Community Care

Anna from Remuera

I've been thinking about the (fingers crossed) forthcoming Level 3 and the planning for a greater number of people to hopefully return to work, accompanied by the safety concerns over schools and ECEs opening to care for the children of those people. It occurs to me that this is a moment when we can all be part of a solution. Many, many families are not on any wages until the adults can return to work. The country can’t actually support them forever. Even with that support they are struggling. Some aren’t even eligible to be supported if they were earning under the table prior to lockdown. It’s really, really big picture stuff. It’s not happening tomorrow and only if the numbers indicate a sufficient lack of community transmission. But people are scared about what it would mean putting larger groups of children together for care and supervision. Instead of removing options from people who desperately need to be back at work or must be back at work, or our economy needs them to be back at work; let’s problem solve and operate as a cohesive community instead. Are you able to continue to be home with your own children? The PM said we could extend our bubbles a little. How’s about looking around your circle of contacts at who needs to leave their homes to work, extend your bubble to them and offer to take their children when needed. Fewer people then needing schools and ECEs for care and supervision in Level 3. Company for your kids and they can do their distance learning together if applicable. I’m planning to contact my kids’ friends to offer as I know I’m working at home for the next six weeks. Do I fancy the idea of more noise and responsibilities in the house beyond my own family? Not really. But it’ll help them and help get the country going again. I’m not an essential worker but I can help one out. This is the time to make sacrifices and do the right thing if you are in a position to do so. I don’t know the numbers involved but wouldn’t it be awesome if every family who can be home, helped one other family and it then turned out that no centres at any level were needed!