Saturday, March 30, 2024

ALTERNATIVE VIEW: Living in a surreal landscape

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What a week it’s been for all of us.  From watching the development of coronavirus from afar it’s all suddenly become very real, surreal in fact. From living on what was quite a busy rural road it is now anything but.
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From being part of a vibrant rural community, everyone is now in isolation. The phone is the only method of communication and it’s being used a lot.

I think the Government and the bureaucracy has done an excellent job of both action and communication.

They’ve been timely, direct and honest with their communications. I have no doubt as to the actual situation at any one time.

I also believe Ag Minister Damien O’Connor has been really solid for our sector.

The good news is the country is supporting the policies the Government has adopted. That means most people will play by the rules. I don’t care what happens to those who don’t.

I’m proud of what New Zealand has achieved in a variety of ways and I’m really pleased I live in the provinces. In this situation we’re really lucky.

For a start, we have a good garden that will see us through.

The apples are coming on and the feijoas are about to.

The freezers have enough to keep us comfortable.

We have plenty of firewood and solar water heating.

Being on the end of the power grid we’re used to cuts and have a generator.

Going out in the morning we go for a long walk and see no-one. We’re not about to get cabin fever. Going up the back you can hear the stags roaring, which is comforting. Life is as normal for them.

I’ve done some jobs I’ve never done before like cleaning the trailer.

We’re fine, we’re lucky.

We’re also fortunate with the support from our local community.

We’ve been phoned by neighbours going into Masterton to see if we wanted anything.

The community has organised itself to support those over 70 and anyone else needing help.

Sharon, our mail person phoned to say the delivery will be continuing as normal and if we want anything to call.

The local Riversdale Beach store has also stepped up in a big way.

Co-owner Hayden Meads told me he is sticking to the Government protocols over health and safety and has shut down the takeaway and coffee business. 

The latter is a tragedy as the store makes great coffee and I’ll miss the interaction with locals.

The store is also looking at distributing a general necessity list that would be collated and delivered.

“There’s no need for anyone to go into Masterton,” Meads said. “Our supply chain is robust.”

That’s reassuring.

Local business has also stepped up. We recently bought a new Triton and yesterday we received an email from Wairarapa Mitsubishi telling us the company is shutting shop for the month and if we ran over the service protocols we shouldn’t worry. The company will still honour all warranties.

Our internet provider Wizwireless sent an email telling us no matter what happens the service will be maintained and explained how they are going to do it.

The world’s best bookstore, Hedleys, is in Masterton. They sent an email saying they will send books to us throughout the crisis, which will certainly keep me sane.

At a local level we’re fine and at a national level it certainly appears the same.

I believe both Federated Farmers and Rural Women have excelled with their communications. Their statements have been factual, without smiling photos and free of hype, which is appreciated.

Beef + Lamb could take a lesson from both.

As I’ve said, the communications from the Government and the bureaucracy have been timely, informative and focused.

So, my position is that at a local, provincial and national level we’re in as good a position as we can be.

There will be massive headwinds coming, which we’re just going to have to weather.

No-one really knows what is going to happen, how long the crisis will last or how our economy will hold up.

I’m as concerned as the next person about our future. Some of those I’ve spoken to consider the problem will be over in a month while others put the figure at two to three.

Whatever happens it is vital that we continue as we have started – caring at community level, supportive at provincial and decisive at national.

Look after yourselves and look after your neighbours.

I honestly believe we can get through this and am really grateful we have a leader named Jacinda and not one named Donald, Boris or Scott.

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