You only need to take your dog for a walk or go for a run to know the Prime Minister and her team got the COVID-19 Lockdown messaging through loud and clear.
Well, the 2m social distancing message at least. Not sure the go home, stay home message is quite so strong because it was “exercise” rush hour for most of the day today in my neighbourhood.
The thing is, the PM said you were quite within your rights to go out for a walk and release the kids from their cabin fever prison as long as you stayed in your own personal I’ve-got-COVID-19-bubble.
Yet retiring Police Commissioner Mike “I’m going out in a blaze of authoritative glory” Bush had a downright stern stay at home message. Ok, so he was targeting the rogue fisherman and hunters who were off to catch their kai since everyone had been panic buying. But hey, the way Mike said “STAY AT HOME” made me think twice and check the rule book about walking the dog.
I did venture out and judging by the many people I came across, Kiwis are strongly adhering to the 2m (if not more in most cases) distancing rule. Commissioner Bush will be pleased.
When undertaking social distancing it helps having empty roads to walk on rather than having to share a footpath. Apart from teaching the dog bad habits about running down the middle of a usually very busy road, there is nothing quite like the freedom of having the streets all to yourself.
Those who I saw on my run were experts in keeping a distance while managing to be friendly.
Please excuse me for getting all emotional, but it made me realise that Kiwis generally are a good bunch of buggers. And, a smile and a “Gidday” from a perfect stranger really is the feelgood hit we all need in this ridiculous COVID-19 bubble we find ourselves in.
