Covid vaccinations
I'm sorry to be such an appalling bore, having already warned you of the
inefficiency of our health minders, but you really should know what a total balls the local DHB has made of the covid vaccination rollout.
I have just copied this from the Stuff website - "Covid-19 NZ: New Zealand's vaccine rollout explained in 11 charts" By Henry Cooke and Kate Newton. 19:02, Sep 01 2021.
"Just 667,000 people in group 3 have had a single dose or more, while 470,000 have had both doses. Given we know that there are 750,000 or so people aged over 65+, we can be certain many of these vulnerable people aren’t protected.
...........it is striking that group 4 – healthy people with no existing conditions under 65 – have now overtaken group 3, with 1m of them having had a first dose, and 242,000 having a second.
This likely has something to do with the booking system. Many people in group 3 will have booked their vaccines well-before the “big" rollout got started, and with it the huge mass vaccination centres and doses at GPs. They might not have been able to find an appointment until late-September or October, while those in group 4 booking in recent weeks could often find a slot."
My wife (aged 73 and with COPD) had a booking for her second shot the day after we went into the recent lockdown. It didn't happen. Given that the clinic was doing 400 or so shots per day, her midday appointment would have put her at about number 200 on their waitlist. Instead, she received a phone message rescheduling her to an appointment 3 weeks later. That put her some 4200 places down the waitlist for that clinic. She's still waiting.
It doesn't much matter - we're all going to die anyway. But it is bloody annoying.
Spring gardening tips
Dreaming of a garden bursting with colour and fresh produce? Shane Fairbairn, Ryman Healthcare’s Landscape Manager, shares his top tips to make it happen. You’ll be set to create a gorgeous, relaxing space in no time - grab your trowel, and let’s dig in.
Click read more for more information.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84% Yes
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14.7% No
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1.3% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.