MORE CASES AND QUEUES

There are now thirteen new cases in the community bringing the total in this outbreak to 17.  Meanwhile there has been panic buying and queues at Supermarkets.  I have not tried to go to the Supermarket, we will do an on-line shop in a day or so.  Our only panic was going to the Libraries yesterday, first to Tikipunga Library to pick up an item "on hold" and then to the main library as they have a better choice of books.  There was a queue to enter, one had to sign in and use hand sanitiser.  From lunchtime yesterday, when Alert level 2 came in the outlying libraries have been closed.  At least we now have a good supply.

There are also queues to get tested.  Obviously, Auckland, where the outbreak is, is the worst area with people wanting tests and people waiting over six hours for a test but also here the wait time at present is two hours.  The testing is for people with symptoms or connections to the Pacifica community or who have visited the various areas of concern but people are just wanting to get tested even if they do not have symptoms hence the extra long queues.

Auckland is at a higher level than the rest of the country and there are road blocks all around the city as people are not to travel either into or out unless they are returning home or in an essential service.  Apparently, a lot of people left to go to their holiday homes straight after the announcement was made on Wednesday night and people are still getting turned back.

I have also just read that there were two protests here in Whangarei today with groups saying that "they do not consent to the restrictions".  I think they have been watching too much news from overseas.  

The source of the outbreak has not yet been traced but I know that everyone is working hard on contact tracing.

On a happier note I spied Mr. and Mrs. Blackbird from the kitchen window this morning.  Usually, they fly away before I can get a camera but today they stayed just long enough.