Homophobic abuse from anti-vaccine mandaters doesn't stop bar's busiest week
Dunedin business owners copped abuse and a flurry of fake one-star reviews for their decision to temporarily keep the vaccine pass system.
A week on from their decision, Woof! co-owners Josh Thomas and Dudley Benson have seen a record number of patrons.
Thomas and Benson said their bar and eatery served a diverse community, most of whom were concerned with easing Covid-19 restrictions.
From April 4, amid declining Covid-19 cases overall, businesses like theirs no longer needed to see a vaccine pass before allowing people to dine-in.
In Dunedin, however, cases haven't been declining. After a survey of patrons, the co-owners decided they would keep the vaccine pass system for the time being, and would review it week to week.
The decision sparked the ire of online trolls, whose abuse became increasingly homophobic once news reached the United States, Benson wrote on Twitter.
“Many seemed threatened by my nail polish.”
In a separate tweet, Benson said of the 1232 groups the business had welcomed since April 4, only one person did not want to show a vaccine pass.
“They politely moved on,” he said.
The abuse continued online after Benson decided to contact the people leaving fake one-star reviews, “to hold them [to] account”.
Some commenters took issue with Benson contacting the people leaving fake reviews, even though the reviews lowered the bar's rank online, adding to the abuse.
Google has since removed several of the fake one-star reviews, including some five-star reviews supporters made to try and balance the reviews.
Thomas and Benson declined to speak to Stuff, but gave permission to use information they published on Twitter.
Meanwhile, case numbers in Otago and Southland had surpassed worst case predictions, according to modelling provided to the Southern District Health Board.
On Monday, there were 7847 active Covid-19 cases in the Southern region – the second-highest in the country by district health board area, behind Canterbury on 11,683.
Secure your homes over summer
Police are reminding people to keep their homes secure during the summer months.
Inspector Glenda Barnaby, Christchurch Area Prevention manager, says daytime burglaries are just as common as nightime burglaries.
“Burglaries can be committed at any time of the day, and coming into warmer months there is more opportunity for thieves."
"Although a majority of burglaries involve forced entry through windows and doors, we are starting to see more incidents at insecure premises. Police deal with cases where burglaries are committed in broad daylight, sometimes even while the victim is at home. Good weather means open doors and windows, which makes homes more vulnerable to burglars.”
Inspector Barnaby says there’s a few things people can do to reduce their changes of a burglary being committed.
⚠️ If you’re going outside for gardening, relaxing in the sun, or working in the garage, take a moment to lock your doors and secure your windows first.
⚠️ Do the same at night when you go to bed - keep your doors and windows secure and close your curtains. Fitting window stays means you can get a breeze coming through, while keeping your windows secure.
⚠️ Get to know your neighbours - let them know if you’re going away and look out for one another.”
If you see any suspicious activity, people or vehicles in your neighbourhood, don't hesitate to contact Police.
If you witness or suspect any illegal activity, please call 111 if it is happening now, or make a report through 105 either online or over the phone, if it is after the fact.
Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.
Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
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72.7% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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16.3% Hmm, maybe?
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11% Yes!
Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬
How many balls of string does it take to reach the moon?
(Peter from Carterton kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Peter!)
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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