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Mike's Minute: Is the Covid reality starting to sink in?

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 8 Jul 2021, 9:37AM

Mike's Minute: Is the Covid reality starting to sink in?

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 8 Jul 2021, 9:37AM

Has it sunk in yet? This whole we will build or buy MIQ facilities, thus indicating that MIQ is going to be required for a long time yet idea?

In fact, the University of Waikato medical experts are quoted this week as suggesting we'll have outbreaks for years. And in fact, if this is the year of the vaccine, then 2022 is the year of the outbreak, and we aren't reaching herd immunity or anywhere close to it.

The key, of course, is how you handle outbreaks. The key is whether you live with it or still fear it and lock down. The key is whether the plan is ever spelled out, as to whether being vaccinated is worth anything beyond stopping you dying or tying up ICUs.

Then there is the bill; if we are to take this hermit kingdom approach, who foots the bill?

Even if we let some people in, it won't be anything like it once was. That has monumental implications for airlines, tourism, and jobs. Do these people realise this yet?

There will be no conferences, and the skills shortage will remain. Hopefully not as severe because surely, surely, surely, they can let in vaccinated workers? Or am I being hopelessly optimistic?

We set aside $50 billion to fund our way through the mess, most of it is gone.

All of this was predicated on the idea that we hunker down, wait for the jab, vaccinate, and then start again. It seems the rules are changing.

It might be, God I hope it's true, but it might be that enough countries get on with it, vaccinate to their best extent, and then simply get back into life, so that we might eventually be persuaded to do the same.

Because if it's not like that, I just can't work out how it is we survive without re-joining the world. As much as the dazed, bewildered, and scared might like the cocoon, we are going broke paying for it.

I was astonished at those personal borrowing numbers yesterday from Centrix. We are still borrowing to buy flash cars despite the fact interest rates are allegedly on their way up this year. Is anyone awake?

A lot of what we have right now is a false reality, a debt primed dream land, where the world is locked out, printed money is being flushed around the economy, and we think we are doing well.

Suddenly the vaccine isn't the answer, but carrying on with the drawbridge up is?

The frightening thing is, as the election showed us; never underestimate the power and size of the camp that are driven by fear. Surely, they can't pull the same scam twice?  

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