Category Archives: Uncategorized

I was interviewed by journalist Elie Hunt last week about how we wound up marooned in New Zealand during COVID. In the article I mention that watching the world from here is like when you’re watching a horror movie, except in this case you’re screaming, “Don’t go in the mall!” I expanded on that a […]

I hear American media are discussing “NZ COVID Camps” – and since I’ve seen one I thought I should weigh in. This photo shows a COVID camp in downtown Christchurch: the Crowne Plaza. People who enter New Zealand stay at four-star hotels like this. I’ve previously stayed at several of the hotels being used for […]

New Zealand has entered Level 2, aka “Slightly Distanced Normality.” You may have heard that NZ has “eradicated” the virus. That’s why the country is starting to open up. What happened, and what’s going on now? New Zealand started its lockdown with just over 100 cases, and it was much more stringent than the “shelter […]

Note: this is adapted from a Twitter thread and Facebook post I made that got shared around a lot. It may feel like it’s a good idea to tell someone who’s struggling, “Don’t worry, it will all be over by May!” That’s actually the WORST thing you can say. Here’s why, and here’s what you […]

I thought you might find it interesting to read how another country is handling this crisis. Here’s the view from New Zealand. Prioritizing People Over “The Economy.” What feels like months ago now but was probably a week, the government of New Zealand announced a huge package to support residents affected by coronavirus. People who […]