dying. I think they're right to be proud of this achievement, regardless of how long it lasts. I'm sure when that happens they'll be able to keep it astoundingly close to zero.

Good for them!

12 ( +14 / -2 )

New Zealand PM says 'we beat the virus again

Risky statement, however NZ gov was by far the best dealing with the the outbreak and protecting its citizens, even after discounting the privileged geographic position to deal with a global pandemic.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

She pointed to a decline in the use of the official Covid-19 tracing app and falling virus test numbers.

Strange that in her position she is worried about the falling number of test, just shows how sincere

and determined she is to containing the virus and not the dressing the numbers.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

i disagree with her 100%.this is not true.

no country will truly beat the virus until a safe vaccine is available, but given NZ track record of handling this pandemic , theyre far closer to victory than almost any other country on the planet

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Well done New Zealand! This is what happens when you have decent leadership

8 ( +12 / -4 )

Fewer cases in the community in NZ than the Whitehouse. That IS funny.

The viral count inside that car Trump used outside the hospital is probably higher than the whole of NZ!

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Weird how the NZ lockdown and Ardern don't get the denialists Right-wing conspiracy theorists and hardline anti-lockdown commenters that the situation in Victoria, just across the Tasman, seems to attract.

She does usually attracts the crackpots who claim she's a "far left Marxist" who wants to destroy freedom in NZ. They must all be busy today.

7 ( +12 / -5 )

There’s a vaccine for influenza too. This is why there are 0 cases of the flu each year.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

The question to be asked is, how that virus could ever get there. Those beautiful islands at almost the world’s end had all the time to prevent from any infections at all if acted properly right from the beginning of that pandemic.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

The question to be asked is, how that virus could ever get there. Those beautiful islands at almost the world’s end had all the time to prevent from any infections at all if acted properly right from the beginning of that pandemic.

Think about it a bit, then come back.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Right..

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Competent leader. Wish there were more like her. We’ve got a circus clown running our chaos in the UK.

She certainly winds the right wing up. Must be doing something right.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

Well done NZ. But unfortunately you might be declaring "again...and again" a few more times before we are all rid of this little gift from China.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

"Beat" is dangerous overstatement. "Kept under control" is more apt. While everything concerning the virus seems to be working in N.Z., the virus is not the only concern.

And while it is now spring in N.Z., winter is coming for the northern hemisphere where most people live on this planet. If N.Z. opens to them expect resurgence. If N.Z. does not open to them expect serious financial and material consequences.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

They must all be busy today.

There are other options that you are missing. It may well be that every single one of them voiced concern for lost freedoms in New Zealand here. Think about it.

As for myself I find it a bit annoying that the article only talked about positive Covid 19 numbers and nothing about the negative impacts of government decisions on other things. That gives me pause. Not you?

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

no country will truly beat the virus until a safe vaccine is available, but given NZ track record of handling this pandemic

And if a safe and effective vaccine never comes, then what?

The other option is to just let it run its course, while keeping the people as healthy as possible and protect the vulnerable.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

The virus is no match for Super-Kiwi-socialistic-extra-nice Jacinda. If you don't believe me see it for yourself on Spitting Image.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

This is what competent governance and an educated, rational public look like. Sigh....

4 ( +8 / -4 )

ossanamerica:

Well done NZ. But unfortunately you might be declaring "again...and again" a few more times before we are all rid of this little gift from China.

Right now, it's a gift from America. The people in China are enjoying their holidays.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

My parents in nz , say now the same as they have said for the last 7 months they would rather be Japan.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

absolute insanity that millions of people need to follow restrictions put in place over a slightly worse cold. clown world.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

My parents in nz , say now the same as they have said for the last 7 months they would rather be Japan.

My cousin in NZ on the other hand told me that it’s been great in NZ because they can roam freely without worry.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

@strangerland

Which to their own,

It may depend where in nz you and what you do for a living.

My parents are in Auckland where the restrictions have been stricter and own office space which has a lot of tenant's

struggling to pay rent, through no fault of their own.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

And before anyone jumps to conclusions they aren't super rich they invested their life savings in a modest building and are being flexible with the tenant's.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

My parents are in Auckland where the restrictions have been stricter and own office space which has a lot of tenant's

My cousin is a doctor, living in Auckland as well. She has a lot of empathy for the doctors in other countries who have had to get cooler trucks for all the bodies, while she hasn’t had to deal with much of anything.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Well done New Zealand! This is what happens when you have decent leadership

At what cost to the economy and people's livelihoods? Oops...

Covid pushes New Zealand into worst recession in years

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54186359

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Serrano

Well done New Zealand! This is what happens when you have decent leadership

At what cost to the economy and people's livelihoods? Oops...

Compared to any other approach, New Zealand's approach has minimised the negative impact on the economy.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Vanessa Carlisle

There are other options that you are missing. It may well be that every single one of them voiced concern for lost freedoms in New Zealand here. Think about it.

What lost freedoms are you talking about? New Zealand have the most freedoms to go out, meet friends and family. The children are going to school. Where in the world do they have more freedoms than that?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

In unloving memory of Trump Presidency, a moment of silent is warranted, now that 60 percent of Americans blame Trump and not China for the spread of the virus is America

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Is it really that surprising that the virus is spreading more rampantly in the White House than it is in some countries? It was inevitable really. It will make for a good dark comedy some day.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Well done New Zealand! This is what happens when you have decent leadership

At what cost to the economy and people's livelihoods? Oops...

Covid pushes New Zealand into worst recession in years

As opposed to Trump's America??

You what they say about people in glass houses..

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Well done New Zealand! This is what happens when you have decent leadership

LOL.You made my day mate... :)

Happy to be of service.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

What lost freedoms are you talking about?

I think you missed the point of my post. Besides I did not say freedoms were totally lost in New Zealand. However, elections are coming up and campaigns were stifled by caps on assemblies, such as no more than 10 people. Also the government released a tracing app, which is at least cause for concern. Just because people volunteer to be traced does not make it harmless.

As any student of history will tell you, freedom is rarely lost in a single master stroke. Its usually in steps and those steps are usually taken in fear of something that makes people complacent about their freedoms.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

It is fine to be optimistic, but not getting euphoric too soon after it was said that the virus had been 'eradicated' earlier. Now the NZ premier says again 'We beat the virus'. No, not at this time when the rest of the world is still roiled by the unending virus spread..

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Vanessa Carlisle

I think you missed the point of my post.

I think I did.

Besides I did not say freedoms were totally lost in New Zealand. However, elections are coming up and campaigns were stifled by caps on assemblies, such as no more than 10 people.

For a short period of time and in Auckland only. Also, all parties are affected by this equally.

Also the government released a tracing app, which is at least cause for concern. Just because people volunteer to be traced does not make it harmless.

Except that the app doesn't actually trace you. It doesn't send any data about your location or movements. So there is no loss in privacy.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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