Tony - retired farmer
When you first heard that NZ was moving to Alert Levels 3 & 4, what did you think? How did you feel?
It seemed absolutely necessary and the right thing to do. It could have been too late in retrospect but fortunately it wasn’t.
How has your job and daily routine been affected?
As a semi-retired farmer with two sons and their families living nearby, my daily life hasn’t been affected much at all. I’ve been in a very privileged position.
What have been the best things/hardest things about the lockdown?
Having time to catch up on odd jobs and talk to friends on the phone to exchange news has been the best thing.
What have you missed/not missed?
I’ve missed having physical contact with friends and being able to buy various goods but I’ve enjoyed the peace and quiet of less traffic on the road and the savings from not buying petrol.
What have you been thinking about or doing more/less?
I’ve been reading and baking more every day and thinking about how lucky we - New Zealand - has been because of the preventative measures our government has taken. We’ve got off very lightly compared to other countries and we’re lucky to have a small population. Life has been turned upside down for many people. I’ve also been thinking about how many children will remember this unique time when their parents have been at home together. They’ve had more interaction as a family.
Can you liken this time to any other times/experiences in your life?
The lockdown has reminded me of the polio epidemic when I was at primary school in the late 1940s. Isolation was the only solution because there wasn’t a vaccine available. Many schools were closed. I was schooled by correspondence and my work was sent to me in a mail bag in the post.
What have you appreciated/felt grateful for during the lockdown?
I’ve been grateful for my 640-acre playground (the farm) and being well informed of the Covid-19 situation overseas. The death tolls in other countries have emphasized that New Zealand has led the charge by acting quickly. The news has been a good reminder of the potential results if we hadn’t shut down sooner.
What, if anything, do you think might change in the world after Covid-19 is under control or eliminated? Any silver linings?
I think there will be a greater awareness of potential threats like pandemics and the importance of taking early action. If we’re faced with a similar event in future, we will benefit from the invaluable lessons from our recent experience of Covid-19. I hope that countries operating markets of live animals in such close proximity to people will no longer be allowed.
In a word (or more), how do you imagine describing this time when looking back on it in a year or so?
An unbelievable and unique event in my lifetime.