We’ve kept a close eye on the COVID19 pandemic and believe
that, while there is no reason to panic, there is every reason to plan a
response to it.
In formulating our response, we took into account
researched advice on the timeline of the virus, its contagiousness and severity,
its mortality rate and risk factors, its likely effects on our iwi specifically
and society in general, the vectors of community transmission, how long it can
survive on surfaces, false comparisons with the flu, the importance of
‘flattening the curve’ of its growth, the importance of social distancing, the
possible failure of our healthcare system and possible anti-viral treatments,
the timeline for a vaccine, the importance of pandemic preparedness and the
gradations of personal responsibility.
If you have not already done so, Te Runanga-a-Iwi o Ngati Kahu
urge our whānau, hapū and marae to plan and put in place tikanga to cover the
following matters:
1.
RISK IDENTIFICATION: eg. hui and hosting manuhiri,
hongi and handshaking, kai prep and serving, etc.
2.
RISK REDUCTION: eg. holding online hui where
possible and postponing or cancelling all but the most essential gatherings,
being extra vigilant around hygiene, etc.
3.
SICK WHANAU: eg. getting them tested and treated
while limiting their contact with others, etc.
4.
SELF-ISOLATION: eg. doing online shopping (or
organising proxy shoppers), setting delivery/pickup protocols, contacting
schools and employers, etc.
5.
KAITIAKITANGA: eg. checking on and where needed
providing for our most vulnerable - the chronically ill, kaumatua and kuia,
etc.
6.
STORES AND SUPPLIES: eg. storing water, stocking up
on food and medicines (enough for 14 days), stocking up on hygiene and cleaning
supplies, etc.
This week, we urge you to sit with your whanau or roopu and make
a plan because, while we must always hope for the best, we must also plan for
the worst.
Our own whanau plan has two stages. We are currently in stage one which involves:
1.
No longer hugging, giving hongi or shaking hands
with anyone outside of our home
2.
No longer attending non-essential hui or public
gatherings of any kind
3.
Only making essential trips to work, shop or attend
a critical service
4.
Carrying and using soap or hand sanitiser after any
contact with outside people / things
Stage 2 will kick in when the first case of COVID north of Mangamuka
is diagnosed and will include:
1.
Ordering our groceries online and only one of us
going to pick them up
2.
Wearing surgical masks and gloves if we must go out
in public
3.
Thoroughly washing all purchased vegetables and
fruit and wiping all packaged/canned goods with a bleach solution
4.
Closing our workplace and working from home
5.
Discouraging visitors or at least limiting visits to
those who are taking similar precautions to ourselves
6.
Completely isolating if it gets really bad – our
diet may be a bit boring but it will be adequate.
HOPING FOR THE BEST
- PLANNING FOR THE WORST
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