Thoughts from Simon O'Connor MP October update the Auckland lockdown is It is hard to avoid discussing Covid these days, but it is important for us to consider primarily falling on the shoulders of business owners; the usual business expenses continue, yet there is often little to no income coming in. more than the health sitde of things. This is not to downplay the medical nature of the pandemic. Covid is real; the consequences are exceptionally serious, particularly for our health system; and vaccination is an exceptionally positive way forward. For a very small number of our local businesses, demand for their goods and services will even out once we are back to normal. But for most others, months of trade have been lost. In addressing this pandemic, we need to factor in the many other aspects and costs of Covid: the impacts on business and economy, disruption to family and social life, closing of our borders, cancellation of We need only think of the hospitality industry, for example. While it is great to see places somewhat re-opening, we should not think delays can also cost lives. a restaurant selling coffee and and muffins, or a retail store with a table of small goods outside, is making anywhere near the same money as when they are fully operational. strategy on managing Covid. Understandably, this complex issue has strained relationships Zealand's management of should not forget that medical contributions valued. The same needs to be true of New Likewise, the impacts to mental health are troubling. Every day I hear from locals and young people in particular about the challenges they are facing and their diminishing social interactions; undoubtedly, such challenges will exacerbate anxiety, stress, and depression. between New Zealanders as Covid. different viewpoints emerge on how to manage the country back to normality. It is my view medical appointments, and much more. It is my contention that we need to keep all these in mind as we manage this virus. In fact, we need to ask if our responses are proportional when balancing all these that the way forward for New Zealand is to act proportionately to manage Covid, but also ensure that family, and social dynamics, and business dynamics are also accounted for. Physical and mental health overlooked as lockdown lingers on The Team of 5 million' In engaging with locals daily, the mental and physical cost of aspects. deserves more Simon O'Connor MP for Tamaki Everything I have briefly perturbingly evident. For many, highlighted points to the enormous price we are paying have been put off and although while living under restrictions. On the same hand, none of this is to say we need to weaken our Businesses bearing the brunt these lockdowns is also The Government talks often of the 'team of five million', but Over recent weeks, the stress on our business owners has been immense. As one local put it to me, the financial cost of P. (09) 575 9842 A. 16 Goldie Street. St Heliers E. mp.tamaki@ parliament.govt.nz. facebook.com/SimonOConnorMP surgeries and medical tests we understandably need that capacity to fight Covid, we for any team to function successfully, all players need to feel that their well-being is supported and their Auhoriel by SinnoContor MPand puid kor by Partiamentary Senie Thoughts from Simon O'Connor MP October update the Auckland lockdown is It is hard to avoid discussing Covid these days, but it is important for us to consider primarily falling on the shoulders of business owners; the usual business expenses continue, yet there is often little to no income coming in. more than the health sitde of things. This is not to downplay the medical nature of the pandemic. Covid is real; the consequences are exceptionally serious, particularly for our health system; and vaccination is an exceptionally positive way forward. For a very small number of our local businesses, demand for their goods and services will even out once we are back to normal. But for most others, months of trade have been lost. In addressing this pandemic, we need to factor in the many other aspects and costs of Covid: the impacts on business and economy, disruption to family and social life, closing of our borders, cancellation of We need only think of the hospitality industry, for example. While it is great to see places somewhat re-opening, we should not think delays can also cost lives. a restaurant selling coffee and and muffins, or a retail store with a table of small goods outside, is making anywhere near the same money as when they are fully operational. strategy on managing Covid. Understandably, this complex issue has strained relationships Zealand's management of should not forget that medical contributions valued. The same needs to be true of New Likewise, the impacts to mental health are troubling. Every day I hear from locals and young people in particular about the challenges they are facing and their diminishing social interactions; undoubtedly, such challenges will exacerbate anxiety, stress, and depression. between New Zealanders as Covid. different viewpoints emerge on how to manage the country back to normality. It is my view medical appointments, and much more. It is my contention that we need to keep all these in mind as we manage this virus. In fact, we need to ask if our responses are proportional when balancing all these that the way forward for New Zealand is to act proportionately to manage Covid, but also ensure that family, and social dynamics, and business dynamics are also accounted for. Physical and mental health overlooked as lockdown lingers on The Team of 5 million' In engaging with locals daily, the mental and physical cost of aspects. deserves more Simon O'Connor MP for Tamaki Everything I have briefly perturbingly evident. For many, highlighted points to the enormous price we are paying have been put off and although while living under restrictions. On the same hand, none of this is to say we need to weaken our Businesses bearing the brunt these lockdowns is also The Government talks often of the 'team of five million', but Over recent weeks, the stress on our business owners has been immense. As one local put it to me, the financial cost of P. (09) 575 9842 A. 16 Goldie Street. St Heliers E. mp.tamaki@ parliament.govt.nz. facebook.com/SimonOConnorMP surgeries and medical tests we understandably need that capacity to fight Covid, we for any team to function successfully, all players need to feel that their well-being is supported and their Auhoriel by SinnoContor MPand puid kor by Partiamentary Senie