Commissioners also say the vaccine requirements eroded public trust and call for investment to plan for the next pandemic

Summary

New Zealand’s royal commission into its Covid-19 response found vaccine mandates were reasonable based on available data but acknowledged they harmed social cohesion.

The report praised the country’s elimination strategy for achieving one of the lowest Covid death rates among developed nations while preventing healthcare system collapse.

However, it criticized prolonged lockdowns, weak health system preparedness, and a lack of planning for future crises.

Commissioners urged broad investment in pandemic readiness and emphasized the importance of both frontline and planning staff.

A second phase of the inquiry will review vaccine harms and conclude in 2026.

  • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
    1·
    3 months ago

    Having said that, the mandates that the government pursued were absolutely ruthless

    Good.

    and put in place at a time where efficacy was already reduced due to new variants.

    “Reduced” is not the same as “safe.”

    It did a lot of harm to society, and we still live with those consequences today.

    Like what? What horrible burden are you living with in New Zealand because of this?

    • VerticaGG@lemmy.blahaj.zone
      1·
      3 months ago

      Thank. You.

      Ez upvote holy fuck I’d trade places in a second as an anti-authoritarian, high-covid-risk person ill absolutely take that deal vs living in the land of the walking small pox blankets where the Small Business ™️ must flow.

      The absolute fucking gall of comparing that to the 14 characteristics of fascism. Must be nice to be so insulated.

    • cashew@lemmy.world
      01·
      3 months ago

      Massive mental health impacts for one. Did you live in Auckland throughout COVID? If not then I don’t think you can comment on this.