@[email protected] I’m very much the same. I’ve been very careful. Only had it once, but caught it off my wife who, like you, got it in a cafe, which is how I thought I would get it (i.e. from her socialising). Now my immune system has been largely wiped out by cancer, I am even more cautious, even though I have had numerous booster vaxes. Paxlovid worked well for me earlier this year, and I would definitely have it again as it would make the difference between life and death for me now.
We are having a spike here in New Zealand-just in time for Christmas and the summer holidays! @JStevenYork Yep, same here. I’ve pretty much given up on it and am using my Friendica account [email protected] where I more or less have the same connections. I see lots of errors and very few new posts. Does anyone know what’s happened? 
Minister pulls brakes on cycling and walking initatives
In a letter to local authorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown said he told Waka Kotahi to halt work on cycling and walking initiatives.
Early Christmas present from my brother. Autographed, too! Really looking forward to reading them.
It’s a gloomy, misty morning. Can’t even see across the other side of the valley.
@KneeNeart Same, although the local timeline seems to be updating. And my Friendica account feed on venera.social is buzzing with new content from people I follow on Firefish and Mastodon. Is it just me, or has Firefish.social really not updated my home timeline for a day?
I have news. Generally ’bad’, but nothing is ever entirely hopeless., especially when you have no fear and are surrounded by love.
Well, we finally had that difficult conversation with the haematologist that went along the lines of, “I’m sorry, Iain, but we have run out of treatment options for you and the other drugs we have available in New Zealand aren’t going to stop your myeloma from developing any further. We haven’t been able to access any others through a clinical trial or compassionate access. Your bone marrow is chocker with abnormal plasma cells and you have a few weeks, maybe a couple of months, left to live. I’m very, very sorry about that.”
I have one request; please don’t feel sorry for me. I don’t.
Read the full blog…
https://iainmaclean.blog/48213/that-difficult-conversation-with-my-doctor #Myeloma 
That difficult conversation with my doctor | As I said the other day...
That difficult conversation with my doctor | As I said the other day...
Keep Fair Pay Coming
Fair Pay Agreements are already significantly progressed for more than 200,000 people working as Bus Drivers, Cleaners, Security Guards, Supermarket workers, in Early Childhood Education, in Hospitality and Port workers.
These workers are in low paying jobs, despite providing essential support to our communities.
We are in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. Increasing pay is the best way to support people right now. There has never been a more important time for working people to be paid fairly.
Christopher Luxon and the National Party want to get rid of FPAS.
Sign this petition to call on the new government to keep Fair Pay Agreements for New Zealand workers.
Sign here: http://www.together.org.nz/keep_fair_pay_coming?recruiter_id=200099 #NZPol 
Keep Fair Pay Coming
We need to fight to keep FPAs, will you join us?
This is a big loss. Collin Tukuitonga is widely respected and his advice has been invaluable. Let's hope it's not the start of a large-scale loss of Pacific and Māori voices and influence in health.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/504474/sir-collin-tukuitonga-resigns-from-nz-government-roles-citing-no-confidence #nzpol #health 
Sir Collin Tukuitonga resigns from NZ government roles, citing 'no confidence'
One of New Zealand's most prominent Pacific health leaders says he has "no confidence" in the government after stepping down from almost every advisory role.
