Covid: it's clear now that the Government's lost the room and the signs are that even Ministers, yes even government ministers now realise it.

Jacinda Ardern was asked the other day about the sky-rocketing case numbers, more people dying, and yet another doom variant spreading like wildfire.

But the PM rejected the notion of going to the Red Traffic Light Setting, does anyone even know what that means anymore?

12 months ago we'd have been in lockdown before you could say 'media conference from the podium of truth'.

Not this time. Even with hospital cases expected to hit 1200 by the end of the month, the health system groaning, old ladies waiting in the cold to be seen.

So why not, if it's about protecting New Zealanders' health?

Because Ardern knows people won't wear it, sure the majority would co-operate grudgingly, but we all know now there'd be significant flouting.

There'd be demonstrations, civil disobedience, another camp on Parliament's front lawn.

Bottom line, rightly or wrongly, people are over it. They’re done with vaccinations and booster shots and social distancing.

Dr Bloomfield is quite clearly frustrated. He made a pretty desperate plea to people who don't like wearing masks.

No doubt he's worried about where we're headed. Professor Baker says we could be looking at 5000 Covid deaths a year – 15 times the road toll.

So, where are we headed?

The population has got used to it, we are used to this. We make our own rules about what we feel comfortable with, I'll keep wearing my mask at the supermarket thank you very much.

But our leaders have realised blanket edicts are no longer serving their interests, so they'll make free tests and masks available, and anti-viral medicines.

Apart from that, it's pretty much every man, woman and child for themselves on our own terms.