Pandemic planning and COVID-19 response
ASE made this Official Information request to Chris Hipkins
Response to this request is long overdue. By law Chris Hipkins should have responded by now (details and exceptions). The requester can complain to the Ombudsman.
From: ASE
Dear Chris Hipkins,
I am writing today to make a request as per the Official Information Act, regarding the COVID-19 response and related matters.
This request extends to all persons, boards, councils, committees, subcommittees, organisations, bodies, or individuals advising on such matters, or otherwise exerting influence in any capacity. If this request relates to information that you have reason to believe may be held by any other persons or bodies, I trust that you will forward this request to them and advise accordingly.
Is it correct that the New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Plan of 2017[1] was the sole or primary government plan for pandemic management, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic? What other pandemic planning was in place prior to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Is it correct that the New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Plan of 2017 was intended to establish a framework for action that can readily be adopted and applied to any pandemic, irrespective of the nature of the virus and its severity?
Does the New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Plan of 2017 recognise that people who recover from a viral disease are likely to acquire natural immunity? On the balance of evidence (both for and against) is there reason to believe that this is not the case with COVID-19?
Is it correct that the New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Plan of 2017 is based on planning around a respiratory virus with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 2%?
In countries/states with populations and healthcare systems comparable to New Zealand: During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, what has been the case fatality rate of COVID-19? How does that data distinguish "dying of COVID-19" from "dying with COVID-19"? What has been the average and median age of COVID-19 deaths, and how does that compare to average life expectancy? What comorbidities (eg cardiovascular disease, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, low/deficient serum vitamin D, low/deficient serum zinc) stand out as relevant to infection, disease progression or death? On average, how many of those comorbidities are associated with each COVID-19 death?
Within New Zealand: During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, what has been the case fatality rate of COVID-19? How does that data distinguish "dying of COVID-19" from "dying with COVID-19"? What has been the average and median age of COVID-19 deaths, and how does that compare to average life expectancy? What comorbidities (eg cardiovascular disease, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, low/deficient serum vitamin D, low/deficient serum zinc) stand out as relevant to infection, disease progression or death? On average, how many of those comorbidities are associated with each COVID-19 death?
On what basis (eg what balance of evidence, both for and against) was the New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Plan of 2017 effectively set aside, in favour of pandemic planning that appears more ad lib? What legal process was required for such change of plans?
What is the current status of COVID-19 pandemic planning? Where can these plans be found in their entirety? Are these plans being made up ad lib? How have they evolved thus far?
Is it correct that the New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Plan of 2017 aims towards recovery from a pandemic, and expediting the recovery of population health, communities and society where they have been affected by the pandemic, pandemic management measures or disruption to normal services? Is it correct that the intent of that plan is a return to pre-pandemic normal, as quickly as practicable?
Does current COVID-19 planning (and variations) aim towards recovery from a pandemic, and expediting the recovery of population health, communities and society where they have been affected by the pandemic, pandemic management measures or disruption to normal services? Is it correct that the intent of COVID-19 planning is a return to pre-pandemic normal, as quickly as practicable?
By what means does current COVID-19 planning have to work towards recovery from a pandemic, and expediting the recovery of population health, communities and society where they have been affected by the pandemic, pandemic management measures or disruption to normal services? On what basis (both for and against) have restrictions and disruptions to normal life, over an extended period of time, been assessed and calculated to be (presumably) of net benefit, compared to alternative courses of action, such as allowing COVID-19 to spread, and reaching natural/acquired herd immunity?
On what basis (eg what balance of evidence, both for and against, both planned and ongoing) is current COVID-19 planning expected to facilitate a return to pre-pandemic normal? Over what timeline?
Considering growing concerns that COVID-19 vaccines offer limited efficacy over a limited duration, and also considering growing safety concerns about the COVID-19 vaccines, what basis (both for and against) is there for relying on COVID-19 vaccinations as a means to return to normal? What other factors are influencing the apparent reliance on COVID-19 vaccines, at the exclusion of all other options?
On what balance of evidence (both for and against) have alternatives to COVID-19 vaccinations been considered for prevention and early treatment protocols, such as those developed by The FLCCC?[2][3]
Are you or your office aware of any other persons, boards, councils, committees, subcommittees, organisations, bodies, or individuals, whether or not based in New Zealand, whether or not subject to OIA Requests, which have had influence over any of the matters raised herein? If so, who/what are they?
