While we wait patiently for more information about possible Covid19 transmission in Wellington to be collated, prepared and released, let’s figure out how we can continue to be ready for this scenario as it unfolds, and if it happens again. If your scanning has dropped off – and for the majority, it has – this […]
The news that the vaccine timetable for those in Group 4 – most of the New Zealand population – has slipped from July to the ‘end of July’ is concerning enough on its own. But now we also see that there is a small outbreak of Covid-19 cases in Melbourne, which authorities are scrambling to […]
In my lengthy blog post yesterday, I talked about what the exit narrative for New Zealand may look like now we know more about the vaccination strategy. Thinking further about this, what I’ve realised is that the task is about changing New Zealanders’ relationship with the future. Let me explain. When the pandemic started, it […]
The New Zealand Government has this afternoon taken the decision to lower the Alert Level of the Auckland Region to Level 2, and down to Level 1 in the rest of the country from later tonight. Auckland’s Level 2 will be reviewed further on Monday. Many people will be relieved. The fact that most children […]
The investigations into a case in Northland is likely to cause concern and spark anxiety and / or worry for many people. It’s probably going to be a couple of days before authorities gather enough information to make firm decisions about what meaningful action to take next. In trying to figure out what you can do […]
The announcement this afternoon that Auckland’s Alert Level will continue at 3, and the rest of New Zealand at Level 2 offers welcome certainty and stability for the short-term, which will help to alleviate some anxiety that people were feeling in the run up to the press conference in this whirlwind week.
With less than an hour to go until the Prime Minister starts her Press Conference to announce the Cabinet decision on Alert levels and further actions, here’s where the votes on my Twitter poll fell – over 1000 people participated in the poll.
If we take a moment to think through the drivers of behaviour like this, then we can see that yes, anxiety might be one reason why people go to the shops, but it’s one of many. And also, that this anxiety might be fuelled in several different ways.
If you are working in comms right now, be specific. Be clear. Be concrete. Double-check your information before you put it out – your memory might not be so great either – not your fault, that’s just how memories can be.
We have a limited window to get this right again. And it will probably happen again after this too. This will be the pattern. Be prepared. Take effective action. Do it now. React responsibly and swiftly, with small actions that added up can save us from suffering even bigger consequences.