On 25 March 2020, the New Zealand government imposed a strict lockdown on people in an effort to keep us safe from the worst effects of what came to be called Covid 19. People for the most part willingly responded and sought in a variety of ways to reach out to others. Because Mary and I are statistically old, neighbours contacted us to see if they could help us in any way, but we managed without that kind offer. As we live in a rural area, we walked each day along the car-empty road where we met neighbours and observing correct social distancing, and so caught up with many people. We could spend more time gardening, we could read more and when Mary went off to do our weekly shopping, her age meant that she could access items easily thanks to a dedicated line for the elderly. I would have to say that strict lockdown was not too onerous.
Now, more than two years later, talk of “a team of 500” is somewhat inappropriate as we seem to be a deeply divided nation. What went wrong? People got tired of being locked-down, or locked-in. The tourist and hospitality industries in particular were loud in their condemnations of lock-downs as their incomes dropped so drastically. Customers and staff both disappeared. The government, as happened in other countries, printed money with immediate short-term benefits and impending long-term problems. Generous wage subsidies were sometimes not needed, but some employers felt under no obligation to return them if they were not required. Money floating around enabled speculators to buy properties so that buying a new home has become prohibitively expensive for younger people. That the country is facing a housing crisis is undeniable. Articles are now appearing about “inter-generational wealth” – young people will not get on in life unless parental financial support is available. A significant result of lockdowns in particular and Covid in general is that the rich got richer and the poor got poorer.
This has meant that political agitation has escalated thanks to the emergence of extreme right-wing groups who often appear to have much in common with Donald Trumps’ 6 January followers. Our media gives a disproportionate coverage to such minority groups, thereby achieving what it seeks to do much of the time – make people angry or afraid.
What has happened? I think people got tired of restrictions impacting all aspects of their lives. For a minority, perhaps a growing minority, personal freedom became more important than social responsibility. Social media is awash with “fake news,” with often hateful, racist and misogynistic attacks on public figures. I ended up behind a vehicle the other day with “f… Jacinda” spray-painted all over it.
All of this far-removed from being one of a team of 5,000,000, and it not a problem unique to New Zealand. As we know, social media lies behind much of the growth in negativity so blog sites that offer alternative perspectives are so important in today’s world. So RNDM Canada please keep on keeping on.
Susan Smith RNDM is a lecturer emerita in The University of Auckland’s Department of Theology. Her PhD was on developments in Catholic missiology after Vatican II. After her retirement from The University of Auckland, Susan also provided NT modules for the University of Newcastle, Australia, and a Women in Leadership module for Duquesne University. Susan lives with another member of her congregation in Whangarei, New Zealand, where both are committed to exploring experientially what it means to live in an eco-community. Both are involved in neighborhood environment organizations. They are particularly interested in what might shape eco-spiritualities in New Zealand.
Thank you Susan for clearly articulating so many of the inter-connected dynamics of this time of Covid, and the implications that has for each/all of us. I think that who we humans are becoming in this time – as persons, and as a species – is a key question. I want to be part of the team of whatever size, that builds the common good.
I like this quote which encourages our writing, as you do, Susan, in your powerful reflection. Stuart McLean, a Canadian author, once wrote: It is my belief that if enough of us write, and if we tell the truth about some small thing, we will create a snapshot of our country–an archive of sorts–a picture of who we are, how we feel about things, and most importantly, what we feel is important.” (Time Now for The Vinyl Cafe Story Exchange, 2003)
I love that Stuart McLean reflection – which I have not heard before – and will now repeat often!!