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Another great week begins for New Zealand, with today’s decision to move the country to Level 2 of the Covid-19 alert system and for the Government to release its Budget on Thursday.
Some hints on where the money will be spent have already been given, with another pre-Budget announcement this morning detailing an increase in funding for victims of family and sexual violence.
The $ 183 million increase over four years will go to support services for victims of family violence and elder abuse, as well as prevention services. Another $ 19.9 million will go toward specialized responses for strangulation victims.
The Women’s Shelter is one of those who appreciate the additional funding, and says it means they can continue to provide critical services for some of the most vulnerable people in the country.
The Government says that the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of such services.
Because people find it more difficult to escape from their abusers during confinement, there has been an increase in domestic violence in New Zealand, reflecting a trend that is also being seen abroad.
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Pharmacy funding criticized
In another pre-budget announcement yesterday, the government promised to increase funding for Pharmac by $ 160 million over four years.
Health Minister David Clark says the funding will allow the country to secure its drug supply in the wake of Covid-19 outages, while “expanding the range of funded treatments when possible.”
However, the cash injection doesn’t go far enough for some.
Pharmac says the additional costs of the pandemic have forced the postponement of several plans to advance the purchase of drugs, including for cancer patients.
The Breast Cancer Foundation says the government should not use the pandemic as a reason to withdraw from new cancer drug plans.
Meanwhile, the National health spokesperson says it is “pathetic” that an additional $ 10 million in funding has been allocated for next year out of the announced $ 160 million total.
Michael Woodhouse says that “it won’t come close to what it takes just to stay still.”
The country awaits the Level 2 decision
New Zealand will learn later today if it is moving to Covid-19 Alert Level 2. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is expected to reveal that decision at 4pm.
He previously said the move will only take place if the latest health data shows it is safe to do so.
Some health experts, including University of Otago epidemiologist Michael Baker, say the country needs a few more weeks at Level 3. He should give more details on that statement at the TVNZ Breakfast just after 7 a.m.
Some countries that have recently eased their blocking restrictions are starting to see Covid-19 infections increase again.
This includes Germany, where the rate of reproduction (the number of people infected by each patient) is now above 1, indicating that the number of infections is increasing.
South Korea also reports its highest daily number of cases in a month, after an outbreak in several nightclubs visited by an infected person.
Health authorities yesterday reported two new confirmed cases of the virus in New Zealand, as they reminded Kiwis that the country is still at Alert Level 3.
With more than 1,000 Level 3 restrictions violations reported so far, people are urged to remain vigilant before any move to Level 2.
And that big Level 2 decision will air live at 4 p.m. in a 1 NEWS special on TVNZ 1 and air on 1news.co.nz.
Fertility clinics in New Zealand and their patients are just a few of those waiting for a possible loosening of closure restrictions.
Dr. Mary Birdsall of Fertility Associates says that the plans of about 1,100 women have been disrupted due to Covid-19.
She says that while waiting through the closure is unlikely to have a long-term impact on people’s fertility journey, it has been a significant cause of stress for some.
Currently, the Government funds two rounds of IVF treatment for women under 40, but only if they meet strict health criteria.
From there, it becomes expensive, and each private treatment attempt costs up to $ 15,000. And with New Zealand entering a recession, fertility clinics expect business to fall.
Viruses a boon for scammers
The Serious Fraud Bureau is warning kiwis that criminals are likely to start attacking Covid-19’s aid schemes after seeing an increase in scams abroad.
The OFS says that they have the advantage of seeing what has been happening in other jurisdictions, where wage and commercial stimulus programs have been conducted, as well as the acquisition process around the purchase of EPP.
The OFS is currently working with government departments to ensure that appropriate measures exist to counter such risks.
An Auckland artist who painted two Maori women without her consent, including Oriini Kaipara from Te Karere, withdrew her portraits from public sale.
Ms. Kaipara was surprised when she received messages asking if the Samantha Payne portraits were of her.
“Help. Someone is selling my moko,” wrote Ms. Kaipara in response.
A second woman, Taaniko Nordstrom, also used her image in a painting. The portraits have been removed from social media.
Other important news this morning:
A manhunt is underway for a prisoner who escaped custody in Wellington last night.
Ten people have been arrested because more than 100 protesters opposed the coronavirus blocking measures in Melbourne.
The number of people confirmed to be infected with Covid-19 globally exceeds the four million mark.
A petition was withdrawn to ban the freedom to camp after threats of violence.
Space photos taken a year apart show the stark effects of the drought at Hawke’s Bay.
And a local photographer has captured images of the 400 Stewart Island residents amid the Covid-19 threat.
Hadyn Jones’ Good Sorts segment has always aimed to bring a little bit of good news to the fore and last night’s closing issue was no exception.
We met Esme, age four, who has been battling Burkitt’s lymphoma, but has had very, very good news to share.
And if that’s not enough to warm the cockles of your heart in these strange times, we also have communities that feed each other, movies, and a tribute to Tina Turner like I’ve never seen before.