1- https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/...
2- https://covid19criticalcare.com/covid-19...
3- https://covid19criticalcare.com/covid-19...
Please refer to my reference, ASE2021102901, in all replies to this request.
Thank you,
AS Emet
From: C Hipkins (MIN)
Chris Hipkins
Kia ora
Thank you for taking the time to write to Hon Chris Hipkins, Minister for
COVID-19 Response, Minister of Education, Minister for the Public Sector
and Leader of the House.
We are receiving a significant amount of correspondence at the moment and,
although your email will be carefully considered and noted, it is not
possible to respond to each individual email. However, please note that
this is an automatic response and we will endeavour to respond to your
individual queries as soon as we can.
You can find the latest information and guidance about Alert Levels at
[1]https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-levels-and...
The locations of interest are set out
at [2]https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
encourage anyone who has been at one of the locations of interest at the
time specified to self-isolate and call Healthline on 0800 358 5453. You
can find the nearest testing centre to you
at [3]https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19/.
We appreciate that this is a challenging time. If you need to talk, you
can call or text 1737 at any time. Mental health and wellbeing resources
are also available
at [4]https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
about the financial support available to individuals and businesses can be
found at [5]https://covid19.govt.nz/business-and-mon....
We also understand that there are several other aspects to the response
that are very important to people. You can find more information about:
o Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ)
at [6]https://www.miq.govt.nz/, including how to request an emergency
allocation
at [7]https://www.miq.govt.nz/travel-to-new-ze...
make a complaint or request a review of your application by
emailing [8]https://www.miq.govt.nz/about/contact-us....
o Travel with Australia
at [9]https://covid19.govt.nz/travel/quarantin...
you are in Australia, please register
at [10]https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/ and if it is an emergency,
contact the Consulate on +64 99 20 20 20.
o Vaccines at [11]https://covid19.govt.nz/covid-19-vaccines/, including
how to book your vaccine
at [12]https://bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz/... by calling 0800 28
29 26.
o Vaccine data and statistics
at [13]https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
Medsafe’s vaccine safety monitoring reports
at [14]https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/COVID-19/vac...
o The Government’s plan to reconnect New Zealand with the rest of the
world
at [16]https://covid19.govt.nz/reconnecting-new....
Please remember to take care, and be kind. We have beaten COVID-19 before,
and we can do it again.
Ngā mihi,
Office of Hon Chris Hipkins
Minister for COVID-19 Response | Minister of Education | Minister for the
Public Sector | Leader of the House | MP for Remutaka
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References
Visible links
1. https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-levels-and...
2. https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
3. https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19/
4. https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
5. https://covid19.govt.nz/business-and-mon...
6. https://www.miq.govt.nz/
7. https://www.miq.govt.nz/travel-to-new-ze...
8. https://www.miq.govt.nz/about/contact-us...
9. https://covid19.govt.nz/travel/quarantin...
10. https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/
11. https://covid19.govt.nz/covid-19-vaccines/
12. https://bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz/
13. https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
14. https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/COVID-19/vac...
15. file:///C:/Users/TasolaM/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/556O8F80/Updated%20Document1.docx
16. https://covid19.govt.nz/reconnecting-new...
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From: Tiffany Vail
Tēnā koe AS Emet
On behalf of Hon Chris Hipkins, Minister for Covid-19 Response, thank you for your email of 29 October 2021.
Ordinarily we would transfer your request for information under the Official Information Act 1982 to the Ministry of Health, under section 14(b)(ii) of the Act. However, I understand you have also addressed your request to the Ministry of Health, therefore a transfer is not required and you will receive a response from the Ministry in due course.
Ngā mihi
Tiffany Vail | Private Secretary, Health
Office of Hon Chris Hipkins
Minister for COVID-19 Response
-----Original Message-----
From: ASE [mailto:[FOI #17383 email]]
Sent: Friday, 29 October 2021 1:23 AM
To: C Hipkins (MIN) <[Chris Hipkins request email]>
Subject: Official Information request - Pandemic planning and COVID-19 response - Ref: OIA0417
Dear Chris Hipkins,
I am writing today to make a request as per the Official Information Act, regarding the COVID-19 response and related matters.
