Kia ora koutou,
I hope you are keeping as safe and well as possible. Whilst there’s still a lot of Covid out there, it is encouraging to see the case numbers coming down which indicates the peak has been reached and now we are travelling down the other side. In this update I have started with Covid, followed by some flu vaccine info – I know, winter is coming! There’s information on the proposed NZ Income insurance scheme and some really great wellness resources. Look out for Diane Clark-Manley’s just released online yoga that anyone can take part in.
Covid update
From midnight today, 4 April vaccine passes will no longer be required, although some business may continue to use them if they wish. Vaccine mandates will be removed except for health and disability, aged care, corrections, and border workforces. Aotearoa New Zealand will stay in the Red Traffic light for now. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 or lives with someone who has tested positive will have to isolate for 7 days. Some key messages include:
- If you live with someone who has COVID-19 you should test on days 3 and 7.
- If you still have symptoms on day 7 you should stay home until 24 hours after your symptoms subside, even if your RAT result is negative.
- If a member of your household tests positive within 3 months of you testing positive, you do not need to isolate again as a household contact
This calculator tool is a handy way to figure out when your isolation period should finish:
https://covid19.govt.nz/isolation-and-care/if-you-have-covid-19/
The Protect Greater Wellington website links with the Facebook page to update every afternoon with the number of new cases, active cases, testing numbers and vaccination rates. The website has an excellent resources and guidance on protecting yourself and your whānau from COVID-19:
Greater Wellington Covid-19 Hub (covid19wellingtonregion.health.nz)
Need extra Support?
Most people isolating at home can cope with help from friends and whānau but if you need more help, you can contact the Covid 19 Welfare line on 0800 512 337 or go online to:
https://workandincome.govt.nz/covid-19/index.html
Influenza Vaccinations
This year’s influenza immunisation campaign started on Friday 1 April. You can get a free flu jab if: you’re 65+, or 55 and over and Māori or Pacific, pregnant or have a long-term medical condition like MS, and for children 4 years old or younger who have been in hospital with a respiratory illness, such as asthma. Please note that it is not recommended to have this vaccination during a MS relapse. Also, be aware that if people on a disease modifying treatment (DMT) then the immunisation may be less effective. Ask your Neurologist/MS Nurse, GP or Pharmacist any flu vaccine related questions to ensure the right approach is followed for you.
A New Zealand Income Insurance Scheme
Every year, more than 100,000 New Zealanders are made redundant, laid off, or have to stop working because of a health condition or disability.
The Government, Business New Zealand and the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions are proposing a new way of better protecting workers and the economy: a New Zealand Income Insurance scheme.
You can read all relevant information in the following link. There is a survey, a video of key points and you can make a submission if you wish by 26 April 2022. Our Society intends to make a submission so I if you do not wish to make your own submission, but want your voice to be heard, feel free to email your points to me and I will ensure it’s included in the Wellington MS submission.
https://www.mbie.govt.nz/have-your-say/income-insurance/
Total Mobility – discounted taxi cards
IMPORTANT NOTE: We discovered recently that if you haven’t used your card for 3 years it will be cancelled. Don’t get caught short, if you’d like your card reactivated or need a new one, please email me.
The Government recently announced public transport fares will be temporarily reduced across the country to ease the cost of living over the next three months.
Fares will be half price on all Metlink buses, ferries and trains from 1 April to 30 June 2022, this also includes He Ratonga Tekehī The Total Mobility service. For full information click here:
Health and Wellbeing
Mindfulness
It’s the practice of being aware of each moment of your day as it happens. Becoming more mindful helps reduce tension, stress, and anxiety. It also helps you notice what supports your wellbeing. • Slow down! • Breathe slowly and calmly. • Do one thing at a time. • Take time to smell the roses – or look at the stars, stroll on a beach, stroke a pet. • Write a journal or draw a picture. • Develop a daily mindfulness practice. See the resilience attachment for further ideas around mindfulness and resilience.
Stress Management with yoga
Yoga teacher, Diane Clark-Manley, takes a wonderfully relaxed, friendly and interesting yoga session for all abilities. The focus is on managing stress through yoga practices. Wellington MS have been working with Diane since 2014 so she has deep insights into Multiple Sclerosis and the various impacts it can have on the body, brain and mind. This session will introduce you to some enjoyable techniques, some theory around the techniques and some practice so you can see how it all fits together. We hope you enjoy this. Meeting Recording: Access Passcode: 22Stress#Manage
Circus Quirkus tickets
The Rotary Club of Mount Victoria have kindly offered our Society tickets for this fun looking event on Saturday 21 May in Lower Hutt – flyer attached. If you would like tickets, please email Suzie Suzanne@mswellington.org.nz with the number of tickets and the time of the show you’d like to go to; 11am, 2.00pm, 5.00pm. Tickets are limited this year so get in quick 
.
Resources
Overcoming MS Webinars
The Overcoming MS Charity has produced a webinar series taking a dive into a variety of topics. My colleague, Shona says February’s Webinar was particularly interesting, titled – ‘Ask a Neurologist’. In the Webinar Dr Aaron Boster, a telemedicine Neurologist who specialises in MS, answers listener’s questions. Dr Aaron Boster has many clips on YouTube where he discusses just about every issue/symptom and management of MS that you can think of. Shona says he is well worth a google. ‘Kickstart 2022 with OMS’ can be accessed here along with all the other recorded webinars in the series;
Past OMS webinars | Overcoming MS
MS Research
MS Australia is offering a free webinar on Wednesday 6 April 2022 at 2pm ( 11am – 12pm (AEDT) with really interesting speakers. The topics include:
Topic 1 – MS gene hunting
Topic 2 – Rewrapping nerve fibres
Topic 3 – How MS Nurses improve lives for people living with MS
Topic 4 – A Neurologist’s insight
To register click here Live Update 2022 Register Your Interest – MS Australia
Need to talk to a MS Community Advisor?
Our service is still operating during this Omicron wave but is mostly ‘virtual’ so I can contact you by phone, email or video conferencing. It is taking a little longer for me to respond to people as I am covering Wellington and Porirua as well as Kapiti and the Hutt Valley at the moment. Please note that we do not provide an urgent or emergency service. If you need this level of service you can contact your GP, phone Healthline on 0800 611 116, visit your Emergency Department or phone 111 in the event of an emergency.
Take care and keep in touch.
Ngā mihi,
Gillian Fry
Manager & Lead Community Advisor