March 23, 2020
True love means no hugs – Davis
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Crown Māori Relations Minister Kelvin Davis says the $56 million Māori Covid-19 response package is targeted at those most vulnerable, including kaumatua, kuia and those with underlying conditions like respiratory illness.
The package announced yesterday includes $30m to support Māori health services, $15m for the whānau ora commissioning agencies, $10 million for Te Puni Kōkiri to ramp up community outreach, and $1 million to assess the needs of Māori businesses and develop a response plan.
Mr Davis says it acknowledges that many Māori have trouble getting to doctors and accessing healthcare.
People shouldn’t panic, and they need to follow the Health Ministry advice about handwashing and social isolation, including changes of behaviour within the whānau.
"If we really love and care for our kaumatua and kuia, we will stay away from them. I've rung up my parents, said you guys have got to stay inside. I've rung my brother who lives down the road from them, said we've got to make sure we get the kai for them from the supermarket and drop it off, but we can't go in there and give mum and dad a hug and a kiss," Mr Davis says.
DUR:
He says ignoring the advice could put the whole whānau at risk.
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