An Ode to Covid-19
And Ode to Covid - By Stephanie Fry
A few months ago, in China we heard, people were getting sick
We didn’t know why, the intel was light and the Chinese Government were tight lipped
It then became apparent, that this wasn’t just a flu, it was something more viral and epic
We watched from afar, uncertain at best and with absolutely no clue of a global pandemic
As the sick got sicker and the death rate soared, we all started to wonder
Was this much bigger than we all had thought and would this end up down under
As the weeks went on we started to see, other countries being affected
And the evening news reported every night, the inevitable should be expected
This Coronavirus, a strain never seen, was stopping the world in its tracks
Cruise ships in quarantine, restricted travel and more and more heightened stats
People were succumbing, the old most vulnerable, it really did beggar belief
Was this the new world order, the reality for all... was there going to be any relief?
A few weeks on again and New Zealand was hit, unaware, incoming travellers breached
Covid-19 was here in our small nation and we were just beginning to see its reach
It started off slowly, a few cases here and there – stay calm we will all be okay
And within days it seemed, the situation worsened and the PM was updating us everyday
The borders thank God, were finally closed and no-one was coming into our little nation
But there were plenty of folks still overseas who wanted to get home and into isolation
On the 23rd of March Jacinda announced, we were moving to Alert Level 3
This would see life as we know it, change indefinitely
Within days the government had declared, we are now at Alert Level 4
Full Lock Down, #stayathome, this was our way to fight this war
An invisible enemy, this war would be fought, with us all staying in our homes
But what did that mean, how would we cope, what about our businesses and our loved ones
The Government pledged to support us all and together we would get subsidies to get through this
Its surreal for all to enter lockdown and be bound to our homes and our bubbles
Is an understatement of gross proportions - life as we know it was far from without trouble
Those flouting the rules, going out to parks, surfing and playing touch rugby
Walking with friends, a cuppa with Nana and generally enjoying what the deemed a national holiday
And then our own Health Minister, what a joke, shouldn’t you be leading by example?!
Frustrating as it is, we all have to do, our part to get through this and quickly
It’s going to take weeks, possibly months and if we don’t abide by the rules more will get sickly
Let’s put it in to perspective, this directive we have been given, it’s not the worst burden we could be given
Those before us went to war, facing a bullet was their reality and we should be grateful and forgiving
Today is the 5th of April, it’s Day 9 of Aotearoa’s lock down
What has changed, where are we at, are we seeing an overall slow down?
Cases have grown, that was expected, they would always rise before they fell
And the PM remains optimistic, for the most part, we are doing a great job as well
If we remain vigilant and stick to the rules, isolation will be relaxed in good time
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, it’s still very early days, lock down could be with us for sometime
The economy is hurting, businesses are falling, like soldiers who have gone to war
Everyday we hear about more business victims, in this Covid-19 war
Adrian Orr our Reserve Bank Governer stated, today there is good chance
Economic shock waves would eventually give way, to a vibrant NZ economy, this is our new chant
The reality has sunk in and we all know, we are facing uncertainties and pitfalls
We must take this time to ‘reset’ our thinking and plan for a future, be hopeful
Forever optimistic, a nation of creators, entrepreneurs, so much sheer brilliance
We will rise again, we will shine on the global stage, our small island nation
It’s going to take time, it’s going to be tough and if any country can do it it’s us
Strengthening our domestic economy, supporting each other and supporting NZ made a must
In all this time we’ve been locked down, it’s been so very heartening to see
All of us in our bubbles spending time with families... quality AND quantity
The birds are singing, the mowers are humming, the weed whackers are getting a work out
DYI unfolding, baking and cooking, even knitting needles making a resurgence
As this passage of history is written for us all, there’s a small silver lining
That a global pandemic, no matter how awful, sees New Zealanders uniting
Who knows what lies ahead for all in the next few weeks or months
But one thing I know as a people we’re strong and we will all come through this
Together as one, we will get through and thank you Jacinda for being ours and leading us
Stay Safe, Stay Home, Be Kind
Kia Kaha New Zealand