Rights

Jennifer from Masterton District

There is a lot of talk these days about "rights". Usually what this or that person thinks are their particular "rights".

Our personal civil rights have been achieved by a long and hard fought battle over many centuries and there are numerous citizens around the world that look on with envy at our various freedoms and rights.

But what in my humble opinion people are forgetting that with "Rights" come "Responsibilities" and "Respect", because we each do not live alone on a far flung island, we live in groups and communities with other humans that we rub shoulders with on a daily basis.

You have the right to own a dog but you also have the responsibility to house, feed, train and prevent your animal straying, because your neighbour has the right to live in peace without a howling dog, I can walk down the street without fear of attack and my children can play in the park with fear of some dreadful disease.
You have the right to own and drive a car but you have a responsibility to learn to drive and pass a test, maintain your vehicle so it is safe, as I have the right to expect that when I set out on a trip in my car everybody else on the road will be doing their best to keep me safe in the hope I will not become a statistic..

And Respect, the way we say please and thank you, don't barge in line at McDonalds and currently respect the opinions of others. I know there are many who have a phobia about needles, there is help for this, get it, or do not trust the Pfizer vaccine, there is an alternative, get it. Please

I have had the vaccine in order to feel safe, I am scared, to stay out of our already overloaded hospitals, not become a statistic, and, also as part of my responsibility as a member of the community to lessen the chance I might pass this thing on, to help stop it in its tracks. And, because I want to continue to feel safe as I go about my daily life I would prefer that all my close human interactions are made with people who also are less likely to pass the virus on to me, have not just thought about themselves but have shouldered their responsibilities as a citizen and shown respect for the health of their family, friends, neighbours and fellow workers and others rights to feel safer in these very unsafe times.

Rights. Responsibilities. Respect.
Do the right thing...please.