We all have different expectations of behaviour as Omicron spreads in NZ – being considerate is key | Sarb Johal

Life can be tough for everyone and we never know what another person may be experiencing - take a breath to consider before you speak

We like predictability. We function best when we know what is going to happen. The irony here is that after all this uncertainty, predictability in this phase of the pandemic in New Zealand is increasing. As the Omicron wave gathers strength, we can most likely expect a version of what happened in other countries: a steep increase in case numbers, exerting pressure on the health and social care system.

New Zealand's successful management of the primary health impacts of the pandemic may have contributed to a sense of kiwi exceptionalism". This may be responsible for the jolt we may feel when we realise that what has happened elsewhere might actually happen in New Zealand, when, for most of this pandemic, our experience has been very different.