Day Forty-eight; The barrier was effective

There is significant anxiety around as New Zealand plans to exit lockdown, and move to what will be called Alert Level 2. With nearly 90% of respondents in a recent poll approving of the actions of the Government in instituting lockdown, and continuing it a further three weeks until this Thursday, there is reasonably a level of insecurity as we know that other countries have experienced a "second wave". Why should we be any different?

Perhaps we will be different, because our defence is like this fence on Great North Road, which looks like it would not be strong enough to keep out unwanted intruders, yet does do so. Yes, businesses and work places closed and that had an effect. But what has had the main effect and has meant that since ending Level 4 we have continued with very low numbers of new cases (none again in the last 24 hours), is that almost everyone willingly maintains a safe physical distance, and it seems probable that handwashing and other simple measures (like the splodges of paint on these boards) have ensured that our citizens believe at a deep personal level that they and we and everyone is responsible for the good outcome.

I acknowledge that I am speculating, but along with the general good humour (there will always be some who for many different reasons display ill humour), there is very much a sense that it is we who are in control, rather than a grumpiness of having been told what to do.