pn804. Sir Russell Coutts makes a fool of himself, and the Anti-Lockdown Hikoi

And I know a lot about boats.

Sir Russell Coutts makes a fool of himself by saying New Zealand’s “freedom of choice” is being “eroded” under lockdown  Covid-19 restrictions, while life in the rest of the world “has largely returned to normal". 

He said this as  Europe's "normal" witnessed an increase in Covid-19 cases. Yesterday, Victoria recorded 1,923  cases and 25 people died, the highest daily death toll from the current outbreak. Yesterday, the UK had 263 and the USA 1,783 deaths.

 Since the pandemic began, the UK has recorded 140,000 deaths, the USA 734,000, India 456,000, and Brazil 606,000.  These figures, Sir Russell, compare with 28 deaths in NZ, and none yesterday.  I suggest you keep to yachting.

Anti-Lockdown hikoi on its way. https://www.1news.co.nz/2021/10/27/hikoi-protestors-remain-at-auckland-checkpoint/  The hīkoi, organised by the self-proclaimed movement the Sovereign Hīkoi of Truth [SHOT], started in Rotorua on Tuesday evening and protesters planned to make their way through Auckland and then on to Waitangi to "assert their rights" against the Government.  It is thought most of the protestors are also anti-vacc supporters.

Ngāpuhi were among those criticising the hikoi,  describing it as particularly dangerous to whānau living in Te Tai Tokerau.  Te Tai Tokerau Border Control spokesperson, Hone Harawira, told the protesters to march to Wellington, rather than come north.  It's likely they will receive a hostile welcome should they get to Te Tii Marae in Waitangi. 

Related. Anti-vacc Kenyan doctor dies from the virus. 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300440059/covid19-two-arrests-and-more-likely-at-antilockdown-hkoi