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George
The emotional bond that develops between two people can be as simple as a close friendship or as complex as falling in love with a partner including the expansion of that unconditional love extending to the children that may issue from that bonding. When any relationship ends through death, the emotional suffering can only be measured by those left behind. This is why society, as a whole, shows compassion and sympathy. We witness their grief but can never experience their pain.
During the level four lockdown, approximately 3,500 deaths occurred in New Zealand. The families were forbidden from spending the last few precious moments with their loved one or to attend the funeral or to congregate and celebrate the life of the one they cherished. What society can be so indifferent and insensitive at such a time? Apparently we can. COVID-19 is the convenient excuse to overrule our every physical and emotional response.
It was only a year ago our PM and the media exploited the tragic deaths of fifty-one victims of the Christchurch massacre. For days, we as a nation were exposed to our PM exhibiting overwhelming grief whilst extending hugs, kindness and compassion. The world was put on notice. No one does grief like Jacinda Ardern. The queen of compassion demonstrated that during a time of bereavement there are no barriers that should hinder the comforter, not even photographers. Except for when she says so.
To those 3,500 people who were deprived of their simple, personal, and legitimate moment to farewell their love ones, your PM has relayed the message, ‘Just do as I say, not as I do’. There is no more graphic example of hypocrisy. Her grief in Christchurch was the exploitation of her political profile. The denial of the rights of those to farewell their loved ones at this time is also the exploitation of her political profile. Kindness? Wellbeing? She wouldn’t know the meaning of the words.
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