Friday, March 27: Pilates instructor Braidy Lidington sends some coaching videos, I do the “stretch and mobilise” class on a rug in the sittingroom. This will be invaluable. Pilates classes are cancelled, of course. Everything I’m involved with has been cancelled; Auckland Writers’ Festival, Feast Waikato, theatre, movies, weddings and funerals, family visits. I feel like my life is being cancelled.
It wasn’t always like this. On February 15, I officiated at the wedding of Mark Sherson, son of dear friends Venetia and John; there were more than 100 guests to celebrate with Mark and Jem and it was a joyous sunny day. All our friends stayed together at the Mount, on the Tay St campus; we relished the company and the wedding. A week later I led the funeral for Colin Webber, my old friend Hilary’s husband; Colin has gone way too soon, leaving everyone shocked and sad. There were 500-600 people at his funeral, bulging out of a marquee at Roto-o-rangi School. Followed by a full noise Irish wake.
Fast forward a few weeks and neither of these events could possibly have been held. And, unbelievably, I’m writing about how our lives are on hold and we are all utterly responsible for each other’s safety.
Our Covid-19 numbers keep rising. Ministry of Health director-general Ashley Bloomfield fronts press conferences each day; he speaks with outstanding clarity and knowledge. New Zealand of the Year at the next awards?
PM Jacinda is unbelievably good in a crisis, firm, compassionate and thoughtful, and this crisis is like no other. The Government has a wide-ranging plan, and a team of politicians, scientists, officials and business people in place to work the plan. The plan is updated as the situation develops and Covid-19 numbers climb. Each day the PM asks her country to follow the rules, stay home, and be kind. The Government’s plan is not always perfect – how could it be in these circumstances – and some people quickly become armchair experts and critics. For me, there is nowhere else in the world I want to be right now than Aotearoa-New Zealand. We’re in this together.
