New Zealanders are so lucky. For the rest of us, pre coronavirus days seem like they belong to another era. To be able to go close to another human being and not fear them is such a luxury. Strangely, it is these little things that we have taken for granted until the virus showed us the little but important things that keep us sane (“Ardern performs a jig after NZ eliminates coronavirus,” June 9, Gulf Today).

Physical distancing is the biggest factor to drive insanity. And thus, I longingly imagine New zealanders finally being able to meet their friends, go to coffee shops, hug and talk, and not wear masks.

I guess when we ask ourselves when will all this end, it isn’t the end of the virus but the end of fear that we want. The fear of being infected and thus treating every other human being as an enemy.

Having said that, a woman leader (Jacinda Ardern) at the helm goes a long way in issues that men barely know anything about — health, environment, malnutrition are some. Men leaders have botched up and continue to do so. Perhaps men’s forte lies in construction and economy.

Joyce D — By email