This request extends to all persons, boards, councils, committees, subcommittees, organisations, bodies, or individuals advising on such matters, or otherwise exerting influence in any capacity. If this request relates to information that you have reason to believe may be held by any other persons or bodies, I trust that you will forward this request to them and advise accordingly.
Is it correct that the New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Plan of 2017[1] was the sole or primary government plan for pandemic management, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic? What other pandemic planning was in place prior to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Is it correct that the New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Plan of 2017 was intended to establish a framework for action that can readily be adopted and applied to any pandemic, irrespective of the nature of the virus and its severity?
Does the New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Plan of 2017 recognise that people who recover from a viral disease are likely to acquire natural immunity? On the balance of evidence (both for and against) is there reason to believe that this is not the case with COVID-19?
Is it correct that the New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Plan of 2017 is based on planning around a respiratory virus with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 2%?
In countries/states with populations and healthcare systems comparable to New Zealand: During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, what has been the case fatality rate of COVID-19? How does that data distinguish "dying of COVID-19" from "dying with COVID-19"? What has been the average and median age of COVID-19 deaths, and how does that compare to average life expectancy? What comorbidities (eg cardiovascular disease, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, low/deficient serum vitamin D, low/deficient serum zinc) stand out as relevant to infection, disease progression or death? On average, how many of those comorbidities are associated with each COVID-19 death?
Within New Zealand: During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, what has been the case fatality rate of COVID-19? How does that data distinguish "dying of COVID-19" from "dying with COVID-19"? What has been the average and median age of COVID-19 deaths, and how does that compare to average life expectancy? What comorbidities (eg cardiovascular disease, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, low/deficient serum vitamin D, low/deficient serum zinc) stand out as relevant to infection, disease progression or death? On average, how many of those comorbidities are associated with each COVID-19 death?
On what basis (eg what balance of evidence, both for and against) was the New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Plan of 2017 effectively set aside, in favour of pandemic planning that appears more ad lib? What legal process was required for such change of plans?
What is the current status of COVID-19 pandemic planning? Where can these plans be found in their entirety? Are these plans being made up ad lib? How have they evolved thus far?
Is it correct that the New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Plan of 2017 aims towards recovery from a pandemic, and expediting the recovery of population health, communities and society where they have been affected by the pandemic, pandemic management measures or disruption to normal services? Is it correct that the intent of that plan is a return to pre-pandemic normal, as quickly as practicable?
Does current COVID-19 planning (and variations) aim towards recovery from a pandemic, and expediting the recovery of population health, communities and society where they have been affected by the pandemic, pandemic management measures or disruption to normal services? Is it correct that the intent of COVID-19 planning is a return to pre-pandemic normal, as quickly as practicable?
By what means does current COVID-19 planning have to work towards recovery from a pandemic, and expediting the recovery of population health, communities and society where they have been affected by the pandemic, pandemic management measures or disruption to normal services? On what basis (both for and against) have restrictions and disruptions to normal life, over an extended period of time, been assessed and calculated to be (presumably) of net benefit, compared to alternative courses of action, such as allowing COVID-19 to spread, and reaching natural/acquired herd immunity?
On what basis (eg what balance of evidence, both for and against, both planned and ongoing) is current COVID-19 planning expected to facilitate a return to pre-pandemic normal? Over what timeline?
Considering growing concerns that COVID-19 vaccines offer limited efficacy over a limited duration, and also considering growing safety concerns about the COVID-19 vaccines, what basis (both for and against) is there for relying on COVID-19 vaccinations as a means to return to normal? What other factors are influencing the apparent reliance on COVID-19 vaccines, at the exclusion of all other options?
On what balance of evidence (both for and against) have alternatives to COVID-19 vaccinations been considered for prevention and early treatment protocols, such as those developed by The FLCCC?[2][3]
Are you or your office aware of any other persons, boards, councils, committees, subcommittees, organisations, bodies, or individuals, whether or not based in New Zealand, whether or not subject to OIA Requests, which have had influence over any of the matters raised herein? If so, who/what are they?
1- https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/...
2- https://covid19criticalcare.com/covid-19...
3- https://covid19criticalcare.com/covid-19...
Please refer to my reference, ASE2021102901, in all replies to this request.
Thank you,
AS Emet
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This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #17383 email]
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________________________________
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From: ASE
Dear Tiffany Vail,
Should I expect a response from Chris Hipkins? Or is Chris Hipkins refusing to address these questions personally?
