Dear John
As we head into Easter, we have much to be grateful for two weeks
into lockdown. We have come together strongly as a country and in
communities to unite against a virus that has and still is destroying
so many lives across the world.
Like many of you, I've been able to act swiftly to help keep my
family safe by going into our bubble and staying there. It's vitally
important that we don't get complacent in our combined efforts to
eliminate the spread of this terrible virus. We need to keep it up so
that we can shift our sights firmly on recovering from the impacts
created by the lockdown.
If you need urgent assistance over Easter, please feel free to
contact me and I’ll do what I can to assist. Email
[email protected] or freephone 0508 TAUPO MP. You can
follow me on Facebook
and Instagram
for regular updates. My team will be taking a well-deserved break
over the Easter holidays but will be back working from their temporary
home offices from Tuesday 14 April.
Alert Level 4 rules reminder
Easter is also traditionally a time when some people go to their
holiday homes and baches to have a break or to do some winter-proofing
maintenance. Even if that doesn't apply to you, but you are one of
those people thinking of venturing outside of your bubble this long
weekend, the message from Police is plain and clear. Have a safe
easter - at home.
The
Health Notice issued on 4 April 2020 provides guidance Alert Level
4 rules and unless you are travelling on essential business, Police
have the ability to stop you and turn you back home. People can also
report any non-compliance by others to the Police online at https://www.police.govt.nz/105support or
by calling 105.
We can all get through this together if we simply heed the Alert
Level 4 requirements and stay at home.
Education
The Ministry of Education has released an extensive
distance learning package. If you are a parent like me, you
might be looking forward to school starting again next week on 15
April, albeit in a virtual classroom setting. I've had good feedback
from other parents around how well schools have been managing during
these unprecedented times and it certainly has provided some food for
thought on how we can do innovative learning going forward.
I know that many schools have been active during the holiday
break to develop e-learning and other distance learning options ready
for the start of Term 2, but if you have any questions about what it
would look like, now is a good time to get in touch with your school
so that you can best be prepared next week.
It's been heartening to read too that learning
support for affected families has continued despite the lockdown.
Please continue to look after your young ones and keep them safe!
Mental health kit
A set of tools for coping with the effects of COVID-19 and Alert
Level 4 lockdown on our mental health has been released. The Getting
Through Together campaign is an online resource divided into
subjects such as parenting and families, workplace wellbeing, identity
and culture. It has a variety of written articles, activities and
games delivered in a range of formats including on how to make home
learning and working totally doable. This will be a new reality
for many of us and the article has some good tips on how to achieve
good work, school and home life combo balance.
I really enjoyed the video of Meet
Grandad George. He sums up well what "in isolation, but not
isolated" looks and feels like for our elderly and well worth checking
out.
Volunteer buddies needed
The Western Waikato Welfare Call Centre is active and taking calls
from people who have food, shelter, transport needs. Please phone
0800 800 405 between 7am and 7pm and someone will help you.
People in need are being linked with volunteer buddies who can
assist. These volunteers are being coordinated through the welfare
function team at the local emergency operations centres and follow
strict guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health to reduce the
spread of COVID-19 including maintaining physical distance, regular
handwashing and other self-care instructions. They are sourced from
recognised support agencies with vetting procedures in place including
local Rotary clubs, Neighbourhood support, Citizen’s Advice Bureaus,
and community houses.
People utilising the service receive assistance with delivery of
household goods, grocery items and pharmacy items. Volunteer buddies
can also accompany and assist their identified support person to any
doctor, hospital or other essential service appointments. Financial
assistance requests are to go through to Work and Income on 0800 559
009.
Volunteering Waikato is taking expressions of interest from those
who want to support their community during the COVID-19 response. To
register, please visit www.volunteeringwaikato.org.nz.
Other key COVID-19 contacts and resources
- All COVID-19 related updates - www.covid19.govt.nz
-
Healthline
- for COVID-19 health-related concerns. The call is free and someone
is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0800 358 5453 (or for
international SIMs call +64 9 358 5453)
- All
of Government Welfare Factsheet
- Work and Income - phone 0800 559 009
-
Government
helpline - 0800 779 997 (8 am–1 am, 7 days a week). 0800 22 66 57
(9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday)
- 'Need
to talk?' call 1737. Talk with a qualified counsellor free,
24/7
Enjoy your staycation with your family!
Regards,
Hon Louise Upston http://louiseupston.national.org.nz/
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