Confident, optimistic, anxious: New Zealand readers tell us how they feel about Omicron – The Guardian

This week we asked Guardian New Zealand readers about the arrival of Omicron and how they are feeling and preparing. Hundreds of New Zealanders wrote in, about their hopes and anxieties, preparations and frustrations, confidence and worries.

The country has spent almost two years relatively sheltered from the pandemics worst effects, and many said they felt some trepidation at the prospect of widespread Covid, and the threat it could pose to the countrys small health system, as well as its immunocompromised or under-vaccinated communities. Some were concerned about divisions the pandemic had produced: between the vaccinated and unvaccinated, those inside the border and those locked out.

But many also expressed a sense of relief and inevitability and a sense that the timing was as good as it may ever be for Aotearoa to fall back into step with the rest of the world. Some have been long separated from their families, and found consolation in the prospect of reopening borders. And many felt quietly confident, bolstered by the countrys results so far. New Zealand had weathered each stage of the pandemic before, they said, and they trusted both the government and fellow New Zealanders to meet the next challenge.

This is a small sampling of the comments.

NZ just hasnt suffered the kind of personalised trauma happening overseas, and summer makes a lot of people shrug at the prospect of doom. The not knowing how it will play out is almost as bad as the anticipation of personal and societal harm; how vulnerable ARE we as a population? How will our mental health _ not great at the best of times weather the compound stressors? Crossing all the fingers at the moment.Kelly, writer and photographer, Dunedin

I think we are all feeling a sense of trepidation and worry. Throughout the pandemic we have watched what has happened overseas whilst keeping the virus at bay for two years. Now we face the inevitable that Omicron is here and we can no longer keep Covid at bay. There is the worry for the health system, our communities, particularly those who are vulnerable or immunocompromised. You cant help but think: I am going to get Covid now, will it be OK? Will my family be OK? Here in NZ, we just havent had to deal with huge case numbers and deaths, nor are we in the mindset of just accepting those numbers. And currently it feels like we are just waiting for it all to begin.Saffron Dunlop, 46, Auckland, marketing

I want to stop being frightened and put the whole ghastly business behind me whilst, at the same time, observing reasonable restrictions to keep the vulnerable safe. Recently the reality of Omicron in the community has given me the impression that we will all get the virus at some stage, but vaccinations provide protection against severe infection. I am respecting the science, I have had my booster, now bring it on!Mari Bennett, 73, north of Auckland

I am worried about Omicron, but accepting that the outbreak is coming. All my whnau have been vaccinated, and are where eligible boosted. I mask up with an N95, track my movements on the Covid app, cut out attending or holding larger events, and have gone or go virtual where I can Just trying not to be a dick! Kia kaha, Aotearoa: he eke waka noa we are all in the same canoe.Sam Young, 59, Nelson lecturer

I think resignation mostly. We all knew Omicron would break through eventually. As an asthmatic, yes I feel a degree of trepidation, but I got the vaccination, and Ive had the booster, and Im pretty consistent with mask-wearing. So really, from now on its a case of suck it and see. I am profoundly grateful to not be sent back into lockdown though At least with vaccination I can live a pretty normal life now.Elizabeth Revel, 71, cardiac nurse

The government has done a fine job in keeping deaths to a mere 50 or so. They have generated great confidence. Omicron may be different in its transmissibility but New Zealanders will, I think, rise to the challenge Our vaccine situation is amazingly good and that will help too. No sweat.Dave Smith, 75, lawyer, Wellington

I think that the silver lining of reaching this stage is the change it will bring to border settings. There are so many families affected by the border restrictions. I have a friend whose dad [overseas] died last year I sat with her while she watched his live-streamed funeral and had to grieve without her family. It probably doesnt seem much in the scale of things, but I have a cousins wedding to go to in the UK in June and its really important to me that my parents, siblings, nieces and nephews can see us and our kids. That time when theyre little goes so fast.Fiona Macdonald, civil servant, Wellington

I cant help feeling that New Zealand is about to be surprised in a very unpleasant way by the reality of Covids exponential spread Im very concerned. I feel New Zealand is about to experience albeit maybe without the large numbers of deaths due to Omicrons milder nature what the rest of the world had in 2020. That is, huge disruption to supply chains, working life, and massive social anxiety.Tom Hawkins, 32, maths and statistics teacher

This feels inevitable. We couldnt keep Covid-19 out for ever. We know the drill. Masks, hand washing, physical distancing, using the Covid-19 app, and keeping up with the vaccine and booster. I feel prepared. I am hoping for the best. Hoping Omicron is mild. Hoping it increases our immunity. Hoping we all stay safe and healthy.Nicki Frances, 53, science technical writer, Lower Hutt

I feel safe in the hands of such capable leadership, and a community that by and large understands the need for individual action to serve the greater societal good. Kiwis are, despite a tiny but vocal proportion extremely proud of how we defeated Covid with lockdown, then defeated Delta with lockdown, and now with 94% of adults double vaxxed feel we are ready to face Omicron without a lockdown.

As for how I am coping with the red traffic light? Well, for the majority its really little different to how weve lived in non lockdown times Doing my part to help the country basically involves missing a beer festival and not going to the cricket. We are so very fortunate here and send our aroha (love) to all people whose countries who have been less fortunate, and arguably less well led.Dan Hanid, 46, Palmerston North

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Confident, optimistic, anxious: New Zealand readers tell us how they feel about Omicron - The Guardian