Ann and I fronted up for our first AstraZeneca shot on Thursday. The weather was wet and windy and the makeshift marquees that had been set up months ago for testing and vaccination groaned and shook at each gust.

Now, two days later, we have both had fevers and headaches, but they have subsided and hopefully that is the end of the side-effects, fingers crossed. At the time of the shot we were briefed thoroughly on all that might go wrong, though it was thought unlikely to. The media beat-ups make the risks seem far greater than they are.

We are very lucky to have sufficient vaccine in  Australia and effective, though not full-proof, public health systems. For once, there had also been effective government management in both here and New Zealand. We are also blessed with ocean borders.

It behoves us therefore to offer the maximum support that we can to those countries struggling beyond their capacity to cope. This is a wealthy land and we have an obligation to help, to be generous, to exceed all expectations. I have my doubts about the current generation of politicians and their narrow focus. But I do hope, nevertheless.