As the Minister for Covid-19 Response, I expect that his perspectives and his answers to these questions will compliment the perspectives and answers from the Ministry of Health, which is why he was addressed separately.
Thank you,
AS Emet
From: ASE
Dear Tiffany Vail,
Reference ASE2021102901
I am awaiting a substantive response from your office to this request for information, which is overdue.
Please advise promptly, or I will have to file a complaint with the Ombudsman's office.
Thank you,
ASE
From: Tiffany Vail
Thank you for your email, this person no longer works at Parliament, and
this mailbox is no longer monitored.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: ASE
Dear Chris Hipkins,
This request is overdue. Please provide a substantive response immediately, or I will have no choice but to file a complaint with the Ombudsman's office.
Thank you,
ASE
From: C Hipkins (MIN)
Chris Hipkins
Kia ora
Thank you for taking the time to write to Hon Chris Hipkins, Minister for
COVID-19 Response, Minister of Education, Minister for the Public Sector
and Leader of the House.
We are receiving a significant amount of correspondence at the moment and
although your email will be carefully considered and noted, it is not
possible to respond to each individual email. However we will endeavour
to respond to your individual queries as soon as we can.
In the meantime, information about the COVID-19 Protection Framework can
be found here:
[1]https://covid19.govt.nz/traffic-lights/c...
and guidance for businesses can be found here:
[2]https://www.business.govt.nz/covid-19/
Current locations of interest are set out
at [3]https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
encourage anyone who has been at one of the locations of interest at the
time specified to self-isolate and call Healthline on 0800 358 5453.
You can find the nearest testing centre to you
at [4]https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19/ and your nearest
vaccination centre at
[5]https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19-v.... You can also book
your vaccination at [6]https://bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz/ or by
calling 0800 28 29 26.
To get your My Vaccine Pass online head to
[7]https://mycovidrecord.health.nz/ or for help over the phone you can
call 0800 222 478 between 8am and 8pm, 7 days a week. Those pharmacies
giving COVID-19 vaccines can also help with My Vaccine Pass face to face,
and can be found here:
[8]https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19-v...
.
We appreciate that this is a challenging time. If you need to talk, you
can call or text 1737 at any time. Mental health and wellbeing resources
are also available
at [9]https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
about the financial support available to individuals and businesses can be
found
at [10]https://covid19.govt.nz/business-and-mon....
We also understand that there are several other aspects to the response
that are very important to people. You can find more information about:
o Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ)
at [11]https://www.miq.govt.nz/, including how to request an emergency
allocation
at [12]https://www.miq.govt.nz/travel-to-new-ze...
make a complaint or request a review of your application by
emailing [13]https://www.miq.govt.nz/about/contact-us....
o Travel with Australia
at [14]https://covid19.govt.nz/travel/quarantin...
you are in Australia, please register
at [15]https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/ and if it is an emergency,
contact the Consulate on +64 99 20 20 20.
o Vaccine data and statistics
at [16]https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
Medsafe’s vaccine safety monitoring reports
at [17]https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/COVID-19/vac...
o The Government’s plan to reconnect New Zealand with the rest of the
world
at [19]https://covid19.govt.nz/reconnecting-new....
Please remember to take care, and be kind. We have beaten COVID-19 before,
and we can do it again.
Ngā mihi,
Office of Hon Chris Hipkins
Minister for COVID-19 Response | Minister of Education | Minister for the
Public Sector | Leader of the House | MP for Remutaka
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://covid19.govt.nz/traffic-lights/c...
2. https://www.business.govt.nz/covid-19/
3. https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
4. https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19/
5. https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19-v...
6. https://bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz/
7. https://mycovidrecord.health.nz/
8. https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19-v...
9. https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
10. https://covid19.govt.nz/business-and-mon...
11. https://www.miq.govt.nz/
12. https://www.miq.govt.nz/travel-to-new-ze...
13. https://www.miq.govt.nz/about/contact-us...
14. https://covid19.govt.nz/travel/quarantin...
15. https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/
16. https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
17. https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/COVID-19/vac...
18. file:///C:\Users\TasolaM\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.Outlook\556O8F80\Updated%20Document1.docx#_msocom_1
19. https://covid19.govt.nz/reconnecting-new...
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